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Cruise Newbuilts - CELEBRITY EDGE Class

The CELEBRITY EDGE is the first of a class of five new ships for CELEBRITY after nearly a decade. With 117,000 GT the EDGE class ships are slightly maller than the SOLSTICE class, 121,000 GT and 2,852 pax. All five ships are being built at STX in France. The second ship, CELEBRITY BEYOND, is scheduled to debut in spring 2020. The two yet-unnamed ships will sail in fall 2021 and spring 2022. They will have similar imaginative names I guess ...
by Earl of Cruise
CELEBRITY Cruises
CELEBRITY EDGE, X shaped funnel with the logo looking forward, and the Magic Carpet, looking outbalanced is a nice description for that gimmick feature - Rendering courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
A few weeks ago ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES ceo Richard Fain and CELEBRITY CRUISES ceo Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced in Fort Lauderdale details of the long-mooted 117,000-ton 2,900-berth EDGE class ships that will, among other things, bring balconies indoors as an integral part of the stateroom. It is said this new $5 Billion class of cruise ships exceeds the boundaries of innovation.
But one is for sure the costs or US$ 1 bn per ship are published as through a loadspeaker, as if only construction costs make a ship a hip.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
Watching the wake line, and getting lost in thoughts - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES

When money is the only and foremost instrument of and for characterzing, then the US$ 1 bn for the EDGE is really impressing. But do these construction costs tell us anything about the vessel, its styl, its interior, its appearing ... or is it only to impress and crying "I am most expensive and therefore I am beautifull!"
For sure not! Even if big spending may provide for interesting items and implementations.
The Celebrity Edge - helmed by star designers Nate Berkus, Kelly Hoppen, and Tom Wright - is a game-changing mega-vessel that magically brings the outdoors inside, as CELEBRITY is stating. We have to wait and see what what VIRGIN will offer next. The VIRGIN newbuilds have a similar seize and a lesser passenger capapcity but similar crew numbers.
Going with architects and designers, not familiar with the sea and sealife (as lifestyle) it is clear to me, the new CELEBRITY class is targettting the newcommers to cruises. and seeing the interiors it is depicting a shore based, every where, designed hotel ...
Nate Berkus is embarking on his new role as design ambassador for CELEBRITY EDGE, CELEBRITY’s new ship, and CELEBRITY’s first new ship class since 2008. The Midwestern showman is such a newcomer to the scene that he still slips up in calling it a boat. But that’s exactly the type of creative departure executives of CELEBRITY intended to disrupt their industry.
They didn’t want anyone who only worked in cruises in order to get a totally different point of view,” said Berkus, who hosted the reveal at PortMiami on March 13, when passengers could also book staterooms and suites for its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean in late 2018. “The power of design was hugely important.

CELEBRITY CRUISES
Nate Berkus and Kelly Hoppen - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
While Berkus is the project's "design ambassador," the ship's interior designer is Kelly Hoppen, who got her feet wet with a marina’s worth of private yachts but hadn’t done a cruise ship for 2,918 guests. She had more square footage to play with and employ her trademark texture and furnishings by Holly Hunt, Bruno Moinard, and Lee Broom, just to name a few resources, thanks to architect Tom Wright’s revolutionary design, on par with his WKK´s buildings in Dubai.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE, rendering, stateroom with Infinite Veranda View, there is a view at the end of the tunnel - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
The most interesting feature on board the coming EDGE will be the massive use of glass. Big glass sliding doors and glass railings at the balcony. An unobstracted view to the sea. When other balcony staterooms have big doors, the view, even in the luxury class is limited by the steel or the rail of the balcony. By redefining the balcony, Celebrity is able to expand cabins right up to the edge of the ship - almost like an infinity pool. But I fear those who know nothoing about the sea ... it is not allways the weather at hand, that the broshure is depicting ... With the push of a button, the floor-to-ceiling windows will retract, leaving nothing but a simple glass railing between the stateroom and the sea beyond. This will also affect the outside appearance of these vessels, who’s default position will now become all-glazed windows rather than balconies open to the elements. These balconies are just one of the design features that will raise the price tag of the EDGE class ships to $1 billion each.
Here are some of the innovations that are new to this EDGE class, the first of, the CELEBRITY EDGE, is scheduled to begin cruising from Fort Lauderdale on December 16, 2018.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE, rendering, stateroom with Infinite Veranda View, there is a view at the end of the tunnel - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE, rendering, stateroom floorplan - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES

