Celebrity Beyond

Celebrity Beyond is the next step in the ultra-popular (and amazing) Edge-class ships launched by Celebrity Cruises in 2018. These ships really put Celebrity on the map and established it as one of the best cruise lines for anyone seeking a premium experience. Celebrity Beyond takes what made Apex so good and gives it a few tweaks - the ship is longer, adds new venues, and updates others. Does that make it a better ship in the end? Let’s find out.

What we like about Celebrity Beyond

Celebrity Beyond looked at Celebrity Apex and thought: “How can we make this bigger and better?” Well, the first part of that question was easy to answer. Celebrity Beyond is 20 meters longer than its sister ship Apex, which means more guests onboard, the addition of new venues, and updates to some existing ones. For example, Beyond introduces the brand-new World Class Bar, offering a fine-drinking experience, along with more seating than ever at popular spots like the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and the Luminae restaurant. Overall, there’s more room to move around and far less time spent hunting for an open seat.

How do you make it better, though? That’s a tougher question, since Celebrity Apex is already an amazing ship. But that doesn’t mean Beyond can’t try… and it definitely came in strong. The Grand Plaza, for example, is stunning and probably the most beautiful on any Celebrity ship so far. This three-deck atrium is filled with bars and restaurants (including the brand-new Daniel Boulud’s Le Voyage), dramatic LED chandeliers, and a cozy vibe that truly makes it the social hub of the ship.

The Rooftop Garden looks incredible on Celebrity Beyond as well. For those who don’t know, Edge-class ships feature a garden on the top deck that serves as a relaxing space where guests can relax, read a book, or enjoy a drink. Beyond takes it further with two plunge pools located on the sides of the garden and more seating than ever in the Sunset Bar area. This is easily the best version of the Rooftop Garden so far, as it truly feels like you’re in a beautiful garden rather than on a cruise ship.

Let’s also not forget that the Magic Carpet is a signature feature of Edge-Class ships, and it’s back on Celebrity Beyond. It’s basically a moving platform attached to the side of the ship that transforms into different venues throughout the day. In the morning, it might serve as a bar for breakfast; during the day, it becomes a restaurant; and at night, it transforms into a lounge with live music. Not only is it incredibly stylish, but it also creates additional space, ensuring that the ship never feels overcrowded, even at full capacity.

Celebrity Beyond gives you the chance to try the first-ever Daniel Boulud restaurant at sea, called Le Voyage and found at the Grand Plaza, where he blends global flavors with French cuisine. There’s also Eden, a stunning three-story restaurant and lounge. The name is fitting, since stepping inside feels like entering the Garden of Eden, with a harmonious mix of wood and lush greenery, all aboard a cruise ship. Other dining options include Raw on 5, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Grand Bistro, and Le Petit Chef - all of which range from good to great.

What we don’t like about Celebrity Beyond

The staterooms on Celebrity Beyond are comfortable and well-designed, but many guests have mixed feelings about the Infinite Verandas. Unlike traditional balcony staterooms on other cruise lines, the Infinite Veranda does not feature an open balcony. Instead, it offers an extended living space with a floor-to-ceiling window that can be opened partially, creating a balcony-like effect. It’s not as good or fun as a traditional veranda and, to get one like that, you need to book another type of veranda stateroom.

Conclusion

Celebrity Beyond is an amazing ship, and arguably the best Edge-class vessel Celebrity Cruises has ever built. It features upgrades to the Rooftop Garden and Grand Plaza, new restaurants and bars, and more space to move around. So, is it better than Apex? Yes, though only by a little. In the end, it really comes down to price and itinerary when deciding which ship is right for you.