This is our first time cruising with Celebrity, and I chose the 13-night Christmas and New Year Cruise to New Zealand primarily because I wanted to experience the Sounds. Something about it just felt right, especially since it’s a Christmas cruise—my instinct told me that there would be fewer disruptions and a smoother sailing experience during this time of year.
The ship departs from Sydney, and I have to say, cruising out of Sydney Harbour was an unforgettable experience. The iconic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House were simply stunning. The scenery was absolutely fabulous.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” — Saint Augustine
We had an early check-in through the Concierge Class, which also gave us access to a welcome lunch in the main dining area. However, we opted not to try it because we absolutely loved Deck 14, Ocean Cafe. It’s a buffet, and our kids enjoyed it so much that we didn’t feel the need to explore other dining options.
Is Celebrity Edge for a young family?
Many people claim that the Celebrity Edge isn’t ideal for young families (I think those who say that just don’t want to share this beautiful ship with anyone 🤭). Honestly, though, it depends on your family’s needs. For us, our kids are no longer toddlers—Claire is almost a teenager, and Charlie is more than happy with his Xbox. They’re both fairly easy-going and don’t require constant entertainment. Most of their time was spent on Deck 14, enjoying the food and the pool. I did bring a Nintendo Switch just in case, but they barely touched it. Overall, they had a great time. They didn’t participate in Camp at Sea, so I can’t speak to that, but from what I saw, it offers a lot of fun activities.
The Infinite Veranda Stateroom
We stayed in an Infinite Veranda Stateroom, which has received mixed reviews, but personally, I didn’t mind it at all. I don’t have many photos of the room (not sure why), but you can easily find reviews and images online for a better idea of what to expect. With the Concierge Class benefits, we received a welcome bottle of sparkling wine and daily canapés delivered to our room in the afternoon. If you want a kettle, make sure to ask your room attendant. Ladies—don’t bother packing a Dyson Airwrap, as it doesn’t work on this ship. I made the mistake of bringing mine, thinking it would work because it did on Quantum of the Seas, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work on this ship. I bought my Dyson in Australia, so it could be a voltage issue, though I’m not sure.
Our room was cleaned twice a day, but for most of the trip, we only had it cleaned once due to our laziness. On sea days, we preferred to take it slow, so I’d tell our room attendant not to bother with cleaning—just new towels and emptying the bin would do. Still, she managed to clean our room every day. The bed, mattress, bed sheets, and pillows were definitely better than those on Royal Caribbean—no complaints!
Shopping
If you have deep pockets, go for it—but we don’t 😆. My husband bought me a handmade bag as a gift, which I’ve never seen anywhere else. Other than that, everything was overpriced, as expected. We learned that if you wait until the end of the cruise, they'll often offer deals or good discounts. Personally, I enjoyed shopping on Quantum of the Seas more than on Celebrity Edge. As for second-hand brand-name items, it’s better to buy new ones from the shop.
Coffee
Hahaha, the coffee wasn’t great. We tried their paid espresso coffee—it was alright. I don’t complain much since I can get a decent cup at port for a better price.
Food
Christmas and New Year were a real treat for all passengers. Oh my goodness, Charlie even told me, "This should be in the museum!" 😂 He’s funny. The way they displayed the food on Christmas Day blew my mind. The beautiful cakes, turkey... There were so many choices that I lost count! Honestly, I’m not doing Christmas on land anymore. This trip spoiled me! I didn’t have to think or plan anything—just wake up, get dressed, and show up. Lol, we didn’t even bother stepping on the scale after this trip because we ate so much food! We also tried Le Petit Chef and the Findcut Steakhouse, but I’ll save that review for another post—this one’s getting long!
Grand Plaza
I wasn’t a fan of the Grand Plaza. It didn’t feel as grand as I expected. Honestly, if it’s your first cruise, try a mid-size ship first—don’t go straight to a big ship like Quantum of the Seas. The photos online don’t quite match up with the real experience. Also, Eden on Deck 5 was a bit tricky to find. You have to walk through a dimly lit tunnel (I’m not sure what it’s called), which could be challenging if you're tipsy and trying to find your way back to your room. Add in the ship’s rocking, and it’s even more of an adventure! Smoking Area
Deck 5 near Eden
Deck 14, take the stairs near the pool bar
Deck 15 near the Sunset Bar
Crew and ServiceWe found the crew on this ship to be less friendly than on Quantum of the Seas, but it could be due to the difference in passenger types. Don’t get me wrong, they were still nice and helpful, but not as fun and entertaining as the crew on Quantum. The vibe on this ship was much more relaxed and quiet, so I think the crew was giving passengers more space and not wanting to interrupt too much. However, I do think they need more staff. Some crew members were working really long hours—one crew member, who made us coffee martinis (you have to try them!), worked from 5 AM to 9 PM! So, be patient and kind to the crew; they work hard.
There were two room attendants near our room, and I’d always see them working from early morning to night. I jokingly asked them, “Don’t you take a break? Did you eat?” They’d always smile and say, “Yes, I’ll remember that!” Our little conversation happened every time I passed by, and it was nice to get familiar with the staff after spending two weeks on the ship.
Programs and ShowsBefore each day, Kelsie and Steve would go over the highlights, plans, ports, etc. I thought they were pre-recorded or just replayed until one day I walked by and saw them actually recording the show. Oh, so they’re really on the ship! Hahaha.
Getting Lost on the ShipWe got lost on the first day while exploring the ship: First lost: We were trying to find the Rooftop Garden on Deck 15. We took the elevator to Deck 15, but the area was blocked off for Suite and Retreat guests. After scratching our heads, we came down to Deck 14, took the stairs, and finally found it. But then we couldn’t figure out how to get back down to Deck 14! Imagine a family of four walking endlessly, like a bunch of lost ducks. Oh my goodness, we were hopeless with directions! Second lost: We tried to find the kids’ club on Deck 3. We took the elevator up, walked around, and couldn’t find it. It said “mid-ship,” so we asked a crew member, who told us we had to go to Deck 4 to access it. It was all a bit confusing, but we figured it out in the end!
Around Day 9 or Day 10, a lady asked me where the Retreat was. I told her it was on Deck 15, but she said the staff told her it was on Deck 14. I was confused, but when I saw her asking another passenger, he confirmed that it was on Deck 15, too. I hope she found it!
Overall, we absolutely loved it! I’m not even sure why—hahaha. I think it’s because the experience wasn’t too overwhelming. We had plenty of time to enjoy together as a family, yet still had space for our own moments. I’d definitely love to return to Celebrity Edge again. 😊
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Comments
Robert (Inglés) McKay
May 4, 2025, 8:25 amNadia happened upon your blog and pleasant surprise it was. You have a talent for travel writing…all well written and informative! Agree NZ is impressive. Have not seen from the deck of a big ship, but traversed a number of the ‘Great Walks’ including the Milford. The mountains you described distant on the sound seem much like the fyords of Norway. Again loved reading your well-done blog!