Ever been on a cruise!? If not, give it some serious thought. Cruising is a magical, captivating and thrilling way to travel while still relaxing, yet experiencing culinary delicacies and enjoying professional entertainment.
I’m my late teens, I was based in Paris, living in Europe until my early twenties, modeling around the world. Although I visited many countries, while working abroad, one does not experience a city in the same way as one would while traveling for pleasure. Even though I worked in beautiful cities throughout the Mediterranean, I was more focused on work and less focused on my surroundings. I did know I wanted to re-experience those magical places but through a different set of eyes. I recently began researching cruises that would take me back in time to my earlier years in Europe and the Mediterranean.
I did a lot of research combined with due diligence before finally deciding which cruise would take me on my luxurious vacation and transport me to my dream cities. I have learned from many past experiences to trust my friend’s input as well as to pay close attention to reviews easily found on the internet. The consensus of opinion was, hands down, Celebrity Cruise Line was the way to go! You might think deciding on a particular cruise line is all there is to choosing your mode of transportation. Guess what? You are wrong! Once you narrow down which cruise line to sail with, it is then time to decide which particular ship is right for you (there is a lot that goes in to deciding this aspect of the trip). While doing my research, the ship, Celebrity Edge, kept popping up in article after article so I decided to further explore this ship.
Let me start by saying that choosing the ship was a giant step towards making the best decision when it comes to traveling abroad. Not only did I read articles about the Celebrity Edge, coincidentally I happened to be watching my favorite show, CBS Sunday Morning, (yes, I will openly admit it is my favorite), and lo and behold, they were featuring a segment on the best way to travel throughout the Mediterranean. Can you guess their preferred method of luxury travel? None other than the Celebrity Edge! The segment featured all aspects of the Celebrity Edge, including but not limited to dining, entertainment as well as all the many special amenities. One of the most impressive venues mentioned is known as the “Magic Carpet”. This is the world’s first cantilevered floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level, offering breathtaking views and an impressive menu including a full bar. The Magic Carpet creates the illusion of soaring over the open ocean.
Once I finished watching this segment on my favorite television show, I took it as a sign to book my travel on Celebrity Edge immediately. I was completely sold! I packed my bags, called my best girlfriend, gave my husband, Josh, a 9-page itinerary binder with the kids schedule, kissed my kids goodbye and was off on a 12-night adventure to Italy, Greece, Malta and much more! Our moto was “Mediterranean Cruise or Bust”.
Shortly after arriving in Rome, we boarded our ship, noticing immediately the CBS segment did not do the Celebrity Edge justice as this magnificent ship shattered every expectation I had concerning cruise ships. The Celebrity Edge had her maiden voyage on December 9th, 2018 and was subsequently voted the “Best New Ship” by Cruise Critic. No matter where I looked, everything was in pristine condition. I was entranced by the beautiful décor throughout the ship as well as chic, spacious staterooms. In addition to what I have just described, there is a collection of 29 world-class restaurants, bars, lounges and much more.
Had I been asked two years ago if I would want to go on a cruise, I most likely would have said no but I “never say never”. I didn’t really understand the allure of cruising. Well ladies and gentleman, I am here to now tell you, after experiencing the Celebrity Edge, I consider myself an avid, diehard cruiser. There is something so nice, relaxing and stress free when it comes to only having to unpack once while having the opportunity to visit various countries and cities aboard a luxurious cruise line. I now like to think of cruising in this way; it is somewhat like moving into a new apartment building. The first day you settle in and unpack but are a little unsure about your surroundings and feel a little disoriented. By the second day you start to see familiar faces and have figured out your surroundings and how to get from point A to point B. By the third day you have made friends and are on a first-name basis with the incredibly wonderful Celebrity staff.
After a week aboard this amazing ship, you are enjoying dinner with newfound friends from various parts of the world, having drinks with lovely couples in their early 70’s followed by dancing in the disco with people in their 20’s. Simply stated, there is something for everyone offered by Celebrity.
Now let me tell you a bit about the boarding process. Not much to say about this because Celebrity makes it an absolutely seamless process. One starts by dropping their luggage off with the crew outside the ship and somehow hundreds of suitcases magically (and correctly) appear in everyone’s stateroom within a few hours. I’m still mind-boggled by the speed in which they get your luggage to your room. Upon boarding the ship, one goes through security, similar to airport security, with the exception Celebrity Cruise security personnel are friendly and welcoming (imagine that). You are then given a “Seapass” which is basically a credit card that you need to keep with you at all times. The Seapass key (literally and metaphorically) is mandatory for getting on and off the ship at each port. Once you receive your Seapass, you are ready to hit the buffet and enjoy delicious food offered in the main dining room.
While your luggage is being delivered to your stateroom, you are free to roam the ship, whether it be for visiting the pool, heading to the excursion desk, grabbing a drink at the bar in the breathtaking Grand Plaza or shopping at one of the many fabulous stores aboard the ship. Trust me, you will be thoroughly entertained while waiting for your room.
I think it’s safe to say all passengers will rate the staff aboard Celebrity Edge as being incredibly good and I, personally, can not thank them enough for their warm hospitality. If anything were ever to come up, the crew is ready, willing and able to help in every way possible.
