Celebrity Cruises' new ship: EDGE
Having cruised many times and seen plenty of beautiful ships during my 30 years as a travel agent, (I started young at the age of 15) - I thought that I knew what I was should expect to see. I was very wrong but really impressed and had that “wow” feeling! This ship really is something else! It’s so ‘different’ from what I am used to seeing and not only with very fresh décor, but also a very homely and relaxing feel to it.
The first thing that struck me once we were on board was another “‘wow” factor and that is there’s lots & lots of space. Gone is the traditional long reception type desk usually found within the foyer of a cruise ship which has been replaced by individual seating area pods. These have low comfortable seating, and quirky bespoke silver oval tables. This gives the feeling of being in somebody’s lounge rather than the usual formal reception area of a large cruise ship.
Next we came to the Martini bar which is located in the centre and is the beating heart of this ship with even more comfortable seating and the bar is accessible from three of the main decks. There is a striking and enormous “feature light chandelier”, unable to be missed as it frames the wide bar and draws your eyes to it because it’s such a centre-piece statement that it makes the Plaza area feel so grand.
Each evening a magnificent light show is performed here accompanied by music. You’ll also here find a bar man who can create martinis whilst juggling glasses and cocktail shakers, all at the same time! The Martini menu here will impress even the most knowledgeable Martini connoisseur! From The Martini bar, or Grand Plaza, as it is also called, you can easily reach all other areas of this ship.
What I so loved about ‘The Edge’ is that she doesn’t feel overwhelmingly huge, and you certainly don’t feel like you are going to get lost! It is ‘no mean feat’ to create this when your vessel carries almost 3,000 passengers.
There’s plenty of choice for eating & drinking too:- Instead of a large traditional Main Dining Room ‘Celebrity Edge’ has the area divided into 4 smaller restaurants, all sharing the same kitchen galley, which gives dining a more intimate & calmer feeling. Each of these restaurants is decorated differently - and each themed with different food Not only American/Mediterranean/Italian/French but each restaurant also serves a standard menu too. With almost 30 restaurants, bars and lounges in total, you are certainly spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink - including a steakhouse, a Japanese sea food restaurant, and the quirky Petit Chef (a technical advance in dining with a digital light show projected onto your plate which has to be seen to be appreciated)
We also saw the ‘The Spa’ and ‘Ship’s Gym’ together with beautiful outside areas with the main swimming pool, various bars on deck, The Buffet Restaurant (open most of the day & evenings too.)
Next to see was the much talked about ‘Magic Carpet’ for which we had very high expectations! This movable cantilevered platform is suspended from the side of the ship and is a separate floor to the ship! It is additional space that can ride up and down between the decks, and is used for outdoor dining or an outdoor bar! It also makes leaving the ship much easier when it is taken back down to the sea-level on deck 2.
Whatever will they think of next? Cruising on his ship will be a really new and wonderful experience to all who choose to cruise on her.
Now we come to the Cabins for even yet more eye-openers. Cabins are called Staterooms on Celebrity Cruise Lines and we saw 2 stateroom types. I was very excited to see a ‘Standard Balcony’ as had heard lots about the new “Infinity Balconies” These new fully glass balconies (get your phone ready as you can operate this from an app!) can be opened half-way to make a traditional balcony or, closed upwards to make a “floor to ceiling” large window which gives you extra cabin floor space. Technology is in abundance in the cabin, you can even operate your cabin lighting from ‘Celebrity’s’ mobile phone app too. Don’t worry there are traditional light switches for those who would prefer to do things the more traditionally way!
The ‘Sky Suites Staterooms’ on decks 11 and 12 are spacious with a bed facing the sea, plenty of storage space and give you exclusive access to the ‘Retreat’ Lounge and pool area. Upgrade to this stateroom and you definitely will not be disappointed.
With Kelly Hoppen from TV's Dragons Den on-board (excuse the pun!), we weren’t disappointed with the various areas of the ship that had been handed over to her to do her stuff with the interior design. One of these areas is the speciality restaurant ‘EDEN’ which can only be described as more of an eating ‘experience’ rather than a restaurant. The decor is various shades of green with once again different comfortable seating areas on 3 levels together with a cocktail bar.
Dining tables are located by the large ‘floor to ceiling’ windows so you will be guaranteed a table with a view and all 3 levels of The Eden restaurant are enveloped in 7000 square feet of glass.
The waiting staff entertain you with their singing - and acrobatic show - plus other mysterious tricks and theatre, to add to your evening and dining experience. Here we ate a 5 course tasting menu with lobster to start, with duck & steak too and an amazing dessert was bought out to us. A chocolate sphere which was ‘opened’ when they poured hot chocolate sauce onto its top!
This ship needs to be seen to be believed and although the décor is opulent & technology has been used in abundance it still feels homely. Also the ship has been divided into lots of different areas which makes it feel much smaller than it is, with plenty of lovely seating areas dotted throughout. She certainly is beautiful and with her 4 new sister ships promised starting with the launch of number 2 early next year (The Apex) there will be plenty of different itineraries to choose from too.
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