MIAMI — Celebrity Cruises says the “transformational” new Celebrity Edge, with its expanded staterooms, ship-climbing ‘Magic Carpet’ platform and new suites, sets a new standard for ship design.

The 2,918-guest Celebrity Edge will homeport in Fort Lauderdale, making her first sailing Dec. 16, 2018. Bookings are now open.

“Celebrity Edge is one of the most exciting, innovative and transformational ships I have ever been involved with,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “The new features and refined design will establish a new baseline for ships from here on out.”

Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“Our guests don’t want to just skim the world like a magazine – they want to feel a human connection with it,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Every element of Celebrity Edge is meant to make that connection intense and unforgettable. Our new class of ship will allow guests to experience their journeys with the uniqueness and sophistication that marks the rest of their lives.”

Celebrity says it’s making the most of its first new ship class in 10 years, prioritizing design that the cruise line says is fresh, exciting, current and comfortable – the essence of Celebrity’s Modern Luxury style.

One design breakthrough enables larger rooms to reach the water’s edge. The new Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda turns guest quarters into a seamless space from the room’s door to the water’s edge.

“The touch of a button gives guests open-air access to the sea, bringing the outside in and the inside out.”

With the touch of another button, guests can take complete control of their stateroom and personalize everything from lighting, shades, temperature and service – even choosing a setting to tuck them in or gently wake them.

The design adds 23% more square footage and 10% larger bathrooms than Celebrity’s Solstice Class.

Passengers cruising in ‘The Retreat’ have access to a private pool on The Retreat Sundeck as well as The Retreat Lounge and the exclusive Suite Class restaurant Luminae @ The Retreat.

The Retreat Sundeck

Luminae @ The Retreat

With Celebrity Edge, Celebrity has more than doubled the number of available suites, adding two new categories. At the top of the line are two new Iconic Suites situated above the ship’s bridge. These near 2,600-square-feet, two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites feature panoramic windows enveloping the dining room, living room and bedrooms. The 700-square-foot veranda offers a 270-degree view of the ocean.

Another new Suite Class comprises six split-level Edge Villas, with two storeys of windows, private plunge pools and direct walk-out access to The Retreat Sundeck. The two two-bedroom, two-bathroom Penthouse Suites have large soaking tubs on the veranda, large dual walk-through showers and expansive walk-in closets. There are also 146 large, outward-facing Sky Suites. All suites and double occupancy Edge Staterooms are fitted with plush king-size cashmere mattresses – an industry first – and offer personal butler services and access to The Retreat.

Edge Villas

Celebrity Edge’s new public spaces, what Celebrity calls an “unexpected playscape”, include The Rooftop Garden where guests can enjoy games and activities through the day. At night it’s home to live music and the outdoor movie-and-meal pairing of ‘A Taste of Film’.

Cantilevered from the side of the ship, the Magic Carpet makes Celebrity Edge’s distinctive profile recognizable from miles away. The size of a tennis court, this engineering feat scales the 16-deck ship through the day and evening, positioning at four of the ship’s decks, transforming into a new experience at each one.

At the summit of the ship on Deck 16, the Magic Carpet becomes a specialty restaurant offering a special ‘Dinner on the Edge’ for 90 guests. Alongside Deck 14, Magic Carpet becomes an open-air expansion of the main pool area. On Deck 5, Magic Carpet extends one of the ship’s specialty restaurants into the most amazing al fresco seating imaginable, and at its lowest position on Deck 2, Magic Carpet is a key component to the Destination Gateway, a luxury embarkation station where guests are whisked away aboard sleek Edge Launches.

The Magic Carpet

Starting in December 2018 Celebrity Edge will offer eastern Caribbean itineraries visiting San Juan, Tortola and Philipsburg as well as western Caribbean cruises calling at Key West, Costa Maya, Cozumel and George Town. Travellers can book back-to-back sailings for a 14-night journey. Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in 2020, 2021 and 2022. See celebritycruises.com/edge.