Celebrity Edge class: Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel
Compare Celebrity's five Edge-class ships: Eden versus The Bazaar, dining differences, Infinite Verandas, conventional balconies and The Retreat.
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Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel share the movable Magic Carpet platform and an emphasis on restaurants, theater and outdoor lounge spaces. The ships have changed substantially across the series: Xcel has The Bazaar where the earlier four have Eden, and Beyond has further dining changes scheduled for November 2026.
Your first decision should be the room. An Infinite Veranda is a different experience from a conventional balcony, and The Retreat changes both the accommodation and access to parts of the ship. Once those choices are clear, compare the particular restaurants, outdoor spaces and itinerary that make one sister worth choosing.
What matters for your decision
- Distinctive public spaces give each day and evening several settings.
- Infinite Verandas do not provide the same experience as a conventional balcony.
- Choose the veranda layout first, then compare the exact ship's restaurants and Retreat facilities.
How the design changes from Edge to Xcel
Edge and Apex are the original pair. Beyond and Ascent enlarge and develop the design, while Xcel adds its own entertainment and dining concepts. The Magic Carpet is a movable platform used in different operating positions; it is not an amusement ride that guests board to travel up and down the ship.
Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel
| Ship | What distinguishes the choice |
|---|---|
| Celebrity Edge | The original layout introduces the Magic Carpet, Eden and Infinite Veranda accommodation; useful as the baseline for comparing later developments. |
| Celebrity Apex | Shares Edge’s basic design, but has its own theater productions, including Rockumentary, Tree of Life and Crystallize. |
| Celebrity Beyond | The enlarged design adds Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. Bora, Orange Peel Bar & Grille and Tacos del Sol are scheduled for November 2026, after this guide’s review date. |
| Celebrity Ascent | Shares Beyond’s enlarged design and Le Voyage concept; its current entertainment and sailing schedule determine the practical difference. |
| Celebrity Xcel | The Bazaar, Bora, Attic at The Club and other new spaces change the experience. Do not book it expecting the same Eden concept as the earlier ships. |
Eden on four ships, The Bazaar on Xcel
Eden is an important part of the first four ships’ identity. Xcel instead introduces The Bazaar, with destination-related experiences, food and entertainment. That distinction can justify choosing an earlier ship if Eden is the feature you want; “newest” does not automatically mean it contains every earlier favorite.
For outdoor time, compare the pool deck, Rooftop Garden, Sunset Bar and category-restricted Retreat areas on the actual plan. A large suite-only sundeck adds value to a qualifying booking, not to every passenger’s pool-space calculation.
Four main restaurants and ship-specific specialty dining
Cyprus, Tuscan, Normandie and Cosmopolitan are the four included main restaurants, with Greek, Italian, French and contemporary American influences. Their shared dishes and venue-specific options provide variety without a specialty charge. They are separate from paid restaurants and from Blu and Luminae, which depend on your accommodation.
Beyond, Ascent and Xcel offer Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. Xcel adds Mosaic for destination-inspired specialty dining and Bora for outdoor brunch or dinner. Beyond is scheduled to gain Bora, Orange Peel Bar & Grille and Tacos del Sol in November 2026; treat those as future venues until confirmed for your departure.
AquaClass guests have Blu, while suite guests have Luminae under the applicable booking benefits. Concierge Class is not another route to those restaurants. If the dining room is the reason for your upgrade, compare the whole category premium with the ordinary room plus the paid meals you would otherwise choose.
Infinite Veranda or a conventional outdoor balcony?
The Infinite Veranda incorporates the window-side area into the room, with a large opening window rather than a traditional permanently outdoor balcony. Some travelers value the usable indoor space; others want a separate outdoor area while the room remains closed off. The right answer depends on how you use a balcony, not on the category’s marketing name.
For a separate outdoor balcony, compare Sunset Veranda and Deluxe Porthole View with Veranda categories with the widespread Infinite Verandas. A porthole-shaped opening can frame and restrict the view; aft-facing Sunset Verandas offer a different outlook. Suites have their own layouts, and rooms near the Magic Carpet structure need an obstruction check.
