Celebrity Beyond begins inaugural U.S. season in New York

Against the backdrop of Lady Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline, Celebrity Beyond celebrated its arrival in the New York region on Tuesday (Oct. 25), marking her North American debut.

The latest in Celebrity’s Edge Series, Celebrity Beyond will officially set sail on its inaugural U.S. season from the Port of Bayonne on Oct. 26.

Celebrity Beyond and her crew of over 1,400, sailed into port at Cape Liberty, Bayonne with Captain Kate McCue, the first and only American female cruise ship captain, on the Bridge, along with Captain Dimitris Kafetzis, who had the honour of completing the ship’s transatlantic crossing.

Following a series of European sailings earlier this summer, the ship now embarks for the first time from U.S shores on a variety of Caribbean itineraries, where guests will visit the picturesque islands of St. Thomas, St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Grand Caymans and more.

READ MORE: "Forward-thinking design": Celebrity unveils longer & taller ship Celebrity Beyond

“Today marks the start of a game-changing couple of weeks for our brand. Our newest, most awe-inspiring and expectation-defying ship, Celebrity Beyond, is making her North American debut in the Big Apple today; and next week we will officially name her with the amazing Simone Biles as the ship’s godmother,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, yesterday.

“This ship is at the forefront of travel innovation - it’s a luxury resort, spa resort and culinary haven combined into one exceptional ‘Journey WonderFULL.’ There has never been a better time to journey to the world’s best places on one of the world’s best places.”

Size is a key differentiator

Celebrity Beyond will stand out in different ways from sister ships Celebrity Edge, launched in 2018, and Celebrity Apex. 

Size is a key differentiator: Beyond is both longer and taller than its predecessors and many spaces have been redesigned. It includes 179 more cabins and the main open deck is 40 per cent larger. 

Celebrity Beyond showcases the design talents of British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE; American designer Nate Berkus; and Paris-based design firm Jouin Manku; the innovation of British architect Tom Wright; the culinary talents of Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud; and experiences and products from goop CEO and founder Gwyneth Paltrow, the brand’s Well-Being Advisor. 

Beyond will feature 30 distinct restaurants, bars and lounges, including a redesigned, multi-level Sunset Bar plus Le Voyage from Chef Boulud (his first ever restaurant at sea!).

Architect Tom Wright and team also lengthened the ship by 20 meters and raised it to 17 decks tall, allowing for reimaginations of The Retreat, the Resort Deck, and the Rooftop Garden. 

For a breakdown of the ship’s features, click here.

Celebrity Beyond departs on her inaugural U.S. voyage on Oct. 26 from New York for a 9- night Southern Caribbean cruise visiting Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda; Willemstad, Curacao; and Oranjestad, Aruba before docking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

She will then offer a variety of Caribbean journeys including seven-night Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten itineraries and seven-night Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman itineraries. Voyages are now on sale.

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