2 new cruises: Celebrity Beyond & Disney Wish
The unveiling of a pair of new luxury ships shows that cruise lines have not stood still during the lockdowns and hopes are high for a return to increasingly unusual travel
Celebrities over
Arriving in Southampton on 27 April 2022 for maiden voyage to Western Europe as series of Mediterranean voyages
Celebrity Cruises specializes in beautifully understated ships, and this is the largest to date, retaining the style of its predecessors Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex, but stretched lengthwise and upwards to create an even slimmer ship – the work of the British architect Tom Wright, known from the Gulf. – like the splendor of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. That means more decks (17), 179 additional suites and staterooms, and a total of 3,260 guests.
There’s no better place to enjoy a drink on a sailboat than the reborn Sunset Bar at the back of the ship, now almost twice as large thanks to Casablanca’s atmosphere and terraces.
The luxury is accentuated by two-story villas with plunge pools, and The Retreat, a luxury resort area, will have a two-story sundeck.
Renowned British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE is responsible for much of the look, not least the Resort Deck, which turns heads to the side: stilts run either side, there’s a 25-metre plunge pool and towering hot tubs, martini whirlpool glass. .
Hoppen’s innovative Rooftop Garden with real greenery has been extended and has swimming pools that extend beyond the edge of the ship. Also beyond the rim is the Magic Carpet, a tennis court-sized cantilevered platform that slides up and down the side and doubles as an open-air lounge and restaurant.
The greatest designers are given access to the open space of Grand Plaza: this time it is Jouin Manku, the French design team responsible for the grand Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower. The focal point is a round bar surmounted by a chandelier made up of hundreds of flashing LED lights.
Other big names? Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is Celebrity’s new wellness consultant, stocking Aqua Class rooms (sophisticated spa-connected rooms) with her Goop lifestyle products.
And Daniel Boulud, known for his two Michelin star restaurant Daniel in New York and restaurants all over the world, makes his first sea voyage with Le Voyage and his world cuisine.
Book: 10-night Western European maiden voyage, departing Southampton on 27 April 2022, from £1,889 with the new Celebrity Always Inclusive package including drinks, WiFi and tips (celebritycruises.co.uk)
Disney’s wish
Arrive in Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 9, 2022 for Bahamas cruises
This is Disney Cruise Line’s first new ship in nearly 10 years and the first of three ships to be built by 2025. It is also Disney’s largest ship, holding only 4,000 guests, along with the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
Disney has long been known for combining classic family fun with elegant adult entertainment, but here they take it a step further with the first “attraction” at sea.
There have been water parks before, but that means lights, music and action with AquaMouse, a wild Mickey Mouse water ride above the top deck that winds its way 230 meters amid special effects, animated cutscenes and more. It’s part of a big new Mickey and Friends theme, with six pools on top of each other.
There is also a new Toy Story area for kids and teens with a kiddie pool, paddling pool, family waterslide and smoothie bar.
The third section of the ship is reserved for adults… Quiet Cove, an updated version of Disney cruises with an infinity pool, poolside bar and trendy café.
For adults with an adventure at heart, Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge is also new: a posh adults-only nightclub that resembles a “bar on a yacht-class starship.” In the intro, a Disney executive promised it would be an “amazing experience”!
The world of food is also new. Arendelle is a restaurant based on the animated movie Frozen with live performances. Worlds of Marvel is “the world’s first Marvel cinematic culinary adventure,” in which guests take an interactive role in an Avengers mission that unfolds around them. Chef Arnaud Lallement’s Enchanté is Arnaud Lallement’s French refinement, awarded three Michelin stars.
Youngsters get to finish their meal at another new attraction, the Marvel Super Hero Academy, alongside real costumed characters.
And like other Disney ships, there are kids’ clubs for ages 3 to 14, dining services for ages 14 to 17, and a six-month babysitting service.
Most staterooms (70 percent) have balconies and a large number of hatches, which are also getting bigger and better – not least the first deck staterooms, which have majestic views of the bow through floor-to-ceiling windows. Two-story suites with spiral staircases.