Pictured: Magic Carpet
Agents have hailed Celebrity’s new ship Edge as a ‘game changer’ as British design influence is hoped to boost bookings from the UK.
The first details of Celebrity Edge were unveiled yesterday (March 13) as the ship opened for bookings for the first time.
Designer Kelly Hoppen MBE has joined the Celebrity design team, creating the interiors of its new Edge Villas, Iconic Suites and Edge staterooms.
British architect Tom Wright, who helped design the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, was also part of the Celebrity Edge team.
Standout features include the Magic Carpet, a moving balcony the size of a tennis court, a private lounge and sun deck for suite guests called The Retreat, plus the largest pool in the Celebrity fleet.
The cruise line held six agent dinners across the UK to celebrate the unveiling.
Speaking at the Celebrity event in London, general manager at the Luxury Cruise Company, Scott Anderson, said the cruise line’s enlisting of designer Kelly Hoppen would draw in more British customers.
“Edge is an absolute game changer from what we are seeing so far and we can’t wait for more to be revealed through the agent training.
“The inclusion of Kelly Hoppen will be an absolute coup for the UK market. It’s already pretty obvious how popular she is.
“It is great to see Celebrity has really thought about suite rooms and utilising space on board for the maximum satisfaction of guests.”
Celebrity Edge will sail western and eastern Caribbean itineraries in 2018.
The cruise line held an event with agents in Miami.
Thomas Cook’s head of merchandising Phil Gardner said: “The stateroom design is nothing short of game-changing.
“Cruising is about making the customer feel special and the new suite above the Bridge does that to the extent no other ship can match.”
Paula Lacey, group commercial director for Advantage, said: ““I love the mix of the technical with the creative. And those villas – I’m moving in!
“Kelly Hoppen’s interior design is sophisticated and stylish. And I loved the story of how the Magic Carpet feature was borne out of trying to make the tendering guests ashore process better.”
Iglu’s senior vice president for global supply Simone Clark said: “I loved the Magic Carpet – it’s an innovative use of space that can be multi-functional which solves the challenge of enhancing the tender experience, with adding valuable extra space, the size of a tennis court.”
Following the success of the lawn club on Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships, Edge ships will also have a rooftop garden which will host live music events and film nights.
Cruise 118’s Alison Earnshaw said: “The Rooftop Garden was my favourite space. There is not enough outdoor space on a cruise ship but on Celebrity Edge, they have created spaces you really want to be in.”
