Celebrity Cruises has released the first images from inside the Celebrity Edge which is currently under construction in France. With just about three months left before she welcomes her first passengers, workers are putting the final touches on the ship’s interior and from this sneak peek, the interior is stunning!
The “heart and soul” of the ship, The Grand Plaza, is designed to invoke the glitz and glamor of transatlantic travel when passengers dressed to the nines and danced the night away under the stars in spectacular ballrooms. The Grand Plaza is designed to be a social place on Edge, where passengers can gather to meet, drink and dine – and of course, take in the beauty that surrounds them.
Spanning three stories, the centerpiece of The Grand Plaza is a chandelier that rises over the Martini Bar to the ceiling three decks above. Composed of five levels of 765 blades illuminated by dynamic LED strips that change color from day to night, The Chandelier weighs in at seven tons.
Designed after the grand piazzas of Italy, The Grand Plaza is home to many of the ship’s specialty restaurants including Raw on 5 and Fine Cut Steakhouse on Deck 5; Le Grand Bistro and Café al Bacio on Deck 4; and the new Grand Plaza Café on Deck 3.
Complete with authentic welders’ touches, architects’ markings and engineers’ notes, the exposed corridor uncovers the bare hull of the ship leading to and from The Grand Plaza and the main dining rooms. The space transforms depending on the direction a guest is walking, like a life-sized lenticular wall. One way, guests will see the unadorned beauty of the ship’s steel bones, while heading in the other direction guests will see a sleek, modern design that starkly contrasts the alternate view.
Edge, Grand Plaza Café is perfect for a quick, satisfying savory or sweet snack on the go, either before or after guests venture ashore. In the morning, it offers a variety of freshly baked pastries, from almond, Nutella, and chocolate croissants to a revolving selection of Danish pastries, turnovers, and more. Later, guests can stop by for an afternoon pick-me-up of mini sandwiches, such as the Roasted Turkey and Cranberry Ciabatta, with free-range turkey, Vermont cheddar, and fresh walnut bread, and the Curry Grilled Chicken Wrap, featuring mango salsa and shaved romaine.
always an attention-getter on any of the brand’s ships – is now the focal point of The Grand Plaza on Celebrity Edge. The Chandelier, a breathtaking chandelier-meets-art installation, immediately draws one’s eye from anywhere in the space. Below its atmospheric glow, the bar curves gracefully around to invite conversation and interaction with Celebrity’s talented flair bartenders who’ll impress guests with their gravity-defying skills. Guests can choose from a wide variety of tantalizing libations, including the brand’s Bella Cera, which blends Chameleon cachaça, Bombay Sapphire gin, lime juice, Angostura bitters, and ginger beer; or try the Marmalade Smash, which fuses Bulleit bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, orange marmalade, and fresh ginger.
The Grand Plaza was designed by renowned designers, Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku of Jouin Manku Studio. “When we were asked to work on The Grand Plaza, one of our biggest inspirations were people in the shipyard who were able to manipulate steel as if it were plastic. Their awe-inspiring craftsmanship inspired us and had us asking ourselves ‘How can we show the bones of the ship?’ Because the bones are so beautiful, you don’t need to put a cover on them.” Sanjit Manku, Partner, Jouin Manku.
To learn more about Celebrity Edge and the transformative spaces touched by Jouin Manku, visit www.celebritycruises.com/edge/onboard-experiences/the-grand-plaza.