Prepare for an unprecedented Caribbean adventure as Celebrity Cruises, the award-winning cruise line, announces its revamped Caribbean programme for Summer 2024. From April 2024, beach lovers, relaxation seekers and adventure chasers, will all be able to enjoy the Caribbean like never before on board two award-winning ships, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Reflection, as they begin to call the tropics home. Not only does the new programme double the brand’s number of year-round Caribbean sailings, but both ships will now offer guests the exciting opportunity to experience Perfect Day at CocoCay for the first time in history.
In addition to its new Caribbean programme, Celebrity Cruises is thrilled to share that the rest of the line’s award-winning Edge Series ships will be based in the top destinations across the globe in Summer 2024, offering traveller’s an opportunity to explore Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Alaska, all from an Edge Series ship.
Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, comments, “Our customers have been consistently asking for more opportunities to visit this stunning region year-round and have expressed a desire for a private island destination. By introducing this new programme, we can offer an Edge Series ship in all our top destinations for the summer season, and offer something new and historic to all our guests. Perfect Day is a destination like no other, and we are honoured to add it to our portfolio too.”
Celebrity’s new programme will host a broad offering of must-see destinations for summer 2024, complete with a wealth of opportunities for multi-generational families both in-destination and onboard, including the only fully customisable kids programme in the industry.
Year-round Caribbean programme:
Launched in April 2022, Celebrity Beyond is the newest member of the brand’s revolutionary and modern Edge Series. From her new home port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Celebrity Beyond will offer a mix of six to eight-night journeys which visit incredible destinations like Grand Cayman, The Bahamas, Mexico, and the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, along with Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The fourth vessel in the brand’s award-winning Edge® Series, AscentSM will be the newest ship out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida upon its December 2023 debut
LONDON (13th June 2023) – Today, Celebrity Cruises unveils for the very first time details about what travellers can experience on board the brand’s newest resort at sea, Celebrity Ascent, once it launches this December. As one of the most awarded premium cruise lines, with the first ships to ever receive the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating, Celebrity Cruises is once again making waves with the arrival of its fourth Edge Series ship. Cruising out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale from December 2023 to April 2024, the stunning new ship will transport guests to some of the Caribbean’s most desired destinations like the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, before departing to Europe for a summer of bucket-list Mediterranean cruises in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain and France.
On board Celebrity Ascent, guests will enjoy the signature experiences of the brand’s Edge Series ships, including its industry-first outward facing design that maximizes views and outdoor areas allowing guests to connect with the world around them, a robust food and beverage program with 30 plus choices from casual to fine dining to satisfy all palates, plus spacious and sleek staterooms in a breadth of accommodation options catering to all travellers from solo adventurers and couples, to multi-generational family groups.
“I am so excited to introduce the world to Celebrity Ascent and continue the legacy of Celebrity’s Edge Series,” says Celebrity Cruises’ President, Laura Hodges Bethge. “First launched in 2018, the Edge Series transformed what cruising could be and its ships like Edge, Apex and Beyond quickly became consumer favourites. Continuously striving to offer travellers a better way to enjoy travel and reach the world around them, we are so proud of what we have built and look forward to welcoming both seasoned and new cruisers alike.”
Edge Series Favourites Return:
Incorporating all the features that made her sister ships in the Edge Series a TIME magazine “World’s Greatest Places,” Celebrity Ascent will bring back favoured signature experiences, like:
The Theatre – that takes entertainment at sea to a new level with state-of-the-art technology and experiential, imaginative performances.
The Rooftop Garden – the ultimate outdoor haven where guests can enjoy live music, movies, infinity float pools, and even al fresco dining at the Rooftop Garden Grill.
The Spa – where holistic wellness takes center stage through 120 destination-inspired treatments, the SEA Thermal Suite featuring eight distinctive therapeutic experiences inspired by nature, plus specialty treatment beds, a full-service salon and barber.
