Celebrity Edge

The 2018-built cruise ship Celebrity Edge is the first of the EDGE-class newbuilds, followed by sisterships Celebrity Apex (2021), Celebrity Beyond (2022), Celebrity Ascent (2023), Celebrity Xcel (2025), and Celebrity Xcite (2028).

The vessel (IMO number 9812705) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 248325000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1988 as the Greece-based Chandris Line (operating cruises between 1974-1996). In 1997, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to form "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL). The "X" on the ship’s funnels represents the Greek letter chi, symbolizing "Chandris."

Signature features of Celebrity Cruises ships include aft-located glass-walled dining rooms, alternate dining venues, numerous bars and lounges, spacious atriums, a high percentage of balcony staterooms, large sundecks with pools, The Retreat (adults-only sundeck with pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas, and poolside bar), Rooftop Terrace (top-deck lounge-restaurant-cinema), expansive spas with Thermal Suites, and premium retail shops offering luxury merchandise.

The 2,900-passenger Celebrity Edge is the first of four cruise ships launched under Celebrity Cruises’ Project Edge. Debuting in November 2018, the ship was designed to deliver "small-ship itineraries with large-ship amenities," offering destination-focused experiences and innovative architecture.

Decks and Cabins

Most Celebrity Edge staterooms are Balcony cabins. The ship also offers a number of wheelchair-accessible accommodations. Of the 1,467 total staterooms, 918 are Edge Staterooms with Infinite Verandas and 176 are suites.

The vessel has 15 decks, with 14 accessible to passengers and 10 containing accommodations.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The ship's four main dining rooms (each with 360 seats) share a base menu while offering unique, venue-specific dishes. Suite guests have exclusive access to "Luminae at The Retreat," while AquaClass guests dine at "Blu." New dining venues include the raw bar "Raw on 5," the cantilevered "Magic Carpet" (bar-lounge-restaurant), and the multi-purpose venue "Eden."

During the day, "Le Grand Bistro" (Deck 4 Atrium) operates as a patisserie and French café. At night, it transforms into "Le Petite Chef," a dining-entertainment experience using 3D animation and projection technology in partnership with TableMation Studios and Skullmapping. Pricing is USD 25 pp (Le Grand Bistro) and USD 55 pp (Le Petite Chef).

Other dining venues include Cosmopolitan, Normandie, Cyprus, Tuscan, and Fine Cut Steakhouse. The traditional "Rooftop Garden Grill" is featured on all EDGE-class ships. Popular bars include Eden Bar, Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Pool Bar.

Celebrity Edge has four main dining rooms and six specialty restaurants, totaling 15 eateries and 12 bars/lounges.

AquaClass and Suite guests have exclusive access to Blu and Luminae, respectively. Suites guests may also dine in the main dining rooms: Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, and Cyprus. Each MDR features menus inspired by regional itineraries and offers locally sourced ingredients, themed cocktails, rotating Signature dishes, and dedicated table service (sommelier, assistant waiter, head waiter). Passengers are assigned to one MDR but can request to dine in others.

The ship offers “Celebrity Select Dining Plus” (your-time dining), allowing guests to make reservations or dine at any MDR at their preferred time.

Additional complimentary venues include Oceanview Café (buffet), Mast Grill (poolside), Spa Café & Juice Bar, and Eden Café. Two alfresco dining areas are also available.

The ship features 11 bars and lounges, including Cafe al Bacio, The Club, Sunset Bar, Theater Bar, Casino Bar, Martini Bar, Il Secondo Bacio, and Retreat-exclusive bars.

Specialty dining options at a surcharge include Qsine (USD 45 pp), Tuscan Grill (Italian steakhouse, USD 45 pp), Murano (French cuisine, USD 45 pp), Lawn Club Grill (DIY steaks, USD 40 pp), Bistro on 5 (creperie, USD 10 pp), and The Porch (panini bar, USD 5 pp). Qsine offers interactive ordering via iPads.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Lawn Deck features real grass and ample loungers for a relaxing atmosphere. The iLounge offers Apple product tutorials and duty-free shopping. The AquaSpa Café is ideal for a healthy lunch after spa treatments.

