Cruising takes a modern turn at the Celebrity Edge cruise ship. Modern, luxurious, streamlined and high tech, the new ship has expanded sized rooms thanks to an innovative design to create more space in the rooms. Plus there's the "Magic carpet" moving deck that goes up and down the side of the ship and a range of restaurants with 29 restaurants and bars, 7 new speciality restaurants and 11 bars on board the Celebrity Edge.
The arrival of the Celebrity Edge ship has even the staff at our pre-cruise hotel excited. "I've been watching youtube videos of it," the man checking us in says excitedly. Indeed, I'm curious to see if the 3D renderings are accurate.
The Celebrity Edge's maiden voyage was in December 2018 and has no other than Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai as its godmother. She was selected as they wanted someone that was "heroic and transformative and approached the Malala foundation to have her as the ship's godmother.
Truthfully I don't like cruise ships that look like cruise ships (there's definitely a look). But the boutiques and public areas or the Grand Plaza (designed by Jouin Manku) on the Celebrity Edge looks more like a shopping centre on land. The whole design aesthetic completely avoids the cruise ship look and it's as far from the Love Boat as you can get. In fact it was designed by a team who had never set foot on a cruise ship.
So what is the accommodation on Celebrity Edge like? Rooms on cruise ships are generally smaller than hotel rooms unless you're lucky enough to snag a suite. But the Celebrity Edge's infinite veranda rooms feel larger because the balcony is an open one that you can close off to become like a traditional balcony or you can keep it open adding to the room's apparent footprint. The balcony window opens up easily with the press of a button so you can get fresh air if you want.
The king bed is comfortable and there's a large flatscreen tv with paid and free movies, work desk, international plugs, USBs at very handy spots near the bed and there's a fridge with complimentary soft and alcoholic drinks and snacks. Internet is extra although it is expensive (1 device for 7 days is $249USD) although the speed is reasonably fast.
There's also room for a day bed to recline on. There is water provided in sustainable, plastic free packaging as well as large Evian bottles for all guests. Yoga mats and robes are also provided in the cupboard. On the bed in a drawstring netted bag are slippers and lip balms for guests to keep.
The bathroom is spacious. CO Bigelow products feature in each stateroom in large sizes and there's plenty of space to put toiletries. I especially like the multiple heads for the shower-there is a monsoon head, a more direct aim head and then a setting that shoots three jets onto you for a soothing massage effect.
And after we check in, our stateroom attendant Michael knocks on the door and introduces himself and then explains the features of the room.
One of the most useful tools is the Celebrity Edge app that tells you what is available to do each day on the cruise as well as which restaurants are open and where they are located. And a very cool feature is that you can control the lights, blinds and television for your room on this app even when you're in another area of the ship. With one tap you can turn off all the lights or close the blinds while you are out at dinner.
The spa is one of the paid for areas on the ship. There are two sides to the spa: a MedSpa for injectables and the regular spa including a barber and salon. The SEA thermal suite includes a thermal pool, pink salt room to clear the sinuses and assist in breathing, a crystal room, a hammam and a sauna with a water view. All Aqua Class and suite guests have access to these rooms included in their fare.
Spa treatments are extra and I try a BIOTEC anti ageing facial which is based around collagen. My therapist Danijela is wonderful. She explains what she is going to do and bundles me up warmly on the heated treatment bed.
My skin soaks up all the products and she applies two masks on me as well as a Biotec eye and neck enhancement. A facial on board doesn't come cheap though with the base facial at $199USD and each add on at $69USD each.
One of the most talked about designs is the Magic Carpet or the cantilevered tangerine shaded deck the size of a tennis court that moves up and down the side of the ship. Designed by Tom Wright it also proved the biggest challenge. The Magic Carpet only moves when there is nobody on it (a common question) and at times it's a cafe, other times it's a bar.
And outside if you're wanting to go for a swim there's the pool with shaded cabanas on board. Then there are also the two storey giant martini glasses that are hot tubs.
Up next: all about the food on the Celebrity Edge!
Pros to the Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship:
- Well designed and luxuriously appointed rooms
- High tech features that work
- Very quiet ship, I didn't feel much movement unless I was in the aft or forward areas
- Standard of food is high
- The Magic Carpet makes it easy to embark and disembark
Cons to the Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship:
- Mostly cost related. The top food experiences are extra and some cost as much as they would on land (eg Raw on Five) although included restaurants are very good quality. Spa is costly although treatments are excellent. In room movies are extra.
So tell me Dear Reader, have you done much cruising? What do you think of this ship?
NQN and Mr NQN were guests of the Celebrity Edge but all opinions remain her own.
Celebrity Edge
celebritycruises.com/edge/
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