Partner Content
Longer, taller Celebrity Beyond℠ goes to the head of its series by giving more space to luxury experiences, amazing design, a chef Daniel Boulud restaurant and new ways to bring the outdoors inside.
Typically, when cruise lines launch the third ship in a series, they build it similar to the first two with some minor tweaks. But these aren’t typical times and with Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Cruises is not just expanding the fleet, it’s expanding the world of cruising and taking guests, well, beyond.
Launching in April 2022, Celebrity Beyond is the third in Celebrity’s Edge© Series of vessels, but it will represent an expansion and evolution beyond its siblings, not just in literal size but in trailblazing technology, cutting-edge design, luxury experiences, culinary innovation and in amenities at every level.
The 3,260-passenger Celebrity Beyond, which is one deck taller and 69 feet longer than Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex©, offers 179 more staterooms and suites, including the largest, most opulent suites in Celebrity’s fleet. More importantly, the extra space allows for an innovative outward-facing design that not only expands some of the ship’s most popular outdoor spaces, but creates an even closer connection between guests and the waves, the sea breeze, daytime sun and the stars at night.
Among the expanded and reimagined spaces are the Rooftop Garden, which now includes two cantilevered “float pools” that extend over the water’s edge; the Resort Deck, which is larger and more focused outward; and the newly terraced Sunset Bar, which now is nearly twice the size and exudes an International Beach Club Ambiance, courtesy of top designer Nate Berkus. In The Retreat, Celebrity’s high-end resort-within-a-resort, The Retreat Sundeck now spans two levels and is 40 percent larger. And nearly all the expanded outdoor spaces have been reimagined to be just as popular and accessible both day and night, a move to connect guests with the open air, as well as to give a nod to Celebrity’s evolving safety protocols. (Along with updated protocols for screening and testing of passengers and enhanced sanitizing measures, the entire staff onboard Celebrity ships will be vaccinated, and each ship will have fewer guests, and the two-stage purifying system filters 100 percent fresh air throughout the ship.)
One of the most notable additions on the vessel is Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, an exclusive 50-seat restaurant that is the acclaimed chef’s first signature restaurant at sea. Chef Boulud, who is Celebrity’s Global Culinary Ambassador, says the menu is intended to transport guests with globally inspired dishes.
Using technology to reduce the need for large gatherings, interaction with staff and the use of touchpoints such as door handles and light switches, the upgraded Celebrity Cruises app for mobile devices allows guests to control the lighting and temperature in staterooms, as well as lock and unlock the stateroom door.
Other highlights include:
Suites
The new wellness-focused AquaClass Sky Suites offer the spa-inspired elements — eco-friendly bath products, wellness programming on the TV, yoga mats, and an enhanced air filtration system — as well as access to luxury spaces and amenities of The Retreat, including the luxury outdoor sundeck, exclusive dining at Luminae, and The Retreat Lounge. The Edge Villas are two-story suites with a private plunge pool and direct access to The Retreat Sundeck, and the Iconic Suites, with about 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, are the largest in the Celebrity fleet and, because they’re immediately above the bridge, they offer the same view as the captain has.
Captain Kate
At the helm of Celebrity Beyond is Capt. Kate McCue, the first American woman cruise ship captain. Since 2015, Capt. McCue has been the commanding officer of Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Edge, including in International Women’s Day in 2020 when for the first time the entire bridge crew was made up of women.
Indoors
Among the signature spaces that have been expanded and upgraded include the Grand Plaza, the ship’s central atrium that design firm Jouin Manku has made more dramatic with a larger, reimagined shape, new LED-light-show chandelier and an expanded and more accessible circular Martini Bar. The Retreat luxury decks also are larger, both in the Retreat Lounge and the exclusive Luminae restaurant, offering more airy, outward-facing interiors designed by Kelly Hoppen. In all, Celebrity Beyond offers guests 32 restaurants, bars and lounges onboard.
Celebrity Beyond will include The Magic Carpet, the cutting-edge, cantilevered, open-air lounge that hangs over the ocean and can rise and lower among 13 decks, which has become a signature feature of the Edge Series ships. Guests can soak up curated cocktails and amazing views while hovering over the waves.
While “bigger” isn’t always better, Celebrity has shown with Celebrity Beyond that expanding the size can expand the options for guests, as well as the opportunity to connect with the outdoors at sea while still disconnecting.
Celebrity Beyond will be sailing the Mediterranean starting in April 2022 and the Caribbean in October 2022. As with all Celebrity ships, base fares on Celebrity Beyond include drinks, Wi-Fi access and tips.
Learn more by calling 1-888-283-6879, contacting your travel advisor, or visiting celebrity.com.
