The Celebrity Beyond is Celebrity Cruise Line’s newest ship to hit the high seas, and in October, Haley was lucky enough to preview the ship during her stay in Cape Liberty, New Jersey alongside some other Yankee Trails colleagues. Keep reading to learn more about her preview of the ship!
We took the Cruise Express down to Cape Liberty, New Jersey on a foggy October day, excited to see the brand new Celebrity Beyond who was fresh off sailing around Europe through the summer and fall.
We boarded the ship and immediately were immersed in the swanky ambiance that can only be found on a Celebrity Cruise Ship. The gorgeous martini bar that extends over three stories of the ship is the focal point of the ship and the central hub for all activity. Live music is often played here throughout the day and at night the LED chandelier lights up and puts on a grand show alongside the bartenders at the martini bar underneath. We loved hanging out here!
We settled into our rooms first thing, arriving at an Edge Stateroom with a gorgeous Infinite Veranda. Like on the Celebrity Edge and Apex, the Infinite Veranda is the alternative for a balcony, but gives you open air access to the sea with the touch of a button. Instead of having a sliding door to open and a separate balcony to sit on, the Infinite Veranda acts as the back wall of your room, giving you more space in your stateroom and allowing you to enjoy the veranda as a balcony when you want to. We love these staterooms- they give us the best of both worlds!
After settling in, we started to explore the ship, we only had one day after all! We started by grabbing lunch in the Oceanview Café, this is Celebrity’s complimentary buffet that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner each day and offers guests an alternative dining location to complimentary dining rooms or specialty restaurants.
The Oceanview Café has sweeping views with two-story floor-to-ceiling windows that make the space look even brighter and larger than it already is. There was plenty of seating outside and inside and the cuisine offered at the buffets ranged from deli meats and salads, to Spanish and Indian cuisine, to pasta and pizza and desserts- there really is something for everyone here.
After getting some fuel, we started the rest of our tour of the ship. We were able to get a glimpse of each of the different level staterooms on the Beyond, and all of them blew us out of the water.
As mentioned before, the room we stayed in onboard the Beyond was an Edge Stateroom with an Infinite Veranda. This room was the perfect standard balcony room that you know and love, with a Celebrity twist. If interior or oceanview is more your style, there are plenty of options for that too!
The interior rooms on the ship have plenty of living space, bigger bathrooms and more drawer space. If you’re someone who only spends time in their stateroom for sleep and prefers to spend your time around the ship, this room could be perfect for you.
The Oceanview Staterooms offer expansive views of the ocean. Whether you choose a Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom that has a stunning floor-to-ceiling window on the back wall of the stateroom, the Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom that gives you a spacious living area to enjoy inside the room, or the standard Ocean View Stateroom, you will find your bliss in these rooms while looking out at the ocean.
Concierge Class staterooms offer just a little more luxury to your time onboard the Beyond. A dedicated concierge is just steps away from your room and can assist you with anything you might need- whether it’s a sparkling wine request, snacks for your room, or exclusive Concierge Class amenities, this class makes life just a little sweeter during your time on the Beyond.
The Retreat is where true luxury is found on Celebrity Ships. The suites in the Retreat have stunning accommodations in each room, and also include private dining, exclusive spaces and extra amenities. The Retreat truly is like a resort-within-a-resort and the different suites we viewed in the Retreat made us feel like we could stay forever.
The Iconic Suite is the crème de la crème of suites in the Retreat. At over 2,500 square-feet total, the suite is the largest in the Celebrity fleet, has two bedrooms and bathrooms, a private terrace, hot tub and double daybed. Floor-to-ceiling windows give this bright and airy suite even more energy and the suite has exclusive perks like on-hand butler service, complimentary bottled water, soda and beer, unlimited lunch and dinner in all specialty restaurants, two complimentary bottles of premium spirits, priority luggage delivery, an in-room Peloton and more!
The Penthouse Suite offers another incredibly luxurious stay option for guests while on the Beyond. The suite has two bedrooms and two full, very gorgeous, bathrooms. There is a private veranda with lounge seating, a private whirlpool tub with views, and a private whirlpool tub also located in the primary bathroom. Along with this suite comes complimentary bottled water, soda and beer, unlimited lunch and dinner in all specialty restaurants, two complimentary bottles of premium spirits, VIP canapes, priority luggage delivery and an attentive butler always on hand. Life is good in the Penthouse Suite!
