Celebrity Edge- Major Ship Envy!

[SeaBands]

Why pay extra to be segregated to a more deluxe or private area on a big ship when you can just book an all inclusive small ship with excellent service and food like Seabourn? HAL ships are just fine for the price and services. The food could be a bit better.

[cruisemom42]

46 minutes ago, stickey_mouse said:

 

Just curious, have you been on Princess' Royal class of ships? I think those ships have visually stunning interiors, but I have yet to try them. 

 

I was on Regal Princess about two years ago when she was still pretty new. I thought her interiors were very glitzy, more Vegas than modern chic. IMO Celebrity does modern ship design better, but that is far from my only consideration when choosing a ship.

[mcrcruiser]

54 minutes ago, stickey_mouse said:

 

Just curious, have you been on Princess' Royal class of ships? I think those ships have visually stunning interiors, but I have yet to try them. 

We will be sailing Oct 4 ,2019 on a 10 night Mexico  Riviera cruise on royal Princess from San Pedro Ca  .It is a R/T cruise . This will be our first time on the Royal class  ;as it was on the East Coast  .  We do like the newer ships for their upgraded interiors  . 

[kazu]

12 hours ago, Doubt It said:

 

<snip>

 

Well said Jammu2.  Agree with your analysis.

 

But having just come off a very poor Oceania cruise, with their new August 2018, cheapened menu, even the near-luxury brands are downgrading. Take a look at the increase in poor reviews for Oceania and even more so for Azamara. I certainly will not pay the high $ costs for Oceania given they are downgrading.

 

 

 

I don't know how much O has cheapened.  

 

We sailed on it in 2016 and were very disappointed in the cruise.  

 

I found they were all hype and didn't come through at all and that was 2 years ago.

 

DH, who is the most tolerant of all people and rarely fills out a survey completed his won on that cruise.

 

It would take him a mountain of men to drag him back on that ship and we are not complainers, but that cruise was beyond abysmal for him and I. 😉. 

I am not sure why people rave about it.  Maybe different cruises are better but it's too expensive to take the chance.  Especially when you e their headquarters to share your concerns and that tell you to PFO and then welcome you onboard soon.  Sheesh 

 

 

[RDC1]

12 hours ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

 

I agree about the food, though we have only eaten in HAL's MDR twice, before a Yukon cruise tour.  Celebrity's Blu appears to be a close match, from our limited experience.  When you compare the breakfast menus, the buffet, the Dive-In, HAL is the clear winner.

 

Let's hope if these complaints go wide spread, Celebrity does corrections to future Edge Class ships.  Celebrity passengers are not as loyal as they might think.  Princess and HAL need the competition, plus many of us like to alternate.  If things went south, I wouldn't be surprised if Norwegian eventually sticks their finger in air, and introduces their own premium cruise line eventually...

 

For now, I'll just sit back and read the reviews with a bag of popcorn! 

 

They (NCL) have them they are  called Oceania and at the top end Regent. Both are owned by NCL

[Stateroom_Sailor]

2 hours ago, RDC1 said:

They (NCL) have them they are  called Oceania and at the top end Regent. Both are owned by NCL

 

There's potential for something in-between NCL and Oceania.  Oceania competes more directly with Viking Ocean, Azamara, and Windstar.

Edited December 8, 2018 by Stateroom_Sailor

[ArtsyCraftsy]

I'm rather new to cruising in general -- I've done only two cruises on HAL (14-day Alaska Sep 2017, and 38-day Voyage of the Vikings Jul/Aug 2018), and one on Regent (28-day Vancouver-->Miami Sep/Oct 2018). That's it -- three cruises in all.  But I've learned a lot from those three.

 

The idea of sharing limited space with >3000 of my new BFFs nearly triggers a panic attack, not to mention the logistical issues of just getting around a big ship that become much more challenging as a result of some physical limitations.  I'm very careful when choosing a cabin to make sure the location "works" for my limitations and priorities (quiet place to sleep, enough private space so that I don't feel cramped, and proximity to dining venues are the primary factors; more secondary is proximity to social activities/venues).  Getting on/off the ship for excursions can likewise be problematic, so onboard experience is paramount for me.

 

I know I'm in a minority of cruise passengers --- especially those that patronize cruise lines that cater to a younger clientele.  And I know that the larger ships are clearly a smart move for the cruise lines building them -- there are a LOT of people who love big ships with many distractions and the close proximity of thousands of other people who enjoy shorter cruises (heck, when I was still working, had I been interested in cruising, I probably would have opted for 7- to 10-day cruises as opposed to my current usual 21+-day trips).  More power to them!  

 

So, I'll continue to explore other cruise lines.  I have two more HAL trips booked in 2019 as well as a short Oceania trip in July on the Regatta, just to try them out.  In 2020, I have two more Regent cruises booked, plus a 20-day B2B to/from Alaska booked on Viking Ocean for summer 2020.  After that, I'll have to assess where I am physically.  HAL will always be one of my favorite cruise lines due mostly to itineraries and their smaller mid-sized ships; RSSC is fast becoming another favorite due to attractive single traveler pricing which makes them competitive with lines like HAL as well as their all-inclusive fares and smaller size.  One person's "hell" is another person's "heaven."  

 

Something for everyone out there ... 

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

[Doubt It]

5 hours ago, ArtsyCraftsy said:

I'm rather new to cruising in general -- I've done only two cruises on HAL (14-day Alaska Sep 2017, and 38-day Voyage of the Vikings Jul/Aug 2018), and one on Regent (28-day Vancouver-->Miami Sep/Oct 2018). That's it -- three cruises in all.  But I've learned a lot from those three.

 

The idea of sharing limited space with >3000 of my new BFFs nearly triggers a panic attack, not to mention the logistical issues of just getting around a big ship that become much more challenging as a result of some physical limitations.  I'm very careful when choosing a cabin to make sure the location "works" for my limitations and priorities (quiet place to sleep, enough private space so that I don't feel cramped, and proximity to dining venues are the primary factors; more secondary is proximity to social activities/venues).  Getting on/off the ship for excursions can likewise be problematic, so onboard experience is paramount for me.

 

I know I'm in a minority of cruise passengers --- especially those that patronize cruise lines that cater to a younger clientele.  And I know that the larger ships are clearly a smart move for the cruise lines building them -- there are a LOT of people who love big ships with many distractions and the close proximity of thousands of other people who enjoy shorter cruises (heck, when I was still working, had I been interested in cruising, I probably would have opted for 7- to 10-day cruises as opposed to my current usual 21+-day trips).  More power to them!  

 

So, I'll continue to explore other cruise lines.  I have two more HAL trips booked in 2019 as well as a short Oceania trip in July on the Regatta, just to try them out.  In 2020, I have two more Regent cruises booked, plus a 20-day B2B to/from Alaska booked on Viking Ocean for summer 2020.  After that, I'll have to assess where I am physically.  HAL will always be one of my favorite cruise lines due mostly to itineraries and their smaller mid-sized ships; RSSC is fast becoming another favorite due to attractive single traveler pricing which makes them competitive with lines like HAL as well as their all-inclusive fares and smaller size.  One person's "hell" is another person's "heaven."  

 

Something for everyone out there ... 

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

 

ArtsyCraftsy, nice plan.

 

Be very careful of Oceania's Regatta - this ship has a history of propulsion problems and many missed ports. There are 2 threads on the Oceania board from mid November discussing this.

 

Here is some further information:

http://crew-center.com/oceania-regatta-technical-problems-canceled-ports-and-code-red

 

 

 

 

[POA1]

Does anyone know how the Edge's AC system deals with the heat from the fake balconies? I know you're not supposed to leave real balcony doors open because it messes with the HVAC in your room's zone. 

[Turtles06]

1 hour ago, POA1 said:

Does anyone know how the Edge's AC system deals with the heat from the fake balconies? I know you're not supposed to leave real balcony doors open because it messes with the HVAC in your room's zone. 

