Edge 1/2/22 Midweek Review

[rkcruiseky]

Celebrity Edge January 2, 2022 

 

This is probably my 8^th or 9^th cruise on Celebrity.  My 2^nd on the Edge. I have been on the Millennium Class, Solstice Class and Edge Class Ships.  This cruise I was supposed to be with some others, but because of a variety of reasons, some Covid, some not, I ended up sailing alone.  Which, has been great, relaxing week so far for me. 

 

Room

Sky Suite, Aft corner

 

I was originally booked in an Infinite Verandah, but was looking for something different.  Popped over to Celebrity’s MoveUp and placed a low-ball offer on a SkySuite.  Love the room.  So glad I moved up.  Lots of space, plus the ability to use the Retreat Amenities is a great.

 

You will notice several people on the forums knock the bathrooms of the SkySuites.  Not really sure why, but the bathroom is spacious.  The tub/shower combo is very large compared to the standard showers in the other rooms.  Is the tub really a soaking tub?  Not really, but it is a tub.

 

This room is on the aft and in the left corner, so the balcony is much larger than most.  Room for 2 lounge chairs and 2 standard chairs.   

 

Frustration with the room – knowing that I was traveling during COVID, I loaded my laptop with tv shows and movies to watch on the tv.  On the Edge Class Ships, you are not able to stream or physically hook up (HDMI) an external device to the television.  I tried all of the “tricks” online, but it didn’t work.  I talked to the IT manager who said only in Royal Class Suites and above do you have the functionality of switching inputs… That is frustrating.  But I’ll survive! 

 

Covid World 2022

We live in a pandemic, and everything has changed even if temporarily.  I was nervous about cruising during the current surge mainly for the changes that would be implemented onboard.  I was on the Edge in September 2021, and at that time it seemed the virus was going away. When I was on board then there were no masks anywhere and no signs of any positive cases. 

 

In my real-life job, I have dealt with enforcing Covid protocols and procedures, and have worked closely with close contact situations and deciding if a quarantine is needed.  I don’t envy anyone who is in the position of being in the middle and enforcing and communicating changes.  I was not surprised at all when Celebrity required masks, honestly, I was a little relieved.  Not because I love masks, but because it reminds us to not let our guard down.  No one wants to be quarantined, especially in a cruise ship.  

 

I do think that how this was communicated to passengers could have been handled differently.  We were handed a sheet of paper at check in stating that masks are now required.  Would I have canceled my cruise?  No, but I think giving everyone the opportunity to make their own informed decision is important.  

 

Upon arrival on board, it seems that a small part of Deck 6 Aft has been seaside for quarantines in the event it was necessary.  This deck has a number of IV cabins, which, if you are indeed quarantined, would be nice to have access to fresh air.  I don't know if any passenger is quarantined. 

 

Everyone seems to be doing just fine.  People seem happy and are enjoying the great ship and fantastic weather.  

 

Covid Announcements

• We did hear one day that a small number of crew tested positive (Casino staff)
• Tuesday night, in the casino, we were informed that the Casio would be closed on Wednesday, not sure about the rest of the voyage. 

 

Food

The food on all of Celebrity Ships is amazing.  The Ocean View Buffet was good as ever.

 

Luminae, the Suite Restaurant, was good but not as “stellar” as I had hoped.  Very good food, great staff, menu is a bit small.  They will go out of their way to make sure you have what you want.  The menu is just a suggestion, traditional cruise dinner fare is always available.  

 

On my September cruise, I neglected to go to Eden Café for lunch.  Just forgot about it even existing really.  It is sort of hidden away.  Well, this cruise I made a point to go and I love their lunch offerings.  Great sandwiches, salads and soups.  AND, the only place on board that I have found potato chips!

 

Fine Cut Steakhouse and Rooftop Garden Grill were both very nice.  Food and service was great.

 

On a cruise I always end up really wanting salty snack foods like chips and popcorn which you can’t really find… 

 

I really want to like the Edge Ships model for dinning, but really miss the true Italian Restaurant Tuscan Grille on the Solstice Class Ships.  

 

Retreat Amenities

I love having access to the Retreat.  Nice and quiet pool deck with lots of shade. One thing that has surprised me about this sailing is that all of the pools and hot tubs (inside and out, main pool, Solarium and Retreat) are ghost towns by 6 PM.  They don’t close until 11 PM.  So, each night I have been able to go and enjoy the hot tubs basically by myself! 

 

Final thoughts about the Edge Class and Celebrity

I have been very happy with Celebrity, and given the chance for my next cruise it will likely be on Celebrity again.  If everything aligns, I would book a Solstice Class Ship next time just for a change of pace and some different venues. The Edge is great, but I’d like something a bit different next time. 

[jbandkb]

Eden Cafe for lunch is amazing - try it for breakfast.

