Of all the cruise ships I’ve sailed on, few compare to Celebrity’s Edge Class ships. Even after 50 cruises, these revolutionary cruise ships continue to be my favorite vessels to sail on.
I first cruised on Celebrity Beyond two years ago. Although the sailing was only two nights for a media preview event, I was blown away by my first experience on Celebrity Cruises. The thoughtful touches, intricate designs, and upscale ambiance were mesmerizing, to say the least. It was practically love at first sight for me. I had never seen a cruise ship like this before, and I couldn’t wait to sail again on another Edge Class ship.
Last fall, I was invited to sail again on Celebrity Ascent during the inaugural media sailing. As a sister ship to Celebrity Beyond, I was thrilled to sail on the newest vessel from Celebrity Cruises. While onboard, I was lucky enough to sail in an Aqua Sky Suite and experience more luxurious amenities, such as the suite-only Luminae dining room and access to The Retreat.
Finally, I cruised on Celebrity Apex this summer with my husband on vacation. Our itinerary featured ports of call throughout Norway, sailing through the stunning Norwegian fjords. As the older sister to Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Apex was one of the first two vessels in Celebrity's Edge Class when it first debuted. With the original design, I was eager to see how the first-generation ships of Celebrity’s Edge Class compared to the newest ships.
In the end, the magic spark I felt with Celebrity Beyond was tough to beat. Although I prefer the Northern Europe itineraries offered on Celebrity Apex, I couldn’t shake my fondness for Celebrity Beyond. They say first impressions can last a lifetime, and that's certainly the case for me. Here’s how the three ships compared and why Celebrity Beyond is my favorite.
Ship Overview
All three of Celebrity’s newest ships are part of the Edge Class series, which has been renowned for being the most innovative class in the cruise line’s history.
The vessels are midsize, premium cruise ships meant to evoke relaxation and deep connection with the outdoors. Celebrity Apex was built in 2020 and has a maximum capacity of 3,385 guests. With the original Edge series design, the ship has 16 passenger decks and measures 129,500 gross tons.
Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent were part of the second generation of ships built for the Edge Class. This allowed Celebrity Cruises to address a few design flaws and make improvements. In this way, Beyond and Ascent are slightly larger with an additional passenger deck. Celebrity Beyond was built in 2022, followed by Celebrity Ascent in 2023. These newer Edge Class ships can hold 3,260 guests at double occupancy.
With more space onboard, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent have expanded venues and amenities. This includes the completely redesigned aft-facing Sunset Bar and expanded Martini Bar in the Grand Atrium.
The innovative elements of Edge Class ships are praised by many, which are meant to bring guests closer to the ocean with an outward-facing design. This allows cruisers to feel more connected to their destinations as well—an important feature for these new ships sailing on destination-focused itineraries.
One of the most remarkable features of Celebrity's newest ships is the Magic Carpet. This vibrant orange, multi-purpose platform is a standout element of the Edge Class ships designed to provide functionality and unparalleled experiences.
Suspended over the ship's side, the Magic Carpet is a cantilevered platform that transforms seamlessly between uses. The venue mostly serves as a top-deck bar with sweeping ocean views. When the Magic Carpet is lowered, it acts as a luxury tender launch during the day. All three ships feature this modern venue, which has become an iconic symbol of Celebrity's Edge Class ships.
Ship Design and Decor
Celebrity’s Edge class ships are unlike any other cruise ship I’ve sailed on. I’m typically a destination-focused cruiser, meaning I often choose itineraries based on their ports of call. Most of my cruising has been on older, smaller ships with more interesting itineraries.
I had never cruised on a premium cruise line before stepping foot on Celebrity Beyond. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was awestruck by her beauty. I didn’t realize a cruise ship could feel so luxurious. Touches of gold and marble designs around the ship elevated the ambiance without feeling too stuffy. Celebrity Cruises described Celebrity Beyond as an accessible approach to luxury, and I couldn’t agree more with that sentiment.
So much of the experience was dazzling. As a first-time Celebrity cruiser, I was impressed and fell in love with the Edge class. Every nook and cranny was thoughtfully designed with extreme attention to detail. Celebrity Beyond was a destination on her own, rivaling a work of art.
Even the buffet on Celebrity Beyond felt like an upscale restaurant with pink velvet booths, warm Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views. This was almost incomparable to other cruise ship buffets! The food was in a league of its own and far above any other cruise ship buffet food I’ve had.
All of the spaces on Celebrity Beyond were functionally designed and beautifully decorated as well. In my opinion, some spaces could have been larger, such as The Club, which featured cabaret-style entertainment in the evenings. Even still, the venue was expanded from Celebrity Apex, which was very small and cramped to accommodate a larger crowd. However, I struggled to find seats for shows in The Club on all three ships.
