New features of Celebrity Edge cruise ship revealed
Celebrity Cruises gave media attending Seatrade Cruise Global a preview of features and amenities set to debut on the first ship in its new Edge-class of vessels launching in 2018.
The unveiling took place at parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s Innovation Lab in Miami.
Celebrity Edge, touted as the first ship to be designed entirely in 3-D, will feature staterooms without sliding doors, two new suite categories (Iconic Suites and Edge Villas), and a traveling edge-ofthe-ship entertainment venue called the Magic Carpet.
The new ship’s Edge Staterooms with Infinite Veranda will offer a seamless design from entry to water’s edge, Celebrity said.
"The Infinite Veranda stateroom does away with the inefficiencies of traditional verandas, where sliding doors keep guests walled off from the sea 90 percent of the time," said Celebrity President Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, in a statement. "By eliminating the sliding glass doors, guests can walk right up to the amazing views that bring the outside in."
Celebrity Edge will also offer two new suite categories for the cruise line: Iconic Suites and Edge Villas. The ship’s two highend Iconic Suites will be located above the bridge and offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a butler’s pantry and a 700-square-foot veranda with hot tub. The six splitlevel Edge Villas boast private plunge pools.
The Magic Carpet entertainment and dining venue will scale the 15-deck ship, stopping at four levels to offer guests a distinctive experience at each one. The tennis court-size, open-air, yachtlike area features a bar and space for live music.
Celebrity Edge is slated to launch in late fall 2018 and sail from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades starting Dec.16 on alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean voyages. Cruises aboard the new ship were open for sale Monday at 1 p.m.
The second Edge-class ship — Celebrity Beyond— is scheduled for delivery in spring 2020, while two others on order will arrive in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The Edge ships are the first new class of vessel for Celebrity in 10 years following the Solstice Class, the cruise line said.
"These ships are dynamic, innovative and beautiful. It’s an elite ship for affluent travelers, and you know that at first glance," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of the line’s parent, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.