Cruise Review: Celebrity Edge Continues to Shine on the Med

Having just returned from an 11-day cruise aboard Celebrity Edge, Vanessa Lee is just as impressed with the ship as she was the first time she stepped aboard when she debuted last fall. Here is her review:

I have returned from a wonderful 11-day Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise onboard the truly stunning Celebrity Edge. Cruising from Rome round-trip to Sicily, Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Santorini, Athens and Mykonos, as well as some mainland ports in Greece and a visit to the island of Malta, this was a spectacular cruise with wonderful ports of call of every kind.

The true star on this cruise however was the really remarkable Celebrity Edge which debuted just last November. This was a repeat voyage for me, and we stayed in one of their lovely Infinite Veranda staterooms, which, with its open balcony sensibility affords 23% more space in the room. Cleverly designed with ample storage and a calm, neutral palette, the stateroom is very comfortable and the veranda literally becomes a part of your room. The top part of the window to the outside comes down and one can sit on casual chairs, sipping a glass of wine or morning coffee while enjoying the view and the warm sea air. Feel like closing the doors or pulling down the blind, then that’s an option too.

Luminae restaurant.

Service throughout the ship, in every dining venue (there are lots!) and in the spectacular Retreat Lounge and Pool Deck reserved for Suite guests (choose an upgrade to a suite now if you can – it’s so worth it), is absolutely excellent. There is a lovely onboard atmosphere made even better by the attention of the brigade of staff that one interacts with. Everyone was friendly, very helpful and so attentive and thoughtful – it is a definite shining moment for Celebrity.

We dined most often in Luminae which is the small jewel-box restaurant dedicated to guests sailing in a suite. It was impeccable and we loved every meal and every minute. It is a beautiful space on a very beautiful ship. We also enjoyed dining in both Tuscan and Normandie, which are two of the four main restaurants used as a dine-around for guests. Book a time and a table but you could dine in one of the four every evening if preferred.

The Magic Carpet restaurant.

We also loved the Magic Carpet – it really is magical and had a rather breezy dinner there one evening as we sailed from Naples. There are only a few evenings a week that the Magic Carpet can be booked and times are either 6pm or 6:30pm. Best to dine early while the ship is in port, as if it’s a windy night (as it was for us), it can be a little chilly. The food is also very good here and it’s a simple sharing menu with lots of seafood and tasty treats. At an almost $100 per person charge for the dinner experience, make the most of it!

The entertainment on the Edge has changed somewhat since the ship launched and it is for the better. There are more acts such as singers, musicians, a three-piece a cappella group and the more customary singing and dancing shows. Twice a night the theatre was packed and the audience was most receptive to every show we saw.

The ship is one of the most beautiful on which I have ever sailed, and for a vessel that carries around 3,000 guests, the overall sensibility, the gorgeous spaces, the design, and again, that impeccable attention to detail really showcases the Edge in the best way possible. During interactions with many of the guests, who came from all over the world, the words most often used to describe the ship were – amazing, stunning and beautiful. And I would concur. She is a star!

To find out more about the Celebrity Edge and where she sails, click here.