The sprawling Resort Deck – featuring a main pool lined with cabanas, two-story martini-glass-shaped hot tubs, and The Solarium, an adults-only, tranquil spa-inspired retreat built for relaxation and complete with pool, hot tub and loungers.
The Sunset Bar designed by Nate Berkus – where an international beach club ambiance meets fresh sea breezes and boundless views.
The Magic Carpet® – the world’s first cantilevered lounge and gathering space at sea sits on the edge of the ship, offering a new way to drink, dine and socialise while enjoying unobstructed panoramic views.
Inventive culinary experiences – like the three-story Eden Bar and Restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling views, or the fully immersive and animated Le Petit Chef dinner.
The Grand Plaza and Martini Bar – that stuns guests with an interactive chandelier and jaw-dropping Flair, Flash, Fusion bartender shows.
Modernised accommodation options – such as the Infinite Veranda® that transforms from window to terrace with the push of a button, and the AquaClass® staterooms built for wellbeing-seekers that are packed with thoughtful design and exclusive amenities.
Celebrity Ascent will treat guests to a culinary journey that includes new experiences like:
New Food and Beverage Experiences:
Redesigned Le VoyageSM by Daniel Boulud restaurant – first featured on Celebrity BeyondSM, the brand will continue its partnership with Boulud and introduce his second restaurant at sea. The reimagined space, created by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, will offer an intimate fine dining experience inspired by the Chef’s travels.
Never-before-seen Le Petit Chef dinner – the crowd favourite dinner will feature an all-new animation and menu to match.
Plant-based tasting menu at Eden Restaurant – bringing guests closer to the earth through a culinary journey rooted in untouched, fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Bourbon offerings and tastings – expanding on existing whiskey tastings, Craft Social will now offer high-end bourbons and new tasting seminars.
More Martinis at the Martini Bar – aligning with the trend of low-sugar cocktails and fresh, crisp ingredients, the Martini Bar will feature brand-new creations and an expanded menu including lychee and passion fruit martinis.
Revitalised Main Dining Experience – once again featuring four complimentary main dining options, each with a signature menu and rotating nightly dishes, Ascent will feature a redesigned Cosmopolitan restaurant inspired by the culture of champagne.
Outdoor terrace at Blu – the clean-cuisine restaurant exclusive to AquaClass guests will feature an outdoor terrace with 24-person seating that will be available for daytime dining, from al fresco brunches to lunches.
New Entertainment, Art and Retail Experiences:
On board Ascent, travellers will enjoy enhanced entertainment, art and retail offerings like:
Nightly entertainment – as the sun sets the Resort Deck will become the center stage for the ultimate nightlife experience treating guests to an open-air celebration with live performances, live music, and a DJ creating a pulsating dance floor.
New production shows – building on Celebrity’s award-winning entertainment, the brand is partnering with industry-leading creatives to introduce three spectacular new productions shows in The Theatre, new interactive digital experiences and shows in The Club, and new engaging immersive shows in the Eden Bar and Restaurant, all featuring world-class dances, vocalists, musicians and specialty artists.
Redesigned Casino floor and brand-new games – a first for Celebrity Cruises, Ascent will feature an all-new gaming floor complete with a new layout, new design featuring deep reds and golds, and all new slot machines with the latest technology.
Redesigned Art Gallery – the new space is thoughtfully reimagined, allowing guests to better experience priceless art pieces, and enjoy exclusive auctions and art events.
The Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus – a collection of chic travel and home accessories available exclusively on board Celebrity Ascent.
How to Set Sail on Celebrity Ascent:
With a vast array of dates and itinerary options catering to all kinds of travellers, Ascent is slated for an exciting winter Caribbean and summer Europe season. Options to sail include:
Celebrate the holidays at sea during the 7-Night Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman Holiday Cruise departing on 24th December 2023, or ring in the New Year on the 7-Night San Juan, Tortola, and St. Kitts cruise departing on 31st December 2023.