 

There is an extremely long thread in the Celebrity forum called, not surprisingly, "Problem with Infinite Veranda on the New Edge," that began with a report about the design flaw that apparently makes it impossible to keep daylight out of the cabin if you are on the "balcony" part.  Along the way, the issue you have asked about was addressed by chengkp75, who says (and he knows his stuff) that leaving the "window" down will have the same a/c problem as leaving the traditional balcony doors open:

  

 

 

[iancal]

This choice is like any others.  SImply select the ship and the price point of your preference.

 

Why on earth would anyone care what ship or cruise line someone else decides to try, or what price they pay.  MYOB?  Besides, opinions are simply that. Someone's opinion can never be wrong because that is their perception.

 

After all, it is just a ship.  No different than any other purchase one makes.   Do people feel the same intensity about automobile make/model,  airline,  ketchup or cereal brand?

Edited December 8, 2018 by iancal

[stickey_mouse]

Cruise Critic gave the Edge a score of 4.5 out of 5. Its review, as well as the handful of others on CC, suggest that the Edge is not for cruisers who like traditional experiences. No surprise there. I'll admit that my eagerness to try Edge has been tapered a bit since my original post. 

[Stateroom_Sailor]

Yikes, I've been learning more and more, that makes me want to stay the heck off that ship.  At least the food still looks good, and the decor subjective.  Someone reported that the characters in Eden, gathered up all the throw pillows in the venue (even those being used), to make a giant pile in the center stage. A couple of the girls then rolled around on them for 45 minutes.

 

Ummmm, I'll take HAL's new rock venue instead.

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

Yikes, I've been learning more and more, that makes me want to stay the heck off that ship.

I agree 100%. The seemingly ridiculous high cabin rates on the EDGE will keep many from booking on this ship. I would never consider it until the cost drops to  more competitive levels and I probable would still stay off.

[iancal]

I seem to recall similar comments when Celebrity launched the Equinox.  We were not certain that we would like the ship.  Eight months or so later, when fares became competitive, we booked.     After the first day on that Solstice class ship it became our favorite class of ship-any on Celebrity and on all other cruise lines.  It still is.   We have sailed on several different cruise lines and classes of ships since that time but when it comes down to a draw.  But perhaps after trying Kdam or Edge they might replace Solstice as our favorites.

Edited December 15, 2018 by iancal

[stickey_mouse]

23 hours ago, iancal said:

I seem to recall similar comments when Celebrity launched the Equinox.  We were not certain that we would like the ship.  Eight months or so later, when fares became competitive, we booked.     After the first day on that Solstice class ship it became our favorite class of ship-any on Celebrity and on all other cruise lines.  It still is.   We have sailed on several different cruise lines and classes of ships since that time but when it comes down to a draw.  But perhaps after trying Kdam or Edge they might replace Solstice as our favorites.

I agree. The Solstice class is stunning. The best design of a ship I have seen. 

[Stateroom_Sailor]

On 12/15/2018 at 9:44 AM, iancal said:

I seem to recall similar comments when ________ launched ________.

 

Keep in mind that previous success is no guarantee of future success,.  For instance, Coca-Cola Cherry was introduced in 1985, still popular today,  vs New Coke launched the same year, a failure.  Circuit city developed CarMax  in 1991, then went on to lose $114 million on DIVX, 6 years later.  

 

Or even closer to home, look at RCCL's popular Oasis of the Seas, launched in 2009, maintaining 4/5 stars.  There were naysayers for sure, but it works.  Quantum of the Seas was launched in 2014, maintaining 3/5 Stars, is not doing as well.  Most of those ships have been pushed off to developing cruise markets, while they focus their attention back on Oasis Class.

[philbob84]

I'm curious what features could be tastefully  hollandaised 

[Stateroom_Sailor]

4 hours ago, philbob84 said:

I'm curious what features could be tastefully  hollandaised 

 

It sounds like they've fixed RCCL's Dynamic Dining concept, splitting the MDR into 4 intimate restaurants.  All locations serve the same food, except a few everyday fixed options associated with that restaurant's theme.  Reports seem very favorable, both food quality and setting.

[Wishing on a star]

Okay....  just for the heck of it, I will jump in here....

I too was interested in The EDGE...  and in similar fashion to the OP,  have a similar cruise on HAL on deposit.

