Our Celebrity Edge Adventures: Twice the Fun, Twice the Stories!
We've now cruised twice on Celebrity Cruises' stunning Celebrity Edge, and both trips left us with plenty to talk about! New to cruise lingo? Worth a quick read of our guide to decoding common cruise terms before we dive in.
First Sail: Our 2019 Honeymoon Around the Western Mediterranean
Our very first cruise on Celebrity Edge was during our honeymoon in 2019, sailing the Western Mediterranean. Not only were we buzzing about the itinerary, but this trip was also the ship's inaugural European cruise. The atmosphere onboard was electric, with bloggers, seasoned travellers, and travel lovers from all over eager to explore this sleek, modern ship.
We boarded at Southampton, UK, and sailed through Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar, wrapping up in Rome. Embarkation was smooth from the start — bags whisked away, check-in quick, and immigration impressively tech-savvy, with passport scanning done on an iPad by a friendly crew member. We were through in under 30 minutes, which for anyone who's braved a cruise terminal queue before is basically a miracle.
Booking tip
If you're chasing an inaugural or first-season sailing like we did, book early — cabins fill fast and prices climb closer to departure. Our honeymoon fares were roughly AUD $2,800 per person for a 12-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, great value given all the ports we visited.
The Ship: Modern, Stylish, and Full of Surprises
Celebrity Edge is a beauty — sleek design, clean lines, high ceilings, plenty of open spaces. We loved the vibe, especially the bars. The cocktail bar in the main atrium stole the show with dazzling drink presentations and a touch of theatrical flair.
One highlight was the famous Edge platform — a retractable, cantilevered deck that extends out over the ocean. Depending on the deck, it served different purposes: specialty dining up top, a lively spot for evening drinks below. We often started the evening with a glass of bubbles there — our favourite pre-dinner ritual, and one of the best sunset spots we've found anywhere, ship or shore.
Dining: A Feast of Flavours
Foodies will be happy here. There are four main dining rooms on board — French, Italian, Greek, and Modern. The menus overlap, but each has a handful of unique dishes to keep things interesting.
We also tried Le Petit Chef, where your meal comes to life through animated projections on your plate! A clever concept and great entertainment, though the food matched the main dining rooms rather than surpassing it — more about the experience than gourmet exclusivity. Expect a cover charge of around USD $55-65 (roughly AUD $85-100), so treat it as a fun night out rather than the best meal of the cruise.
Our dining tip
Book specialty restaurants as early as possible once you're onboard (or even before you sail, through the Celebrity app) — the good time slots go quickly, especially on sea days.
Our Cabin: Panoramic Ocean Views Without the Balcony
We stayed in a panoramic ocean view stateroom — a balcony cabin but with a huge floor-to-ceiling window instead. Beautiful, with stunning views without missing the balcony feel, and usually cheaper than a true balcony cabin — handy if you're stretching your cruise budget (see our post on how to save money on a cruise for more tricks).
It was spacious, with excellent storage, plenty of power outlets, a super comfy king-size bed, and a sleek bathroom with a heated glass mirror and glass-door shower — a lovely upgrade from typical cruise showers with curtains.
Perks: Drinks and Connectivity
We enjoyed the premium drinks package, a fantastic deal as part of a booking promotion. Unlimited specialty coffees and cocktails without worrying about the bill added real convenience. Keep an eye out for promotions that bundle this in — it's usually worth AUD $100+ per person per day if bought separately, so a free upgrade is a big win.
The onboard Starlink WiFi was impressively fast, letting us browse, stream, and stay connected without a hitch — a step up from the patchy satellite WiFi on other cruise lines.
Entertainment & Fun
From lively live acts to interactive game shows, the entertainment on Celebrity Edge kept us thoroughly amused. It's clear they've put thought into offering something for everyone, whether you're after a big theatre production or a quiet piano bar to end the night.
Round Two: Sailing Again in 2024
When Celebrity Edge came to Australia in late 2023, we jumped at the chance to sail again in January 2024, this time on a shorter local itinerary — much easier on the wallet and the jet lag than flying to Europe.
Most of the magic was still there, but we noticed a few changes — stateroom staff weren't quite as engaging, and the solarium pool rules (no kids after 7pm) weren't enforced as strictly as before.
Unfortunately, the food quality slipped a bit, and Paul got food poisoning from a chicken terrine in one of the main dining rooms — a good reminder to mention any concerns to staff early rather than push through it.
To top it off, Michelle contracted COVID-19 on the second last day. While other guests seemed ill without much precaution, the crew took excellent care of her, even offering a $200 voucher for a future cruise. If you're prone to seasickness, our guide on cruising with seasickness has handy tricks, and it's always worth packing a small first-aid kit — see our packing checklist for the essentials we never leave home without.
Final Thoughts
Despite a few hiccups on our second voyage, we still highly recommend Celebrity Edge. Experiences can vary trip to trip, but the design, service, and overall luxury onboard make it well worth considering for your next cruise adventure.
Our quick tips before you book
- Book early for inaugural or peak-season sailings to lock in better fares
- Reserve specialty dining as soon as you can once onboard
- Ask about drinks package promotions before paying full price
- Pack a basic first-aid kit and motion sickness remedies just in case
- Don't be afraid to speak up to staff if something's off — Celebrity's crew genuinely go above and beyond to make things right
Have you sailed on Celebrity Edge, or thinking about booking your first cruise? Drop us a line — we love swapping cruise stories almost as much as that first glass of bubbles on the Edge platform.
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