For more information and to book a sailing with Celebrity Cruises, call 0800 441 4054, visit http://www.celebritycruises.co.uk or talk to your travel agent.
CELEBRITY CRUISES’ NEWEST SHIP, CELEBRITY BEYOND, DEFIES IMAGINATION,WONDER AND LUXURY
Yesterday, Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo unveiled the company’s third ship in the company’s industry-transforming “new luxury” Edge Series — Celebrity Beyond. Designed to give guests endless opportunities to disconnect from the world — while simultaneously reconnecting with the world that surrounds them — Celebrity Beyond goes further than imagined possible for a cruise ship, creating a new world of wonder and luxury.
You can watch the full reveal here:
Inspired by a vision to take the cruise industry into the next era of luxury, Lutoff-Perlo assembled a dream team of modern lifestyle icons to bring to life extraordinary experiences that allow guests to connect with each other, the sea, and their journey. Celebrity Beyond showcases the design talents of multi-award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE; celebrated American designer Nate Berkus; and lauded Paris-based design firm Jouin Manku; the innovation of British architect Tom Wright; and the culinary gifts of Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud. The ship will also feature experiences and products from goop CEO and founder Gwyneth Paltrow, the brand’s new Well-Being Advisor.
Redefining luxury again, Celebrity Beyond builds on the features and design of its award-winning predecessors Celebrity Edge (2018) and Celebrity Apex(2020) by creating innovative spaces that set the brand apart from others in the industry. Every element of Celebrity Beyond’s look and feel has been carefully curated with re-imagined spaces and more luxurious versions of the brand’s most popular signature spaces, including:
The Retreat®, an exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, highlighted by a new two-story sundeck;
Transformed accommodations from modern two-story villas with private plunge pools to staterooms with infinite verandas, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living;
An expanded Rooftop Garden and stunning Resort Deck featuring unique cantilevered float pools;
A multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar redefining the ship’s aft;
A first-ever Daniel Boulud fine-dining restaurant at sea;
A boldly redesigned Grand Plaza spanning three decks, creating an airy and open indoor space;
And, the return of the Magic Carpet®, an engineering feat soaring cantilevered above the sea, offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner.
“Celebrity Cruises has always been an innovator at sea, and now we have challenged the status quo with a vessel that goes beyond expectations, beyond imagination,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “Celebrity Beyond shatters any and every preconceived notion of the cruising experience. This exquisite ship offers a journey at the intersection of elegance and approachability filled with what’s important to our guests today: forward-thinking design, culinary excellence, unparalleled well-being and incomparable service.”
The Retreat: A Resort In and of Itself One of the most sought-after interior designers in the world, Kelly Hoppen CBE, has reimagined aspects of the design for The Retreat, the unrivaled and exclusive resort space for suite guests, including all new suites, and brought her globally renowned style to outdoor venues such as the Rooftop Garden and the main pool area on the Resort Deck.
The new, two-story Retreat Sundeck will offer more unadulterated outdoor bliss and ways to rejuvenate in the fresh ocean air with secluded cabanas, chic new seating areas, additional water features and the exclusive Retreat Bar. The warm and inviting Retreat Lounge is a newly stylish space to unwind; while Hoppen’s new take on the adjacent private restaurant Luminae, now at the front of the ship, becomes a space where every corner provides a new experience with each visit, in keeping with the daily changing menu.
An array of contemporary suite accommodations featuring fresh colour palettes and design details by Hoppen await guests of The Retreat, including the redesigned two-story Edge Villas with outdoor plunge pools, and Celebrity’s famous Iconic Suites, the largest in the fleet, offering better views than the captain’s quarters.
Connecting Two Worlds Nowhere is more rejuvenating than the open sea, and Celebrity Beyond ensures guests are able to take full advantage of both the luxurious design of the ship while soaking in the world around them.
