After a week spent in a rather glorious, but exhausting 40 degree heat of inland Spain I have been thinking back to May + the cool sea breeze, when I was invited to the Celebrity Edge launch.
I have only ever been on a cruise ship once + have always felt that they are primarily aimed at people in their retirement years, so was very pleasantly surprised when I boarded the Celebrity Edge ship.
I didn't really know what to expect, other then I knew this ship was designed by world renowned interior designers, such as Kelly Hoppen + Nate Berkus (the Edge Ambassador). Celebrity Edge has been designed to turn those cruise ship stereotypes around. There was a heavy focus on the interior design to make it feel more like a exclusive city hotel then a cruise ship.
The luxuriously designed rooms have been cleverly designed to blur the boundary between indoors + out, with their sliding balcony doors + windows. When you aren't chilling in your cabin you can explore the collection of 29 world-class restaurants, bars, and lounges. There is even a night club which ended up being very lively, with saxophonists, dancers and live bands. Celebrity Edge has since been voted Best New Ship by the editors of Cruise Critic + can see why!
My Cabin
When I boarded the ship the first thing I did was to head to my cabin, firstly as I couldn't wait to see what it looked like + secondly to leave my bags so I could explore the rest of the impressive/ massive ship.
When I entered my room I was welcomed by a sense of calm from the warm harmonious colour palette, simple but elegant accessories + wonderful view of the sea. Kelly Hoppen took the design lead on Celebrity Edge’s accommodations. Kelly envisioned the cabins to have the feel of an intimate, inviting, indulgent urban apartment + I think she achieved just that.
The super comfortable king sized bed.
The clever opening windows to bring the outside in.
Blurring the lines between inside + out.
Elegant details.
Marble effect in the spacious bathroom.
Throughout the ship there are 178 possible options of connecting staterooms make it easier than ever for families and friends to get together and get away in modern luxury. As well as some breath taking Royal + Penthouse suites which I looked around later in the trip.
Chill
After leaving my bags in my room I started exploring the ship. As it turned out to be a lovely day I headed straight upstairs to the outside bars, where I discovered what was to be my favourite place on the ship, The Retreat Pool Bar. Reserved for the Suite Class guests they can enjoy exclusive access to the indulgent, inviting Pool Bar with private cabanas and plush loungers. With chilled music, bar nearby + a brilliant view of the sea this was most definitely the best place to hang out + chill.
The design was right up my street too with over-sized terracotta pots, monochrome furniture + stripped cushion details.
The Retreat pool area was separated by a running track from the Roof top Garden. The is another bar/ restaurant open to all guests with a fun botanical feel. After looking around here I started to build an appetite so headed to the Oceanview cafe for lunch.
Restaurants
Celebrity Edge has four main restaurants, plus a whole host of specialty + complimentary dining options. Whilst on the trip I tried out the Oceanview cafe, Eden, Luminae at the Retreat + Cosmopolitan Restaurant.
Oceanview Café
Featuring sweeping two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows, pretty pastel colour palettes with bold carpets, the Oceanview Cafe is the perfect bright + lively spot for lunch. There was so much food to choose from I ended up with a rather tasty, but random plate of food. They have added more live action stations, including an Asian stir fry station with flavours inspired by the spice route and a bakery serving up fresh selection from the oven.
Eden
Eden was designed in collaboration with the founding partner of Wilson Butler Architects, Scot Butler + Patricia Urquiola, world-renowned industrial designer, art director.
This multi levelled, bright + airy space offers stunning views as far as the eye can see. Along the meandering path, lookout points designed by Patricia Urquiola offer the perfect place to chill—on every level.
Cyprus Restaurant
I didn't get to dine here, but did manage to have a look around at the design. This restaurant represents the Greek heritage + Mediterranean associated with the brand so they worked with world renowned designer, Patricia Urquiola. The menu’s main focus is seafood and features simple, clean dishes that celebrate the food + drink of the Mediterranean region.
Luminae at the Retreat®
On the second evening I dined at the private Luminae restaurant. Suite Class guests have exclusive access to this restaurant, + it is the highest-rated restaurant in the fleet. Luminae is another area on the ship designed by Kelly Hoppen + features daily changing menus not available in any other restaurant on board.
Suites
On the final day of my stay the different styles of suites were open for everyone to take a look + I was super impressed with what I saw. Although out of my price range the Royal suite was bigger then most homes + had been beautifully designed with stylish furniture, lighting and accessories. You would have forgotten you were on a ship had it not been for the amazing sea views...
Penthouse Suites
The Penthouse suite features a master bedroom, bathroom, and dressing room, living/dining area, guest bedroom and bathroom, terrace, + private hot tub. I heard that the Penthouse Suites even have an attentive butler on hand!
Iconic Suites
The Iconic Suites are the largest + most luxurious suites in the Celebrity Cruise ship fleet. Positioned high above the bridge, offering panoramic views from front to back these suites also boast over 2,500 square feet of indoor + outdoor opulence.
Royal Suites
These suites have a luxuriously large living and dining area featuring floor to ceiling panoramic windows allowing a constant unspoilt view of the sea, a master bathroom with a large soaking tub, a separate shower, + a double sink vanity, + a spacious private veranda.
Spa
I was very impressed by the spa, + the wide variety of treatments offer. If you really wanted you could left the ship at the end of your trip looking like a differnt person! It caters for a wide variety of needs, whether you want to clear your mind, fine-tune your body, reinvigorate your spirit or just get your hair and nails done.
I was invited on this trip by Celebrity Edge who also paid for the wonderful experience + all photos are my own :)