Celebrity Edge

Launched in 2018, Celebrity Edge cruise ship is the first of the four Edge-class newbuilds - with sisterships Celebrity Apex (2020) plus 2 more (still unnamed) vessels scheduled for deliveries in fall 2021 and fall 2022.

History - construction and ownership

Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1988 as the Greece-based Chandris Line (cruise shipping operations between 1974-1996). In 1997, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to become "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL). The "X" on ship funnels is the Greek letter chi (standing for "Chandris"). Common features of Celebrity Cruises ships include aft located glass-walled dining rooms, signature alternate dining venues, bars and lounges, spacious Atrium lobby areas, a large number of balcony staterooms, large sundecks with swimming pools, The Retreat (adults-only sundeck with full-size swimming pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas, poolside full bar service). Rooftop Terrace (top-deck outdoor lounge-restaurant-cinema), large Spa (with Thermal Suites), premium retail shops selling top-brand merchandise.

The 2900-passenger cruise ship Celebrity Edge is the first of four cruise ships scheduled to debut for Celebrity Cruises under its Project Edge. Celebrity Edge debuted in November 2018. The company promised "small-ship itineraries with large-ship amenities", destination-rich experiences and iconic architecture.

The second newbuild, Celebrity Apex, debuts in spring 2020. The other two (yet-unnamed) Edge-class vessels are scheduled to enter service in fall 2021 and fall 2022.

Cruise itinerary program

Starting December 2018, Celebrity Edge itinerary program is based on 7-day Caribbean cruises leaving roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA). Turnaround operations are from the redesigned, Celebrity Cruises exclusive homeport "Terminal 25" (in Hollywood FL).

• Eastern Caribbean cruise itinerary visits San Juan Puerto Rico, Tortola BVI, and Philipsburg St Maarten Island.
• Western Caribbean cruise itinerary visits Key West FL, Costa Maya Mexico, Cozumel Mexico, and Grand Cayman Island (George Town).
• Ship's "Inaugural Cruise" bookings were opened on March 13, 2017.
• B2B (back-to-back) cruises are also available for booking. These are combined 14-night itineraries roundtrip from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale).
• In 2018, the ship also had scheduled 3-night Bahamas itineraries from Fort Lauderdale with departures on November 21 and 24 (both canceled) and December (1, 3, 6).

In late October 2017, Celebrity Cruises announced that the Edge ship will be deployed in Europe (UK and Mediterranean) during summer months of 2018. The ship's "Inaugural Cruise" in Europe was scheduled for May 13-15, 2018 (2-day mini-cruise roundtrip from Southampton), followed by the 11-day UK to Mediterranean repositioning cruise (Southampton to Rome) visiting ports in Portugal, Spain, and Italy.

In the Mediterranean, Celebrity Edge will operate from homeports Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona on 7-, 9-, 10- and 11-night long roundtrips, as well as 14-night long B2B (back-to-back cruise) that combines two 1-week long roundtrip itineraries. The list of Med ports includes Capri Island, Mykonos Island, Monte Carlo (Monaco), Valencia, Ibiza, as well as the new for Celebrity ports Nafplio (Peloponnese, Greece) and Santa Margherita (Italian Riviera). The cruise ship's 2018 inaugural season in Europe (May through October) offers a total of 30 ports of call, visiting 10 countries and all 5 overnight port stays.

Cabins

Most Celebrity Edge staterooms are Balcony rooms. There are also a number of wheelchair accessible rooms. The largest aboard Celebrity Edge are the Suites. Of all the 1467 staterooms, 918 are Edge Staterooms (with Infinite Verandas) and 176 are suites.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The ship's four main dining venues (capacity 360 seats each) share one base menu with specific to each restaurant menu items. Suite passengers dine at the exclusive "Luminae At the Retreat". AquaClass passengers dine at the exclusive "Blu". The raw food bar "Raw on 5" is a new eatery, just like the cantilevered "Magic Carpet" (bar-lounge-restaurant venue). Another new dining-entertainment concept is "Eden" (bar-lounge-restaurant).

During the day, "Le Grand Bistro" (in the Atrium on Deck 4) operates as patisserie and cafeteria serving French cuisine. In the evenings, Le Grand Bistro transforms into "Le Petite Chef" - new dining-entertainment concept via an exclusive partnership with TableMation Studios (US multimedia company) and Skullmapping (a 2010-founded collective of filmmakers and visual artists). Dinner experience includes visual mapping technology with animated 3D characters projected (from above) onto tables and on plates. The VIP dining is at a fixed surcharge. It costs USD 25 pp (Le Grand Bistro) and USD 55 pp (Le Petite Chef).

Ship's other restaurants are named Cosmopolitan, Normandie, Cyprus, Tuscan, Fine Cut Steakhouse. Traditional for all new Celebrity ships is "Rooftop Garden Grill". Among the most popular bars are Eden Bar, Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, Pool Bar.

Celebrity Edge ship has 4 main dining rooms and 6 new-to-Celebrity Cruises specialty restaurants. In total, the cruise ship has 15 restaurants and cafes, 12 bars and lounges.

Passengers in AquaClass staterooms or Suites eat at Blu Restaurant, offering lighter "spa-inspired" cuisine. The Luminae Restaurant is named "Luminae at The Retreat" and (along with Blu) is part of the private, Suite Class passengers exclusive complex "The Retreat". Suite passengers have also the option to eat in the Main Dining Rooms / MDRs (Normandie Restaurant, Tuscan Restaurant, Cosmopolitan Restaurant, Cyprus Restaurant). These 4 complimentary restaurants serve menus inspired by the itinerary/destinations visited. Each restaurant offers regional wines and themed cocktails, dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients, also a rotating menu of Signature dishes for dinner (changing every evening) and a Classic dinner menu. The ship's main restaurants are served by dedicated to each table wait staff (sommelier, assistant waiter, head waiter). Passengers are assigned to one of the 4 MDRs but still have the option (upon request) to dine in the other 3.

Celebrity Edge offers the company's traditional "Celebrity Select Dining" (your-time dining for dinners) option, which is renamed to "Celebrity Select Dining Plus". Passengers can make reservations in any of the 4 MDRs if they know they want to eat at a specific restaurant and dinner time, or they can simply show up and enjoy dinner on their own time.

In addition to the 4 MDR restaurants, there are plenty of complimentary dining venues, such as Oceanview Cafe (live cooking stations, bakery), Mast Grill (poolside), Spa Cafe & Juice Bar (healthy food and beverages), Eden Cafe (wide variety of breakfast and lunch items). The ship also has two outdoor al fresco seating venues.

Celebrity Edge has a total of 11 bars and lounges, including Eden, Cafe al Bacio, The Club, Sunset Bar, Theater Bar, Casino Bar, Martini Bar, Pool Bar, Il Secondo Bacio, The Retreat Pool Bar, The Retreat Lounge.

The ship has a number of for-fee restaurants (at surcharge per person), including Qsine (USD 45 pp), Tuscan Grill (Italian steakhouse, USD 45 pp), Murano (French, USD 45 pp), Lawn Club Grill (DIY steaks, USD 40 pp), Bistro on 5 (creperie, USD 10 pp), The Porch (USD 5 pp, panini restaurant open for breakfast and lunch). At Qsine, passengers can order on iPads, then waiters bring the food in the order of choosing.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Ship's Lawn Deck is equipped with real grass and the vessel has more deck chairs than others, offering a calm atmosphere under the sun. The Celebrity iLounge gives guests computer tutorial classes and is also a representative of Apple, providing access to the most affordable Mac products available at duty-free prices. Another feature of Celebrity Edge is the AquaSpa café, ideal for a quick lunch after the spa.

Sky Observation Lounge offers live music at sunset, or you can test your luck at Fortune’s Casino – there’s something to do onboard at any time.

Celebrity Edge offers “frictionless arrival", meaning passengers do not have to wait in long lines for the check-in process. This works via a combination of geo-fenced beacons and facial recognition software.

Guests don’t have to carry anything other than smartphones to access their staterooms. Keyless cabin entry is possible through a mobile app. Every part of the stateroom is controllable via touchscreen panel - including lighting, window shades, room temperature.

Virtual Concierge app allows booking dinner and spa reservations, drinks ordering, room-service, and other services. Smartphone sensors are used to track passengers on the ship in order to improve services based on their location.

Edge-Class ships also have fleet's most technologically advanced Theater Lounge spanning on 3 decks. Here are held fleet's largest number of production shows, with the largest number of performing crew on any premium-brand ship.

Theatre Lounge has all 7 stage areas - 3 large and 4 smaller. Theater's main stage is extending (into the audience) and flanked by two directional rotating platforms raising over 2 m (7 ft) above the main stage. Lounge's design and technology also feature 2 rotating spiral staircases, 10 synchronized (mobile) projection screens, 16 video mapping laser projectors, rigging for aerial performances. Ship's Theatre offers 5 new full shows, including Shakespeare-based "A Hot Summer Night’s Dream" (with acrobatics), "The Jewelry Box" (technological), "Kaleidoscope" (high-energy music and dance), and 2 new "Headline Residency" program-based shows – "Get Up" (pop concert by Black Skull Creative) and "The Purpose" (celebrating the inner self).

The Club is another new (dual-purpose) venue with large dance floor, a stage for live performances, giant LED screen and served by its own 2 bars. During the day, The Club offers fun activities and games (including Funovation Laser Maze Challenge, Drone Hunting, laser obstacle course, dance classes, trivia). At night, it transforms into the disco nightclub "Undercover at The Club". The nightly program is themed on the US Prohibition era, with a menu offering signature 1920s craft cocktails and aerial saxophonist performances. Andromeda body scanner allows passengers to become someone else for the entire evening. Hypno Cam Experience is a dance party, in which an Ultra HD camera is passed around and all photos are instantly displayed on the LED screen.

Ship's Kids Club offers by the "Camp at Sea" program over 500 complimentary activities for children of all ages. The facility features two (new for the fleet) separate spaces (for kids and teens) called "The Basement".

Celebrity's signature Rooftop Garden (top-deck dining-entertainment bar lounge) offers expanded facilities and show programming (Rooftop Concert Series, Garden Cinema Series, Taste of Film experience under-the-stars, with 5 new live musical performances).

Grand Plaza

The Grand Plaza serves as ship's epicenter (midship location) and spanning 3 decks. The venue mixes modernity and simplicity and was inspired by the charming era of Transatlantic ocean liners. The concept was designed by Jouin Manku Studio.

The unique space has a striking lighting feature - The Chandelier, an art installation rising over Martini Bar to the ceiling 3 decks above. It is composed of 5 levels and a total of 765 blades illuminated via dynamic LED strips changing their colors from day to night, The Chandelier weighs 7 tons.

The Grand Plaza houses many of liner's new specialty restaurants, including Fine Cut Steakhouse and Raw on 5 (Deck 5) Le Grand Bistro and Cafe al Bacio (Deck 4), Grand Plaza Cafe (Deck 3), Italian piazzas. At its center (Deck 3) is Martini Bar. Adorning the edges of Grand Plaza are hand-stitched mesh screens that combine over 13,500 art pieces made of leather, fabric, and metal.

Grand Plaza's cafes are the perfect choice for "coffee breaks" - from morning cappuccino to afternoon tea and pre-dinner cocktails - while enjoying live entertainment. In the evenings, Grand Plaza transforms into the ship's social hub with live music performances.

Eden Lounge

The following official YouTube video reviews the ship's glass-walled Eden Observation Lounge combining dining and nightlife.

Eden is a 3-deck high (aft-location on decks 4, 5, 6) lounge-bar-restaurant venue with live music and shows programming changing throughout the day. Eden Lounge measures 10439 m3 (368640 ft3) and covers a total area of 1175 m2 (12650 ft2). The lounge has outward-facing design and combines a signature gastronomic experience (light lunch, 5-course dinner, wine tastings) with live performances, daily lectures, promo events. The lounge has alfresco dining areas on both its sides. In the evening, the lounge transforms into "Eve at Eden", with more provocative entertainment (fusion of performance art, dining, and nightlife.

The Eden Restaurant is part of the lounge. The Eden Bar is a food and drinks bar, also serving hand-crafted cocktails.

The lounge's 90-m / 295 ft long ramp envelops the entire space and provides panoramic views. The lounge's unconventional furniture and interiors are designed by Patricia Urquiola (Spain). She also designed the lounge's "Library of Plants" (living garden) and the hanging plant pillars. Lounge's designer is Scott Butler (Wilson Butler Architects, Boston MA). The evening show programming is by Variety Worldwide (NYC New York).

"The Meeting Place" is named the ship's Conference Center (sized 183 m2 / 1970 ft2). This large meeting room is designed by Wilson Butler Architects (Boston MA) and provides advanced audio-visual equipment, varied seating arrangements, private office (event planning space), as well as mobile bars (for food and beverages) and a fully equipped pantry.

Magic Carpet ("outdoor elevator lounge")

A unique feature of the Celebrity Edge ship is its Magic Carpet - a glass structure (glass-roofed, cantilevered platform) the size of a tennis court, able to traverse 14 stories, like a large elevator. Mounted on the ship's starboard side, the open-air Magic Carpet offers stunning ocean views, comfortable seating, full bar, a stage for live music performances, This "traveling venue" changes its theme, function, and location by extending from Deck 2 up to Deck 16.