The pricing???  

 

I haven't looked at all of these new walk-thru videos...

We are just recently off a cruise on the Regal Princess.

(BEAUTIFUL ship!!!   The word 'Vegas' never came to mind.   All entertainment and talent was just excellent!  The new cut-back food and dining, however.... AWFUL!!!  Enough to keep me from booking another cruise with Princess. Seriously.)

 

When I first started looking into the new EDGE,  the thoughts Cirque meets Disney came to mind.  And, if the ship is anywhere near true to the renderings...  I would think this is true.

 

About the new 'balconies'...  UGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

I did just watch that video.

Not only is that design, with that solid sheet of blind coming down like a 'wall' just horrid....

People....  it is not without purpose that he cut that video coverage short...

 

My first thought,  especially having sailed on Princess...  WTH with that tiny awkward closet...  Are you kidding!!!!!

Wow...  why did nobody at Celebrity realize that that blind is ridiculous, ugly, unusable...  and just hang some drapes or verticals????   A design flaw that huge raises concerns, for sure.

 

Also, JMHO...   The class separation that restricts all access to the forward views, specialty venues, etc...  Yes, that Is a big turn-off for me.

 

Anyhow....     

HAL will be having some missteps as well...   no real 'shows'...  only BB Kings and Rock Room...  big mistake.

And, after the abysmal food and dining on the new Princess cut-backs...  I sure as heck hope that HAL is not going to go the same way.   We had an EXCELLENT experience in the MDR on the Coral Princess a couple years ago...  What a difference, now.   So much salt, fake MSG, fillers, over cooked, low quality food, that I don't want to ever be on a ship where I feel like I have to be very very careful about what I eat, or I will feel bad/sick.

 

Edited December 26, 2018 by Wishing on a star

[Stateroom_Sailor]

3 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

Okay....  just for the heck of it, 

 

Anyhow....     

HAL will be having some missteps as well...   no real 'shows'...  only BB Kings and Rock Room...  big mistake.

And, after the abysmal food and dining on the new Princess cut-backs...  I sure as heck hope that HAL is not going to go the same way.   We had an EXCELLENT experience in the MDR on the Coral Princess a couple years ago...  What a difference, now.   So much salt, fake MSG, fillers, over cooked, low quality food, that I don't want to ever be on a ship where I feel like I have to be very very careful about what I eat, or I will feel bad/sick.

 

 

Hal is cutting the shows, in favor of the music venues?  Will one be in the theater?

 

Sad to hear about Princess, can't say it surprises, with all the cuts on Carnival.  Hal's food was wonderful in June, slightly better than Celebrity IMO, hope that stays.

[Wishing on a star]

If you do some looking around, you will see that the new HAL format for shows is tons of graphics on the big screens in the Theater in the Round...  with fewer performers just dancing, or playing instruments, etc...    Not the staged shows that one might have in mind.  This is a major change that they hope to bring to all newer ships possible.    This is a very real change, planned and created by HAL, in alliance with a new entertainment production company.   

 

At the same time, HAL has put a lot of money and planning into BB Kings, and Rolling Stones Rock Room...  This is where they are putting more money into hiring talent to come onboard.  These venues are their big new promotional push

 

Whether they see this as an opportunity to put more money into, and and emphasize, money-making venues (bars),  instead of cost-of-entertainment venues......  well.....    The cost of a few HAL dancers/musicians and some video would seem to be much much less than producing ongoing true staged production shows.

[beachbunny6]

I have just returned from the 4-day sailing of HAL's Nieuw Statendam, and it is, indeed, a beautiful ship.  It has some interesting changes, and some of these are entertainment venues and performances.  I did not have to go to B.B.King's or Rolling Stone Rock Room, because there is a circular stairway between the deck they are on and the casino.  So, the performances were pretty much hearable as I played casino games.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed them.  I did not, however, attend a show in the main theater, because the descriptions just did not pique my interest.  There was nothing that resembled a production show listed.  I can see dancers and musicians on my TV at home.  If I am on a ship, I would love to see something new and amazing, or at least very interesting.