[txtechmk]

Thanks for the report.  We are trying the Edge class (Apex) for the first time in May.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[as3369]

Thank you for your mid-trip review.  We will be sailing her on Jan 16th and look forward to enjoying endless ocean views, sunshine, wonderful food and chillaxing.  

[drakes2]

16 minutes ago, jbandkb said:

Eden Cafe for lunch is amazing - try it for breakfast.

Is there a charge for Eden Cafe.

[r2h2]

We were on the 12/12-12/19 cruise in 7309(Sky Suite corner aft portside).  Sounds like you might be in the same room. Loved this room for the space including the large balcony and nice bathroom. Hope you enjoy the rest of your time onboard!

[DCPIV]

Ask about potato chips in Luminae! 😉

[rkcruiseky]

23 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

Is there a charge for Eden Cafe.

 Not for lunch!

[kwokpot]

21 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

Is there a charge for Eden Cafe.

There is no charge for Eden Cafe which is only open for breakfast and lunch on Seadays. In addition to potato chips you'll only find the most amazing brownies at lunchtime at Eden Cafe. 

[George C]

Curious was there any limit to the amount of people in retreat pool? In our July cruise they were sometimes packed liked sardines. Back then no masks were required for vaccinated passengers.

[rkcruiseky]

7 minutes ago, George C said:

Curious was there any limit to the amount of people in retreat pool? In our July cruise they were sometimes packed liked sardines. Back then no masks were required for vaccinated passengers.

It can be full. I didn’t see any restrictions or limits imposed or enforced. 
 

our first sea day was quite chilly (only 70) so it was empty most of the day. 
 

at night it’s empty. 

[CruiserFromSC]

Are they still having shows in the evenings?  Has anything else been impacted by positive crew cases besides the casino?  Thanks so much!!

[Panzano]

Thanks for your review...  

 

What has been your experience so far with the level of service you're receiving from your Retreat Host?

 

We just booked a sky suite for the Beyond TA in April of 23.   They had Aft Sky Suites available  and we were tempted.  We ended up not booking one as I thought that we might not get as much personal attention being so far removed from the other suites, especially with Beyond raising the bar with their Retreat enhancements.    The main thing we use our Retreat Host for is to bring us either afternoon Tea or Wine and nibbles around 5.  

[lola2013]

My friend and I also cruised on Edge in September (also our second time on Edge).  At that time, Celebrity offered a solo discount.  We were able to get separate Sunset Verandahs for less than we paid to share a SV the first time around.  

She is an amazing ship and hopefully I'll be able to sail on her again.  

I'm now waiting patiently to find out if I'll be sailing on Reflection in two weeks...pretty iffy at this point!

Thanks for the great review.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[t18c97]

5 hours ago, rkcruiseky said:

 

Celebrity Edge January 2, 2022 

 

 

Frustration with the room – knowing that I was traveling during COVID, I loaded my laptop with tv shows and movies to watch on the tv.  On the Edge Class Ships, you are not able to stream or physically hook up (HDMI) an external device to the television.  I tried all of the “tricks” online, but it didn’t work.  I talked to the IT manager who said only in Royal Class Suites and above do you have the functionality of switching inputs… That is frustrating.  But I’ll survive! 

 

Since the Apex is a sister ship I'm wondering if this will also be a problem there? I'm curious since I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos that Herr travel puts out and he's always talking about being able to stream videos to the TV's in the room. 

 

[George C]

1 hour ago, Panzano said:

Thanks for your review...  

 

What has been your experience so far with the level of service you're receiving from your Retreat Host?

 

We just booked a sky suite for the Beyond TA in April of 23.   They had Aft Sky Suites available  and we were tempted.  We ended up not booking one as I thought that we might not get as much personal attention being so far removed from the other suites, especially with Beyond raising the bar with their Retreat enhancements.    The main thing we use our Retreat Host for is to bring us either afternoon Tea or Wine and nibbles around 5.  

We have a aft corner sky suite on beyond in November, we will be doing lots of walking to get to retreat and Luminae, maybe we will do move up again and get penthouse like we did in July on edge.

[djh]

5 hours ago, rkcruiseky said:

 

Celebrity Edge January 2, 2022 

 

This is probably my 8^th or 9^th cruise on Celebrity.  My 2^nd on the Edge. I have been on the Millennium Class, Solstice Class and Edge Class Ships.  This cruise I was supposed to be with some others, but because of a variety of reasons, some Covid, some not, I ended up sailing alone.  Which, has been great, relaxing week so far for me. 

 

Room

Sky Suite, Aft corner

 

I was originally booked in an Infinite Verandah, but was looking for something different.  Popped over to Celebrity’s MoveUp and placed a low-ball offer on a SkySuite.  Love the room.  So glad I moved up.  Lots of space, plus the ability to use the Retreat Amenities is a great.