Passengers can't simply ride on the Magic Carpet (using it as an elevator). In each location, the "moving lounge" is safely locked, then guests are allowed to step onboard. While repositioning, the venue is without any passengers. Some of its furniture is fixed.

The structure repositions and transforms into a new venue depending on which deck is locked.

• When positioned on Deck 16 (above pool deck), it becomes a specialty restaurant offering the unique “Dinner on the Edge" al-fresco dining under the stars.
• When positioned on Resort Deck 14 (in front of the cabanas), it becomes an extension of the pool deck area, also offering live music performances.
• When positioned on Dining Deck 5, it becomes a specialty restaurant - alfresco dining appendix to the ship's main dining room restaurant.
• When positioned on Tendering Deck 2, it becomes an extension of the Destination Gateway (embarkation station serving ship's tender operations). Destination Gateway boarding area is dedicated to the so-called "Edge Launches" - luxurious passenger tendering ashore, providing seamless embarkation and disembarkation in all ports of call along the cruise itinerary. This spacious area is fitted with large LCD screens (displaying destination, itinerary and port highlights), comfortable seating (capacity 130 seats), air-conditioning.

"Destination Getaway" is a dedicated embarkation point when the platform is positioned at its lowest level (Tendering Deck 2).

Magic Carpet's repositioning schedule is published daily.

Follows the complete list of Celebrity Edge lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Edge Theatre is the fleet's most technologically advanced show lounge with 7 stage areas (3 large and 4 smaller).
• The Magic Carpet is a glass structure the size of a tennis court, that is able to traverse 13 stories, just like a large elevator.
• The Basement (Teens Club).
• Camp at Sea is ship's youth program, with more than 500 activities such as Celebrity Cruises' first youth coding class at sea. Celebrity Edge has 2 separate spaces, one for kids and one for teens.
• Grand Plaza with Grand Plaza Cafe
• The Martini Bar
• "The Meeting Place" is ship's Conference Center (sized 183 m2 / 1970 ft2) provides advanced audio-visual equipment, varied seating arrangements, private office (event planning) space, mobile bars (for food and beverages) and a fully equipped pantry.
• The Club is a dual-purpose venue with large dance floor, a stage for live performances, giant LED screen and served by its own 2 bars. During the day, The Club offers fun activities and games (including Funovation Laser Maze Challenge, Drone Hunting, laser obstacle course, dance classes, trivia). At night, it transforms into the disco nightclub "Undercover at The Club". 
• Casino (served by its own Casino Bar)
• The Celebrity Shops (duty-free shops)
• Photo Gallery & Photo Studio (photo-video services, equipment, accessories)
• iLounge (Internet Computers Room)
• Art Gallery (art exhibitions, sales, auctions)
• Boutique Shops - Bulgari Shop (jewelry, watches), Michael Kors Shop (brand watches, jewelry, leather goods, handbags), Watch Shop, and Women’s and Men’s Shops (brand fashion clothing, bags, hats, accessories)
• Eden Lounge, Restaurant and Bar complex
• The SPA complex consists of Relaxation Room, 23 Treatment Rooms (served by 31 certified therapists), Changing Rooms, Beauty Salon, Barber Shop, Retail Shop (cosmetics and skincare products), Sea Thermal Suites (for couples). 
• Spa Cafe and Juice Bar (a la carte bar for healthy bites, smoothies and fresh-squeezed juice during the day.)
• The solarium is an adults-only sundeck with 1 swimming pool and 1 jacuzzi whirlpool (hot tub).
• The midship-located Pool Deck (aka Resort Deck) is a resort-style sundeck featuring 2-story high glass walls, 1 large swimming pool (lap pool), sunbathing area (with premium chaise lounges facing out to the ocean), outdoor theater (large LED screen), 6 oversized cabanas for rent (starboard). The area is served with drinks by Pool Bar (outdoor poolside bar) and with fast food by Mast Grill. At night, the pool deck transforms into "deck party" area with live music and outdoor movies.
• The starboard-located "Magic Carpet" is a glass-roofed, cantilevered platform designed as a panoramic outdoor venue. "Destination Getaway" is Magic Carpet's dedicated embarkation point when the platform is positioned at its lowest level.
• II Secondo Bacio (part of Oceanview Cafe) is an a la carte priced grab-and-go counter for specialty coffees and fresh-squeezed juices.
• Cafe Al Bacio & Gelateria (a la carte specialty coffee, patisserie, ice cream; with the Gelateria - Italian Gelato ice cream bar)
• Fitness Center features floor-ceiling windows and is equipped with the latest Technogym machines and cardio equipment. The Gym complex also offers Hot Yoga (heated room), RYDE (cycling classes by Technogym), Pulse Barre (body workouts), "The Contender" (boxing class), "Fitness on Demand" program (with over 1200 workouts led by expert instructors), Peloton (exercise bikes).
• Motion Studios (A and B)
• The Retreat Lounge and Sun Deck
• Outdoor Deck; Power Walking / Jogging Track.