Perhaps best known for designing the world-famous Burj Al Arab Hotel, lead architect Tom Wright of WKK has expanded the exterior spaces on Celebrity Beyond, transforming them into serene outward-facing sanctuaries leveraging endless ocean vistas and breath-taking panoramas of the extraordinary places the ship will visit. His design both lengthens the ship by 20 meters and raises the ship to 17 decks tall, allowing for the reimagination of The Retreat, the Resort Deck, and the Rooftop Garden – outdoor spaces increasingly important to today’s traveler.
The main open deck, 40 percent larger than on previous Edge Series ships, features an enormous living Rooftop Garden designed by Hoppen and includes increased seating offering new private nooks and more spaces for movie watching, enjoying live music and outdoor dining at the expanded Rooftop Grill. A highlight of this area is Wright’s incorporation of two spectacular floating pools cantilevered six and a half feet over the side of the ship, taking guests beyond the water’s edge
On the Resort Deck, guests will enjoy a stunning asymmetrical space with a 25-yard lap pool surrounded by a terraced pool deck and new sunken seating areas designed by Hoppen.
Wright also designed the signature Edge SeriesMagic Carpet, a tennis-court sized cantilevered platform that scales the side of the ship and transforms from open-air lounge or restaurant hovering above the ocean along higher decks to a tender platform for going ashore on lower decks. Featured on Celebrity Beyond, it debuted on Celebrity Edge in 2018 and is still considered one of the most unique design innovations ever for a cruise ship. Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series Design Ambassador Nate Berkus stepped into the role of designer himself, to imagine one of the most anticipated venues on Celebrity Beyond – the Sunset Bar.
Inside space that is nearly twice as large as previous iterations, Berkus has created a chic, Moroccan-inspired escape that is reminiscent of a modern-day Casablanca.
Guests will enter through a pergola-covered entrance to enjoy one of the hottest spots at sea. With more conversation niches and covered enclaves to allow guests to connect in a more intimate way, the Sunset Bar’s cascading terraces will combine to provide the perfect place to soak in spectacular views and create unforgettable memories.
Luxury in Every Detail
The core of Celebrity Beyond’s vision of luxury is the Grand Plaza, a transformational place at the center of the ship designed by Jouin Manku — the team responsible for designing the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower — and offering a different experience with every visit. Inspired by the piazzas of Italy that serve as life centers of towns where architecture and social connection become one, the Grand Plaza spans three decks at the heart of the ship, boldly declaring it is the place to see and be seen.
Larger than Grand Plazas on its sister Edge Series ships, the CelebrityBeyond Grand Plaza has an airier atmosphere with more room for intimate seating. The added space allowed designers to move the Martini Bar into the center of the venue as a full, circular bar.
Hanging proudly above the new Martini Bar, the Grand Plaza’s iconic chandelier boasts a new, organic shape with hundreds of individual LED lights that cast an inviting glow at all hours—taking center stage with talented bartenders at night during their exciting and theatrical Flash Flair Fusion performance.
Connected to the Grand Plaza is the top table of culinary excellence at sea, the new, intimate 50-seat restaurant by world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud. Aptly named Le Voyage, travel is the inspiration for the globally inspired flavors within, designed to transport guests to the very places that inspire the Michelin-rated chef. Complementing the menu, world-class sommeliers will pair the perfect wine with every dish from Celebrity Cruises’ “most awarded” wine collection at sea.
Complementing Chef Boulud’s world-class menu is the restaurant’s ambiance, which is also the result of Jouin Manku’s creative talents. Intimate seating cocoons are surrounded by luminous portals highlighting the themes of journey and travel, while graphically lit “glass flutes” provide layers of light and texture to create an enchanting experience.
Providing a sense of occasion and flow, the Le Voyage experience begins with a dedicated entrance and concludes with a customized sweet prepared in Daniel’s own farewell boutique as guests are wished ‘au revoir.’
