Any time I looked even remotely confused for more than a few seconds, or sat down somewhere without a libation in hand, a crew member would appear out of nowhere, inquiring as to whether they might help me or bring me anything. My personal impression of the service was more than excellent. The Grand Plaza at the heart of Celebrity Beyond spans three decks. The atmosphere, while extremely classy, wasn’t accompanied by the air of stuffiness you’d normally associate with such sumptuous surroundings. The high-class vibe and ritzy-looking venues might have usually struck me as intimidating, making me feel as though I wasn’t dressed for the occasion. In fact, that was one aspect of the onboard experience that surprised me. Inspired by Italian piazzas, the three-story atrium is hemmed on each deck by a collection of epicurean restaurants, café-bars and elegant, yet laid-back, lounges and seating areas. (photo via Celebrity Cruises) Public Spacesīeyond’s public spaces all boast uniquely exquisite structural, stylistic and decorative design, thanks to Celebrity’s assembled dream team of award-winning architects and designers from around the globe to create striking spaces that are simply unforgettable.Īt the heart of the ship’s interior is the jaw-dropping Grand Plaza, which is bigger than previous ships’, spanning three decks and centered around a jazzy cocktail bar that sits just below a massive, jaw-dropping LED “chandelier”.ĭramatically lit and ever-changing, this stunning modern art-deco centerpiece, along with the Plaza’s ambient lighting, evolves depending on the time of day, as well as any live entertainment performances being featured on the stage opposite. Living area inside an Infinite Veranda Stateroom aboard Celebrity Beyond. I felt more relaxed than I had in years, ensconced among crisp, yet plush, furnishings with a supreme sense of privacy, perfectly appointed amenities, and the feeling of openness and airiness provided by the Infinite Veranda feature. I still can’t figure out how the architects and designers fit a veranda, plus a king bed with side tables, chaise lounge, desk, dresser, mini-fridge, closet and a rather spacious bathroom into just 243 square feet, but I’d like to applaud whoever devised this layout. It’s also part of a “balcony” seating area that can be separated from the rest of the cabin interior by a folding door, for times when the sun is streaming in too brightly or you desire a cozier feel for the night. I had the good fortune to stay in an ‘Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda’, which not only makes stunning use of limited space but incorporates a brilliant, game-changing innovation with the “Infinite Veranda”, a floor-to-ceiling split window that opens at the touch of a button to let the sea air and sounds wash over your entire living space. The Main Pool Deck aboard Celebrity Beyond. Although I’m not a cruise connoisseur, the other guests I spoke with (mainly travel agents, who really know their stuff and have plenty of sailings under their belts) were all just as delighted and impressed as I was with every aspect of the new vessel, so I figure my impressions can’t be too far off base. I must admit that I’m a newbie when it comes to cruises and, therefore, arrived at Port Everglades with no real preconceptions or especially lofty expectations about what the onboard experience would be like. It is filled with breathtaking public spaces, luxe accommodations, designer-brand boutiques, a full-fledged casino, gourmet restaurants, grab-and-go dining options and outdoor spaces that offer outstanding ocean vistas. To say that I was pleasantly surprised by pretty much every aspect of this pristine vessel would be the understatement of the century. Mine was a group booking, since I was attending an onboard business conference, which I assumed would be my primary focus, I hadn’t given an awful lot of thought as to the details of the sailing itself. While I am aware that Celebrity Cruises is categorized as a “premium” or perhaps “upper-premium” cruise line, if my time aboard Celebrity Beyond wasn’t a world-class luxury cruising experience, I don’t know what is. As another point of distinction, Beyond is also helmed by Captain Kate McCue, America’s first female cruise ship captain. Inside Look: Brand-New Celebrity Beyond’s Onboard Experience | TravelPulseĬonstruction-wise, Beyond does surpass her sister ships in size (65 feet longer and one deck taller, boasts more outdoor space and accommodates 12 percent more passengers than either Celebrity Edge or Celebrity Apex.
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