Edge-Class ships were designed via an exclusive partnership with Nate Berkus - US interior designer establishing his own company at the age of 24. Vessel's construction started on November 21, 2016. The steel-cutting ceremony was held at STX France shipyard (St Nazaire). This was Celebrity Cruises first newbuild since 2008 when Celebrity Solstice was launched.

On April 28, 2017, Celebrity Cruises announced the name of ship's godmother - Malala Yousafzai. Then 20-year old, Malala (of Pakistani origin) is a Nobel Laureate (youngest-ever, awarded the prize in 2014 - at the age of 17) and also a UN Messenger of Peace. The cruise company also revealed its 2-year partnership deal with the Malala Fund. Ship's christening ceremony was on December 4, 2018, held at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale Florida). The liner then departed Port Everglades on a 2-day preview cruise (Dec 4-6) with invited VIP guests only.

On June 21, 2017, was vessel's keel-laying ceremony held at St Nazaire shipyard. During the ceremony, an 875-ton block was lifted, with a lucky coin placed in the dock prior to block's lowering into position. With the foundation in place, the ship’s building blocks start to be joined together.

On January 22, 2018, was vessel's float-out. Assisted by 7 tugboats, the liner was floated out 7 months after the coin ceremony. The planned for Jan 20-21 float-out was postponed due to weather conditions. The ship was moored in the shipyard's basin for fitting out (with all the remaining facilities and amenities).

The cruise liner was officially delivered from the shipbuilder on October 31, 2018 - following 23 months of construction works. The ceremony was attended by Richard Fain (RCCL's CEO and Chairman), Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (Celebrity Cruises CEO and President) and Laurent Castaing (shipyard's General Manager). On the same day was held Celebrity Apex' keel-laying (coin) ceremony.

On November 6 started the Transatlantic repositioning crossing (without cruise passengers) from France to Florida. Ship's Captain is Costas Nestoroudis, who in 2018 celebrated his 15th year of service with Celebrity Cruises.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2018

On March 13, 2017, were opened bookings for Celebrity Edge's "Inaugural cruise" (Eastern Caribbean itinerary). The ship's itinerary program started in December 2018 with Caribbean cruises leaving roundtrip from home-port Fort Lauderdale Florida (USA). General cruise prices started from USD 1,000 pp (double occupancy Inside cabin rates) for 7-days long voyages (or around USD 140 pp per day).

Back-to-back cruise itineraries were also available for booking (a combined 14-night itinerary roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale). In Port Everglades, the cruise ship docks at Terminal 25.

In January 2018, the company announced that ship's inaugural season will start earlier as vessel's construction will be completed ahead of schedule. The company added 5 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 cruise itineraries were both 7-night, and between Eastern and Western Caribbean. A 14-night B2B (back-to-back) combined itinerary was also available for booking.

The Western Caribbean inaugural cruise from Fort Lauderdale was scheduled for December 9, 2018, with call ports Key West, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman (George Town). The Eastern Caribbean inaugural cruise from Fort Lauderdale was scheduled for December 16, with call ports San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tortola (BVI) and St Maarten (Philipsburg).

The following tables show ship's inaugural itineraries as call port sequences and times (arrival/departure). Prices are in USD and per person (double-occupancy inside cabin rates).

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

The liner then departed Port Everglades 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 $1150 pp

7-day "Inaugural Cruise" (initially scheduled maiden voyage) to Eastern Caribbean - prices from USD 2050 pp (initial pricing was $1600 pp).

7-day Eastern Caribbean Christmas Cruise (prices from USD 1700 pp)

7-day Inaugural Western Caribbean Cruise 2018 - prices started from $1000 pp

In late-October 2017, Celebrity Cruises announced that the Edge ship will be deployed in Europe (Mediterranean) during summer 2018. Ship's "Inaugural Cruise" in Europe was scheduled for May 13-15, 2018 (2-day mini-cruise roundtrip from Southampton), followed by the 11-day UK to Mediterranean repositioning (Southampton to Rome) visiting ports 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 B2B (back-to-back cruise) that combines two 1-week roundtrip itineraries. Ship's 2018 inaugural season in Europe (May through October) offered a total of 30 different ports of call, visiting 10 countries and 5 overnight port stays.

Godspeed to the new ship!