Rethinking Wellness at Sea
Luxury didn’t stop at the architectural design and culinary experience, but extended into how Celebrity Cruises thought of wellness on Celebrity Beyond. New to the ship are AquaClass SkySuites, an immersive living experience that helps guests find their center. From floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private verandas, luxurious bedding and other wellness amenities, Celebrity Beyond has thought of everything to nourish its guests’ mind, body, and spirit on vacation.
Celebrity Beyond also sets sail with a new partnership with actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow, serving as the line’s new Well-being Advisor. All Aqua Class guests across the entire Celebrity Cruises fleet (excluding Galapagos sailings) will be treated to onboard wellness offerings, including fitness kits from Paltrow’s modern lifestyle brand goop, aimed at enhancing self-care and collective well-being. Paltrow and her team at goop will also curate onboard wellness programming and participate in the line’s new Women in Wellness initiative.
Welcome Beyond
Celebrity Beyond will depart on her maiden voyage on April 27, 2022 from Southampton, England, on a 10-night Western Europe cruise visiting Bordeaux, France; Lisbon, Portugal; and Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain. She will then offer a variety of Mediterranean journeys including nine-night Italian Riviera and France itineraries and 10-night Greek Isles itineraries through early October, when she then heads to the Caribbean.Voyages are on sale as of April 28, 2021 at 3p.m. ET.
Like her industry-changing sister ships, Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex, the former of which was named one of TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places” following her 2018 debut season, Celebrity Beyond will connect guests to the breath-taking world around them like never before. Celebrity Cruises’ onboard and onshore experiences stand it apart as a new luxury travel brand without comparison. For more information on all Celebrity Cruises’ offerings and tobook the vacation of a lifetime, visit http://www.celebritycruises.com.
Thank you for taking the time to read my latest blog post.
Celebrity Silhouette sporting her new hull colour Image: Celebrity Cruises
Revolutionised Celebrity Silhouette returns to the UK this summer with new spaces designed by Kelly Hoppen CBE
Celebrity Silhouette will sail with all guests aged 18 and above vaccinated against COVID-19, and those under the age of 18 with negative PCR test results
Announcement is welcome boost for Southampton and UK tourism
LONDON (March 29th, 2021 09.00BST) – Celebrity Cruises announced its long-anticipated return to UK shores today, as company President and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, confirmed that its newly revolutionised ship, Celebrity Silhouette, will set sail from Southampton this summer, offering new luxury staycations to discerning British guests.
Celebrity Silhouette’s return to UK shores will be welcome news, not just for holidaymakers looking for a luxury staycation to reconnect with friends and family, but also for the British tourism industry.
Celebrity Silhouette will sail with all guests aged 18 and over vaccinated against COVID-19, and those under the age of 18 with negative PCR test results. The announcement comes just days after Celebrity Cruises announced its Caribbean comeback with Celebrity Millennium departing from St. Maarten and Celebrity Apex departing from Greece, both in June.
Image: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said, “We’re delighted to be returning to Southampton after over a year away. We are truly committed to the UK market and can’t wait to welcome guests back onboard. What could be better than a new luxury ship, ready to take guests on a journey around one of the world’s most beautiful and impressive coastlines? Not only is this extremely significant to us as a business but also to the local tourism industry.”
Setting sail from Southampton from Saturday, July 3rd, the stunning new luxury Celebrity Silhouette will embark on a series of six- to eight-night itineraries around Britain’s coastline. Guests will have the chance to explore the Jurassic Coastline from Portland, discover the bustling Scottish cities and stunning highlands from Inverness, Kirkwall and Glasgow, uncover the rich history of Belfast, plus immerse themselves in the creative and cultural hub of Liverpool, home of the Beatles!
Jo Rzymowska, Vice President and Managing Director EMEA, said: “We are excited to offer guests the chance to reconnect at sea with family and friends and to make up for all those missed celebrations. I cannot thank our UK travel partners enough for their unwavering support throughout this unprecedented time. We can’t wait to welcome our mutual guests onboard Celebrity Silhouette.”
