CELEBRITY CRUISES FIRST-EVER EDGE SERIES ALASKA ITINERARIES SET SAIL

Rhea-AI Summary

Celebrity Cruises has introduced the Celebrity Edge to Alaska for the first time, offering unique seven-night itineraries starting May 2024. The ship features an outward-facing design for immersive experiences. From Seattle and Vancouver, it will visit key Alaskan destinations like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Highlights include the Magic Carpet, Edge Villas, and a wide range of dining options. Additionally, Celebrity’s sustainable initiatives in Alaska support local communities and businesses, such as the Ketchikan Salmon Walk and partnerships with local retailers through Voyij.com.

Positive

• Celebrity Edge's inaugural Alaska season begins in May 2024, increasing travel options.
• The Magic Carpet and Infinite Veranda enhance guest experiences with cutting-edge design.
• New itineraries include key Alaskan destinations: Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and the Inside Passage.
• The Retreat offers exclusive amenities for suite guests, improving luxury travel offerings.
• Celebrity Edge features 29 dining options, including menus by a Michelin-star chef.
• The Ketchikan Salmon Walk and Voyij.com partnerships support local businesses and economies.
• Sustainability initiatives like the Sitka Sound Science Center program benefit local communities.
• Celebrity Cruises' dedication to local sourcing enhances authenticity and guest experiences.

Negative

• Potential high costs of the new luxury offerings may limit accessibility for some travelers.
• The Alaska itineraries are seasonal, potentially affecting year-round revenue consistency.
• Dependence on local partnerships might be vulnerable to regional economic disruptions.

Celebrity Cruises elevates bucket list experiences on Celebrity Edge whilst energizing communities with impact projects in Alaska

MIAMI, May 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time ever, Celebrity Edge®, the ship that introduced the revolutionary outward-facing design, calls Alaska home for the summer. Today, Celebrity Edge will embark on her maiden sailing roundtrip from Seattle on a seven-night Dawes Glacier itinerary with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Through its unique outward facing design, Celebrity Edge will offer guests an unmatched immersive experience as they take in the awe-inspiring Alaskan glaciers.

"There's no better way to see the pristine Alaskan wilderness than onboard Celebrity Edge, which was specifically designed to create a closer connection between guests and destinations," said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises. "Our elevated vacation options are redefining travel, especially in this region."

From May through September 2024, guests can indulge in the breathtaking views of Alaska from the comfort of an Edge Series ship. The iconic Magic Carpet® – the world's first cantilevered, floating platform, at sea – sits on the edge of the ship, creating a new way to dine, drink and connect with the destination, or watch for whales and eagles as you wake up in one of the Infinite Veranda® staterooms as the boundaries between inside and outside are erased.

Celebrity Edge will sail roundtrip from Seattle and one-way between Vancouver to Seattle on six- and seven-night journeys. Itineraries include visits to the region's top spots, with experiences in Ketchikan also known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," the Endicott Arm to spot the local wildlife including brown bears, bald eagles, sea ducks, deer, moose, and wolves, Alaska's capital Juneau and Skagway before heading to Victoria through the Inside Passage and then returning to Seattle.

Some of the features guests of Celebrity Edge can indulge in include:

• Transformational accommodations, from modern two-story Edge Villas with plunge pools to staterooms with Infinite Verandas. Blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, the Infinite Veranda takes you right to the water's edge, giving guests open air access to the sea with the touch of a button.
• The Retreat, exclusive to all suite guests, with its private restaurant, and exclusive lounge and sundeck. In addition, a dedicated team of butlers, attendants, and concierges on-hand 24/7, ensures everything is taken care of while on vacation.
• An unrivalled culinary repertoire of 29 distinct restaurants, bars, and lounges connecting guests to the destinations they will visit like never before. Globally inspired menus crafted by a Michelin-star chef bring the flavors of the world straight to the plate, providing an epicurean journey unmatched at sea.
• Unique spaces unlike anything else at sea, including The Magic Carpet - the world's first cantilevered, floating platform, soaring above the sea - and Eden - three levels of sensory experiences wrapped in glass, both offer a mix of culinary and entertainment options with panoramic views.
• Multi-use, transformative spaces to gather, such as The Grand Plaza offering a majestic, open, three-story venue inspired by the piazzas of Italy and housing incredible specialty restaurants, the popular Martini Bar, Cafe al Bacio, and the new Grand Plaza Cafe.

