16 CELEBRITY CRUISE BEYOND
June 2022 Travel News LOOK BEYOND THE HORIZON
NI Travel News’ Sarah Pickering attended
the
inaugural sailing of Celebrity Cruises latest ship, Celebrity Beyond, as it sailed out of Southampton port for the very first time…
B
EYOND what has gone before, Beyond expectations and Beyond where the cruise industry sat this time last year; Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Beyond is the ship to change the way luxury cruising is thought of forever. To have such a magnificent ship sail out on British
shores is something the UK Cruise Industry must hold to high regard, as it hints at, not only a bright future for the cruise scene here, but also a development of the cruise scene here. And as described, Celebrity Beyond does go beyond expectations of what a luxury cruise ship should be like and what customers should expect. I travelled aboard the latest edition to Celebrity Cruises for a sunny weekend at sea to delight in the wonders onboard the ship and to see what it has to offer our readers.
From the start, the experience is luxury, and I mean the very start; timely email reminders, an active app and daily calendar all help to expose the convenience provided onboard before ever stepping foot on deck. Customers can add and remove daily events, restaurant reservations, and provides the timetable whenever they please so it ensures ease from the minute cruise goers step on board. Having the ability to know what you want to do before even getting checked in for the cruise is a moment of luxury in itself. Checking in has also been simplified since the covid-19 pandemic; cruisers can upload all documents such as passport details, covid-19 vaccination details and testing details into the app prior to boarding, allowing for a seamless, and almost completely virtual, check in experience. What makes Celebrity Beyond different to the ships that have gone before?
Celebrity Beyond is the latest edition to the Celebrity
Cruises Edge-Class series of ships - A hybrid of their other ships such as the horizon- class ships with a standout edition of ‘first-class’ service. In comparison to the very first Edge-Class Ship, Celebrity Edge, Beyond is longer in length and boasts an extra deck for passengers. The larger ship is also able to hold almost 400 more passengers during a sailing, without the feeling of overcrowding. On par with the Edge-Class ships, Beyond showcases the iconic ‘Magic Carpet’ on the side of the ship; The bright orange floating cocktail bar elevates 13 stories above sea level and descends multiple times a day up and down whilst at sea. This feature is specific to the Edge-Class series and features on Epic and Edge, alongside Beyond. Another recognisable feature across the Edge-Class series is the Retreat onboard the ships.
The Retreat As a guest of The Retreat on Celebrity Beyond, you’ll
be given the choice of different suite accommodations which include the stunning two-story Edge Villa with
outdoor plunge pools, and the Iconic Suites, the largest within the Celebrity fleet; An iconic suite was where we stayed for the duration of our sailing. All suites on Celebrity Beyond feature fresh colour palettes and design details by Kelly Hoppen. Travellers enjoy a Personal Retreat Host, along with luxurious amenities like eXhale® bedding, king-sized CashmereTM mattresses, and soft Frette robes and slippers. The Retreat bookings also allow for every guest in
your suite to receive premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, tips, a shore excursion credit, and an onboard credit to use- An all inclusive feel to the area. Guests can also indulge in the exclusive retreat lounge which is perfect for those looking to escape for a bit of work, or just quiet relaxation; guests can help themselves to the food buffet and extensive drink selection in the area. Exclusive access is
also given to the Retreat sundeck, fully
equipped with swinging chairs, sun loungers, plunge pools and a breathtaking view over the water at the back of the ship. Think adults only solarium with even less people- sheer bliss! My personal favourite inclusion of The Retreat is the private Luminae Restaurant at the front of the shipstop deck. Luminae at The Retreat features a new design by Kelly Hoppen that’s elegant, sophisticated and relaxing. Bold burgandays, blacks and gold surround the perimeter of the restaurant, along with soft furnishings and stunning art that provides that laid back feeling. To top it all off, the restaurant has been repositioned to the front of the ship with panoramic floor-to-ceiling views similar to the Iconic Suites- The perfect way to wine and dine whilst watching the sunset or watch the ship disembark from a port. The food on offer is a fantastic example of the luxury showcased onboard. Produced by the ship’s Michelin-starred chef and unique to this particular restaurant, guests experience a luxurious night away from the excitement and noise of the rest of the ship. The menu included signature dishes designed by legendary chef Daniel Boulud, Celebrity Cruises own Global Culinary Ambassador. For the first night, we dined here in Luminae; I opted for the tomato soup to start and Chicken Tagine for main and my partner opted for pork belly to start and grilled filet mignon for main. We both started with a cheese and bacon croquette and finished with an almond cake. Delicious!
