Celebrity Edge

Theater

Celebrity Edge's theater is one of the most high-tech spaces you'll find at sea. It has four stage areas, though three are hidden behind massive 120-foot-wide projection screens (with 18 state-of-the-art mapping laser projectors). The screens comprise several panels, which can be opened to reveal the stages behind them. These stage areas can be lowered and raised for dramatic effect and two feature spiral staircases. The main stage is "in the round" and juts out into the audience to blend the line between the performers and the audience. In the middle of the stage is a dual-direction platform that can be raised as high as 7 feet above the rest of the stage and custom-designed props help to round out each show.

Several production shows are on offer in a one-week cruise. One thing they have in common is loud contemporary music. You'll hear songs from everyone from Rihanna, Walk the Moon, Prince and Owl City to Bruno Mars, George Michael, Justin Timberlake and Shawn Mendes.

The Club

The Club does double duty as the ship's late-night disco and as the venue for some more intimate, high-energy shows.

Eden

We've never seen anything like Eden before, on land or sea, and we're willing to bet you haven't either. Design-wise, the space is based on the Fibonacci sequence, a mathematical equation that is found throughout the natural world and is best visualized in a snail's shell. Eden spirals up and down (just follow the figure-eight ramp way) through three decks at the back of the ship. An esoteric and overly intellectual concept to be sure, but what matters is that it translates to a stunning space filled with light and dark, living plants and an atmosphere that moves from playful during the day to more intimate at night.

Eden has several distinct spaces. On the bottom of the spiral is the Eden Restaurant; only those who pay to dine there visit this space. The middle is where most of the action takes place, both as a lounge and entertainment venue; it's also where the bar is. Additionally, Eden Cafe is on the middle level, and it serves as a gourmet deli during lunchtime. On the upper level and ramp way, you'll find lots of places to sit and chat.

Rooftop Garden

A third entertainment spot on the ship is the Rooftop Garden on Deck 15, a large outdoor park with lots of alcoves, bench seating and an overall pleasantly chill feel. There's real greenery and funky metallic tree sculptures, many of which have small round stages inside of them, for individual musicians to perch. During the day it's a nice place to relax or participate in garden games. At night, the space perks up with live music on the main stage or movies on the big screen.

Daily Fun

There is always a variety of activities to do during the day on Celebrity Edge, but a good majority of passengers prefer to just relax. There are lots of spots on the ship dedicated to relaxation, from the Solarium to the Rooftop Garden and even Eden during the day, when the vibe is chill.

You'll find the full list of activities in the Daily Planner, which is printed out each night and delivered to your stateroom. Early in the morning, the schedule is dominated by fitness and wellness, with options like group meditation and extra-fee fitness classes.

In the Rooftop Garden, you'll find garden games, like ring toss and Jenga, throughout the day, though there will usually be one or two hosted sessions, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

Other activities could include trivia, spa and shop seminars, hosted board games, iLounge computer classes and a funky laser maze experience in The Club. Also look for an activity called Table Maze, which essentially boils down an escape room experience into a tabletop group of puzzles that you have to solve in order to open up a series of trunks. If you like escape rooms, you'll love it.

At Night

Nighttime on Celebrity Edge is all about entertainment, whether in the theater, Eden, the Rooftop Garden or The Club.

You won't find too much live music at night, though there will usually be at least one live set on the stage at the Rooftop Garden, running opposite the second theater show. Before and after these shows, there's usually a movie shown up here.

You'll also find live music in the early evening at the Sunset Bar and in the Grand Plaza before and after dinner.

There's usually also a live band in The Club, generally at pre-show times to get everyone pumped up for the theater shows.

All that is not to say there's no music -- there's plenty of that -- it's just more likely to be provided by DJs or pumped out from speakers around the ship, adding to Edge's general contemporary vibe.

The Club usually turns into a disco around midnight. Music is typically house and loud; this is paired with digital imagery on the giant LED screen lining the back wall including selfies of people in The Club taken by crew members carrying a Hypno camera.

A popular spot at night is the Casino, located midship on Deck 4. It's pushed to the side of the main indoor promenade, in its own separate space, so you don't have to walk through it to get anywhere. There are a large number of slots on both side of the walls and gaming tables for craps, roulette, poker (three card and Texas Hold'em) and blackjack. There are regular tournaments that take place -- look out for them in your daily planner. The entire casino and next-door bar are nonsmoking.

Celebrity Edge Bars and Lounges

Destination Gateway (Deck 2): One of the most oddly placed bars we've ever come across, the Destination Gateway bar is located all the way down on Deck 2 in a corner of the waiting area for those getting on a tender boat (called "launches" by Celebrity Cruises). There's a full range of drinks available and you are welcome to carry your drink onto the Magic Carpet, before you get onto your launch, but drinks are not permitted on the launch boats themselves.