 

The absolute best difference I can see between the Nieuw Statendam and the Edge is that HAL still has some wonderful veranda furniture!  Yes, folks, there is still some reclinable, comfortable furniture with foot rests/stools out there! And, although it looks to be larger, I do not believe that this chair would take up any more space than the low-backed, rounded ones on the Edge, especially since the footrest is separate and slides easily under the seat for storage when not in use.  Here is a photo of the one on my veranda:

 

And before anyone jumps on me regarding this, yes, I did have an accessible stateroom, which by the way, was AMAZING!  However, I did have the opportunity to view two other staterooms, one of which was a regular veranda, and the furniture was identical to mine, so the accessible part did not affect the available furniture.  I will say that the small table out there is quite small, so might make dining a bit more difficult, as on Edge, but there is a nice, square table inside the staterooms which can be used and is a bit larger.  It is not solid on all 4 sides, just 2, and is not as heavy as it looks to be, so it is moveable outside onto the veranda if needed.  And, it has that small indentation in the center to keep things from sliding off it.

 

One last thing is the availability of plugs in the stateroom, which has been an ongoing discussion about Edge.  

 

Starting from left to right, there is one that has both US outlet and a USB port on the wall next to the bed, on both sides.  This should make it very easy for those traveling with CPAP machines.  Also, you can plug your phone in to charge and have it right next to you during the night for use as an alarm clock.  (I do not know if you can use the ship's phone for a wake-up call.  I did not try it - didn't need it)  Moving to the right, behind that orange folder standing on the desk is another US+USB plug, which you can see peeking out.  Next to that is another.  Toward the right side of the desk is another one, with a European outlet and a US one.  So, that makes FIVE outlets on that wall, three over the desk, and NO box to have to fit your charger into!  (Yes, I do realize that this desk was wider than the normal staterooms', but even if you have the narrower version, you have the same number of outlets.) 

 

And, while I am mentioning the stateroom, the drawers are soft closing!  And plentiful.  Storage was simply not an issue.  And, there is a floor to ceiling mirror on the wall to the side of the bathroom door in addition to that large one over the desktop and another in the bathroom over the sink.   And a handheld makeup mirror in the top desk drawer where the hair dryer is stored (both in nice cloth HAL bags).

 

The food was delicious, the service exemplary, and the voyage completely enjoyable.  Even though the ship was completely booked, it did not seem overly crowded.  Having three sets of elevators really helps, too.  I hope some day X realizes that.  It makes it much easier to get around without overly long distances to, and waits for, an elevator.  I know there are three stairways on Edge, but with a scooter, those are not of any use to me.

 

I am sailing on the January 20th voyage of Edge and looking forward to it very much.  I am sure that she has some wonderful attributes, too.  She is just different from what HAL Mariners are used to, and that is not necessarily bad, just different.

 

I don't think that fans of either ship should have "Major Ship Envy."  There are enough wonderful things about each of them for everyone.  Please keep in mind that these are my own opinions, and as such, you don't have to agree with them.  That's OK.  We all have our personal likes and dislikes.

[beachbunny6]

One final comment regarding my recent voyage - here is the absolutely AWESOME view from the top level of the Midport Parking Garage in Port Everglades on December 23rd.  I cannot think of a more wonderful view, unless of course, one could get a professional photo of it!  The two newest, magnificent Ladies of the Sea!  It just doesn't get any better than this IMHO!

 

[Turtles06]

50 minutes ago, beachbunny6 said:

I am sailing on the January 20th voyage of Edge and looking forward to it very much.  I am sure that she has some wonderful attributes, too.  She is just different from what HAL Mariners are used to, and that is not necessarily bad, just different.

 

Glad you enjoyed the NS, and thanks for taking the time to post your comments and photos. 

 

As as for the Edge, I don’t think her major issues are “different” only for HAL Mariners, but I think also for anyone who wants to be connected to the water when they cruise. (And that includes me as a Celebrity fan.) Some of those issues on the Edge are the Infinite Verandas (a box with a window),  and the lack of forward-facing exterior and interior space for non-suite passengers. 

 

Edge does have postives, and I hope you enjoy your time on her!