`Infinite Verandas´ . By redefining the balcony, Celebrity is able to expand cabins right up to the edge of the ship - by moving the strength members inside the ship. This feat of engineering is accomplished by moving the strength members in the ship’s structure inboard and away from the ship’s outer shell, where the strengthening has traditionally been positioned, dividing cabin from balcony. As a result, stateroom floor plans will be on average 23% larger than before, with bathrooms gaining an extra 20%. I do hope and see if, as today the standard is more of a chicken stall. EDGE will have 918 `Infinite Veranda´ cabins, including 16 single-accommodation rooms.
“We have been reimagining shore experiences for a long time,” explained Lutoff-Perlo, who says the glassed-in staterooms “let us transform how guests experience destinations when they’re in port or out on sea.” And a big number of cruisers don´t go ashore and stay on board, that land outside may be dangerous and infested ...
CELEBRITY EDGE Veranda Cabins
CELEBRITY EDGE outside look of the Veranda Staterooms - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES

Designed to blend indoor with outdoor, these `Infinite Verandas´ make the balcony a part of the overall cabin, thanks to bi-fold doors that can be either completely closed creating a true balcony or left open, creating a sunlit indoor space that adds about 23 percent more space to the room . The balcony features a floor-to-ceiling window that can be opened when the bi-fold doors are closed - again creating the "real" balcony feel. When the bi-fold doors are open and the window is closed, the entire section is air-conditioned, giving passengers an expansive view of the outdoors with the creature comfort of A/C.
“We put a strong spine down the middle of the ship, so we could get rid of the bulky metal exoskeleton that limited views and space,” says Wright, of the namesake concept. “People can move closer to the edge near the water.
CELEBRITY EDGE will debut several new cabin classes, as well as the line's first cabins for solo travelers, as the demand is too strong to be no longer coverd. One of the new cabin classes, the Infinite Veranda, is a first for ocean-going vessels.
Besides the outdoor balconies, the EDGE class vessels will have inside balconies. That sounds to me like backyard living ...
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE 146 m² suite with 2 bedrooms - courtsey cruisedeckplans.com
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE suite - courtsey cruisedeckplans.com
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE 146m² suite bedroom - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES

Suites. Celebrity also revealed two new suite types, as well as an exclusive suite enclave called The Retreat. The largest of the two new suite categories will be the two Iconic Suites, each coming in at more than 5,000 square feet (464,51 m²). okay if you shrink your needs, it will be suitable for 7 days ... eventually ... Both will be located above the bridge, facing forward, essentially giving occupants the same view as the captain. Hopefully they wish not to interfere in the captain´s sailing ... These Iconic Suites will have two bedrooms and 700-square-foot balconies  placed over the bridge wing; balconies will have private Jacuzzis and cabanas. The two Iconic Suites are mirror images of each other. Hoping there will not be to heavy winds blowing when sailing ...
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE 464 m² iconic VILLA SUITE - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE 464 m² iconic suite - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES

The second new suite category is the two-level Edge Villa, which features an elevated master bedroom, large living room and two full bathrooms. The six Edge Villas will each span decks 14 and 15. Each Edge Villa balcony will feature a private plunge pool. Additionally, cruisers staying in Edge Villas will have direct walk-out access to The Retreat sundeck, a part of a suites-only complex called The Retreat. (This suite-only enclave is another first for Celebrity.)
The Retreat, which will be free to use but only be available to passengers staying in suites, includes a private pool and sundeck, lounge and restaurant. The lounge will serve breakfast and host a happy hour daily.
Another suite with access to The Retreat will be the two 1,578-square-foot (146,6 m²)  Penthouse Suites, which each feature two bedrooms and two baths, as well as an expansive walk-in closet and a soaking tub on the balcony.
There will also be 146 one-bedroom Sky Suites onboard, all with outward facing king-sized beds. 

Speaking of suites, an impressive 12 percent of cabins on Celebrity Edge will be suites; a bump of 7 percent over the line's SOLSTICE class.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE the "Magic Carpet" - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity Cruises
CELEBRITY EDGE the "Magic Carpet" in Em/Disembarkation position - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES

The Magic Carpet is one of the enough bells and whistles to make even the most fervent anti-cruiser consider a trip on the high seas. Perhaps they are like those who sailed on ANTHEM OF THE SEAS, when she was hit by hurricane HERMINE in the Atlantic - the look of them was more like "I usually go landvacation in the woods". The ship’s designers also wanted to solve a guest complaint that the process for boarding the tenders at smaller ports was crowded and awkward. A totally "normal" problem of the big ships - and please nobody should say it is not. I experienced it by myself! The design team explored half a dozen alternatives before deciding on an elevated platform on starboard with the space of a tennis court that can serve not only as sea level access to the tenders, but also as an oyster bar on the restaurant deck, a cocktail bar on the pool deck and a dinner venue on the top deck. It will be only on starboard which makes the design "unbalanced", away from symetry, which a neccessaty to become beautifull in each eyes ... We definitely have needed this item as tooth pain. I see the guest dining while the ship is rolling ... bon apetit, or a new kind of feeding fish? Oh, and by the way orange is a signal colour, the lifeboats use it, to be seen, in case of ...
This structure will accommodate 90 diners and will be found only on the starboard side of each ship and will be hard to miss as it will be painted orange rather than a more calming light grey or blue as used on the hulls of Royal Caribbean’s “Quantum” class ships. Another "market crying" as the repeated calling of of the price tag.
And each level will nedd some kind of rearrangement of the stooles and tables ... happy movings for the crew. The modern black gang will be delighted.
The Retreat. Suite Class has traditionally made up 5% of Celebrity’s room inventory, but on the EDGE class, they’ll represent 12%. Included are six duplex villas that will have private plunge pools and direct access to the one of the ship’s sun decks, The Retreat. Among these, the two penthouse suites will be located above the bridge. Okay this is definitely a must for the wanna-be´s amoung the clientele of mass market CELEBRITY. They claim themselves as 5star, others name them gently Premium, I would call them simly Mass Market.
A lot of us know - A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, by David Foster Wallace, recalling his thoughts during a cruise onboard ZENITH.
Resort Deck. The resort deck on the EDGE class ships takes the adult pool concept to another level. The pool itself will be enclosed by a glass-like dome for all-weather access - called the Solarium. That in turn will lead to a rooftop garden that will surpass the lawn clubs and rooftop terraces on the earlier SOLSTICE class ships. "The garden will be landscaped with sculptured trees and maintained by a horticulturist so that it can be used for live jazz sessions (complete with wine and outdoor blankets) or dinner and movie nights," says CELEBRITY. That is a new to me - trees are needed to perform life jazz music ... ? ...
CELEBRITY SOLSTICE the first of a class of RCCL
CELEBRITY SOLSTICE the first of a class of RCCL - Source: Wikipedia (original seize)

Check-in and unlock your door by app. On the EDGE class ships, you’ll be able to do everything on your phone, from checking in to unlocking your stateroom door or controlling your room’s temperature and lighting. The bracelets and medallions used by other lines will look to be outré and passé in comparison. And this shows that these ships will be for adults.
This all happens via a proprietary Celebrity app, which will also put the concierge, ship map, daily event schedule and private notifications in each guest’s pocket to personalise their cruise just as they might personalise their phone. And not to forget the personalized purchasing offers ... shop till you drop.
The line spared no expense, especially in using 3-D technology throughout every step of the design process for the first time. During the launch, attendees were able to experience the Cave, where they wore the same 3-D goggles as Wright did, for example, to test the view from any chair on board. And I thought creative people have a strong imagination ...
Public Spaces & Activities. CELEBRITY has revealed little about CELEBRITY EDGE´s public spaces, but released pictures (as shown below), despite we do know of the pool deck, referred to as the Resort Deck, and The Rooftop Garden, a unique space that combines the popular top-deck Lawn Club found on the SOLSTICE class ships with the Rooftop Terrace that is so popular on Millennium-class ships. 
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE solarium - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY CRUISES
CELEBRITY EDGE pool deck - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES

The Resort Deck will be located on Deck 14 and was designed by architect Tom Wright. It features two-story windows, with chaise lounges positioned about them facing out to sea. The deck's large pool is flanked by sculptural trees and two "martini glass" Jacuzzis that overlook the deck below. Will be Dita von Tese in these jacuzzis?
The Resort Deck will also feature six oversized, private, for-fee cabanas.
Celebrity Cruises
CELEBRITY EDGE the Roof Top Garden - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
If someone can see a shippy atmosphere please tell me ...

Not far from the Resort Deck, The Rooftop Garden is an area filled with live greenery and sophisticated, fabricated tree sculptures. The sculptures, in addition to being interesting to look out, double as seats for musical performers.
During the day The Rooftop Garden will host yoga and various games and activities. At night, passengers can show up for live music and the line's "A Taste of Film," which pairs movies and dining.
As with all other Celebrity ships, Celebrity Edge will feature an adults-only Solarium.
The following pictures/renderings are depicting public rooms of CELEBRITY EDGE - courtsey CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity Cruises
 Celebrity Cruises
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CELEBRITY CRUISES
What I did miss in all the superlatives of anemities on board the CELEBRITY EDGE is about the propulsion system, and if they will meet TIER III regulations ...
What CELEBRITY EDGE could look like, a design study (model) of the projected EDGE class - courtsey CruiseTricks
Audrey Hepburn said about her friend and fashion designer Huber de Givenchy, that he gave her a look, a style, a silhoutte. "He was the one who gave me the outer appearance, which bolsterd my inner self." If we only could say the same for the EDGE of CELEBRITY. She is a crying mass market gimmick filled product, created to wow and press out the lemons ... pardon guests on board.




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