The Edge Villas are exclusive to the Celebrity Edge series, the first of their kind in the fleet, and are the only two-story luxury residences in the fleet. Indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly in these private oceanfront villas, with a private terrace that has a three-foot-deep plunge pool that screams relaxation always. There is one bedroom with two full bathrooms and direct access to The Retreat sundeck. Like the other suites, there is complimentary bottled water, soda and beer, unlimited lunch and dinner in all specialty restaurants, two complimentary bottles of premium spirits, VIP canapes, priority luggage delivery and a butler available for requests. If you’re looking for a special way to enjoy the Beyond, an Edge Villa can help!
The Royal Suite is a suite that’s fit for- you guessed it- royalty! The suite has one bedroom and one bathroom, along with a stunning private veranda. The suite’s bathroom features a large soaking tub, a separate shower and a double sink vanity, while the sitting area of the suite is spacious with plenty of room to relax and unwind, when you’re not enjoying the lounges on the veranda of course. This suite has the same amenities that the aforementioned suites have, and truly add an extra touch of luxury to your stay on the Beyond.
The Celebrity Suite gives you the celebrity treatment. The suite has two rooms and features a large living area with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, a private veranda, a private bedroom with a king-size bed and a bathroom. In addition to the comfort of the room, there is a daily delivery of afternoon treats, an exclusive afternoon tea event hosted in The Retreat Lounge, complimentary 24 hour room service and more that comes along with this room.
The Sky Suite is the last of the suite categories onboard the Beyond. The Suite features a king-size bed, a veranda with lounge seating, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a spacious sitting area with a sofa. If wellness is important to you, you can upgrade to an Aqua Sky Suite, that has the same amenities of the Sky Suite, but also combines the benefits of the AquaClass. The Sky Suite and Aqua Sky Suite have the same perks that the Celebrity Suite has, along with access to The Retreat Sundeck, Luminae restaurant and The Retreat Lounge, like all other suites.
The Beyond also has different accessible staterooms to choose from as well. Accessible rooms onboard include: an accessible Ocean View Stateroom, an accessible Veranda Stateroom, an accessible Concierge Class Stateroom, accessible AquaClass Staterooms and more. Accessible staterooms feature wider doors in the stateroom, with automatic doors throughout the ship, no doorsill to enter stateroom, bathroom grab bars, ramped bathroom thresholds, lowered sinks and stateroom vanities, roll-in showers with a fold-down shower bench and hand-held showerhead, lowered closet rods and accessible balconies in select staterooms.
Whether you stay in an interior room, choose an infinite veranda or go all-out with a suite, there’s no wrong place to stay onboard the Beyond and you’ll enjoy your time thoroughly!
As with all Celebrity Cruises, dining and meal options are always a highly enjoyable and delicious experience. The Beyond has 32 food and beverage venues onboard, with eight specialty restaurants and an array of bars and lounges to choose from as well.
Main dining on the Celebrity Beyond is a bit different than on other ships. Instead of one big dining room on the ship, there are four main dining rooms for you to choose from. If you choose to have early dining or late dining, you’ll be assigned one room to dine in each night on your cruise, with the option to dine in the other three rooms upon request. If you choose to dine anytime, you can dine in any of the four restaurants when you want.
The four restaurants are Cyprus, Tuscan, Normandie and Cosmopolitan. The menu at Cyprus has Greek and Mediterranean roots with simple and clean dishes focused on seafood as a main part of the menu. Tuscan’s menu is similar to Celebrity’s celebrated specialty restaurant from other ships, the Tuscan Grille, and is the place to go for all Italian cuisine!
Normandie is inspired by Celebrity’s elegant Murano specialty dining venue on several ships, and features contemporary French cuisine in a romantic and modern setting. Cosmopolitan mirrors what is closest to the main dining experience across the Celebrity fleet, with incredible new American cuisine with global influence. No matter which dining room you choose, you won't be disappointed!
For guests who are staying in the Retreat, the Luminae restaurant has panoramic floor-to-ceiling views with exclusive menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef that you won't find anywhere else on board. This restaurant is exclusive to guests staying in the Retreat and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
AquaClass guests also have an exclusive restaurant available to them, Blu. The restaurant has a clean cuisine menu with options that are focused on a healthier lifestyle.