Of course, sailing on Celebrity Ascent was equally as impressive; however, I knew what to expect from my first sailing on Celebrity Beyond. The brand-new ship was meticulously designed with just as much attention to detail. Because Celebrity Ascent is nearly identical to Celebrity Beyond, there were few differences with the design or decor of the ship.
Improvements on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent
I was eager to see how the original Edge Class design would compare while cruising on Celebrity Apex. After sailing on the newer vessels, it was easy to see where the improvements were made after boarding the ship. When designing Celebrity Beyond, the cruise line extended the vessel to be 65 feet longer than Celebrity Apex.
Two of the biggest design differences with this added space included the expanded Martini Bar and Sunset Bar. The Martini Bar is a standout element in Celebrity Beyond’s and Celebrity Ascent’s central atrium, situated front and center under a dazzling LED chandelier.
On the other hand, Celebrity Apex’s Martini Bar is smaller and tucked into the corner of the atrium. Because of the popularity of this bar, the Martini Bar on Celebrity Apex was often packed and too busy to grab a drink.
Similarly, the Sunset Bar was completely redesigned on the newer vessels. On Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, the Sunset Bar expands over multiple decks at the ship’s aft. There is plenty of seating with sweeping views of the sea, along with added covered seating for shade.
In contrast, I was genuinely shocked by how underwhelming the Sunset Bar was on Celebrity Apex. To start, the bar's decor felt cluttered and did not match the ship's luxurious ambiance; the overall design fell flat for me.
After enthusiastically describing the bar to my husband before our Celebrity Apex cruise, I was disappointed by the unimpressive Sunset Bar. The area was also significantly smaller than the newer Edge Class ships, which wasn't too much of an issue due to the cool weather on our Norway cruise. The design seemed more like an afterthought on Celebrity Apex rather than a standout feature of the ship.
Comparatively, Celebrity Beyond features gorgeous design elements, including a covered pergola entrance, tiled green backsplash, bronze accents, and Moroccan-style decor. I prefer the decor of Celebrity Beyond’s Sunset Bar compared to the more Aztec-designed bar on Celebrity Ascent, although this comes down to personal preference.
Other smaller features that were improved on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent include the addition of the World Class Bar and two smaller infinity-style pools. For foodies, Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud is a new, upscale restaurant with renowned cuisine on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent.
Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about
Celebrity Beyond’s Captain Kate
One of the most distinguishing features of Celebrity Beyond compared to her sister ships can be found at the helm. Captain Kate McCue has been the captain of Celebrity Beyond since the ship’s debut, and she adds a special charm you won’t find on her sister ships.
Captain Kate was the first American woman to captain a major cruise ship back in 2015, and she continues to break barriers. I admire Captain Kate’s ability to be a trailblazer in the maritime industry, a primarily male-dominated field. She challenges traditional stereotypes, paving the way for other women to follow their dreams.
During my time on Celebrity Beyond, I met Captain Kate at Café al Bacio while we were getting our morning coffee. I was honored to speak with her and enjoyed our short conversation in line. Captain Kate has a warm presence wherever she is on the ship and she always stops to chat with crew members and passengers alike. Her approachability makes her an exceptional leader onboard the new vessel.
I also heard Captain Kate speak during two media events. It's easy to see how she embodies the spirit of Celebrity Beyond. Her knowledge and expertise are admirable and respectable. You can tell her leadership is well respected and appreciated onboard. I appreciate her visibility onboard and engagement with guests.
When it comes to comparing Celebrity Beyond to her sister ships, the difference of Captain Kate continues to stand out for me. I believe the strong leadership of Captain Kate trickles down throughout Celebrity Beyond, fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere for her crew members. In this way, the crew exudes pride and the service to guests feels extremely attentive and personable.
Why Celebrity Beyond Stands Out
If you ask frequent cruisers, most will admit that certain cruise ships hold a special place in their heart. One's favorite cruise ship might be emotionally tied to unforgettable experiences. This could include the magic of a first cruise or a milestone celebration that took place onboard. These fond memories are hard to replicate, creating emotional connections for many travelers to specific cruise ships.
For me, Celebrity Beyond was my first introduction to Celebrity Cruises and my first time sailing on a premium cruise line. I had never sailed on a cruise ship as remarkable as Celebrity Beyond. I was in awe throughout my two nights onboard, which felt like a tiny taste of luxury. Personally, no cruise ship can compare to Celebrity Beyond. The experience left a lasting impression, and I have since cruised on five different Celebrity ships.
The experience was also my first media event as a freelance travel writer, and I was honored to be invited on board with so many renowned experts in the field. This alone creates an undeniable nostalgia with Celebrity Beyond.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
