Celebrity’s 2018 Edge class to use movable deck to board tender boats

Details of the features on Celebrity Edge Class were revealed at events in Miami and other cities, including Dublin. Celebrity Edge, the first in class, is to launch in October 2018.

While Mary McKenna and Sandra Corkin were among the cruise line’s guests in Miami, Lorraine Quinn of Celebrity Cruises hosted a group of agent-managers at Dylan McGrath‘s Fade Street Social, where she mirrored the announcements in Miami with a series of reveals, which include an imaginative solution to that bane of cruise passengers’ lives, boarding a tender.

Features include

The 90-ton Magic Carpet, a movable deck about the size of a tennis court cantilevered off the side of the ship. Primary purpose of the movable deck which can be moved down to Deck 2 to assist with disembarkation from the ship to the tender boats. It can then be moved up to Deck 16, to become a specialty restaurant. Passengers can spend time sitting on the deck, then walk directly from the Magic Carpet to the tender, without ramps or stairs. Celebrity also upgraded some tender boats for Celebrity Edge, adding padded seating and air conditioning. During the day, the Magic Carpet will serve as an al fresco extension to a raw bar restaurant on Deck 5. The movable deck will rise to the pool deck (Deck 14) for happy hours and late-night parties. At dinner time, it will serve as an alternative restaurant on Deck 16, where the theme will change every night. One night, passengers might dine on lobster bake, the next, bubbles and barbecue. Passengers are not permitted to “ride” the Magic Carpet when it’s moving.) Lorraine Quinn says that the magic carpet brings passengers close to the sea.
Cabins, which look more like hotel rooms than cruise staterooms, designed by London designer Kelly Hoppen to provide larger living areas, beds and bathrooms, with more storage space and a better connection to the sea. Celebrity say those changes, “checked off five things” passengers requested, without taking up additional real estate, a precious commodity on cruise ships. All double-occupancy cabins will feature king-sized beds with cashmere bedding; single-occupancy cabins will have queen beds. Cabin doors can be opened using an app on your phone.
The Infinite Veranda, a cabin “designed to blend indoor and outdoor and make your balcony part of your cabin, thanks to bi-fold doors that can be opened completely adding about 23pc more space to the room. The balcony features a window that rises to close off the space from the elements at the touch of a button. When the window is closed and the bi-fold doors opened, the entire space is air-conditioned. Doors can be closed, so passengers can enjoy a more traditional balcony experience as well. Celebrity Edge will have 918 Infinite Veranda cabins, including 16 single-accommodation rooms, another first for the cruise line. Celebrity say the Infinite Verandas completely change the exterior of the ship, though the company is keeping that view under wraps for now.
Two new suite categories to the company, the Iconic Suite and the Edge Villa, along with a suites-only Retreat.
two Iconic Suites, each coming in at more than 5,000 square feet. Both will sit atop the bridge, facing forward so passengers will have the same view as the captain. The two-bedroom suites also position the 700-square-foot veranda over the bridge wing, and balconies feature private Jacuzzis and private cabanas. The two suites are mirror images of each other.
The Edge Villa, a two-level suite that features an elevated master bedroom, large living room and two full bathrooms. The ship will have six Edge Villas, which span decks 14 and 15. Each balcony will feature a private plunge pool. Passengers staying in these cabins will have direct walk-out access to The Retreat Sundeck, part of a suite-only complex called The Retreat. This suite-only area is a first for Celebrity.
The Retreat is a serene area that includes a private pool and sundeck, lounge and restaurant. Celebrity’s Luminae, a staple on the line’s other ships for suite passengers, can be found here: Luminae at The Retreat, moves the restaurant closer to the ship’s suites.) Access to all areas is complimentary for suite passengers, who also will have access to 24-hour concierge service. The lounge will serve breakfast and host a happy hour daily, while Luminae will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. A whopping 12 percent of cabins on Celebrity Edge are suites; a bump of 7 percent over the line’s Solstice Class.
The pool deck includes a large pool flanked by sculptural trees and two “martini glass” Jacuzzis that overlook the deck below. It features two-story windows, with chaise lounges positioned around them facing toward the sea.
six enormous private for-fee cabanas.
Rooftop Garden which is evolved from Celebrity’s Solstice Class features the popular top-deck Lawn Club, with real grass ideal for lounging and picnics. Its Millennium Class has the Rooftop Terrace, a chic space to gather for drinks and movies. The cruise line takes both a step further by combining the best elements of them into The Rooftop Garden, an area filled with live, lush greenery and sophisticated tree sculptures, which can double as seats for performers, break up the wind, too. During the day, it will host yoga and games. At night, passengers can show up for live music and Celebrity’s “A Taste of Film,” which pairs movies and meals. The space will also feature the Rooftop Garden Grill, an alternative eatery, which will serve gourmet burgers during the day and transform into a barbecue at night. Passengers familiar with the for-fee Lawn Club Grill might spot some similarities.

Edge will include other popular features from its fleet, including the adults-only Solarium. It is the first of four Edge-class ships on order. The second, Celebrity Beyond, will debut in spring 2020. Two yet-unnamed ships will sail beginning in fall 2021 and spring 2022.