Specialty dining on any cruise is a treat and we always encourage those heading on a cruise to try at least one specialty restaurant while on their trip, and the Beyond has plenty of amazing options to choose from!
Le Voyage by world renowned chef Daniel Bouloud is definitely a highlight of the specialty dining roster. Le Voyage gives you not just a fine dining experience, but a culinary journey that lets you travel the world from your table.
Fine Cut Steakhouse is back on the Beyond by popular demand, and you can get everything from Japanese Wagyu Beef to 45-day dry-aged rib eye steak, to Maine lobster tail to slow roasted Cornish game hen- there really is a fine cut available to everyone.
Le Grand Bistro is inspired by classic French bistros and offers the sights, sounds and tastes of a delicious French boulangerie. For dinner, Le Grand Bistro turns into Le Petit Chef, an immersive and innovative tabletop show that projects animated chefs onto your plate as they cook you dinner. This is truly one of the most fun and entertaining dining experiences you could have!
The Magic Carpet is one of the most notable structures onboard the Beyond, its distinctive orange cantilevers that carry the floor 13 decks above the sea make it hard to miss. The Magic Carpet is a bar, restaurant and relaxing venue all in one that travels to different floors on the side of the ship.
Raw on 5 is where sushi and seafood lovers will feel right at home. The menu features offerings like shrimp salad, Celebrity’s signature lobster roll, sushi and sashimi that are prepared by experts right at the raw bar. The extra magic happens here when the Magic Carpet is positioned on deck 5 and the menu becomes available for those dining there as well.
The Rooftop Garden Grill is nestled in the Rooftop Garden on the 15th deck of the ship and offers a stunning al fresco dining experience. Choose from fresh favorites like a build your own chopped salad, made to order flatbread pizzas, grilled branzino or delicious burgers and kabobs.
Eden is one of the prettiest and most magical places onboard on the Beyond. The restaurant is filled with plants and natural looking decorations that make you feel immersed in nature. The menu at Eden is simple, natural and delicious, and informed by cuisines and regions around the world. Definitely check Eden out the next time you’re on an Edge-class ship.
If you’re looking for complimentary dining options during the day and even for dinner, the Beyond has plenty to choose from. The Eden Café, found one deck below Eden, offers morning beverages and casual bites, and a perfect location for al fresco dining during lunch time.
The Spa Café and Juice Bar gives you the healthy, nourishing options you might crave after a night of indulging during dinner. Enjoy the healthy cuisine, salads and smoothies and juices found here.
Like we mentioned before, the Oceanview Cafe is a guest favorite that offers everything you could desire while on vacation. The buffet style cafe has indoor and outdoor seating where you can enjoy your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The Mast Grill is a poolside favorite, offering burgers, sandwiches and salads that are the absolute perfect lunch to eat while lounging in the sun and enjoying the day.
We wouldn’t dare tell you about the Beyond without mentioning the bars onboard as well! Some of our favorites on the ship were the Sunset Bar, (did we mention this was designed by Nate Berkus?) the Martini Bar, the Eden Bar and the World Class Bar. There are 14 cafes, bars and lounges on the ship, which means there is more than enough space to kick back with friends and enjoy a drink at your leisure.
The entertainment on the ship goes above and *beyond,* pushing the limit of what entertainment on cruise ships will look like in the future. The Theatre on the Beyond is designed to have a perfect view from any seat. The technology in the Theatre is amazing- a 20-foot-tall 4K LED screen comprising 17 million pixels that curve 110 feet around the stage, with new floor projection technology that immerses guests like never before.
When we arrived at the Theatre before the performance of Elements during our preview cruise, we were entranced by a floating silk cloth that was floating through the air thanks to a fan in the stage. Not only was it pretty to watch, but it was captivating! The entire audience was enamored with this from the moment they sat down until the show started.
Since the entertainment before the show was good, we knew the actual show was going to be great, and it met all of our expectations and more! The show we saw was Elements, which takes you on a musical, acrobatic and whimsical journey through the five elements. There were incredible acrobats doing amazing routines, the performance included popular songs from the past few decades that we all know and love and the choreography was fantastic, we all thoroughly enjoyed the show!
