Cruise Critic will be on Celebrity Beyond - what do you want to know?

[little miss chatterbox]

6 hours ago, zitsky said:

Where did you hear this?

I “thought”   someone had mentioned it on a you tube video……..but since then i cannot find said video. 

[mgaryelvis]

We are scheduled on the inaugural cruise and have not been able to check-in online - only get an error message. And have been unable to get a response from Celebrity about this. Please let us know about check-in at the pier since that seems to be our only option. Thank you. 

[zitsky]

You are checking in online through website or app?  How are you contacting Celebrity?  Email? Telephone?

[HMR74]

Another Request:

 

could you take some pics of the inside of Luminae and Blu specifically for table spacing?

 

Those dining rooms are larger, and so are the number of cabins in each category.

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Hi! I boarded today and wow, a lot of good questions already. I'll do my best! 

 

The biggest difference that most of you know about Beyond, compared to Edge and Alex, is that it's bigger. There are 179 new rooms, including 22 new suites. Double occupancy is 3,360. 

 

There are 2,000 on our current sailing, which is the first of 2 media/TA trips - one for Uk and one for US. 

 

The ship and spaces do feel larger. You notice it most at the Resort Pool Deck, the Retreat, the Rooftop Garden and the Sunset Bar. I'll break some of this down with photos. 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

The Resort Pool is the same size as before. But there is more seating and space added to the bar surrounding the pool. This was all designed by Kelly Hoppen and looks very stylish. Notice the sunken seating areas. 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

There are now 8 cabanas surrounding the Resort Pool. They face inward toward the pool now as opposed to outward. This is a good change, I think - if you're going to pay that money, you want a show! We were told it's $499 to rent - with that, you get the food service and a bottle or premium Champagne or liquor. 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

The Retreat also got a big size bump. It's nearly twice as big, and the sun deck spans two decks. They took away a sheltered outdoor alcove to make the interior Retreat Lounge larger. Another nice change - Luminae is larger and at the front of the ship; there's also a direct entrance to the restaurant from the Retreat sundeck. It makes the space feel more like a "ship within a ship" than it did on the previous ships. 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

The Rooftop Garden is bigger and also has two cantilevered plunge pools on either side, with seating. The entire area has better wind and sun guards too. 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

The Sunset Bar has also been expanded and redesigned by Nate Berkus. It's more Moroccan now, and has a lot more seating - twice as big, i was told. The bar is also covered and seems more atmospheric. Besides drinks, you can order small bites here for a fee. 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

The Oceanview buffet is larger and has two additional food islands. There is also a new bar near the pizza counter that seemed pretty popular already! 

 

I ate lunch here. The food was ok - not the worst but not the best. Crew are still serving passengers in the buffet and i was told there are no changes in the works for this. 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

I'm in an infinite veranda, concierge class. I'm not a fan of the closets right near the bed. I'm solo on these first two days but when my friend gets here Monday, this will be an issue. I do like the balconies being closed off though - gives the room more space in cooler climates (like right now in the UK) 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Change in the Grand Piazza - the Martini Bar and chandelier is set to the side of the room rather than at one end. makes the space more open. The Chandelier has 3 "shows" -- and of course the bartenders are still the star attraction. 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

On 4/20/2022 at 8:27 PM, kwokpot said:

I'm curious if there are any changes to the spa. The Spas are identical on the Edge and Apex,so it would interesting if any enhancements were made.

I REALLY wish they would utilize the outside forward deck at the spa. It's such a wonderful space but it's terribly wasted on both the Edge and Apex since there's no seating, no nothing except for a few sculptures.

 

The spa is a bit larger - 26 treatment rooms - and there are some new treatments. But that space is still wasted in front of the spa. No thalassotherapy pool either. 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

On 4/21/2022 at 1:04 PM, Maggie North said:

Good morning! I am interested in the length of the walking track. I saw on the new diagrams that the walking track now winds behind the movie screen in the Rooftop Garden. On the Edge and Apex, it winds between the Rooftop Garden kitchen and restaurant (4.5 laps = 1 mile approximately).  I saw that the Beyond is 'stretched', so the distance may be made up in the longer legs on other parts of the ship. Just curious!!

We are big fans of Edge class ships as well; just had to get used to no forward facing lounge for non-suite guests.  LOVE the infinite verandas as well!

Enjoy your cruises and thanks in advance for all the info!

 

Fitness track length 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

On 4/21/2022 at 7:51 PM, zitsky said:

Is the Daniel Boulud restaurant open on the Beyond?  I read the capacity is 50 pax so I imagine it's hard to get a reservation?

 

We had a pretty "interesting" Goop discussion.  I read about Gwenyth Paltrow possibly being on a Beyond cruise?  I read about 4/27 but is it confirmed that she will be on board?

 

Le Voyage is open! I am trying it tomorrow. Right now menu is all a carte but they will be adding a chef tasting menu. 

 

Space is gorgeous but you are right - only 50 seats so if you want to book here, do it right away. 

 

Price is $75 pp for a meal with appetizer, entree and dessert and $125 pp for a tasting menu. You can add wines for an additional fee. 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

On 4/21/2022 at 8:24 PM, THeidger said:

Can you let us know if they’ll be administering tests before boarding. We’ll be arriving in Barcelona on 10/20 and TA cruise IS ON 10/12. My results from FL will be 72 hours old so I’m not sure they’ll accept them although a lot can change by October. So excited you’re going to sail on this beautiful new ship! Enjoy! 

 

I had to take a test 48 hours before but not one at the pier. I brought one of those BINAX proctored tests by emed with me to the UK and did it over WiFi - worked great! only 10 minutes from car to ship! 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Some new rolls at Raw on 5. I did not ask how many pieces were in each and ended up with WAY too much food. Pro tip: you can ask for a half roll if you want! drink is a ginger saketini 

 

[HMR74]

IMHO

Beyond is the adult version of Oasis Class.

 

Grandkids love Oasis Class, and Grandparent slike to see them happy.

They woudld not be happy on Beyond, but parents would be.

Edited April 23, 2022 by HMR74

[Mcgeneseo]

Fabulous photos, thank you. Are there cabanas for rent in the retreat area?

[Mcgeneseo]

And what are the "secret areas" on deck four and five? Deck plans that were released show "To be revealed" without any details.  Thanks!

[vered4]

On 4/20/2022 at 6:06 AM, Cruise Critic Chris said:

Hi all! 

 

I will be boarding the new Celebrity Beyond in Southampton Saturday for two "mini cruises" for the press. In total, I'm onboard for four nights. 

 

Drop me your questions and I'll try to find answers while onboard! Looking forward to this one. I'm a big fan of Edge class. 

 

Chris 

I am very interested to know if they are putting large round tables on the balconies of the SkySuites?  So many people commented that Edge and Apex have tiny little low-down round tables.  Makes it hard to order room service in our suite!!  Thanks!

 

[HMR74]

Does the Ocean view bar extend outside?

Twas my favorite place to hang out on S Class.

[Cruise Critic Chris]

1 hour ago, Mcgeneseo said:

Fabulous photos, thank you. Are there cabanas for rent in the retreat area?

 

No cabanas in the Retreat. You wouldn't need it. The space is quite large - you will find a good place to sit and sun. 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Someone asked about cocktails. There's a new craft cocktail bar called World Class. It's tucked up on Deck 5, not far from Raw on 5. You can hear the energy of the Grand Atrium but it's a bit more intimate. Menu and cocktails: