The Wonderful Ship Celebrity Beyond
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General
The impressive ship Celebrity Beyond, launched in 2022, is the third ship in the same series following the ships EDGE and APEX. At the end of 2023, the fourth ship in the series, named Celebrity Ascent, was launched. The ship weighs 141,000 tons, is 327 meters long, and 39 meters wide. It has 17 decks. It can accommodate between 3,300 to 3,950 passengers, and the ship's crew includes about 1,400 members! Celebrity Beyond was built in France and is about 20 meters longer than its predecessors and features an additional deck.
I sailed on Celebrity Beyond after a successful and intensive family cruise on Carnival with my grandchildren and children, and it was a truly great time for a pampering couple's cruise on Celebrity's newest and most successful ship.
I never stopped admiring this impressive ship, which is full of charming gardens, sculptures, and works of art (4,500 pieces!), seating areas, clubs, bars, restaurants, and facilities I haven't encountered on other ships, all with a unique and invested design.
Celebrity is the first cruise line in the world to win an award from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide. It was declared the “Resorts at Sea,” and in my opinion, anyone who experiences a voyage on the company's new ships—and especially on the Beyond—will justify the win.
Room with Infinity Balcony
First of all, I'll start with the room, which is quite spacious and includes a special balcony.
Most of the balcony rooms on Celebrity Beyond, as well as on its sister ships from the Edge series, are "Infinity Veranda" rooms. Before I sailed, I was a bit worried that they wouldn't have a real "outdoor" feeling like a regular balcony room, but after a few days, I can say that the advantages are many: first, the room becomes much larger because the balcony is an integral part of it; you can see more of the view because everything from floor to ceiling is transparent glass; and you can see the view even while lying in bed. You can open the balcony window with the push of a button, and then the feeling is that of a full balcony with the sound of the sea and the breeze. There are heavy curtains that can be lowered at the push of a button so that no ray of light enters. Everything is modern and user-friendly. There is also a beautiful divider door that opens and closes easily.
A small disadvantage is that when the weather is very bad or the sea is particularly stormy, all the giant windows are locked remotely, and then there is effectively no balcony but just a large room with a giant window. But since it’s unpleasant to go outside in such cases anyway, it doesn't matter much.
In short—the rooms with an infinity balcony are very successful, pampering, and recommended!
Pools and Jacuzzis
Main Pool
On the deck on floor 15 is the ship's main pool, surrounded by many lounge chairs. Adjacent to it is the bar. Next to the pool are several hot jacuzzis. The pool is particularly large, much more so than standard pools on cruise ships, which allows for actual swimming and not just wading.
Solarium
On the same floor (15), the covered Solarium complex is located, featuring a pool and two jacuzzis surrounded by lounge chairs.
There is also an additional pool on floor 17 at the bow intended only for suite guests.
Entertainment on the Ship
Theatre Shows
The theatre on Celebrity Beyond is impressive in its beauty and especially in its technology, featuring giant curved screens that turn every show in the hall into an audio-visual experience.
In every cruise, there are three particularly high-quality productions that should not be missed. The first of them, which we experienced on the second day, is a show called Arte, where famous static paintings begin to move, step out of their frames, and turn into a very colorful and impressive performance.
An invested show and one of the best I've seen on cruises. At the beginning of the show, against the backdrop of the moving images, the charming and funny Greek captain (who replaces the ship's regular colorful captain) talked about himself and the ship and introduced his crew.
Eden Complex
One of the most magical and useful places on Celebrity Beyond is a place called "Eden," and even the way to get there is special: through a dark but glowing and sparkling passage with relaxing music and effects. In Eden, there is a gourmet restaurant, a small stage where various shows and events are held, a cafe/restaurant for light breakfast and lunch, a bar, and many comfortable and beautiful seating areas, some overlooking the sea and some overlooking the lush vegetation and various sculptures.
The Club
This is a club on floor 5 with a dance floor where various events take place throughout the day, ranging from social games to diverse singing and musical performances.
Special Bars
On all cruise ships, there are many bars, and of course, Celebrity Beyond is no exception. But two bars are worthy of special mention, and even those who are not fond of alcoholic beverages should visit them:
Magic Carpet
The first is the Magic Carpet, one of the symbols of this series of ships: a bar where all the walls are transparent, and it is attached to an elevator outside the side of the ship. During the day, it is located on floor 12 on the main deck where the main pool is, and in the evening after it gets dark, it descends to floor 5 and connects to the Japanese restaurant, becoming its beverage bar.
