When I stepped aboard Celebrity Edge for the first time, I already had high expectations. As the flagship of Celebrity Cruises’ revolutionary Edge Class, the ship represented a bold departure from traditional cruise design when she debuted in 2018.
As the first in the award-winning series, Celebrity Edge established the blueprint for sister ships such as Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, and the newly launched Celebrity Xcel.
At the time of her debut, Celebrity Cruises described the Edge Series as a complete rethinking of ship design, focused on bringing guests closer to the sea. After spending 12 nights aboard sailing across New Zealand with my husband, I can totally see this. I loved how Celebrity Edge made me feel connected not only to the sea, but also the destinations.
For our sailing, we departed from Sydney and explored multiple destinations throughout New Zealand on a port-immersive itinerary across the country. We had never visited New Zealand before, and while we had sailed on Celebrity Apex and loved it, this was our first time on Celebrity Edge.
Here’s my honest review of Celebrity Edge, including the many magnificent things that make her unique from other cruise ships.
Design: Celebrity Edge feels like a work of art
From the moment you enter the Grand Plaza, Celebrity Edge makes a bold first impression. The expansive, multi-level atrium is lively with a massive LED chandelier that can’t be missed. Surrounded by restaurants and bars, the Grand Plaza quickly becomes the heartbeat of the ship, especially in the evenings when live music fills the space.
Celebrity Edge’s overall design is stunning. While cruise ships are known for displaying art galleries, Celebrity Edge feels like a work of art all on her own.
Marble accents and light woodwork give the ship an airy, modern feel while still feeling cozy and intimate. Everywhere you look feels intentional and meticulously designed.
The resort-style pool deck was another favorite for us. Despite the ship sailing at full capacity, we never had trouble finding a place to relax. The pool deck was open and well designed, with plenty of room to relax without feeling crowded.
We also loved Celebrity Edge’s dedicated walking path that wraps around the top deck. On sea days, it was the perfect way to get steps in while enjoying sweeping ocean views. From the aft-facing Sunset Bar to the serene Solarium, every outdoor space felt thoughtfully planned.
And of course, you can’t mention Celebrity Edge’s design without talking about the Magic Carpet. This is a bright-orange, cantilevered platform that moves between decks along the ship’s exterior. The Magic Carpet was the first of its kind, and now it’s a signature feature of the Edge class.
Watching it glide up and down the side of the ship while cruising through New Zealand’s dramatic coastline was unforgettable. We even tendered from the Magic Carpet while visiting Bay of Islands, which made the experience feel even more unique.
Dining: Superb food and plenty of variety
In our experience, dining on Celebrity Edge was excellent across the board.
While I rarely rave about a cruise ship’s buffet, Celebrity Cruises has some of the best buffets in the industry. The Oceanview Café is technically the ship’s buffet, but it feels more like a boutique food hall. You’ll find multiple food stations, diverse cuisine options, and rotating themes that were very popular with guests.
At peak times, seating could be hard to find, but the variety and quality made it worth it. We especially loved the handmade pizza (located in the back of the buffet) and the outdoor seating.
My husband became a regular at the Mast Grill by the pool, as he loved the freshly made burgers and fries. Surprisingly, he loved the turkey burger here and appreciated being able to order it fresh whenever he wanted.
Each morning, we stopped by Café al Bacio for specialty coffee. By the third day, the barista knew our order. The service was always very friendly, and it became part of our daily routine!
When it comes to the main dining room, Celebrity Edge actually four main dining rooms:
- Cosmopolitan (American)
- Tuscan (Italian)
- Cyprus (Greek)
- Normandie (French)
Each restaurant shares the core nightly menu but also offers its own exclusive dishes that reflect its regional theme.
Because we booked AquaClass, we were able to dine every evening at Blu. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the food was superb. It easily became one of our favorite dining venues on the ship.
Specialty dining is another highlight on Celebrity Edge, with multiple different venues to try during your cruise. We splurged on Rooftop Garden Grill during our sailaway from Auckland, New Zealand – and it was one of our favorite moments of the cruise!
We had an incredible experience, and some of the best food we’ve ever had on a cruise! We also tried Fine Cut Steakhouse; and while it was a nice lunch experience, I wouldn’t necessarily return.
Bars and Lounges: Loved the innovative spaces
Celebrity Edge offers more than a dozen bars and lounges, and we made it our mission to try as many as possible during our cruise!
