Last winter, I cruised for 12 nights to New Zealand on the the beautiful Celebrity Edge with my husband. Our sailing departed from Sydney, Australia and traveled across New Zealand, making stops at several stunning ports along the way.
This was our first time sailing on Celebrity Edge and our first visit to New Zealand, although we had previously sailed on other Edge-class ships. The summer prior, we cruised through the Norwegian fjords aboard sister-ship Celebrity Apex. After that cruise, my husband and I fell in love with Celebrity Cruises!
The Edge class ships are among my favorites at sea with their thoughtful design, stunning decor, world-class cuisine, attentive service, and modern approach to luxury.
Celebrity Edge was the flagship vessel for Celebrity’s brand-new Edge class. The vessel launched in 2018 and accommodates nearly 3,000 passengers at capacity. Celebrity Edge is considered a midsize cruise ship, measuring around 130,000 gross tons.
As the first ship in Celebrity’s award-winning Edge class, Celebrity Edge debuted several innovative features, including the cantilevered Magic Carpet platform and Eden, an aft-facing, multi-story venue.
I’ve sailed on several Celebrity ships over the years, but the Edge class stands out by far as my favorite. As such, my husband and I felt Celebrity Edge would be the perfect ship to experience New Zealand. This was especially true because our itinerary featured so much scenic cruising, including sailing through Fiordland National Park.
We decided to splurge even further by booking an AquaClass stateroom, which was another first for us. AquaClass is a wellness-focused cabin category on Celebrity Cruises that includes exclusive access to the Blu restaurant. You also receive other elevated perks, such as upgraded in-room amenities and unlimited access to the thermal spa throughout the cruise.
Overall, we had a fantastic cruise and loved exploring New Zealand together. My husband and I were continually impressed by many aspects of the experience, although a few minor details did leave us slightly disappointed.
Here is an overview of our New Zealand cruise aboard Celebrity Edge, including the highlights and minor drawbacks of our cruise.
Impressed: Blu restaurant cuisine and service
As mentioned, this was our first time sailing in AquaClass with Celebrity Cruises. Before this cruise, I had seen countless cruisers online rave about the Blu restaurant, particularly its elevated cuisine and exceptional service. That feedback ultimately became one of the biggest selling points of AquaClass for us, and Blu exceeded our expectations!
Blu is an exclusive dining venue reserved solely for AquaClass guests, and it’s open for both breakfast and dinner daily. Because it serves a smaller group of passengers, the atmosphere is more intimate and the service feels noticeably elevated.
Our servers were fantastic and impressed us by learning all of our preferences quickly, from our nightly drink orders to my husband’s yogurt and fruit bowl each morning. Having the same servers for both breakfast and dinner created a strong, personal connection that we really appreciated.
The hostess was so warm and welcoming every evening, and we never waited more than two minutes for a table, regardless of when we arrived. This flexibility allowed us to dine on our own schedule, which was especially convenient after long excursion days ashore.
Not to mention, the food itself was excellent. Blu offers its own exclusive menu with higher-quality, wellness-focused entrees. However, the restaurant also allows guests to order classic Celebrity dishes or items from the main dining room.
Our servers went out of their way to accommodate every request, and there was never an issue ordering off-menu. The service truly stood out as one of the highlights of our entire cruise.
Disappointed: Some aspects of the thermal spa
Celebrity’s AquaClass benefits also include access to the SEA Thermal Spa, which is a major perk for wellness-focused cruisers. Last year, I tried a thermal spa for the first time while sailing on Norwegian Dawn. I absolutely loved the experience, especially having a peaceful, adults-only space to relax away from the crowds of the pool deck.
Celebrity Edge features one of the most impressive thermal spas in the Celebrity fleet, which includes multiple saunas, steam rooms, waterfall therapies, and heated loungers.
I loved the heated loungers, especially while sailing through the chilly weather in Fiordland National Park. Another major highlight was the spa’s forward-facing location, which offered unobstructed views of the fjords as the ship sailed through.