 

You will notice several people on the forums knock the bathrooms of the SkySuites.  Not really sure why, but the bathroom is spacious.  The tub/shower combo is very large compared to the standard showers in the other rooms.  Is the tub really a soaking tub?  Not really, but it is a tub.

 

This room is on the aft and in the left corner, so the balcony is much larger than most.  Room for 2 lounge chairs and 2 standard chairs.   

 

Frustration with the room – knowing that I was traveling during COVID, I loaded my laptop with tv shows and movies to watch on the tv.  On the Edge Class Ships, you are not able to stream or physically hook up (HDMI) an external device to the television.  I tried all of the “tricks” online, but it didn’t work.  I talked to the IT manager who said only in Royal Class Suites and above do you have the functionality of switching inputs… That is frustrating.  But I’ll survive! 

 

Covid World 2022

We live in a pandemic, and everything has changed even if temporarily.  I was nervous about cruising during the current surge mainly for the changes that would be implemented onboard.  I was on the Edge in September 2021, and at that time it seemed the virus was going away. When I was on board then there were no masks anywhere and no signs of any positive cases. 

 

In my real-life job, I have dealt with enforcing Covid protocols and procedures, and have worked closely with close contact situations and deciding if a quarantine is needed.  I don’t envy anyone who is in the position of being in the middle and enforcing and communicating changes.  I was not surprised at all when Celebrity required masks, honestly, I was a little relieved.  Not because I love masks, but because it reminds us to not let our guard down.  No one wants to be quarantined, especially in a cruise ship.  

 

I do think that how this was communicated to passengers could have been handled differently.  We were handed a sheet of paper at check in stating that masks are now required.  Would I have canceled my cruise?  No, but I think giving everyone the opportunity to make their own informed decision is important.  

 

Upon arrival on board, it seems that a small part of Deck 6 Aft has been seaside for quarantines in the event it was necessary.  This deck has a number of IV cabins, which, if you are indeed quarantined, would be nice to have access to fresh air.  I don't know if any passenger is quarantined. 

 

Everyone seems to be doing just fine.  People seem happy and are enjoying the great ship and fantastic weather.  

 

Covid Announcements

• We did hear one day that a small number of crew tested positive (Casino staff)
• Tuesday night, in the casino, we were informed that the Casio would be closed on Wednesday, not sure about the rest of the voyage. 

 

Food

The food on all of Celebrity Ships is amazing.  The Ocean View Buffet was good as ever.

 

Luminae, the Suite Restaurant, was good but not as “stellar” as I had hoped.  Very good food, great staff, menu is a bit small.  They will go out of their way to make sure you have what you want.  The menu is just a suggestion, traditional cruise dinner fare is always available.  

 

On my September cruise, I neglected to go to Eden Café for lunch.  Just forgot about it even existing really.  It is sort of hidden away.  Well, this cruise I made a point to go and I love their lunch offerings.  Great sandwiches, salads and soups.  AND, the only place on board that I have found potato chips!

 

Fine Cut Steakhouse and Rooftop Garden Grill were both very nice.  Food and service was great.

 

On a cruise I always end up really wanting salty snack foods like chips and popcorn which you can’t really find… 

 

I really want to like the Edge Ships model for dinning, but really miss the true Italian Restaurant Tuscan Grille on the Solstice Class Ships.  

 

Retreat Amenities

I love having access to the Retreat.  Nice and quiet pool deck with lots of shade. One thing that has surprised me about this sailing is that all of the pools and hot tubs (inside and out, main pool, Solarium and Retreat) are ghost towns by 6 PM.  They don’t close until 11 PM.  So, each night I have been able to go and enjoy the hot tubs basically by myself! 

 

Final thoughts about the Edge Class and Celebrity

I have been very happy with Celebrity, and given the chance for my next cruise it will likely be on Celebrity again.  If everything aligns, I would book a Solstice Class Ship next time just for a change of pace and some different venues. The Edge is great, but I’d like something a bit different next time. 

Ask your PRH to keep you stocked with potato chips. We are onboard too and Rhona brings my husband chips every night because she knows he loves them. 

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, kwokpot said:

There is no charge for Eden Cafe which is only open for breakfast and lunch on Seadays. In addition to potato chips you'll only find the most amazing brownies at lunchtime at Eden Cafe. 

Those brownies are the best.....

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

7 hours ago, kwokpot said:

There is no charge for Eden Cafe which is only open for breakfast and lunch on Seadays. In addition to potato chips you'll only find the most amazing brownies at lunchtime at Eden Cafe. 

 

Yes yes, eat the brownies!  (let's not tell anyone how good the cookies are...lol)

[kwokpot]

5 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Yes yes, eat the brownies!  (let's not tell anyone how good the cookies are...lol)

I was on the Summit 5 day cruise and was wondering if any location such as Cafe Al Bacio would have brownies. They didn't and I wasn't able to find any brownies anywhere.