From bow to stern, the ship has been ‘revolutionised’, following a multi-million-pound refit last year, designed to ensure an unparalleled new luxury experience for guests needing to feed their love of travel.
Celebrity Silhouette’s new look includes:
Completely modernised staterooms and suites with stunning enhancements designed with guest comfort in mind
The addition of The Retreat for suite guests, an exclusive open-air hideaway featuring a private sundeck and redesigned lounge offering complimentary beverages, gourmet bites, live entertainment, and concierge service, designed by award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE
Stunningly reimagined restaurants, bars, and lounges where guests can enjoy unparalleled culinary experiences in captivating environments
A redesigned spa and casino
New designer boutiques featuring the hottest designer names
Advanced RFID lock technology with digital key access to every stateroom door
Stunning new looking interior spaces Image: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Silhouette’s restart in UK waters underlines the brand’s commitment to the UK market and its confidence in its trusted travel partners. Incentives and resources made available to support agents in selling a new luxury staycation with Celebrity this summer include £20 Celebrity Rewards points on every booking, a dedicated marketing toolkit on the Revolutionised Celebrity Silhouette available on Celebrity Central and double Captain’s Club loyalty points for guests.
And, because Celebrity Cruises believes holidays should be effortless from start to finish, Wi-Fi, drinks and service charges are now ‘Always Included’SM in every purchase, bringing that wonderful feeling of ‘everything is taken care of’ to life.
In addition, the company’s ‘Cruise with Confidence’ programme provides flexible cancellations and best price guarantees.
All guests already booked to sail on Celebrity Silhouette this summer will be contacted to discuss the options for their current booking.
Healthy at Sea
The company’s first priority is the health and safety of guests, crew, and the people in the places that Celebrity Silhouette will visit. The ship will sail with comprehensive, multi-layered health and safety measures leveraging expert guidance from its Healthy Sail Panel; Royal Caribbean Group’s Global Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer; and local UK health and government authorities. These measures, including vaccination and testing requirements, will evolve along with public health standards.
Details on all health and safety measures across the entire Celebrity Cruises holiday experience can be found at https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea. Further details on the additional health and safety measures to be implemented by Celebrity Cruises will be announced at a later date.
For more information on Celebrity Cruises UK comeback, guests and travel advisors should visit: celebritycruises.com/ukcruises
As always thank you for taking the time to read my latest post.
The Cruise Line that Defined Modern Luxury at Sea Reflects on its History of Innovation and Looks Ahead to the Next Chapter of Sailing Beyond Expectations
Constellation April 2007 Southampton
Yesterday, Celebrity Cruises marked its 30th birthday by reflecting on its journey to push the limits of traditional cruising and create a unique modern luxury experience at sea. Established in 1990 by the Greece-based Chandris Group, the line became part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) seven years later in 1997. Celebrity Cruises now boasts 14 stunning ships and thousands of team members from over 60 countries.
Over the years, Celebrity Cruises has delivered a number of industry firsts and innovations including: introducing specialty dining (2000); the creation of the modern luxury cruise category with the introduction of the Solstice Series (2008); the first solar panels at sea (2008); the first American female captain of a cruise ship (2015); the Magic Carpet, the first cantilevered dining venue on a cruise ship (2018); the first ship to replace plastic water bottles (2018); and the first all-female bridge and leadership team to command a cruise ship (2020); among many others.
Celebrity Eclipse sailing from Southampton june 2013
“Having recently celebrated my 35th Anniversary with the company, my time at RCL predates the acquisition of Celebrity Cruises, giving me a unique perspective in watching Celebrity grow from day one. I was a District Sales Manager in New England, at the time, and Celebrity was a formidable competitor that really started to change the complexion of premium cruising. For me, Celebrity’s legacy will be setting modern luxury cruising standards that are Celebrity’s to own, and then resetting and raising the bar, again and again. It is that spirit of pioneering that continues to take the brand and our guest experiences to new heights – and I’m not just talking about the view from the Magic Carpet℠,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises.