It felt like we had our own private viewing deck at the very front of the ship! We both agreed that this feature alone almost justified the AquaClass upgrade, despite New Zealand’s cold weather!
However, there were a few aspects that left us slightly disappointed. My husband, who loves saunas, felt that several of them simply weren’t hot enough. Additionally, some of the themed rooms, such as the crystal room, felt a bit gimmicky rather than genuinely relaxing.
Personally, I would have enjoyed having a private whirlpool or even a small indoor pool within the thermal spa area. I found myself spending most of my time on the heated loungers, which were by far my favorite feature. Overall, we still loved the thermal spa, but it didn’t quite live up to our expectations in every area.
Impressed: Varied entertainment and live performances
The entertainment onboard Celebrity Edge was another highlight for our cruise. From comedians and magicians to live musicians and full production shows, everything we attended was fantastically produced and well-executed. We particularly enjoyed the cabaret show in The Club, though seating can be limited if you don’t arrive early.
In addition, I also loved the design of the main theater, as its circular layout creates a more immersive experience compared to traditional cruise ship theaters. We found the production for each show to be excellent with aerialists, cutting-edge technology, and special effects.
Another favorite was the live music in Eden, which we often visited after dinner. The guitarist performing each night was extremely talented – and the relaxed atmosphere, combined with sunset views, made it a perfect way to wind down in the evenings.
Disappointed: Fine Cut Steakhouse specialty dining experience
My husband and I love Chops Grille steakhouse on Royal Caribbean, so we were excited to try Fine Cut Steakhouse on Celebrity Edge. Since we had already paid extra for AquaClass dining at Blu, we didn’t want to give up a dinner there. Instead, we booked Fine Cut Steakhouse for lunch at a discounted presale rate.
The ambiance was beautiful, and the steaks themselves were excellent. However, the side dishes didn’t quite live up to expectations. In particular, I found the mashed potatoes to be bland compared to the ones served in the dining room.
Dessert was another letdown. I ordered the brownie, which turned out to be very dense and somewhat dry. It was also served cold, which surprised me. In hindsight, I would have asked for it to be warmed.
More surprisingly, the service was slightly disappointing. After we ordered dessert, our waiter disappeared and never returned. We eventually had to ask the hostess whether we needed to sign anything before leaving. It was a strange ending to an otherwise enjoyable meal, but I’m not sure the experience would be worth the full dinner price.
Impressed: Rooftop Garden Grill during Auckland sailaway
On the other hand, our specialty dining experience at Rooftop Garden Grill was outstanding. This is my husband’s favorite specialty restaurant at sea, and our visit did not disappoint. During sailaway from Auckland, we decided to see if we could snag a last-minute table and were thrilled when we were seated.
Watching the city’s skyline fade into the distance as the sun set made the experience even more special. Everything from start to finish was excellent, from the tender steaks and juicy burgers to the warm cookie served at the end of the meal. The service was attentive and friendly, with great recommendations throughout. We loved everything we ordered from Celebrity’s Rooftop Garden Grill menu.
If you’re sailing on a Celebrity ship with Rooftop Garden Grill, I highly recommend trying it. It’s well worth the splurge, especially if you enjoy barbecue-style cuisine!
Disappointed: Expensive excursions in New Zealand
One of my least favorite aspects of cruising with Celebrity has been the higher price of shore excursions. In my experience, Celebrity’s tours tend to be more expensive than similar offerings from sister-brand Royal Caribbean, even when the excursions are nearly identical. Now, this is something I factor into my overall vacation budget when sailing with Celebrity.
Even still, I was happy to find alternative options through a third-party provider called Shore Excursions Group, which was recommended to me by MEI travel agent. I booked three tours in New Zealand through the company, and each experience was excellent.
I’m usually cautious about booking independent excursions because I’m always worried about returning to the ship on time. However, Shore Excursions Group offers a Worry-Free Travel policy that eased my worries. They guarantee a timely return to the ship, and in the unlikely event you are left behind, they provide $1,000 USD per person along with covered accommodations, transportation, and meals.
