Amanda PhillipsFew industry observers who watched spellbound as Celebrity Cruises revealed their transformational new ship concept Celebrity Edge on 13 March were left in any doubt that the design of this ship was ground-breaking. A new ship needs to have a ‘wow-factor’ and nobody watching the reveal in Miami or live on the internet were disappointed.
Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class ships quickly became the darlings of the cruise industry when they were introduced between 2008 and 2012, offering a sleekly cool, Zen-like ambience. Celebrity Edge has taken decadent design to a new level boasting an artsy vibe that will appeal to style junkies.
Designed completely in 3-D, and featuring the work of celebrated British interior designer Kelly Hoppen MBE, this new class of 129,000-tonne ships are as far from the cookie-cutter aesthetic as it’s possible to imagine. When the ship is introduced in December 2018, passengers will enter a brilliant set-designer’s vision of a place that might never have existed had it not been for Celebrity Cruises.
The essence of Celebrity’s Modern Luxury style is encapsulated in a revolutionary design of staterooms which adds 23% more square footage and 10% larger bathrooms than Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class. Boundaries between traditional ship’s cabins and their balconies will be erased. The new Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda turns guest accommodation into a seamless space, from the door all the way to the water’s edge. The simple touch of a button gives open-air access to the sea, bringing the outside in and the inside out. With the touch of another button, guests can take complete control of their stateroom and personalise everything from lighting, shades, temperature and service.
With Celebrity Edge, the company has more than doubled the number of available suites, adding two spectacular new categories – Iconic Suites situated above the ship’s bridge, and split-level Edge Villas. Suite guests enjoy the private aerie called The Retreat, featuring a private pool. There will also be the Retreat Lounge offering butler service as well as the exclusive Suite Class restaurant ‘Luminae @ The Retreat’.
The Rooftop Garden will lure guests to relax and play in this tropical hideaway tended daily by a resident horticulturist. There will be games and activities through the day, while at night, this will be home to live music and the outdoor movie-and-meal pairing of ‘A Taste of Film.’
Cantilevered from the side of the ship, the Magic Carpet is the size of a tennis court. This incredible engineering feat scales the 16-deck ship by day and night, positioning at four of the ship’s decks, transforming into a new and exciting experience at each one.
At the summit of the ship on Deck 16, the Magic Carpet becomes the ultimate speciality restaurant offering a special ‘Dinner on the Edge’ for 90 guests. Alongside Deck 14, Magic Carpet becomes an open-air expansion of the main pool area. On Deck 5, it extends one of the ship’s speciality restaurants into the most amazing al fresco seating imaginable, and at its lowest position on Deck 2, Magic Carpet is a key component to the Destination Gateway, a luxury embarkation station where passengers will be whisked away aboard sleek Edge Launches.
The 2,918-guest Celebrity Edge will sail from Fort Lauderdale from December 2018. Eastern Caribbean cruises visit San Juan; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and St. Maarten. The western Caribbean route calls at Key West; Costa Maya; Cozumel; and Grand Cayman. Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in 2020, 2021 and 2022. For more details of this exciting new ship call our cruise specialists now on 0141 242 1337 or click on www.barrheadtravel.co.uk.