Pre-Inaugural Cruise on the Celebrity Edge
11/27/18 to 11/29/18
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Page 1 – Embarkation & Restaurants,
Page 2 – Lounges, Entertainment, Eden, Rooftop Garden, Retreat & Outer Decks
Page 3 – Spa & Other Venues
Page 4 - Cabins
Page 5 – Dining and Shows (including Eden show)
Spa
The elegantly decorated spa area is at the front of deck 14. The area is a nice upgrade from the spas on Celebrity's other ships. The circular staircase goes up to the fitness center on deck 15.
Sea Thermal Suites - When I went by this area in the spa the first day, it was closed for maintenance. When I returned the next day, it was open; but since passengers were able to use it, I was not able to get photos of all areas there. I loved the golden penguins placed on the open deck area in front of the spa. I was disappointed that the area will only be available for those that have access to the spa. On other Celebrity ships, this is a great area to take photos from when entering a port.
Barber Shop
Relaxation Room - This looks like a very comfortable room on the port side of the spa.
Salon
Other
Art Gallery
The Basement - This is the teen facility on the ship. It is located on deck 2 close to the Destination Gateway. For this cruise, the area was taken over by media people. I took a photo, even though it will look quite different when set up for the the teens.
Camp at Sea - This kids facility is on deck 3. I am not normally able to take photos of these types of venues, since there are normally kids using the rooms. There weren't many on this cruise and none in the facility when I visited.
Captain's Club & Concierge -
Destination Gateway - This is the area on deck 2 where passengers board the tenders. It is an outstanding area for leaving the ship. On most ships when you get on a tender, you have to go through the non-guest area of the ship that is rather industrial looking. This is quite an attractive space. We were supposed to be able try out the new luxory tenders being used; but high wind prevented it. I was very disappointed. When being used, the Magic Carpet is lowered to this level and the glass doors are opened to gain access to the Magic Carpet to walk over to the tenders. It should be so much better than other tender experiences. I was also pleased to see that there were restrooms adjoining the area. In the past, I have seen too many people have to rush around looking for a restroom or go back to their cabin to use the one there. This should be well received. This area can also be used as a conference center.
Since I couldn't get photos of the tenders in the water, I took these from the deck area, where they would be boarded when used as lifeboats. In the bottom photo, you can see the bucket seats when the vessel is used for tendering. As the notation shows on the tender, it holds 91 more passengers when configured as a life boat. Which means that passengers get almost 70% more seat room than normal tenders.
Elevators - The ship only has two banks of elevators, with six in each bank. Above the doors inside the elevator, the different venues on each floor are shown. I really liked the keypads. They were flat touch pads which were very responsive. The best part about them was that they showed what level the Magic Carpet was at. When we left the ship, it showed what deck we were supposed to exit at. Very helpful. The placards on the elevator lobby walls were also helpful. It showed which way was forward and aft, as well as where the cabin numbers were located.
Fitness Center - Located on deck 15 at the front of the ship makes the gym area great for watching the seas while doing cardio exercise. They had plenty of different types of exercise equipment.
The gym has three Peleton bikes which should be popular.
Future Cruises - The place for booking a future cruise is on deck 4 across from the photo gallery. It is a very open concept design, which I felt was an improvement over the prior separate rooms on the S class ships. I also think that it will improve bookings, since it is easy to find and just walk into. I even booked a cruise while on this short one.
Guest Relations and Shore Excursions - This area is located on deck 3, and in my opinion is a significant improvent over any other guest services area I have previously experienced. It is an open concept and the agents are even able to walk around and help you with their tablets if necessary. It is just much more pleasant to deal with people that aren't beheind a high wall. It is a more personal interaction that I appreciated.
In between Guest Services and Shore excursions is the Concierge.
Shore Excursions is on the other side opposite Guest Services and is also an open concept design. There are several tables with tablets, where the agents can assist you in choosing and/or booking excursions. You are also able to book excursions on the tablets, on your Celebrity app or on your cabin TV. There is a small area where the port shopping expert will be available to assist in planning port shopping visits.
iLounge -
Medical Facility - The doctors office is very difficult to find, since it isn't listed on the deck plans. It is located just off the forward elevator on deck 2.
The Meeting Place - The meeting rooms are located on deck 4 close to the theater. They were being used for media purposes, so I couldn't go into them.
Photo Gallery - Rather than racks of photos, this photo gallery is stricly digital like on most of the newer ships. You can look up your photos by scanning your key card or entering your cabin number. When some of the photos were taken, you didn't have to give your cabin number. They used facial recognition to assign them to your cabin.
Restrooms - The public restrooms on the ship are nicely done; but a friend mentioned a problem with the stalls. On most stall doors, it is easy to tell if they are occupied; but not on the Edge. They only way to know is by looking at the way a bolt on the door is turned.
Closed Open
Shops - There are numerous shops on decks 4 & 5, many high end ones.
I was surprised and disappointed with the prices at the logo shop. I would have liked to get an Edge t-shirt, but it cost $55. The hats were $25. They had nice models of the Edge with the plastic one costing $55 and the glass being $120
Solarium - Located on deck 14, this is just a lovely and most comfortable adults only area.
The Studio - Next to the deck 4 photo gallery is a high end studio.
Artwork
The Edge has some gorgeous and unusual artwork. I would have liked to put more of it in this review; but will have to wait until our January cruise when I have more time to focus on it. Below are some of the pieces that I liked. The most talked about were the six life size wooden statues. They were much discussed on the ship.
The other really interesting artwork was a haunted forest design with metal trees. It was located on deck 5 on the corridor to Eden. It was quite an interesting display. I liked how the different lighting changed its appearance.
Below are other various pieces.
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