Ushering in a new era of contemporary cool, think Miami-chic luxury boutique hotel floating on water, Celebrity Cruise’s Celebrity Edge is poised to take the cruise industry into a bold new direction.
In the business world, a disruptive innovation is an innovation that creates a new market and value network and eventually disrupts an existing market and value network, displacing established market-leading firms, products, and alliances (Wikipedia). As rare of a feat disruptive innovation can be, Celebrity Cruise CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, a 34-year veteran of the company and her dream teams have done just that. The team broke the mold in every aspect for The Celebrity Edge. From its’ complete 3D conceptualization and innovative endoskeleton design that completely abandons centuries-old shipbuilding principles, to it’s redefined modern luxury interior design, Celebrity Edge’s vision to make seagoing travel an epic experience for the millennial market not only hit the mark, it raised the stakes.
Redefined for the Modern Cruiser
Celebrity Edge’s appeal to consumers seeking a modernly fresh approach to cruising is evident in detail of the ship. The company partnered with designer juggernauts, such as the magnetic duo Jouin Manku – who designed the vessels’ sophisticatedly modern interior space which flawlessly marries clean lines, grand spaces, lots of small nooks for privacy with original modern art installments and dazzling light fixtures at virtually every turn. Self-proclaimed Instagram-celebs will be indulged with the endless unobstructed views, courtesy of the ships’ floor-to-ceiling windows, for that perfect newsfeed pic.
The ship boasts 1,467 staterooms, created by celebrated interior designer Kelly Hoppen, and feature yet another disruptive breakthrough design,“Infinite Verandas". The balconies of the Infinite Veranda Staterooms offer a seamless extension of the room and with a press of a button turns the veranda into a self-contained space where the immense windows can be pushed down half-way to open the balcony directly onto the ocean. The innovative design cleverly increases the size of a cabin by 23% and enables the rooms to be outfitted with king-sized beds.
Infinite Verandas Carnival Edge
The luxe lifestyle feel of the reimagined resort desk features daybeds and private cabanas like you might find at Nikki Beach St Tropez. Cushioned lounge chairs are pointed outwards so guests can take in the full grandeur of being out on the ocean while catching some sun. Guests onboard can connect outdoors at the revolutionary rooftop garden with outdoor movie theatre,plantings and sculptures that also serve as a venue for pop-up musical performances.
With a capacity of 3,373 guests Edge invitingly caters to traditional cruise customers, including families. Staying true to their core values, on the Resort Deck, you’ll find one of the most popular spots on every Celebrity ship—the adults-only Solarium. Celebrity Edge continues the tradition of offering a covered pool area where adults can unwind in modern luxury style.
Edge seeks to capitalize on the opportunity to attract to those affluent consumers who are used to jet setting, crossing an ocean, staying at luxury and upscale boutique hotels, ready to dig in and explore the local culture. “They are traveling to the places we visit,” says Lutoff-Perlo. When Edge moves to Europe from the Caribbean for the 2019 summer season where she will offer 11-day trips from Rome and Barcelona she will be the first Celebrity vessel to call on Nauplion, Greece, a charming coastal town with a Greek island-feel, and Santa Margherita, Italy, a picturesque seaside town near Portofino.
The Magic of “The Magic Carpet”
If I could only use one word to convey the genius of Edge’s Magic Carpet, it would be ‘inspiring’. This incredible engineering feat is the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that depending on the positioning, its mood and function changes—providing exciting new venues, incredible visual perspectives, and a distinct experience on every deck it visits. The prominent tangerine extension to the ship and moves up and down its side and reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level.
At the very top of the ship, the Magic Carpet becomes an extraordinary venue high in the sky where we host mouthwatering experiences such as Dinner on the Edge. When it's positioned at Deck 14, it becomes an extension to the main pool area and serves as a bar with live music. When it’s positioned on Deck 5, it becomes al fresco extension of seafood restaurant Raw on 5 seating up to 100 guests who can eat oysters and sip champagne above the ocean. At the bottom on Deck 2, the Magic Carpet becomes an extension of modern luxury at The Destination Gateway, a multi-purpose area on Celebrity Edge that transforms from a luxury embarkation station into an intimate setting for destination enrichment talks and additional programming. When the Magic Carpet is positioned here, The Destination Gateway serves as a comfortable and welcoming environment that leads to the Edge Launches for transportation ashore. It immerses you in the destination you’re about to visit with highlights of that port of call displayed on large LCD screens.
A Tailored Approach
The Celebrity Edge spared no attention to the details important to her target consumer in building out the onboard lifestyle experiences. They infused the comforts and style of upscale brands throughout the ship, integrating iconic boutiques like Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Bulgari along with trendsetting fashion from designers like Marc Jacobs and an Apple reseller store plus seven specialty restaurants. The traditional main dining room one thinks about on cruise ships has been split into four distinctive restaurants, each with a separate menus, all complimentary, included in your cruise fare. Edge delivers a distinct, diverse and authentic culinary journey on board by focusing on the details of the destinations they visit.
The ship further elevates the guest experience on the ship with their aah-inspired luxurious Spa Sanctuary. A certified game-changer by any cruise or luxe hotel standards for the matter, The Spa on Celebrity Edge is the SEA Thermal Suite amazes with its eight distinct spaces – Hamman, Crystalarium, Salt Room, Steam Room, Infrared Sauna Room, Float Room, Heated Tile Loungers and Rainfall Water Therapy Room. Guests are elevated to a whole new level of tranquility unmatched in the industry.
CELEBRITY EDGE: THE NEW STANDARD IS HERE
At the time this article was finalized, the countdown clock for the Maiden Voyage of the Celebrity Edge read, 1D: 21HR: 37MIN: 01SECS. At time of sail, the first of Celebrity’s new Edge Class of ships designed to “leave the future behind”, will make history in doing just that.
