Review: Celebrity Edge

What is the line? Celebrity Cruises

Name of ship? Edge

Passenger occupancy? Around 3,000

Itinerary? Rome to Barcelona

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Celebrity is part of the Royal Caribbean Group known for its solid mix of family-friendly entertainment and floating fun in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and other parts of the world. Celebrity always takes things a step further by mixing a bit of upscale glamor into its ships, especially its newest vessels. Just remember not everything is included, but this allows travelers to pay for the extras (drink packages, specialty dining or shore excursions) that fit their needs.

Tell us about the ship in general

The ship set sail in 2018 on Celebrity’s classic Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings with around 3,000 passengers immediately enamored with this next phase in the line’s ships. While hardly the largest ship at sea, Edge delivered a new chapter in amenities for the line that made headlines: a cantilevered bar (dubbed the Magic Carpet) that rose up and down the side of the ship like an elevator; rooftop garden with art sculptures; and a restaurant with 3D animation on the table where Michelin-starred cuisine is served. Celebrity tapped famous well-known names like Nate Berkus (the duplex Sunset Bar) and Gwyneth Paltrow (the spa using GOOP products) to influence various features of the ship.

Who is onboard?

Edge class vessels are sure to attract a more sophisticated, maybe even slightly older, crowd although this could be dependent on the itinerary. Families are on board, but not as many as on other ships. This ship also has made such a, forgive the pun, splash that it appeared to draw lots of first-time cruisers on my sailing. The mix of American and European travelers was obvious with multiple languages exclaiming their impressions of the exotic design spaces, which were unlike anything I had seen on most other ships.

Describe the cabins

Bright and colorful, the cabins had pops of magenta, purple or green. There are inside cabins as well as ocean-facing staterooms (either via windows or verandas). What I found most exciting was the new Infinite Veranda category, which extended the cabin all the way out to the edge of the ship, using what would traditionally be the balcony’s space as additional living room space. The traditional balcony with sliding door was replaced by an electronic window that could be electronically lowered halfway creating the illusion of a balcony while also expanding the cabin’s footprint. Another unique feature: there are single-cabin, Infinite Veranda rooms, which gives solo travelers yet another stateroom option that won’t break the bank.

AquaClass cabins are focused on a wellness routine with everything from pillow menus and Cashmere mattresses to healthy dining in a private restaurant and VIP access to the spa and thermal suite. In The Retreat, it felt like a world unto its own. A private lounge had snacks and drinks all day plus an outdoor terrace where I would routinely work from as we sailed away.

Tell us about the crew

The crew hails from around the world and brings next-level hospitality to each guest, but it was the staff in The Retreat that impressed me most. They took the time to remember my favorite white wine (a French Chablis), favorite time for breakfast (usually in my stateroom, in bed around 9 am), favorite place to sit on my laptop (on the terrace in The Retreat lounge) and even preferred spot by the pool (in the shade, but with a side view as we were sailing). When out and about within the ship, I found that if you developed a routine by visiting the same spot for pool towels, Indian food on the buffet or pizza from the aft grill, the staff would also remember your name, too.

What food and drink options are available on board?

Instead of your standard main dining room, I really loved how this ship divided the included dining area into four separate restaurants (each with their own menu like Mediterranean or French). This means you can dine in a different environment each day without paying extra.

Specialty restaurants are also available for an extra fee. There’s a raw bar and sushi counter, American steakhouse, French bistro, garden grill, Le Petit Chef (kids and adults love watching the cartoon chef dance on the table screens and walk guests through their meal experience) and Eden, where the mulligatawny soup and tandoori style beef were my favorites. Kudos to Celebrity for creating an entire plant-based tasting menu rather than leaving vegetarians with the same-old boring pasta and Portobello burger options you’d find elsewhere.