Martini Bar (Deck 3): A Celebrity staple, the Martini Bar on Edge sits underneath the giant chandelier in the Grand Plaza. The circular bar has loads of seating at small tables. Martinis are the drink here, and you'll find a lot of variety, with interesting options such as the must-try lavender lemon drop or the dill pickle. Skilled bartenders put on a show when they can, tossing bottles and pouring a mind-boggling number of martinis at once. They even step out from behind the bar to interact with the crowds. Not sure which drink to pick? Try a martini flight.

The bar heats up just before dinner. Stick around for the light show, when the chandelier moves in time to music, a fun choreographed experience that sees people stop in their tracks and pull out their cameras to record everything. Live music also takes place here, either at the white, baby grand piano or with roving saxophonists, guitar players or bands. The bar is open during the day, and passengers congregate here in part because of its great central location. It's a popular spillover area for Cafe al Bacio in the morning, when the nearby coffee bar is busiest.

Casino Bar (Deck 4): Unlike most casino bars, this is not deep in the middle of the Casino but in its own spot accessible from a walkway running past the Grand Plaza. It has more of the feel of a sports bar, with slots against one wall and games on the bar itself. There are barstools so you can sit up at the bar to watch TVs showing sports, as well high tables and chairs to sit down and have a drink. On Sundays during NFL season, it's an especially popular spot.

Eden Bar (Deck 5): The Eden Bar is part of the Eden complex, which includes a lounge area and a daytime grab-and-go deli. The bar is near the central stage, and it's a little small for the size of the room it is serving. During the day, this is a quiet spot when most people sit around having coffee, but at night it gets very crowded, with people two or three deep at the bar. The bar itself is ensconced by trailing plants and herbs, many of which end up in the specialty cocktails served there. There's plenty of seating in, around and above the bar in little alcoves and raised sections of the room, as well as outside.

Magic Carpet (Decks 2, 5, 14): While the Magic Carpet serves different purposes depending on where it's positioned on the ship, it always has one thing in common -- the bar is always open! Even when positioned on Deck 2 to help with the loading and unloading of launches, cruisers can stop to have a drink and relax in one of the comfy outdoor couches. At lunchtime on Deck 5 it's primarily an eatery, but at night when it's stationed there, it's mostly a lounge with drinks and light bites. One of the specialty drinks here is the Magic Carpet, which has Tito's vodka, vermouth, allspice dram, homemade grenadine and fresh grapefruit. In the late afternoon, the Magic Carpet shifts to Deck 14, where it serves drinks and a gorgeous view out over the ocean.

Prism Bar (Deck 14): The Prism Bar is the main pool bar.

Il Secondo Bacio (Deck 14): Located just inside the Oceanview cafe, this is a spot to grab a drink to go with your buffet meal. While you can order just about anything, it specializes in "sunrise" cocktails, including the Celebrity bloody mary, Julio's greyhound and Paris screwdriver. You can also get some zero-proof cocktails, as well as Vitamin Waters, Arizona ice teas and premium orange or grapefruit juices.

Sunset Bar (Deck 15): Located all the way at the back of the ship, the Sunset Bar is hopping before dinner. As in, good-luck-finding-a-seat busy. But if you're lucky enough to grab a seat, it's a brilliant spot for watching the ship's wake and having a casual conversation. The bar itself is fairly long, taking up a solid chunk of space. You'll find a narrow seating area behind the bar and more seating around the sides. Smoking is allowed on the starboard side, and smoke carries, so if you're sensitive to it, stay to the port side.

The Retreat Pool Bar (Deck 16): Located on Deck 16, The Retreat Pool Bar is part of the private enclave for suite passengers only. The bar serves a variety of cocktails, beer and wine, while waiters circulate to make sure passengers don't go thirsty while hanging poolside.

Celebrity Edge Outside Recreation

Pools

Celebrity Edge has one long all-access pool, located smack-dab in the middle of Deck 14. The pool is flanked by hundreds of lounge chairs, with many facing out toward the ocean. (This is a theme on Celebrity Edge, which aims to connect its cruisers with the sea.) There's also a limited number of hot-ticket loungers sticking out over the shallow lip of water around the pool. A huge pair of white butterfly wings -- a sculpture -- sits at the foot of the pool and might be the most Instagrammed spot on the ship. At the forward end of the pool, you'll find some couches and cushioned chairs surrounding tables, as well as barstools around part of the pool.