It is important to note that the dinner menu rotates every two weeks and the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout your stay. Entertainment onboard Beyond Entertainment onboard the ship is as grand as its
decor and persona. Guests will enjoy a range of events, shows and activities daily throughout their sailing to partake in, especially during those at sea days. What’s important to note about Beyond is the emphasis on art and the portrayal of this to its guests and how it is perceived. The theatre onboard is the perfect area to experience this. This area displays a 20-foot-tall 4K LED screen consisting of 17 million pixels curves 110 feet around the stage and integrates with new floor projection technology to immerse guests like never before. Three shows rotate daily within the theatre at different times of the day to suit everyone on board; Elements, Arte and Stage Door. elements utilises the technology visuals, impressive performers and detailed costumes to bring to life the story being told on stage; This production can only be described as a jam-packed talent bonanza due to the acrobatic displays coinciding with the pitch-perfect voices of the singers onboard. Arte brings a different feel of production to the ship; As suggested in its name, the show is based around art, especially that which is visible on the ship, and world renowned art pieces familiar to even the novelist of art viewers. On again, acrobatics, singing and storytelling light up the stage, all whilst bringing these works of art to life- We found this brought a personal feel to the displays on show and this brings a closer feel to the ship overall as there is also an art exhibition onboard. A better understanding of the art world from one simple show. The one show we did not have the pleasure of seeing
was Stage Door; Celebrity Beyond describes this performance as “Stage Door is like having an exclusive backstage pass into the heart of the biggest Broadway and West End musicals. The immersive performances are accompanied by a full symphony orchestra that was recorded in the London Palladium, UK’s most iconic theatre. All brought to life through cutting-edge technology by renowned director/choreographer of West End’s Thriller Live!,Gary Lloyd.” If sit down shows aren’t for you then not to worry, as Beyond also goes beyond in this category. If you want to get your dancing shoes on then head over to The Club or Eden.
The Club A space to chill with a murder mystery quiz during
the day, to an enteritaining musical feast at night- The Club has a little bit of something for everything at all times of the day!
The Rofftop Garden shines in the sun Again, decorated with soft furnishings and a darker
Celebrity Beyond, the third ship in the Edge-Class Series
interior, the club displays the standard feelings of a nightclub along with the uniqueness of a Beyond cruise. By night, The Club transformed into The Jazz Joint; Our favourite entertainment night of the trip! Produced by the team behind the entertainment at
The Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, this speakeasy show concept features swinging jazz tunes with powerhouse vocalists, electrifying dancers, mesmerising specialty acts and some laughs along the way. Think sultry and saucy, yet classy. Eden Eden holds the WOW factor on this ship- the outward facing design on the area provides unspoilt views out onto the sea with perimeter windows (of which you can walk along). Eden is decoded like no other area of the ship and stands out as the ‘it’ spot. With soft sage green walls harmonised with lush, green hanging plants, dark green furnishings and classy gold tables, chairs and the bar, Eden gives the outdoor luxury beer garden feels inside. Mirrors on both the walls and ceiling open the area up; Unique and funky. With three stories to this area alone, guests can easily
find the perfect spot to people watch during the day with a signature cocktail; We recommend grabbing a seat near the grand piano!
At night, Eden opens up to Wonder at Eden; Just like the restaurants onboard, Eden changes up regularly, keeping guests entertained with a host of different activities. The main role of Eden is to bring people into a new fusion of music, libations and interactive experiences. A must is the silent disco- Another one for the people watchers out there!
What else does the ship have to offer? Beyond displays all the typical features of a cruise in a modern, luxurious way, to cater for those looking for a more upmarket experience. This is seen through the ship’s detail to art and attention to finishing touches. As you walk the ship you will notice areas that open out into large spaces with high roofs and then come back down into more enclosed space. You will also discover the open outdoor areas with much more than just pools and bars to enjoy.
The main centrepiece of the ship has to be the grand
plaza. The Grand Plaza is a large three-storied space that offers a different experience every time you visit. From day to night, the lighting changes from warm and inviting to bright and dramatic. Designed by the firm Jouin Manku, inspiration was taken from the idea of having everyone together and creating an unforgettable experience for all. Make sure and order a drink and have a chat with the bartenders at the martini bar located at the bottom floor of the Grand Plaza; These guys have some fantastic stories to tell and during the daily lightshow from the main chandelier, the bartenders dazzle with their drink pouring expertise. For those after some summer sun on their cruise adventure, be sure to check out the rooftop area. The rooftop garden near the back of the ship is equip with comfortable sunken sofas and tables and surrounded by green trees to give them miami vibes; This area also boasts the sunset bar for the best cocktails, a large outdoor screen showcases movies daily and two infinity
pools sitting over the decks edge giving the best views from all around! Moving to the middle of the deck you will find the
resort deck. Here you will find the adults-only solarium, the main pool with accompanying DJ booth, along with surrounding views of the sea from all angles. For those looking for excitement, the casino located
in between the Grand Plaza and Eden is the perfect end to a night on the deck! Prepare your poker face for the exhilarating games to be had right here. Texas hold em’ competitions to the standard slot machines is there for all adults entertainment onboard. Speaking of rounding up nights, our go-to after an evening stroll around the ship is to the pizza place located within the Eden Cafe. 24 Hour pizza? What more could anyone want! The Eden cafe is the area for those looking a bit of choice. From Charcuterie to lobster. From Mac and cheese, to fish and chips, the Eden Cafe will relive even the pickiest of eaters. For us, Celebrity Beyond truly displayed that luxury cruising can be for anyone. It breaks the mould of what traditional luxury looks like and makes it accessible to those looking for a holiday that is stress-free. Not only was the entire experience seamless and straightforward, the attention from staff across the entire ship is second to none and is something we noted very heavily from our experience and something that we believe altered the experience as a whole.
The Martini Bar lights up at night
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