Does Celebrity Beyond go above and Beyond? How does it compare to its sister ships?
If you are anything like me you are beyond excited for the debut of Celebrity Cruise Line’s third Edge class ship, Celebrity Beyond. Beyond is set to begin sailing on April 27, 2022 from Southampton, England. She recently completed her sea trials in February 2022. Celebrity Beyond is in the same class as Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex you might be asking yourself How does Celebrity Beyond compare to the other Edge Class ships? In this article, we will take a closer look to Beyond and how she differs from her sister ships. Beyond has one more deck than her sister ships for a total of 17 decks and is longer. She has a larger resort deck, retreat area for suite guests with a 40% larger sundeck. There are a total of 179 more suites and rooms compared to her sister ships.
Celebrity Cruise Lines President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to have completed this important milestone as it brings us that much closer to welcoming our guests onboard to enjoy their own Journey on Celebrity Beyond. Beyond showed why there is so much more to her than just her looks. Like her sister ships – Celebrity ApexSM and Celebrity Edge® – she went beyond what was needed to demonstrate she’s ready.”
“Successfully completing these sea trials was a thrill of a lifetime for me” said Captain Kate McCue. “Her smooth sailing and maneuverability is a testament to her innovative design and I can’t wait to take the helm of this awe-inspiring ship and take our guests to equally beautiful destinations.”
More restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Beyond features 15 restaurants, five cafes, and 12 bars and lounges. Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud will have his first restaurant at sea called Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. The restaurant's menu will be travel-inspired “globally- inspired flavors will be infused into his menus, transporting guests to the very places that inspired each dish” according to a Celebrity Cruise Line press release. Dining at this venue is beyond just having a meal with decor designed by Jouin Manku who designed the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. “the aesthetic will be intimate and upscale, featuring soft tones, private banquette seating with textured and graphically lit glass flutes that create an inviting warm glow, and a dedicated entrance and exit creating a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. As a final touch, guests receive a farewell gift at the end of their experience.” In addition to Daniel Boulud’s restaurant the menu for the ship's chef’s table experience, and his signature dishes are on the menu in Lumaine an exclusive venue for suite guests. Celebrity Beyond will feature 300 chefs onboard.
The sunset bar is a multi-level, multi-terraced design by Berkus to give the space” a casual yet elegant beach club vibe”. This bar is nearly twice as large as on the Apex or Edge and features breathtaking views. “Featuring two open-air decks and a pergola-covered entrance, guests can pull up to a u-shaped bar or settle under the cool shade of plush daybed niches, in this upscale space that combines elegance and relaxation.” According to Celebrity Cruise Line’s press release.
The three-story-tall Grand Plaza features World Class bar which is a popular bar on Celebrity’s Solstice Class ships which is absent on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex. The Grand Plaza also features Le Voyage a specialty dining venue by Chef Daniel Boulud. Elsewhere on the ship Cyprus Restaurant, the Rooftop Garden’s Rooftop Grill, Cafe al Bacio, and Mast Bar are larger on Beyond with new designs and new menu offerings. Like her sister ships Apex and Edge, Beyond also features The Magic Carpet which serves as a dining venue, bar, and tender platform. An addition to the Rooftop garden has spoilers to direct wind away from guests which is a new feature not found on her sisters’ ships. Rooftop grille and garden area 20% larger.
Like her sister ships, Celebrity Beyond is designed by Nate Berkus and interior designer Kelly Hoppen. Beyond is currently the largest and newest ship in Celebrity Cruise’s fleet. She will offer Mediterranean sailings until October 2022 when she will head to the Caribbean.