Sky Observation Lounge hosts sunset live music, and Fortune’s Casino invites guests to try their luck.

Celebrity Edge offers "frictionless arrival" via geo-fencing and facial recognition. Staterooms are keyless, accessed by smartphone, and all in-room features are touchscreen-controlled.

The Virtual Concierge app supports dining/spa reservations, room service, and drinks ordering, using smartphone location sensors to enhance guest experience.

EDGE-Class ships feature the fleet’s most advanced Theater Lounge (spanning 3 decks), with the largest cast and technical setup. The main stage extends into the audience and includes two rotating platforms and spiral staircases, 10 mobile projection screens, 16 video mapping laser projectors, and aerial rigging. Five signature shows include “A Hot Summer Night’s Dream,” “The Jewelry Box,” “Kaleidoscope,” “Get Up,” and “The Purpose.”

The Club is a dual-purpose venue featuring a dance floor, stage, LED screen, and two bars. Daytime activities include a laser maze, drone hunting, dance classes, and trivia. At night, it becomes “Undercover at The Club,” themed around the Prohibition era with signature 1920s cocktails and saxophone performances. Unique experiences include the Andromeda body scanner and Hypno Cam Experience dance party.

The Kids Club offers over 500 activities via the "Camp at Sea" program and includes two teen/kids zones named "The Basement."

The Rooftop Garden (top-deck) provides expanded entertainment including the Rooftop Concert Series, Garden Cinema, and “Taste of Film” evenings.

In 2023, pickleball courts were added fleetwide, including equipment and scheduled play for adults and families. On EDGE-class ships, courts are located in the Rooftop Garden.

Grand Plaza

Located midship and spanning three decks, the Grand Plaza was designed by Jouin Manku Studio and inspired by the golden age of Transatlantic liners. Its centerpiece is “The Chandelier”—a 5-tier installation weighing 7 tons, with 765 illuminated blades using dynamic LED lights that change from day to night.

The Grand Plaza houses Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on 5, Le Grand Bistro, Café al Bacio, Grand Plaza Café, and Martini Bar. The design includes over 13,500 hand-stitched art elements in leather, fabric, and metal. By evening, it becomes the ship’s social hub with live music and cocktails.

Eden Lounge

Eden spans three aft decks (4, 5, 6) and is a 1,175 m² venue with 10,439 m³ of space. It features an outward-facing design and includes a restaurant, bar, and performance space. Offerings include light lunches, wine tastings, and 5-course dinners with live entertainment. Evening programming transforms Eden into “Eve at Eden”—a provocative fusion of dining and artistic performance.

The venue includes a 90-m (295 ft) ramp with panoramic views, alfresco dining areas, and unique furniture by Patricia Urquiola, who also designed the “Library of Plants.” Lounge design is by Scott Butler (Wilson Butler Architects), with programming by Variety Worldwide.

"The Meeting Place" is the ship’s 183 m² (1,970 ft²) conference center, equipped with AV tech, flexible seating, mobile bars, pantry, and planning office.

Magic Carpet ("outdoor elevator lounge")

Magic Carpet is a cantilevered, glass-roofed platform the size of a tennis court, traveling between Decks 2 and 16. Positioned on the ship’s starboard side, it serves multiple purposes depending on location: al fresco dining (“Dinner on the Edge”) on Deck 16, a pool deck extension on Deck 14, a dining venue on Deck 5, and a tendering platform (“Destination Gateway”) on Deck 2.

Guests may only board the Magic Carpet when it is stationary and locked at a deck. Furniture is fixed, and while repositioning, the area is empty.

The daily schedule for Magic Carpet's movement is published onboard.