The Magic Carpet is open as a restaurant or just as a bar, and to experience its different positions as it ascends the side of the ship while you dine or tipple is great fun. AquaClass guests have their own restaurant serving healthier fare, as do suite guests in The Retreat, both of which are included in the rate for those passengers. I personally loved the way Oceanview Cafe was designed. It’s the buffet, but it has a back patio terrace that seems like you’re on a private yacht with only a few tables. Instead of one traditional line, the buffet is grouped into small islands with a presentation much more like a gala event with carving stations, charcuterie and cheese boards, and destination-specific dishes (I loved the large paella).

There are always burgers and fries by the pool, drinks at every corner of the ship (don’t miss the Berkus-designed Sunset Bar where you can watch the ship’s wake as you sail away from beautiful ports) and craft cocktails in the Eden Bar. Many afternoons, I would nestle myself into one of the swing chairs behind the living garden walls with a book.

The martini bar in the center of the ship comes alive in the late afternoon and evening with bartenders putting on shows for patrons. I couldn’t believe a stack of 20 full martini glasses, one on top of the other, didn’t topple over as they were building a beverage pyramid to the applause of other passengers.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

After an excellent massage in the spa (I was lucky to get a coveted spot on the sea day as those can go quickly), I headed for the Thermal Suite for a soak in the sauna and steam room. Since the sauna has a window looking outward, you could watch the ocean pass by as you relaxed.

There was also a salt room, crystalarium (where I counted on the healing Amethyst crystal to rectify a week’s worth of indulging in the great food and drink on board), and heated tile lounge chairs to finish off the experience while facing the ocean. Instead of working out in the enormous gym, I chose to do laps around the ship’s wraparound jogging track.

Activities and entertainment

I loved spending time at the rooftop garden with a book, catching a movie on the large screen or having a bite to eat in the breeze on a sailing day. Live bands perform here during each sailing. The pool deck buzzes with activity, and it is hardly as crowded as you might see on a much larger ship. The solarium has another pool protected from the hot sun, which was great on port days when there was limited breeze.

The architecture of the ship’s exterior and interior spaces is very design-forward. Large art sculptures, a hallway of distorted mirrors, curving staircases and a striking chandelier in the tri-deck grand plaza are all just some of the elements that would make you think you’re in a hotel on land rather than on sea.

The theater has a wraparound design with people sitting in almost a complete circle with the stage in the middle. Enormous electronic screens synced to the music or theme of the production only add to the excitement in the shows. Some of the screens rise up to reveal additional stage areas for cast members behind them. My favorite performance was “A Hot Summer Night’s Dream,” a show that blends extracts from Shakespeare’s writing with an impressive acrobatic and dance show, topped off with dramatic music. It was truly something different compared to other cruises.

How was the experience for families?

There are both kids and teens clubs divided into age brackets to target the appropriate activities. Among them are video game tournaments, educational activities and even slumber parties, but the location on one of the lowest floors seems like it is designed to isolate the ruckus of fun from the quieter pool and resort deck areas (something I didn’t mind at all).

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

The excursions are not free, but I enjoyed wandering on my own in each of the ports. Most of the time, the ship docks near tourist areas, but sometimes you may have to pay extra for transportation. This is the case in places like Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Livorno (the port for Florence) where a train or bus is necessary).

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Edge is 20 percent more energy efficient than previous classes and it is designed to have fewer emissions. Single-use plastics are minimal, and guests will only be offered a paper straw upon request to reduce waste.

Anything we missed Don’t be surprised by the performance artists in Eden that stop by different tables with magic tricks or entertaining acts as you enjoy a cocktail. It’s whimsical and fits well with the garden-style design of the space. The club can be very busy on some nights, but just “crickets” on others. It depends how early of a morning most travelers have the next day (some ports have early tour departures).

Basic Wi-Fi is included in the fare, which works well for email or web surfing, and I used it frequently while I was remote working from the ship. You can pay extra for streaming speeds.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

Adults will find Celebrity Edge to be an excellent ship for a romantic getaway or for fun with friends. Families have plenty to do, too. Often on other ships, couples need to hide away to avoid the hubbub, but on Celebrity Edge, the ratio of ample space for only 3,000 people means that, like me, you’ll find a corner to call your own.