Celebrity Cruises Edge-Class Guide: Edge, Apex, Beyond & Ascent

The Ships That Changed Premium Cruising

When Celebrity Edge launched in 2018, it broke every convention in cruise ship design. The outward-facing aesthetic, the cantilevered Magic Carpet, the Infinite Veranda balconies — nothing about it felt like a traditional cruise ship.

Since then, Celebrity has launched three more Edge-class vessels: Apex (2021), Beyond (2022), and Ascent (2023). Each one refined the formula. Here’s what you need to know.

What Makes Edge-Class Different

The Magic Carpet

The headline feature: a cantilevered, tennis court-sized platform that moves up and down the exterior of the ship across multiple decks. It’s the first of its kind at sea.

• Deck 2: Tender embarkation platform
• Deck 5: Extension of the main restaurant for al fresco dining
• Deck 14: Poolside bar and lounge
• Deck 16: Exclusive dinner venue — “Dinner on the Magic Carpet” (reservations required, worth every penny)

By day it’s a casual lounge. By sunset it transforms into one of the most unique dining experiences at sea — literally suspended over the ocean.

Infinite Verandas

Edge-class introduced a new balcony concept: the Infinite Veranda. Instead of a traditional outdoor balcony with a glass divider, the room extends all the way to the edge of the ship. A floor-to-ceiling window opens at the touch of a button, transforming the space into an open-air balcony.

When closed, you get a bigger room. When open, you get fresh ocean air. It’s a genuinely clever design that gives you the best of both worlds.

Eden

A three-story venue at the stern of the ship with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the wake. It shape-shifts throughout the day:

• Morning: A tranquil garden lounge for coffee and relaxation
• Afternoon: A casual spot with light bites and craft cocktails
• Evening: A performance space with acrobatic shows, live music, and an immersive “Edenist” experience that blurs the line between dining and theater

Eden alone is worth choosing an Edge-class ship. There’s genuinely nothing like it on any other cruise line.

Rooftop Garden

Real grass. Real trees. A living garden at the top of the ship. By day it’s a quiet retreat with lawn games and a bar. By evening: live music, movie nights under the stars, and one of the best sunset spots on any ship.

The Four Edge-Class Ships

Celebrity Edge (2018)

The original. Launched out of Fort Lauderdale, primarily sailing Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. As the first of the class, Edge has the most refined onboard programming after years of tweaks.

Celebrity Apex (2021)

Nearly identical to Edge but with subtle refinements. Splits time between Fort Lauderdale (Caribbean) and Southampton (Northern Europe/Mediterranean). The European itineraries on Apex are some of Celebrity’s best.

Celebrity Beyond (2022)

The first “evolved” Edge-class ship — slightly larger at 140,600 GT with an updated Rooftop Garden, expanded Retreat sundeck, and a reimagined pool deck. Beyond sails Mediterranean and Caribbean with stunning Transatlantic crossings.

Celebrity Ascent (2023)

The newest Edge-class ship, sister to Beyond. Based in Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean and Bermuda itineraries. Same evolved design as Beyond with the benefit of being the freshest ship in the fleet.

Stateroom Categories

Edge-class ships offer more stateroom variety than any other premium cruise line:

Standard Categories

• Interior: Cleverly designed, surprisingly spacious for an inside cabin
• Ocean View: Picture window with natural light
• Veranda: Traditional private balcony — available on all classes
• Infinite Veranda: Edge-class exclusive — the transforming balcony/room concept

Premium Categories

• AquaClass: Wellness-focused staterooms with exclusive access to Blu restaurant, priority spa reservations, and the Persian Garden thermal suite. Ideal for spa lovers.
• Sky Suite: Entry-level suite with separate living area and floor-to-ceiling windows

The Retreat (Suite Class)

• Celebrity Suite: Generous suite with The Retreat access — private restaurant, pool, lounge
• Royal Suite: Expansive multi-room suite with wraparound veranda
• Penthouse Suite: Two bedrooms, separate dining area, butler service
• Iconic Suite: The crown jewel — two stories of cantilevered glass above the bridge. Private hot tub, massive terrace, panoramic views. Only two per Edge-class ship.

Always Included Pricing

Celebrity’s fare structure bundles the essentials:

Always Included (base):

• Classic drinks package (cocktails, wine, beer, specialty coffee)
• Streaming WiFi
• Gratuities

Elevate (mid-tier):

• Premium drinks package
• Shore excursion credit ($200/person)
• Everything in Always Included

Indulge (top-tier):

• Premium drinks package
• Unlimited WiFi (stream + surf)
• Shore excursion credit ($200/person)
• Onboard credit ($200/person)
• Everything in Always Included

The value is real. On a 7-night sailing, Always Included saves you roughly $700-1,000 per person compared to buying drinks, WiFi, and tips separately.

Who Is Celebrity Edge-Class For?

Celebrity’s Edge-class ships are perfect for:

• Design enthusiasts who want a ship that feels like a modern boutique hotel
• Foodies who care about dining quality and variety
• Premium travelers who want more polish than mainstream lines without the formality of ultra-luxury
• LGBTQ+ travelers — Celebrity has been named best cruise line for LGBTQ+ travelers multiple times
• Couples and friend groups looking for a sophisticated but not stuffy atmosphere

The vibe is distinctly modern and welcoming. No formal nights, no assigned dining times (unless you want them), and an onboard energy that feels more like a hip hotel than a cruise ship.

Our Recommendation

If you’ve never sailed Celebrity, start with an Edge-class ship. The design innovations alone are worth experiencing. For a first-timer, we’d suggest:

• 7-night Caribbean on Edge or Ascent for warm weather and easy logistics
• 7-night Mediterranean on Apex or Beyond for a destination-rich experience
• 7-night Alaska for stunning scenery with Celebrity’s premium service

Ready to book? Talk to one of our advisors — we’ll match you with the right ship, the right cabin, and the right itinerary.