Celebrity's award-winning ships, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Summit® and Celebrity Solstice®, will offer 57 sailings and an array of six- to seven-night itineraries from May to September 2024.

Community Impact

Celebrity Cruises, as part of Royal Caribbean Group, engages port communities across Alaska through its Sea the Future commitment to sustain the planet, energize communities and accelerate innovation while delivering the best vacations responsibly.  Key initiatives include:

• Grand Opening - Ketchikan Salmon Walk: In partnership with the Tongass Historical Museum, the Ketchikan Salmon Walk recently opened this summer, offering vacationers a unique opportunity to delve into the tale of the salmon migration and life cycle in Ketchikan Creek. The nearly two-mile walk is equipped with upgraded lighting and pavement, as well as engaging placards with art by renowned artists like Ray Troll, Nathan Jackson and Marvin Oliver.  
• A taste of Alaska through local sourcing: Committed to fostering relationships with Alaska businesses, guests are offered access to a variety of Alaska-owned products, retailers, excursions, and experiences. Established partnerships with Skagway Spirits, Seafood Producers Cooperative and Alaska Specialty Seafood, sourcing fresh seafood and other local items across its brands. These local partnerships highlight the group's dedication to connecting with local cultures and supporting economic vibrancy while creating an authentic Alaska experience for guests.
• Renewed Commitment - Sitka Sound Science Center: The Sitka Sound Science Center's Scientists in the Schools (SIS) program enables local scientists to partner with students in K-12 classrooms to explore science and ecosystems. This initiative aims to foster a passion and appreciation for science and nature among Sitka's youth while creating a meaningful educational experience. The program incorporates classroom visits from scientists into the curriculum at each grade level in Sitka schools, creating a pipeline of scientific experiences during the entire academic career of Sitka's K-12 students. The program benefited 960 students from nine schools last year with the support of the cruise company.
• "Locals Onboard" – Voyij.com Partnership: Over the past three cruising seasons, the partnership with Skagway-based Voyij.com has driven more than $1 million in sales to local businesses in Alaska. The two teamed up in 2021 to help connect ship guests to the online marketplace where Alaska businesses, retailers and artists sell their crafts. More than 250 small businesses and artists across more than 45 communities from all regions of the state are listed on Voyij.com.   

For more information and to book a sailing with Celebrity Cruises, visit www.celebrity.com, contact a trusted travel advisor, or call Celebrity Cruises on 1-800-CELEBRITY. 

About Celebrity Cruises:

Celebrity Cruises delivers an elevated premium vacation experience across their fleet of ships traveling to nearly 300 destinations across more than 70 countries spanning all seven continents. Uniquely offering the intimate feel and thoughtful service of small ships, with the variety and excitement of bigger ones – guests can explore the world or get away from it for a little while. With every detail elevated beyond expectations, guests will never want to vacation any other way. An industry pioneer for 35 years, each Celebrity vacation offers experiences you won't find anywhere else aboard ships which continue to shatter industry expectations with the highly anticipated Celebrity Xcel arriving Fall 2025.

Celebrity Cruises is headquartered in Miami and is one of five cruise brands owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). Visit www.celebritycruises.com for more information, and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

 

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SOURCE Celebrity Cruises

FAQ

What are the dates for Celebrity Edge's Alaska itineraries?

Celebrity Edge will operate Alaska itineraries from May through September 2024.

What destinations does Celebrity Edge visit in Alaska?

Celebrity Edge's Alaska itineraries include stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and the Inside Passage.

What is the Magic Carpet on Celebrity Edge?

The Magic Carpet is the world's first cantilevered, floating platform at sea, offering dining, drinking, and viewing experiences.

How does Celebrity Edge support local communities in Alaska?

Celebrity Edge supports local communities through initiatives like the Ketchikan Salmon Walk and partnerships with local retailers via Voyij.com.

What unique features does Celebrity Edge offer for suite guests?

Suite guests on Celebrity Edge can enjoy The Retreat, which includes a private restaurant, lounge, sundeck, and 24/7 concierge service.

What is the Infinite Veranda on Celebrity Edge?

The Infinite Veranda is a feature that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, offering open-air access to the sea.