Celebrity Edge European Premier
I started my travel career as a cruise specialist 14 years ago and I have never experienced a ship quite like this one. Celebrity enlisted Kelly Hoppen MBE at the very beginning to help design this ship, and it so shows. Every space onboard is designed to perfection, at one point I had forgotten I was on a ship.
I stayed in an “Infinite Balcony” stateroom, where at the touch of a button, your entire living space becomes your balcony.
I viewed all the lead in room categories. I was really impressed with the size of the inside stateroom, these would comfortably fit a family of 4. The outside staterooms are at the forward of the ship and have amazing floor to ceiling windows, again with a huge feeling of space. The highlight for me were the Edge Villas. There are six of them, two-storey luxury residences, the first of their kind in the fleet. Each offers a spacious 950-square-feet of split-level splendour with one bedroom or two bathrooms, making it perfect for up to four guests. There is also an outdoor living space with a private seating area and plunge pool, and they also have direct access to The Retreat, an exclusive area for suite-class guests.
Onto the rest of the ship. First off, the Magic Carpet (the big orange thing on the side of the ship!) You go here for jaw-dropping views as you soar over the ocean. Now this really is an incredible feat of engineering; it is the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform, reaching 13 stories above sea level. The Magic Carpet is a multi-purpose venue, with its mood and function changing with its position. At the top of the ship, the Magic Carpet becomes an extraordinary venue, where al fresco dining is taken to the next level, and you’ll be able to enjoy sumptuous fare on the glass-fronted balcony. Down on Deck 14, it becomes a stunning extension of the main pool area, while on Deck 5, it serves as an unforgettable, open-air dining experience, offering a unique seafood menu throughout the day.
Next up to tell you about is Eden. This is another feature of Celebrity’s outward-facing vision, they have created three levels of sensory experiences completely wrapped in glass. With over 11,800 square feet of event space, Eden features a lively, open-air kitchen and menus that deliver sensory and experiential dishes served by performance artists. There’s also entertainment produced by Variety Worldwide – a leader in fusing non-traditional theatre with nightlife and dining – making for incredible evening experiences, while in the morning, Eden is used as a relaxation space where guests can unwind. I enjoyed a quiet breakfast here during my short stay.
I watched a show onboard called “A Hot Summers Night Dream”. My mind was blown, I have never seen such a high standard of theatre production a ship before. Edge has a fully contemporary theatre where everything from whimsical productions to edgy experiences take place.
I took a trip to deck 3 to see “Camp at Sea” and the provisions that are in place for children. They have an interactive learning space for children, with over 500 activities and enriching daily programmes based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Another great area onboard is the Resort Deck; a multi-functional paradise that merges modern luxury and cool innovation with a rooftop garden, live musical performances and much more.
Whether you want to clear your mind, keep up your fitness regime or simply rest and revitalise, The Spa on Celebrity Edge is where you need to be. The Spa’s SEA (playing on the theme of SEA - Sea, Earth and Air) Thermal Suites feature eight distinctive therapeutic experiences, all inspired by nature to create one incredible place to relax and connect with fellow wellness enthusiasts, while a varied menu of treatments and therapies is available, from soothing sound therapy to an ELEMIS® Thousand Flower Detox Wrap.
I had a great time onboard; I didn’t feel like I was on a cruise ship. More like a 5* resort, the food and service just could not be faulted. I was so impressed I’ve even booked myself a cruise for next year on Celebrity Apex which is going to be Edges identical sister ship!