The Retreat offers more than extra square footage, but its facilities differ by generation. Compare the current sundeck and lounge plan on Edge or Apex with the later ships. For a group mixing suites and ordinary rooms, plan where everyone can dine and relax together; private access benefits do not automatically extend to friends in another category.
For contemporary spaces and an active evening program
Choose Edge class when contemporary spaces, varied dining and a polished evening program are priorities. It is a strong candidate for couples or mixed-age adults who want an active ship without building the trip around rides.
Compare Solstice class if a conventional balcony and a more traditional Celebrity layout are important. Compare Millennium when the itinerary and a smaller footprint lead the decision. Families should match the actual youth program and activities to their children rather than choosing solely by the ship’s age.
Pros and cons
| Advantages | Compromises |
|---|---|
| Eden on the first four ships and The Bazaar on Xcel offer different dining and entertainment settings. | Infinite Verandas do not provide the same experience as a conventional balcony. |
| The five ships offer meaningful differences in dining and entertainment concepts. | Specialty dining and private-area access can make the total substantially higher. |
| The Retreat and other room categories support different accommodation priorities. | Later ships replace or change some earlier concepts rather than simply adding everything. |
Other ships to consider
Solstice class is the closest Celebrity alternative for a full-size ship with a more conventional balcony offering. Millennium class trades some venue choice for a smaller overall footprint. The correct comparison is the room and experience you will use, not just tonnage.
Official deck plans
| Ship | Features and current information | Official deck-plan destination |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Edge | Celebrity Edge: official overview | Deck plans for Celebrity Edge |
| Celebrity Apex | Celebrity Apex: official overview | Deck plans for Celebrity Apex |
| Celebrity Beyond | Celebrity Beyond: official overview | Deck plans for Celebrity Beyond |
| Celebrity Ascent | Celebrity Ascent: official overview | Deck plans for Celebrity Ascent |
| Celebrity Xcel | Celebrity Xcel: official overview | Deck plans for Celebrity Xcel |
Photograph and further reading
The photograph shows Celebrity Apex at the date recorded in its credit. It illustrates the vessel, not a guarantee of its current paintwork, cabins or latest refit. Original photograph and attribution; photograph license.
Your decision checklist
- Compare an Infinite Veranda with the conventional balcony categories.
- Choose Eden or Xcel’s Bazaar and check Beyond’s future refit date.
- Verify the restaurants and Retreat facilities included with the room.
Questions travelers ask
Which ships does this guide cover?
Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Xcel. This operating roster was checked for September 23, 2026; future additions are not counted.
Does Celebrity Xcel have Eden?
No. Xcel introduces The Bazaar with different food, market and entertainment concepts. Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent have Eden. Choose by the space you want rather than assuming the newest ship retains every earlier venue.
Can I book a conventional balcony on an Edge-class ship?
Yes. Sunset Veranda and Deluxe Porthole View with Veranda are examples to compare, alongside suite categories. Confirm the exact room layout; an Infinite Veranda uses an opening window within the room instead of a separate permanently outdoor balcony.
Official sources and further reading
Sources checked September 23, 2026. Explore the original policies, destination guidance and provider information behind this article. Each description explains what you will find at the source.
- Celebrity Cruises fleetFleet context; future bookable ships are excluded from this operating roster.
- Celebrity Edge official ship informationShip features and layouts; booking-specific operation and inclusions can vary.
- Celebrity Apex official ship informationShip features and layouts; booking-specific operation and inclusions can vary.
- Celebrity Beyond official ship informationShip features and layouts; booking-specific operation and inclusions can vary.
- Celebrity Ascent official ship informationShip features and layouts; booking-specific operation and inclusions can vary.
- Xcel current onboard conceptsShip features and layouts; booking-specific operation and inclusions can vary.
- Celebrity Xcel official deck plansUse the version applicable to your sailing; linked operator resource, not a reproduced or independently surveyed plan.
- Photograph: Celebrity ApexCelebrity Apex · 2020 · Jakez Bo from NANTES, FRANCE · CC0; Wikimedia thumbnail, displayed to fit the page.
- Apex theater productionsLists Rockumentary, Tree of Life and Crystallize.
- Beyond dining and November 2026 additionsThe dated future-venue notice distinguishes announced additions from current operation.
- Xcel restaurant listCurrent list includes Le Voyage, Mosaic and Bora.