The complete list of Celebrity Edge’s lounges, clubs, and venues includes:

• Edge Theater
• Magic Carpet
• The Basement (Teens Club)
• Camp at Sea youth program (500+ activities)
• Grand Plaza with Martini Bar and specialty restaurants
• The Club (daytime games and nightlife)
• Casino and Casino Bar
• Retail shops (Bulgari, Michael Kors, Watch Shop, etc.)
• Photo Gallery & Studio
• iLounge (Apple certified)
• Art Gallery
• Eden Lounge/Bar/Restaurant
• Spa complex with Thermal Suites, Salon, and Retail
• Spa Cafe and Juice Bar
• Adults-only Solarium with pool and whirlpool
• Pool Deck (lap pool, cabanas, LED screen, party area)
• Magic Carpet and Destination Gateway (tender platform)
• Il Secondo Bacio (grab-and-go specialty drinks)
• Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria
• Fitness Center with Technogym, Peloton, and studios
• Motion Studios (A and B)
• The Retreat Lounge and Sundeck

The Sports Deck features a Power Walking/Jogging Track and Multi-Sports Court.

Itineraries

Since December 2018, Celebrity Edge has offered 7-day Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida USA), sailing from the exclusive Terminal 25.

• Eastern Caribbean: San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tortola (BVI), St Maarten
• Western Caribbean: Key West, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Grand Cayman
• Back-to-back cruises: 14-night options combining both itineraries
• Short Bahamas sailings were also offered in 2018 (Nov-Dec)
• Inaugural cruise bookings opened March 13, 2017

In 2018, Celebrity Edge was deployed in Europe for the summer season. The inaugural European cruise sailed May 13–15 from Southampton, followed by an 11-day repositioning cruise to Rome (Civitavecchia). Summer 2018 itineraries included homeports in Rome and Barcelona with 7–14-night roundtrips, visiting ports such as Capri, Mykonos, Monte Carlo, Valencia, Ibiza, Nafplio, and Santa Margherita.

Due to the COVID pandemic, the 2021 European season was canceled. Instead, the ship operated Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale beginning June 26, 2021—the first large U.S.-based cruise ship to resume service.

In September 2021, Celebrity announced that for the 2023–2024 season (December–April), Celebrity Edge would be homeported in Sydney and Auckland for South Pacific cruises.

• 12 itineraries (6–13 nights) visiting 22 ports
• “Cruises to nowhere” themed as Sun & Beach Escape, Food & Wine Classic, Five Star Getaway
• Overnights in Auckland, Cairns, and Hobart
• New port: Kangaroo Island (Penneshaw)
• South Pacific cruises visit New Caledonia and Vanuatu

Bookings for Celebrity Edge’s 2023–2024 Australia season opened October 14, 2021.

The vessel (Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard/hull number J34) has a volume of 130,818 GT, DWT of 9,000 tons, and a maximum draught of 8.2 m. The powerplant consists of Wartsila marine diesel engines (models 8L46F, 12V46F, and 12V32E) with a combined output of 55 MW. The registered shipowner is CELEBRITY EDGE INC, and the ship is managed by CELEBRITY CRUISES INC.

EDGE-Class ships were developed through an exclusive partnership with Nate Berkus, a U.S. interior designer who founded his own company at age 24.

The vessel’s construction (STX France yard number/hull J34) officially began on November 21, 2016, with the steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in St Nazaire. This marked Celebrity’s first newbuild since 2008, when Celebrity Solstice was launched.

On April 28, 2017, Celebrity Cruises announced the ship’s godmother—Malala Yousafzai. At the time, Malala was 20 years old and the youngest-ever Nobel Laureate (awarded in 2014 at age 17), as well as a UN Messenger of Peace. The cruise line also revealed a two-year partnership with the Malala Fund. The christening ceremony took place on December 4, 2018, at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida). The ship then embarked on a two-day preview cruise (Dec 4–6) with invited VIP guests.