My friend and I wanted to book excursions at each port but needed guidance as there were so many interesting options. We located the excursion desk where we were greeted by a very helpful staff member who patiently walked us through each excursion until we found the right one for us. Next, a quick swipe of my Seapass and viola, my tickets were in my hand within minutes. So impressive!
We then made our way to our Sky Suite, which was beautiful, with an absolutely breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea. The balcony was the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and good conversation; relaxation at its finest! We unpacked our bags, stored our luggage, freshened up for dinner and were then ready to explore all the ship offered. WOW! If you are a suite-class guest on Celebrity Edge, you have exclusive access to certain amenities aboard the ship. The Retreat Lounge is a spacious and stylish area where you can enjoy live entertainment, gourmet bites and an exclusive concierge who is able to help you with all of your needs. You also have access to Luminae at The Retreat, a delicious and exclusive restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Luminae is the perfect place to indulge as the elegant menu features signature dishes crafted by the Michelin-starred chef, Daniel Boulod.
We were slightly overwhelmed our first night aboard Celebrity Edge due to the numerous dining options. Should we go for Greek cuisine, Sushi, Steak, Italian…you name it, there is a restaurant aboard Celebrity Edge that serves exactly what you are in the mood to eat. Although I genuinely enjoyed every restaurant, my two favorites were Eden and Le Petit Chef and Friends at Le Grand Bistro.
Eden was located at the very back of the ship with panoramic views allowing one to directly look at the beautiful ocean. This was one of my favorite restaurants to watch beautiful sunsets while enjoying a sinfully delicious meal. Eden wasn’t just a restaurant but an unforgettable experience. Not only do you enjoy a 5-course meal but at the same time, you are enjoying performing artists. The goal of this restaurant is to awaken every sense: taste, sight, sound, smell and touch. Eden surpassed my every expectation and definitely accomplished its mission. I highly recommend booking dinner and drinks at Eden around sunset in order to see the most spectacular colored skies.
Le Petit Chef provided one of the most unique and exciting meals I have experienced. The whole meal is based around a 2-D, computer-animated show that brings cooking to life. In a nutshell, there is a projector illuminating each place setting, welcoming you to an international cooking competition. Four animated chefs from different countries prepare your four-course meal as they compete for the top prize. The lights dim throughout the restaurant prior to each course and you are able to watch the animated chef create the meal right on your place setting. After each course is completed, the lights come back on and the course is served to coincide with the animated chef’s completion of the meal. This restaurant provided delicious food, an entertaining show and of course, a little magic! Where else can you watch an animated chef cook you dinner? It was truly such a fun and unforgettable experience.
Experiencing a treatment at The Spa on Edge is absolutely necessary! The world-renowned designer, Kelly Hoppon, created the undeniably luxurious sanctuary located aboard Celebrity Edge. Whether you want to clear your mind or experience complete tranquility, The Spa on Edge is where you need to be. The Spa uses a nature-focused approach where they incorporate restorative natural elements into all spaces, therapies and experiences. You can choose from a number of treatments ranging from wellness to beauty to fitness. The Sea Thermal Suite offers eight different rooms, all of which lead to one relaxing journey; a Crystalarium Energy Healing room, a Desert Infrared Sauna, a Float Zen Zone, Hammam Turkish Bath, Heated Loungers, Inhale Salt Therapy, Mist Aroma Steam and Rainfall Water Therapy. No matter which treatment you decide, your experience at The Spa on Edge will be like none other.
Last, but certainly not least, was the incredibly professional entertainment onboard Celebrity Edge. It is impossible to become bored while on the ship as there is ALWAYS something happening. Whether you want to visit the casino, watch a fabulous show at the theatre, enjoy an outdoor movie night or attend a dance party by the pool, you are guaranteed to make incredible memories while on this cruise line. Although I enjoyed all of the shows, my personal favorite was the Whitney Houston tribute by Ashley Amber. What an amazing voice!! That show gave me all the feels…one minute I was dancing, the next minute I was singing and before I knew it, I was dancing with the lady seated next to me. I also had an absolute blast during the “silent disco”. You don’t know about silent disco? Well, neither did I until I experienced it firsthand. Everyone is given a headset as they gather in the Grand Plaza. The headset has 3 channels with different stations; music ranging from Elvis to Journey to JLo. Everybody ends up dancing and singing to his or her favorite station. Basically, everyone is dancing to different songs, different beats, different rhythms but everyone is having an absolute blast. The funniest part is when you take the headphones off and hear the terrible and loud singing going on all around you haha! I hadn’t danced as hard as I did during the silent disco in years!
Overall, I can’t even begin to explain what an incredible experience I had while aboard the Celebrity Edge. There is something so amazing about being able to travel the world, in my case the Mediterranean, for 12-nights, while having the comfort of returning to a beautiful cruise ship at the end of the day. I genuinely felt like I was coming “home” after a long day where I could relax and enjoy delicious food and get a great night sleep. Imagine being able to explore a country, go to sleep and wake up the next morning in another country, well rested and ready to explore. I can’t believe I had the opportunity to visit well over 10 cities in under two weeks. I was able to see places I never dreamed of; places I’ve only read about in high school history books like Pompeii, Olympia, Capri and so many others.
This was one of the most memorable trips I have experienced and I can’t wait to see where I travel next with Celebrity Cruise Line! I’m thinking China or India…What do you suggest? If you have questions, feel free to email me and I will be happy to give you more recommendations concerning cruising with Celebrity.