Martini Bar
An even more successful and entertaining bar is the "Martini Bar," located on floor 3 in the heart of the ship's central space, the "Grand Plaza," which spans floors 3, 4, and 5. At this bar in the evening, flair shows and sleight of hand requiring great skill from the bartenders are held several times an hour, accompanied by music, lights, and stunts. This is the place to see and be seen on the ship; there are many seating areas and tables surrounding the bar.
Additional Bars and Cafes throughout the Ship
The ship has a variety of other bars scattered around, including on the decks. Among them, you can count the elegant World Class Bar located on floor 5 adjacent to the large central space, the Grand Plaza. The Sunset Bar is located on the deck at the aft of the ship on floor 15, from which you can watch the ship's wake.
A bar called Craft Social Bar is located on floor 5 in the central space, serving draft beer alongside cocktails in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.
Additional bars on deck are the Pool Bar near the pool on floor 14 and the Mast Bar located on floor 16.
For high-quality coffee lovers, there is Café al Bacio on floor 4 in the Grand Plaza, where you will find quality coffee with tempting pastries.
And an additional cafe, Il Secondo Bacio, on the buffet floor (14), serving quality coffee and natural juices.
Casino
The ship also has a large casino with a variety of tables and slot machines.
Dining Rooms and Restaurants
Dining Rooms
On most cruise ships, there is one main dining room (often spanning 2-3 floors) or two where all have an identical menu that changes daily.
On Celebrity Beyond (as on its sister ships from the Edge series), there are four separate large dining rooms: Tuscan and Normandie on floor 3, and Cyprus and Cosmopolitan on floor 4.
In all of them, the menu is identical, part of it changes daily and part is constant, but in addition, each has its own unique menu reflecting the cuisine of a specific country (Italy, France, etc.).
Each has a different design, different furniture, and a different atmosphere, but they all share: professional and pampering service and high-quality food. All are included in the cruise price.
You can choose which dining room you want at whatever time you want between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM. You can book places in advance, but it is not mandatory, and in any case, you can change and vary. Usually, there is no line at all to enter.
All this is in addition, of course, to the paid restaurants.
The Buffet
The most popular place for many on cruise ships is the buffet. All ships of all companies have a buffet (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and also between meals and sometimes at night), but the differences in level, variety, quality, service, and especially the crowd density are enormous.
I personally prefer to eat as much as possible in the dining rooms with table service and in restaurants, but sometimes when waking up late or returning late or in a hurry on port days or just for a change—I also visit the buffet occasionally.
On Celebrity Beyond, there is a giant buffet on floor 14, with a bounty of food, very spacious, beautifully designed, and also varied and delicious. Even during peak hours, there are no lines and there are available tables, with wonderful service from the waiters and staff. In short—successful and recommended and of a high standard (like everything on this ship).
Specialty Restaurants for an Additional Fee
Le Petit Chef
The coolest restaurant on Celebrity ships is "Le Petit Chef." This is effectively a dinner with an entertaining animation show. Before each course served from a fixed (and very delicious) menu, a cool video is projected onto the table and plates showing how the little chef prepares the dishes, what influences him, and more. Cute, funny, photogenic, and what's important is that the food is also very tasty and the service—perfect.
Animation video at Le Petit Chef restaurant:
I already ate at a similar restaurant on another Celebrity ship: Reflection, but this time on Celebrity Beyond, the show and the meal were different. It turns out there are four different animation meals on the company's different ships. Especially successful for families and anyone who is a fan of animation or young at heart. A meal that is an experience!
Le Voyage by Chef Daniel
A highly regarded chef restaurant by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud—a French chef and restaurateur, with restaurants in major cities worldwide from China to Canada and especially in the US. He is particularly known for the restaurant bearing his name, Daniel, in New York City.
This is a small and intimate restaurant with extraordinary service (reservations are mandatory!) and high-quality, tasty, and beautifully designed food. Highly recommended for foodies. It has a regular menu and a prestigious tasting menu. Even those who settle for the regular menu will enjoy it very much and will certainly not leave hungry…
Eden Restaurant
The most successful restaurant in my opinion on Celebrity Beyond (and its sister ships) is Eden Restaurant. This is a gourmet restaurant in the Eden complex at the aft of the ship with a wonderful view of sunsets and the sea, gourmet food, and extraordinary service. It is recommended to book places in advance (before the cruise).
