Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Celebrity Cruises Reveals Celebrity Edge, A Ship Designed to Transform Expectations

Magic Carpet
Celebrity Cruises has delivered a first look at the transformational Celebrity Edge, whose dramatically expanded staterooms, ship-climbing Magic Carpet platform, and stunning suites set a new standard for ship design. Designed completely in 3-D, and featuring the work of A-list global architects and designers, the 2,918-guest Celebrity Edge aims to make discerning global travelers redefine how they experience the world and how intimate a vacation can be.

"Celebrity Edge is one of the most exciting, innovative and transformational ships I have ever been involved with," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "The new features and refined design will establish a new baseline for ships from here on out."

"Our guests don't want to just skim the world like a magazine—they want to feel a human connection with it," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. "Every element of Celebrity Edge is meant to make that connection intense and unforgettable. Our new class of ship will allow guests to experience their journeys with the uniqueness and sophistication that marks the rest of their lives."

The Retreat
Transformational Design
A-List Global Designers Bring Their Best to Celebrity Guests: Celebrity made the most of its first new ship class in 10 years, bringing in a design and architectural dream team from around the globe to push the boundaries of ship design and to evolve luxury travel at sea, including internationally renowned interior designer Kelly Hoppen MBE of Kelly Hoppen Interiors and visionary architect Tom Wright of WKK. American designer Nate Berkus serves as Celebrity Edge's design ambassador. Together with other designers whose work will be revealed later, the team arrived at designs that are fresh, exciting, current and comfortable – the essence of Celebrity's Modern Luxury style.

Edge Villa
Transformational Accommodations
Design Breakthrough Enables Larger Rooms to Reach the Water's Edge: Revolutionary staterooms erase the boundaries between the traditional ship stateroom and its veranda, creating a closer connection to the ocean. The new Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda turns guest quarters into a seamless space, from the room's door all the way to the water's edge. The simple touch of a button gives guests open-air access to the sea, bringing the outside in and the inside out. With the touch of another button, guests can take complete control of their stateroom and personalize everything from lighting, shades, temperature and service—even choosing a setting to tuck them in or gently wake them. The design adds 23 percent more square footage and 10 percent larger bathrooms than Celebrity's Solstice Class.

Iconic Suite
"The Retreat" Offers Spectacular New Experiences and Suite Categories: The ultimate sanctuary for world travelers will be the new private utopia called The Retreat, featuring a private pool on The Retreat Sundeck. Also part of this special space is The Retreat Lounge, which brings heightened levels of style and sophistication to Celebrity Edge and boasts around-the-clock personal butler service, and the exclusive Suite Class restaurant Luminae @ The Retreat.

With Celebrity Edge, Celebrity has more than doubled the number of available suites, adding two spectacular new categories. At the top of the line are two new Iconic Suites situated above the ship's bridge. These near 2,600 sq. ft., two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites feature mind-blowing views thanks to panoramic windows enveloping the dining room, living room and bedrooms. The 700 sq. ft. veranda offers a 270-degree view of the ocean.

Edge Stateroom
Another new Suite Class comprises six split-level Edge Villas, which offer stunning views from two stories of windows, private plunge pools and direct walk-out access to The Retreat Sundeck. Hoppen also designed the two two-bedroom, two-bathroom Penthouse Suites with large soaking tubs on the veranda, large dual walk-through showers, and expansive walk-in closets, and the 146 large, outward-facing Sky Suites. All suites and double occupancy Edge Staterooms are fitted with exclusively designed plush king-size cashmere mattresses—an industry first—and offer personal butler services and access to The Retreat.

Transformational Destination Experience
An Unexpected Playscape that Engages All the Senses: The Rooftop Garden is one of many spaces aboard Celebrity Edge that will lure guests out to relax and play. Imagined by celebrated architect Tom Wright, the Rooftop Garden, tended daily by a resident horticulturist, is the perfect place for guests to enjoy games and activities through the day. At night, it is home to live music and the outdoor movie-and-meal pairing of "A Taste of Film."

The World's First Magic Carpet: Where It Is, Where It's At
Cantilevered from the side of the ship, the Magic Carpet makes Celebrity Edge's distinctive profile recognizable from miles away. The size of a tennis court, this engineering feat scales the 16-deck ship through the day and evening, positioning at four of the ship's decks, transforming into a new and exciting experience at each one.

At the summit of the ship on Deck 16, the Magic Carpet becomes the ultimate specialty restaurant offering a special "Dinner on the Edge" for 90 guests. Alongside Deck 14, Magic Carpet becomes an open-air expansion of the main pool area. On Deck 5, Magic Carpet extends one of the ship's specialty restaurants into the most amazing al fresco seating imaginable, and at its lowest position on Deck 2, Magic Carpet is a key component to the Destination Gateway, a luxury embarkation station where guests will be whisked away aboard sleek Edge Launches.

Booking a Transformational Vacation
Celebrity Edge will homeport in Fort Lauderdale, FL., making her first sailing Dec 16, 2018. Bookings are now open at CelebrityCruises.com/Edge for the ship's two 7-night itineraries. An eastern Caribbean cruise visits San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The western Caribbean calls on Key West, Florida; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and George Town, Grand Cayman. Travelers will also have the option to book back-to-back sailings for a 14-night journey. Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Images Courtesy Celebrity Cruises

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