Marco and Patrick headed down to Southampton to spend a weekend exploring Celebrity Cruises‘ newest ship, Celebrity Beyond. As one of the first people to embark this game-changing new ship, find out what Marco thought of his brief time onboard.
Itinerary
Southampton / Day at Sea / Southampton
How was the embarkation process with Celebrity Cruises?
The embarkation process in Southampton was extremely smooth and literally took less than ten minutes from shore to ship. This was in great part thanks to the Celebrity Cruises app which is fantastic and one of the best cruise line apps we’ve ever used. From easily scanning your passport to having the Express Pass downloaded to your phone’s wallet, the app really makes the pre-departure experience a breeze.
Tell us about the accommodation on Celebrity Beyond
Our cabin for this short journey was a Concierge Balcony located on deck 11. The cabin is well-appointed with smooth curves and light woods. The bathroom is a perfect size and the bed was super comfy. The standout feature of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class series ships is the infinite verandah. The balcony and cabin have merged as one giving you an even greater sense of space. The balcony itself essentially features a large window which comes down at a push of the button allowing you to enjoy the sea air. You can also close the folding doors if you want to separate the balcony from the cabin itself. The only downside to this design is if you’re looking to enjoy the balcony in the morning for example whilst your partner is still asleep, as in order to open the balcony window you will need to first open the blinds.
During our time onboard we also toured some of the stunning suite accommodations available to those looking to splash out. The Edge Villas are particularly impressive, spanning across two floors and featuring a huge hot tub on the balcony. The Iconic Suite, of which there are two, is also incredible. Featuring a living room, two bedrooms and a balcony that sits above the bridge, this has to be one of the most luxurious suites we’ve ever seen at sea. Suite guests have access to The Retreat, which includes a sun deck spread across two decks, a small pool, two hot tubs, and plenty of plush sun loungers to lay back and relax on.
How did you find the ship in general?
The ship has so many revolutionary spaces to discover, it was certainly a struggle trying to decide where to spend our time. The Grand Plaza spans three decks, with the show-stopping Martini Bar at the centre of it all. Around you’ll find a host of dining venues as well as intimate bars such as Craft Social and the World Class Bar. This is the perfect spot to grab a drink after dinner, admiring the incredible flair bartenders whilst listening to some live music. At the aft on deck 5 you’ll find Eden, one of the most instagrammable venues on the ship, serving delicious cocktails, as well as featuring an ever-evolving fusion of music and experiences unlike anything else at sea.
The outdoor spaces are just as show-stopping as the interior spaces! The Resort Deck offers endless ways to enjoy the outdoors and connect you to the seas, including the main pool as well as the Rooftop Garden which features an array of plants as well as a big stream to catch an afternoon movie or watch live sports in the sun. The Sunset Bar on the aft of deck 15 is the place to be in the evening, grab a pre-dinner drink, enjoy some live music and watch the sun go down in one of the nicest surroundings we’ve experienced at sea.
What was the food like on Celebrity Beyond?
As with any taster cruise, it’s impossible to try out all the different dining options which are available onboard, however, we managed to grab a sample at each of the restaurants as we toured the ship. Our two dinners were in Cosmopolitan, which serves new American cuisine with a global influence, as well as Tucan, an Italian inspired restaurant. There are two other main restaurants which we didn’t have the chance to try, Cyprus, a Greek-style restaurant featuring Mediterranean dishes, and Normandie, which serves up contemporary French cuisine.
The Oceanview Cafe, Celebrity Beyond’s buffet restaurant is excellent with a wide array of daily changing options. The aft section also features some outdoor seating for those looking to enjoy a casual lunch in the Mediterranean sun.
What is the entertainment like on the Celebrity Beyond?
Celebrity Cruises have really gone above and beyond in terms of their onboard entertainment. We managed to experience two of the signature shows in the state of the art theatre. Elements, which offers a journey through the five elements showcases a kinetic air fountain which allows not only the dancer’s costumes but also fabric props to dance magically across the stage. Smoke filled bubble descend from the ceiling over the audience as jaw-dropping acrobats perform to the sound of amazing musical performers. The second show was Arte which combines art with electrifying dance, high flying acrobatics, and mind-blowing visual effects.
Its not just the theatre where you’ll find entertainment, from live music at the Sunset Bar, to the ever-changing evening entertainment at Eden, to the iconic chandelier show in the Grand Plaza, there is no chance of being bored whilst onboard. The Club is also a multi-purpose venue spanning two floors offering anything from silent discos to speakeasy jiving jazz tunes.
Does Celebrity Beyond offer any fitness & recreational facilities?
At the forward of decks 14 and 15 you’ll find the spa and fitness centre. The fitness centre wraps around the front of the ship with plenty of equipment to exercise on whilst taking in the stunning sea views in front of you. You’ll find Peleton bikes available to use in the fitness centre as well as an expanded F45 Training studio for those wanted to take part in innovative high-intensity group workouts. Celebrity Beyond also features what has to be the best running track at sea. The 333-metre long track undulates around the pool area sweeping down from deck 16 to deck 15 offering expansive sea views from all angles.
Any tips for someone looking to cruise on Celebrity Beyond?
If you’re looking to experience as many of the speciality restaurants as possible do get these booked up prior to departure. Some of the venues are smaller more intimate affairs and they will certainly be extremely popular and we’re sure they will get booked up pretty quickly.
Final thoughts on Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond certainly didn’t disappoint. Having previously experience Celebrity Edge, it was easy to find familiar favourites, however, what Celebrity have done perfectly in lengthening the ship is being able to enhance some of the already wonderful features. The expanded Sunset Bar is a perfect example of this, along with the expanded Retreat area, that extra space has really elevated this ship to another level and gone beyond all expectations, pun certainly intended!
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