Eden quickly became a favorite. With its dramatic windows, greenery, and layered design, it feels unlike any other space at sea. After dinner, we’d grab a drink and watch the sunset while listening to live music. The cocktails are inventive here, and the space comes to lift each evening.
The Sunset Bar at the aft of the ship was another highlight, especially while sailing away from Auckland at sunset. It’s one of those moments we won’t forget as we sipped cocktails and watched the city skyline fade into the distance.
Of course, the Martini Bar is always a crowd favorite, complete with choreographed bartending performances and meticulously crafted cocktails. This is a must-try venue during your Celebrity Edge cruise!
And finally, there’s the Magic Carpet where you can enjoy a drink while literally suspended over the ocean. This is something you just don’t experience on other ships!
Entertainment: High-tech shows and intimate performances
There’s no shortage of entertainment on Celebrity Edge, whether that’s an afternoon round of trivia or large-scale production show.
Celebrity Edge’s main theater productions incorporate advanced stage technology that makes performances feel more intimate. The LED screens and moving elements create a dynamic backdrop for singers and dancers. The theatre’s seating surrounds the circular stage, which creates a very immersive experience.
In addition to the production shows, there was a consistent lineup of live music throughout the ship, along with specialty acts like a magicians, acrobats, hypnotists, comedians.
We also enjoyed the cabaret-style performances in The Club, an intimate venue that transforms throughout the voyage. If you plan to attend one of these shows, you’ll want to arrive early. The Club has very limited seating and it fills up quickly. But, it’s absolutely worth it!
Stateroom: Spacious, functional, and thoughtfully designed
We stayed in an AquaClass Infinite Veranda stateroom, and we truly loved the experience.
The Infinite Veranda concept replaces a traditional balcony with a floor-to-ceiling window that opens at the top. This creates an extension of the room instead of a separate outdoor space. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it, as the infinite veranda concept is quite controversial.
However, we ended up using the veranda space far more than expected and really enjoyed the versatility. Even if we didn’t want to sit outside, it was nice being able to open the balcony and enjoy the fresh air.
The room felt spacious and functional, with beautiful purple accents, marble finishes, and light woodwork that tied into the ship’s overall aesthetic. The bed was on the firmer side, but we found it very comfortable.
The bathroom stood out, particularly the spacious shower. Storage was plentiful, even with all of my luggage, which is saying something.
Why Celebrity Edge is one of my new favorite cruise ships
Sailing on Celebrity Edge through New Zealand was the perfect way to experience this new destination. I loved being able to enjoy a newer, more modern cruise ship while still exploring a new country.
Celebrity set out to build something different with the Edge Class with a ship that blurs the line between indoors and outdoors, essentially making the ocean part of the experience. After 12 nights onboard Celebrity Edge, I can confidently say they succeeded.
Between the thoughtful design, diverse dining, innovative venues like Eden and the Magic Carpet, and a well-designed stateroom, Celebrity Edge was an overall fantastic cruise experience.
How old is Celebrity Edge?
- Celebrity Edge debuted in 2018, making it a relatively new ship compared to most of Celebrity’s fleet.
- As of 2026, the ship is eight years old.
What are the main features of the Celebrity Edge cruise ship?
- Signature features include the Magic Carpet (a moving cantilevered platform), Eden, the four themed main dining rooms (Cosmopolitan, Tuscan, Cyprus, and Normandie), the Martini Bar, and Infinite Veranda staterooms.
- The ship is also known for its modern design, resort-style pool deck, immersive theater technology, and the adults-only Solarium.
What cabins should you avoid on Celebrity Edge?
- Some travelers prefer to avoid Infinite Veranda cabins if they want a traditional step-out balcony experience.
- Staterooms located directly below the pool deck or high-traffic public areas can occasionally experience noise during early morning setup or late-night cleaning.
Is Celebrity Edge a luxury cruise ship?
- Celebrity Edge is considered a premium cruise ship rather than ultra-luxury.
- While it offers upscale design, excellent dining, and elevated service, it operates at a lower price point than true luxury lines like Seabourn or Regent Seven Seas.
How many passengers does Celebrity Edge carry?
- Celebrity Edge carries approximately 2,900 guests at double occupancy.
- With full capacity and third and fourth passengers in some cabins, the number can exceed 3,300 guests.
When was Celebrity Edge built?
- Celebrity Edge was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
- The ship officially entered service in December 2018.
How many Celebrity Edge ships are there?
- The Edge Class currently includes Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Xcel.
- Additional Edge Series ships are planned as Celebrity continues expanding the class, including Celebrity Xcite.