“As we look ahead to the post-pandemic world we will sail in, there is more progress to be made in our industry. I am confident Celebrity – and the entire RCL family – will continue to lead every step of the way. Our next 30 years will be even more incredible thanks to the ongoing support of our travel partners, our loyal guests, our Captains and crew, and our shoreside team members,” she added.
Celebrity Edge sailing from Southampton May 2019
Since joining the RCL family, Celebrity Cruises has sailed to all seven continents and launched three series of ships. In 2000, the company introduced the Celebrity Millennium Series, the first new-build vessels for the brand following Celebrity’s acquisition by RCL. It was followed by the Celebrity Solstice Series in 2008 with five additional casually elegant ships emphasizing the intersection of indulgence and fun. More recently, in 2018, the Celebrity Edge Series was introduced to critical acclaim, with the first-in-series Celebrity Edge being named to Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places to visit list in 2019. In addition, the line began operating three smaller expedition ships that sail the beautiful Galapagos Islands including the 2019 debut of Celebrity Flora, the first purpose-built ship for the islands.
A special celebratory birthday tribute video highlighting some of Celebrity Cruises defining moments from throughout its 30 years can be viewed below:
Happy Birthday Celebrity Cruises and hre’s to another 30 years of sailing!
Anyone that knows me well is fully aware that I am an avid shipspotter and photographer always with camera in hand and living in Southampton gives me some great opportunities to see the ships up close. However this love does come with a down side as it often means a early start in order to watch them arrive and the 05:30 arrival of Celebrity Edge meant another one of those!
Celebrity Edge arriving with fire tug escort
I was especially keen to get quayside early as I was photographing her arrival for Southampton port operator ABP and they wanted arrival photos to share in their press release and on social media channels early that morning.
Welcome Celebrity Edge
In what is one of the most anticipated cruise calls of the year Celebrity Cruises newest and most technologically advanced ship made her Southampton debut early on 13th May. The visit follows a transatlantic crossing as the ship heads for the summer season in the mediterranean.
Delivered in October 2018 Celebrity Edge was constructed by STX France in Saint Nazaire which is the same shipyard as MSC Bellissima which was named in the port in March this year.
During her first visit nearly 2,000 VIP’s and specially invited guests boarded the ship ahead of a two day taster cruise which will allow the guests to get an exclusive first glimpse of the new ship, including the rooftop garden, plunge pools and Eden a stunning three-deck dining and entertaining space.
Other unique features are the Magic Carpet, a striking orange platform cantilevered from the side of the ship acts as a tender platform when in smaller ports and an outside dining venue 13 stories above the water. Celebrity Edge also has 1,500 suites designed by renowned British interior designer Kelly Hoppen MBE.
The innovative Magic Carpet
Commenting on the maiden call to Southampton, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lutoff Perlo, said “Edge is redefining the cruise experience and today she makes her exciting debut in the UK, a really significant market for us‘ We can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction when she arrives in Southampton. Edge is changing how people view a cruise vacation, especially for those who are new to cruise/first-timers,’ she added.
Jo Rzymowska, vice president and managing director, Celebrity Cruises UK, Ireland and Asia, commented: ‘This is a ship that defies expectations, elevating cruise luxury to a whole new level. There are four more of these Edge-class ships on order and the next, Celebrity Apex, will be based in the UK when it launches in Southampton next year. This visit is the perfect preview of what’s in store.’
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Following the two night cruise Celebrity Edge arrived back in Southampton early this morning and will depart later today on a 10 night Iberian cruise.
While in Southampton today Celebrity Edge together with MSC Preziosa are the backdrop to the first day of the Cruise Lines Association (CLIA) 2019 conference with this year’s theme being the Next Generation.
I am excited to be attending the three day conference and visiting Celebrity Edge today, so be sure to follow me on twitter & instagram for live updates when possible.
Celebrity Edge’s unique profile overlooking City Cruise Terminal
Cruise Ship Profiles 