The keel-laying ceremony was held on June 21, 2017, at the St Nazaire shipyard. During the event, an 875-ton block was lowered into place after a lucky coin was set in the dock. This marked the start of joining the ship’s construction blocks.

The ship was floated out on January 22, 2018, seven months after the keel-laying. The float-out, assisted by seven tugboats, had been planned for January 20–21 but was delayed due to weather. The vessel was then moored in the shipyard’s basin for outfitting with remaining facilities and amenities.

Celebrity Edge was officially delivered on October 31, 2018, after 23 months of construction. The delivery ceremony was attended by Richard Fain (RCCL’s CEO and Chairman), Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (Celebrity Cruises’ CEO and President), and Laurent Castaing (shipyard General Manager). On the same day, the Celebrity Apex keel-laying ceremony was held. The ship departed France for Florida on November 6 on a Transatlantic repositioning voyage (crew only).

The vessel’s first Captain was Costas Nestoroudis, who celebrated his 15th anniversary with Celebrity Cruises in 2018.

Following the COVID crisis, the ship resumed passenger operations on June 26, 2021, offering 7-day Caribbean roundtrips from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), under the command of Captain Kate McCue.

Celebrity Edge refurbishment 2023 review

The ship’s first drydock took place from October 15–30, 2023, at Chantier Naval de Marseille (in Marseille, France).

The project involved routine maintenance and class inspections, including hull surveying and cleaning, system and machinery overhauls, and hotel upgrades (such as new carpeting and upholstery).

Inaugural itineraries 2018

On March 13, 2017, bookings opened for Celebrity Edge’s “Inaugural Cruise” (Eastern Caribbean itinerary). The ship’s itinerary program began in December 2018, offering Caribbean cruises roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA). Fares started from USD 1,000 per person (double occupancy, Inside cabin) for 7-day voyages, averaging around USD 140 per person per day.

Back-to-back cruises (14-night roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale) were also available. In Port Everglades, the ship docks at Terminal 25.

In January 2018, Celebrity Cruises announced the ship’s early completion and added five new inaugural itineraries, including a second maiden voyage.

Four inaugural 3-night Bahamas mini-cruises from Fort Lauderdale were scheduled for November 21 and 24, and December 1 and 6. The two inaugural 7-night cruises alternated between Eastern and Western Caribbean. A 14-night back-to-back combined itinerary was also offered.

The inaugural Western Caribbean cruise departed Fort Lauderdale on December 9, 2018, calling at Key West, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman (George Town). The inaugural Eastern Caribbean cruise followed on December 16, visiting San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tortola (BVI), and St Maarten (Philipsburg).

The tables below show the ship’s inaugural itineraries, including port call sequences and arrival/departure times. Prices are in USD per person (double occupancy, Inside cabin).

3-day "Edge Preview Cruise" – from $670 pp

The liner then departed on a 2-day preview cruise with invited VIP guests only.

3-day "Edge Preview Cruise" – from $650 pp

7-day "Maiden Voyage" to the Western Caribbean – from $1,150 pp

7-day "Inaugural Cruise" (initially scheduled maiden voyage) to Eastern Caribbean – from $2,050 pp (initial pricing was $1,600 pp)

7-day Eastern Caribbean Christmas Cruise – from $1,700 pp

7-day Inaugural Western Caribbean Cruise 2018 – from $1,000 pp

In late October 2017, Celebrity Cruises announced that Edge would be deployed in Europe (Mediterranean) during summer 2018. The European “Inaugural Cruise” was scheduled for May 13–15, 2018, as a 2-day mini-cruise roundtrip from Southampton, followed by an 11-day UK-to-Mediterranean repositioning cruise (Southampton to Rome) with calls in Portugal, Spain, and Italy.

In the Mediterranean, Celebrity Edge operated from homeports Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona on 7-, 9-, 10-, and 11-day roundtrips, as well as 14-day back-to-back cruises. The 2018 European inaugural season (May–October) included 30 ports of call, 10 countries, and five overnight stays.

Godspeed!