The Beyond has a couple other shows that are performed as well, and include Stage Door, which is “like having an exclusive backstage pass into the heart of the biggest Broadway and West End musicals.” and is accompanied by a full symphony orchestra recorded in the UK’s most iconic theatre. Arte is the other show performed on the Beyond and combines dance, visual effects and flying acrobatics with a fun twist. There is even a segment in the show based on the “Peace Makers” sculpture displayed on the ship.
The Theatre isn't the only place to enjoy entertainment on the ship. The Club is another venue on the ship that transforms into a lively, loud and fun space come nighttime.There is gaming and live DJ performances here as well as new evening productions that will keep you up way past your bedtime. The bar in the club keeps drinking flowing so the fun never stops, especially during the speakeasy-inspired show called the Jazz Joint.
We’ve talked about Eden being an immersive and nature-filled venue on the ship, and by night time, the space transforms to have live music, interactive experiences and more fun than you’ve ever had at sea.
While there’s plenty of fun for adults, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something on the ship for kids too! Camp at Sea is the Beyond’s space dedicated to young sailors on the ship and offers over 500 activities across the ship for kids to take part in. There are new adventures for young travelers with fun, interactive experiences and amazing learning experiences.
We’ve covered nighttime entertainment, but the day can have some fun stuff in store for guests on the Beyond too! When we’re cruising through warm waters, it’s hard to think about doing anything besides lounging poolside with the wind blowing through your hair. The Resort Deck on the Beyond is terraced, giving you more space to spread out and enjoy your time. There are loungers situated around the pool and on the upper deck, with cabanas tucked in to enjoy as well.
If the Sun Deck doesn’t call to you, maybe the adults-only Solarium does? Nestled inside, the Solarium is full of sunlight, warm temps and good vibes as you relax away in a lounger or in the pool or hot tubs. The serenity of the glass dome-covered Solarium makes this space one of the most popular spaces on the ship.
The Rooftop Garden gives you the perfect combination of serenity and sun. Located on deck 15, the Garden has plenty of incredibly comfortable seats surrounded by luscious plants that make you forget you may be in the middle of the ocean. What location could be more idyllic for a relaxing time? Lay in the sun with a good book, a cold drink and a comfy lounger for the perfect day.
There is a Vegas-style casino on the Beyond that rivals the best casinos on land. A bonus? There are better odds, custom limits and late hours in the casino to give you the best experience possible, and maybe a little more luck too!
If you’re like us, then you’ll agree that shopping is an excellent way to spend your day and that buying yourself something on vacation is basically a necessity (souvenirs, am i right?)
If you agree with our philosophy, then you’ll be thrilled with the shopping onboard the Beyond. There are shops with some amazing brands on the ship, including Summersalt for all your bathing suit needs, 4Ocean which has apparel and accessories that pay it forward to save our planet’s bodies of water and What Goes Around Comes Around, the leader in pre-owned luxury vintage with collections from designer favorites like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and more.
There’s even more fun products in store on the Beyond, some even have a local connection! Beekman 1802 products are sold onboard, the brand was started in Upstate New York and has offices in Schenectady. Other wellness favorites sold onboard include goop, La Corvette and La Maison du Chocolat.
Celebrity is all about luxury, and there is no shortage of this on the Beyond. Maybe you’re looking to splurge on something a little nicer? Look no further than some of the fashion and jewelry stores on board, which include Stella McCartney, The Bridge, Cartier, Bulgari, Montblanc and Effy. There’s even an entire art gallery on the ship where you can browse works by Picasso and Mark Kostabi.
The epitome of luxury on the Beyond can be found in the Spa. Our walk through tour of the Spa was simply magical, we were able to see all the best parts of the spa and were incredibly sad that we couldn’t stay and have one of the luxurious treatments offered.
The tour started in the Thermal Suite which has heated tile loungers that offer panoramic views of the ocean, a rainfall water therapy room, a hammam, crystalarium, salt room, steam room, infrared sauna room and float room- all guaranteed to transport you to a new, thoroughly relaxed state of mind.
We then got a glimpse into the many different treatment rooms throughout the spa, and saw where some spirit-invigorating treatments take place. Some treatments available include: a hot mineral body boost, a poultice-powered muscle release, a zero gravity immersion massage, a restorative salt stone massage, a thousand flower detox wrap, an earth grounding massage and even more. If there’s one thing we took away from this spa tour, it’s that this isn’t your mother’s spa and we desperately need to go back and get one of these treatments as soon as possible.
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