Reviewed by: Clive Heath

Date: May 2019

Cruise line and ship: Celebrity Edge

Cruise name or itinerary: Reviewed on her Inaugural sailing from Southampton and first European cruise – to Rome, via Spain and Portugal

Passenger capacity: 2,918

Year built: 2018

Size of the ship: 130,818 gross tonnes

Where the ship cruises: Europe and the Caribbean

Currency onboard: USD

Main features/highlights: The ‘Magic Carpet’ – predominantly designed as a platform to expedite shore embarkation when in tender ports, this moving platform has multiple uses. When not in operation for its prime purpose, it becomes a sunset and sail away venue on either Deck 14 or Deck 5.

Passengers are not allowed on the platform when it moves from one deck to another so it can be a little annoying when you find a good spot to then be asked to leave for moving time.

Most suited to: For Australian clients, this is the much-loved Celebrity Solstice taken to a whole new level. It would suit all age groups with options for all. The mix on our cruise was considerable and shows the broad positioning for these luxury ships aiming for the affluent traveller who like large ships. 

Atmosphere: Following on Solstice’s sleek lines and non-cruise ship feel, this cutting edge ship is a luxury hotel coupled with diverse dining and entertainment areas.

Staterooms: As with all large ships there are numerous cabin grades on Celebrity Edge.

• Inside cabins – more square than any of the ocean facing cabins these have exactly the same appointments, sleek bathrooms and amenities as outsides and balconies.

• Oceanview (outside) cabins – Like Balcony grade cabins these tend to be long and thin stretching more into the width of the ship but with smaller exposure to the ocean than on other ships. All beautifully appointed.

• Balcony cabins – Either in Balcony, Concierge or Aqua grade these cabins are the same in size differing only with the amenities offered in the cabin. There are limited traditional balconies with doors and external seating. Most balconies are ‘internal’ or ‘infinity’ with similar slide down windows used on river cruise vessels. These can be automatically closed by the bridge in bad weather. This adds floor space taken away by the narrow cabin. There are no curtains but automatic blinds that can be lowered as required to provide a blackout at night. The bathrooms have a large walk-in shower but no bath. Guests requiring a full bath will need to look at the Sky Suite grades upwards. The walk-in shower is the largest I have seen at sea.

• Concierge – This grade offers some additional benefits such as a dedicated Concierge for bookings, afternoon canapés, fruit bowl and a bottle of sparkling wine one day of your cruise. Concierge services for shore tours and restaurant bookings are supposed to be exclusive but with only two desks and thousands in that grade, it is not always helpful.

• Aqua – Aqua guests have access to the exclusive  ‘Blu’ dining room, offering more healthy food options. Additionally, Aqua guests have access to the Spa’s facilities. Other grades (excluding suites) pay $50 per person, per day for this access.

• Sunset Verandah cabin – These are at the rear of the ship facing backward offering a larger balcony and have altogether more space.

• Sky Suites – These entry-level suites have access to ‘The Retreat’ and are located only on Deck 15 (more on that later), they are a larger cabin but represents excellent value given the additional amenities offered.

• Celebrity suite – This is the first traditionally ‘true’ suite with a separate bedroom from the entry and lounge area.

• Edge suites – These are located on Decks on 14 & 15 and consist of a bedroom upstairs and a lounge downstairs with a private plunge pool on the balcony. These are superb for a private retreat experience and unique. My favourite pick!

• Epic and Royal suites – The benefits of these are too numerous to describe. Suffice to say they are spacious and OTT!

Dining: Edge has numerous dining options which are skilfully managed by the app available for your iPhone and Android devices. Overall the quality in all the restaurants was of a high standard. Apart from your normal main dining option, you can book online any specialty dining venue by date and time reducing that run around for the best venues.

• Main dining – there are four main venues. You will be assigned to one but can eat around if space permits. They are Normandie, Cyprus, Cosmopolitan and Tuscan.

• Specialty restaurants (with a surcharge) – Eden (degustation), Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on 5 for seafood & the Rooftop Grill BBQ. Check the surcharge in advance as these can be up to USD$60 plus per person.

Other Activities/Offering:

• Main pool and spa – The main pool is on Deck 14 with spa baths cantilevered over the pool area from Deck 15 presenting great spots for a sailing viewpoint. The pool has a bar (of course) and the Mast Grill – churning hamburgers and hotdogs at an impressive rate. Always hot, freshly cooked with great choice of salads.

• Cabanas – On the port-side midship you’ll find private cabanas that can be hired by anybody by the day. Apart from a menu of elected dishes served to your cabana on request, they come with a bottle of champagne or vodka, towels, soft drink and a waiter.  They line the side of the pool area next to the ‘Magic Carpet’ when it resides as a bar on Deck 14 for sail away. Over the first 7 days of our cruise these were not occupied however come a ‘hot’ Caribbean or Mediterranean sailing I can see these being popular.

• The Retreat – This area, towards the front of the ship, is reserved for Suite guests only and includes pools and the spa as well as exclusive Luminie dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Absolute Highlights: There is a lot to like about this ship but here are my main likes:

• Artwork is everywhere, it’s priceless and deserves attention
• The main atrium is the best at sea – just an amazing feel
• Plug and adaptor box in every cabin aims to keep all your electronic devices charged and together. Alas mine looked like spaghetti junction in 5 minutes
• Cabin appointments are the best at sea for this grade of ship
• Food is always hot even room service – a first for me on any ship
• Adequate bars and nooks and crannies to get away
• Hidden gems like the sunset bar behind the hidden garden on deck 15 (don’t tell anybody)
• Variety of main dining without supplement – 5 venues
• Coffee! Amazing for an American ship they make good coffee!