Celebrity Edge held a splashy launch party. Then Cruise Critic named it best new ship
Less than 24 hours after the christening ceremony for Celebrity Cruises’ new ship Edge, it was honored as the year’s best new vessel in the annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards.
Cruise Critic called Edge “one of the most innovative ships we’ve seen in years,” saying it “has revolutionized spaces on board — from a roving deck to infinite verandas — and features such as a rooftop garden, nearly a dozen complimentary restaurants and a state-of-the-art theater.”
The award was icing for Celebrity Cruises, which brought together more than 3,000 passengers, employees and crew members for the christening and naming event Tuesday. It is Celebrity’s first new ship in six years.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, the ship’s godmother asked for a blessing for “the ship and all who sail upon her.”
Yousafzai, a student at Oxford University, is the co-founder of the Malala Fund, which supports education for girls and young women. At 15, Yousafzai survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, who targeted her because of her public stance on education for females.
The christening event also featured recording artist Andra Day, who sang her Grammy-nominated single “Rise Up” and Oscar-nominated single “Stand Up for Something.” Both anthems were chosen to reflect the theme of advancing education for girls.
If you want to get in on the Edge’s inaugural sailings, there are still cabins available for a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. It departs Dec. 16 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inside cabin prices start at $1,149 per person, plus port fees and taxes.
In addition to honoring Edge, CruiseCritic.com named Disney Cruise Line as best for families for the third year, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection as the best river cruise collection, and Seabourn Cruise Line as the best luxury liner.
Other highlights include a nod to Princess Cruises, which scored for best itineraries for the second year in a row, and awards for best shore excursions and best cabins.
Holland America received the best value for money award and was lauded for a wide variety of programs onboard including dining options guided by a Culinary Council.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, was named best North American homeport after a record-breaking year for the island’s cruise traffic.
Info: Celebrity Cruises, (888) 751-7804
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