I was especially thrilled to find excursions not offered by the cruise line, such as a Hobbiton tour from Auckland. The cruise line only offered this excursion from Tauranga, and it had sold out months in advance.
When my husband decided at the last minute that he wanted to visit Hobbiton, I scrambled to look for alternatives. Thankfully, Shore Excursions Group had availability, and the tour ended up being fantastic. Our guide was very attentive and the tour was operated with a smaller group size than the cruise line’s excursions.
Impressed: Modern, thoughtful design on Celebrity Edge
In my opinion, the Edge class ships are among the best-designed vessels in the entire cruise industry. The contemporary decor makes the ship feel more like a boutique, upscale hotel rather than a traditional mainstream cruise ship.
For example, artwork and sculptures are thoughtfully placed throughout the ship, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere everywhere you go. Every space feels intentional and meticulously designed. We rarely noticed crowding or long lines, with the exception of Oceanview Cafe during peak lunch hours. However, we never had to wait in line for anything else, such as our morning coffee at Cafe al Bacio.
Additionally, the ship also offers plenty of outdoor spaces, including an expansive walking and jogging track. We walked the track multiple times during beautiful sea days, and my husband enjoyed using it for his daily runs. The track is mostly uninterrupted, meaning you don’t have to weave around deck chairs or pool areas.
Impressed: Port-intensive and destination-focused itinerary
One of the biggest reasons I love Celebrity Cruises is their port-intensive itineraries. When comparing this sailing to a similar Royal Caribbean itinerary, Celebrity Edge offered more ports and fewer sea days. Since this was our first visit to New Zealand, we wanted to see as much as possible and maximize our time in port.
In addition, sailing through Fiordland National Park was a major highlight, and this wasn’t offered on other itineraries. We began the morning in Milford Sound with the sun rising behind towering mountain peaks. It was quiet, so peaceful, and absolutely breathtaking. We were incredibly lucky to have sunshine and no rain all day, and the scenery was some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.
In general, I gravitate toward Celebrity’s destination-focused itineraries, which tend to offer more variety and immersive experiences compared to Royal Caribbean.
Impressed: Infinite veranda and contemporary stateroom
For our AquaClass stateroom, we booked an infinite veranda stateroom on Deck 9. On our previous cruise aboard Celebrity Apex, we had a deluxe porthole balcony, so we were curious to see how the infinite veranda compared. I’ve heard very mixed opinions about infinite verandas with some cruisers loving it and others loving to hate it.
To our surprise, we absolutely loved the infinite veranda. We used the space far more than we would have used a traditional balcony, as you can only enjoy a standard balcony when stepping outside.
Being able to open the window and let fresh air into the cabin made the space feel larger and more versatile. We also used part of the veranda area for suitcase storage, which is something that wouldn’t be possible with a standard balcony.
We were also very happy with the stateroom overall. The bed was extremely comfortable, with a firm mattress and a true king-size layout. As two tall individuals, we really appreciated the extra space!
Additionally, storage was plentiful in our cabin, with ample closet space, drawers, and shelving. The bathroom was also spacious, featuring a large shower, which is a welcome upgrade compared to the cramped bathrooms found on older ships! We would absolutely book this stateroom again in the future.
Overall, we loved our first cruise to New Zealand!
Our 12-night sailing aboard Celebrity Edge was an incredible way to experience New Zealand for the first time. The ship’s modern design, port-intensive itinerary, elevated dining in Blu, and thoughtfully designed stateroom made it easy to relax and enjoy our vacation.
While a few aspects of the cruise fell short of expectations, they were minor in the context of an otherwise outstanding cruise. The thermal spa saunas, specialty dining consistency, and higher-priced shore excursions were slightly disappointing, but no vacation is absolutely perfect.
In the end, Celebrity Edge delivered exactly what we were hoping for with a destination-focused, comfortable, and refined cruise experience. The ship allowed us to fully appreciate New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery, and I will never forget the beauty of sailing through the Fiordland National Park. We would absolutely sail Celebrity Edge again, especially for itineraries that emphasize scenic cruising and immersive ports of call!