Luminae at The Retreat
For guests of the suites in the Retreat complex, there is a high-quality, pampering restaurant intended only for them (and included in the cruise price) called Luminae. The restaurant is located at the front of the ship with a panoramic view from floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The restaurant features exclusive menus prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, including dishes designed by Chef Daniel Boulud.
Blu Restaurant
This is a high-quality restaurant intended only for AquaClass guests with dishes focused on particularly healthy food and accompanied by a list of special wines matched to these dishes.
Raw on 5
A Japanese restaurant with sushi dishes and seafood dishes.
An Asian chef restaurant, specializing in sushi and seafood with a diverse gourmet menu that also includes plenty of hot dishes and soups.
Mast Grill
On the deck, there is also the Mast Grill for those who like grilled meat with sides of fries, etc.
Health and Sport
Gym
After eating so well (and so much...), it is recommended to do some sports. For this purpose, there is a large gym on floor 15 at the bow, where you can choose whatever machine suits you and watch the sea view while exercising.
Walking/Running Track
In pleasant weather, you can also walk or run on the deck.
In all cruise ships, there are walking tracks. On the new mega-ships, the tracks are particularly long, on small ones they are much shorter; it is always written how many laps make a mile (or kilometer).
On Celebrity Beyond (and its sisters), the walking track is much more exciting. It's not just a circular loop but twists, goes up, goes down, changes floors, and all with a wonderful view of the sea on one side and gardens and pools on the other. The railing surrounding the entire track is transparent, allowing for a 360-degree view. Surrounded by dozens of lounge chairs, sofas, and armchairs, you can take a break and continue walking and admiring the beautiful and designed ship.
Spa Complex
On floor 14, the spa complex is located (for an additional fee) where you can get massages, and there is a beauty salon for various beauty treatments, a hair salon, and more.
Medical Center
On every ship, including here, there is a medical center (on floor 2 at the front of the ship) and medical staff with advanced medical equipment for emergency treatments and first aid. In more severe cases, the ship refers for medical treatment at the port. If it happens in the middle of the sea and urgent treatment is needed, a helicopter is called for evacuation.
Celebrity Ship Crew
The ones who are actually responsible for the enjoyment and pampering you will feel from the moment you board the ship are its wonderful crew! They do everything to make you satisfied with your stay on the ship, from the cabin stewards to the waiters, cooks, and entertainment staff.
The ship has about 1,400 crew members, ranging from the team operating the various ship systems: sailors, mechanics, electricians, engineers of various types, to a very large number of people meant to operate this giant hotel, among them many kitchen workers, restaurant and dining room workers, stewards, entertainment crew, and more.
Over all of them is the captain, and on the voyage I was on, there was a very funny and friendly captain about whom I will elaborate a bit.
The Captain
I have sailed on many cruises with almost all the major cruise lines, but a captain as cute and funny as the Greek Captain Dimitrios Tasos, I have yet to meet. He should also be a stand-up comedian and not just a captain. His presence was felt every day.
He replaced the ship's regular captain, Captain Kate McCue: the first American female captain of cruise ships, very popular with many followers on Instagram and TikTok. Her husband sails as a mechanic in another company, and she sails with her cat, who alone has 65,000 followers on Instagram...
But in my opinion, what is truly important is that Celebrity is a groundbreaking company in terms of integrating women into cruises, in every role, including the most senior positions.
Behind the Scenes Tour
Do you want to know more deeply what happens behind the scenes of the ship in the kitchen, on the bridge, in the engine room, in the laundry, and in the theatre? For this purpose, most cruise ships have "behind the scenes tours." These tours are not cheap (costing over a hundred dollars per person), but they are fascinating and allow access to places on the ship where entry is usually prohibited. The tours are usually held in small groups on sea days (when there is no port) and last about 2-3 hours.
On Celebrity Beyond, the tour included a visit to the main kitchen, recycling rooms, warehouses, the workers' central corridor, the laundry, the engine room, and the bridge, with a glimpse of other places along the way.
A fascinating tour that teaches a lot, both about the ship and its facilities, how much they try to protect the environment, and also shows how the workers live on the ship, in what conditions, and how hard they work and how dedicated they are.
