Celebrity is where I send clients who want something noticeably more refined than a mainstream line but aren't ready to spend Silversea money. The Edge-class ships are stunning — the Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, the Eden venue, the Retreat for suite guests — it all feels designed rather than assembled. The dining across 29 venues on the newer ships is genuinely excellent. It's modern luxury that doesn't feel like it's trying too hard.
Celebrity Cruises occupies a distinctive position in the market — premium enough to feel genuinely upscale, but priced accessibly enough that it attracts a broad audience of travellers who have outgrown mainstream cruising. The fleet of 15 ships is anchored by the Edge class, a series of vessels that reset design expectations for large-ship cruising when Celebrity Edge debuted in 2018. Six Edge-class ships now sail, with the newest — Celebrity Xcel — launching in late 2025 to strong reviews.
The Edge-class design language is what sets Celebrity apart from its Royal Caribbean Group stablemates. The Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves between decks to serve as bar, restaurant, and embarkation station, has no equivalent on any other ship afloat. Eden, a multi-storey venue at the stern, blends restaurant, performance space, and lounge into a single theatrical environment. The Rooftop Garden offers open-air relaxation with living plants and ocean views, while the Infinite Verandas in staterooms use floor-to-ceiling glass that transforms the balcony into an extension of the cabin at the touch of a button. For suite guests, The Retreat offers a ship-within-a-ship experience with a private sundeck, exclusive restaurant (Luminae), and dedicated lounge.
Dining is a genuine strength. Each Edge-class ship carries up to 29 food and beverage venues, ranging from the four main dining rooms — each with a distinct identity — to speciality restaurants like the Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Grand Bistro, Raw on 5, and the Tuscan-inspired grill. Menus are globally influenced and rotate to reflect itinerary, with regionally sourced ingredients appearing on both the main and speciality menus. The AquaClass cabin category includes exclusive access to Blu, a clean-cuisine restaurant focused on lighter, produce-driven dishes.
Celebrity’s itinerary range covers the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe, the Galapagos (on the purpose-built Celebrity Flora), and transoceanic repositioning cruises. The Edge-class ships are increasingly deployed to marquee routes — Xcel opens in the Caribbean before repositioning to Europe, while Edge runs Alaska’s Dawes Glacier itineraries from Seattle. For travellers who want a large ship with real design ambition and dining that rewards exploration, Celebrity consistently delivers.
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