A deck up, on what Celebrity has dubbed the Resort Deck, passengers can relax in one of Edge's two martini-glass shaped hot tubs. These tower over the pool deck and are covered in white tiling and LED lights, which change color at night. In fact, the whole of the pool and the Resort Deck are awash in colored LED lights, which could have been tacky but instead is vibrant, tasteful and exciting.

The design of the pool deck and the way it integrates with the Resort Deck above is unique, as there's actually a ramp between the two decks, around the back of the ship and back. The ramp doubles as a walking/running track but also is a visually interesting feature.

Also on Deck 14 are the ship's cabanas. Located on the starboard side, just a few steps from the pool, the ship's six cabanas are available to rent for a per-day charge (several hundred dollars per day). These accommodate up to six people for a flat fee. Your rental includes a day in the cabana, four bottles of water, six beers, unlimited soft drinks, fresh fruit skewers, a limited food selection, facial spray and cold towels. Renters also get a choice of either a bottle of wine, vodka or Champagne.

The cabanas are visually stunning, with rich wood walls dividing one from the next, two-deck high ceilings, plenty of shade and unlimited views of the oceans. There is, however, a total lack of privacy, as other passengers can walk right through the middle of the cabana area, separating paying customers from those coveted views.

For adults only, the solarium offers serene pool time under a unique geodesic dome. The area has a wonderfully large pool flanked by a giant hot tub. It's a quiet space designed for those 18 and older, though it's also a passageway for passengers getting from the back of the ship to the Oceanview Cafe, so there's a lot of walk-through traffic.

Finally, The Retreat area has its own pool, located on Deck 16. This area is open exclusively to passengers staying in the ship's suites. The large pool is the centerpiece of the outdoor space; several swinging chairs hang above the pool, so passengers can dip their toes in the water while reading a book or chatting. A large hot tub is mixed in here, along with lots of seating around the pool on benches, sunbeds, at tables and on lounge chairs.

Recreation

When it comes to recreation, the ship actually is fairly quiet. Edge features two funky-looking black Ping-Pong tables, located above the pool deck. It also hosts "garden games" in the Rooftop Garden, where passengers can play Jenga or toss rope rings over the necks of glass bottles.

Sun Decks

The Resort Deck is sweeping and massive, and you'll find lounge chairs virtually everywhere. We love that there are both full sun and shaded options throughout. The ramp makes for some interesting architecture, but consequently, it can be difficult to navigate from one end of the ship to the other. Lounge chairs are positioned each day to face outward, toward the water.

Celebrity Edge Services

You'll find the guest services desk and shore excursion area buried down on Deck 3 in a quiet spot that's just down a hall from the Grand Plaza. Shore excursions can be browsed and purchased on tablets, but there's usually someone there to answer questions as well, though there's no proper desk with someone standing behind it.

One deck up on Deck 4 you'll find a slew of small shops spread out throughout the deck -- each one selling a distinct selection of items like Edge-branded clothing and souvenirs, liquor and cigarettes, perfume, watches, high-end jewelry and designer handbags.

Also on Deck 4 is the Future Cruise space and photo gallery and Portrait Studio. The gallery is entirely digital; just tap your cruise card on one of the touch screens and get started browsing your photos. You can also book a session at the Portrait Studio (for photos in black and white, or color) or arrange to have a private session done around the ship. One other difference from other ships: On chic nights instead of the cheesy backdrops most cruise lines set out, you'll find green screens on Edge. Have your photo taken in front of that and then the photographers will insert a variety of digital backdrops and you can pick which ones you like.

Nearby is the iLounge and Internet Cafe. You need to purchase a Wi-Fi package regardless of if you're checking email in the iLounge or on your personal device.

At the forward end of Deck 4 is the Meeting Place, with conference rooms.

One more deck up, on Deck 5 is the Park West art gallery, which includes a tiny museum section with ceramic works and sculpture, as well as a long corridor with Park West's typical fare of Peter Max and other contemporary artists.

Also on Deck 5 are Celebrity Edge's most high-end shops: Cartier, Bulgari and Tiffany.

There are no self-service laundrettes onboard; you can pay to have your clothing cleaned for you.

A medical center is on Deck 2.

Dining in Celebrity Edge’s restaurants is a huge part of the Edge cruise experience. With nearly 15 venues, there's enough variety to choose a different spot to eat each night, if you so desire.

Celebrity Edge Dining Reservations Make Mealtimes Easy

Cruisers can choose traditional set dining, where diners will be assigned to an early or late seating in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant and eat at the same table every night. Cruisers with Celebrity Select, meanwhile, can eat at any of the four main dining rooms for dinner whenever they want, either by showing up at the door or making reservations ahead of time.

We thought the food in the main dining rooms punched above its weight, but we still found the food in the upcharge dining venues to be better than what was included. Overall, Celebrity Edge menus offer quality dishes and something for everyone.

Service in all of the restaurants was excellent, and we were especially impressed by the intuitive sommelier service when we ate in Cosmopolitan -- spotting we had opted for duck, he swapped out our cabernet sauvignon for a much better pairing of pinot noir.

Free Dining Onboard Celebrity Edge

Main Dining Rooms (Decks 3 & 4, see below for specifics): Celebrity Edge has four complimentary main dining rooms: Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan and Cyprus. Each has its own decor and atmosphere, as well as a small section of the dinner menu called "Exclusives." Although the exclusive offerings stay the same from night to night, a second menu (with different exclusive items) is used for the latter half of longer sailings.

All main dining rooms also have "Celebrity Signatures" and "Classic" menu options. Like the Exclusives items, Classic menu options (Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, grilled chicken, New York sirloin, etc.) also do not change from night to night. The Signatures menu does change every night and makes up the bulk of each restaurant's offerings.

The wait staff is open to customizing dishes; for example, we craved the marshmallow sweet potatoes that came with another dish and were able to order it as a side dish separately.

There's also a special menu for vegetarians; it's the same in each restaurant, but changes daily.

Desserts in all main dining restaurants include a variety of pies, cakes, sorbet, low-fat yogurt and ice creams, though each venue also has one exclusive dessert option.

All main dining rooms also offer a kids’ menu.

Normandie Restaurant

(Deck 3) Inspired by Murano, Celebrity's French fine dining venue found on its Solstice-class ships, Normandie's featured menu includes contemporary French cuisine. Of particular note to Celebrity Cruises enthusiasts, the restaurant's design features authentic panels from the original S.S. Normandie that used to be on display onboard Celebrity Summit.

Normandie's Exclusives menu features countryside chicken pate, a potato and Gruyere tart (that's more tart and potato than Gruyere, but was yummy) and baked Brie as appetizers; and a beef tenderloin puff pastry, lavender-roasted salmon and slow-roasted rack of pork as entrees. The exclusive dessert is a raspberry coulis with layers of chocolate.

Tuscan Restaurant

(Deck 3) This restaurant is inspired by another of Celebrity's signature specialty dining venues, Tuscan Grille. The featured menu here offers cuisine straight from Southern Italy, while the black-and-white decor reflects the fashion-forward chicness of Milan.

Tuscan Exclusives menu items are Tuscan bean soup with sausage, octopus carpaccio and an Asiago cheese flan as appetizers, and rosemary roasted chicken, strozzapreti carbonara and slow-roasted porchetta as main entrees. The exclusive dessert is tiramisu.

Cosmopolitan Restaurant

 (Deck 4) Cosmopolitan is a nod to Celebrity's traditional main dining rooms. There may not be a grand, sweeping staircase and a double-height room as on the other ships, but you do enter the space via a backlit wine cellar, with bottles on each side and above you.

The room itself has a glamorous feel, but if you're unlucky enough to be seated at one of the six-person tables that use banquette seating on one side, try to avoid the bench as it's straight but the table is elliptical, putting an uncomfortable distance between you and the table with no way to scoot in.

Cosmopolitan is the only main restaurant onboard open for breakfast, every day, and lunch, only on sea days. The breakfast menu in Cosmopolitan offers everything you could want in the morning; for those in a rush, the express breakfast comes with scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. Cosmopolitan is open for lunch on sea days, and on embarkation day for Concierge passengers only. The menu features a variety of Pan-American options.

For dinner, the Cosmopolitan Exclusives menu is as follows: grilled carrot and mozzarella salad with trout, barbecue-glazed short ribs and seared scallops as appetizers; and pan-roasted salmon, herb-marinated chicken breast and Manhattan-cut New York strip steak as main dishes. The exclusive dessert is a carrot cake.

Cyprus Restaurant

(Deck 4) Celebrity Edge's fourth main dining room is an homage to the line's Greek heritage -- Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1989 by Greece-based Chandris Group. As the name also implies, Cyprus is the ship's Mediterranean-themed main restaurant serving dinner only. Seafood is the focus, but the menu includes other options for those who aren't in the mood for fish.

Cyprus Exclusives starters include a Greek-style salad, saganaki (fried cheese) and sea bass ceviche (which was delicious!), while entrees are lamb shank tagine, Greek-style grilled sea bass and lemon dill chicken souvlaki. The exclusive dessert is Giaourti Me Meli__, a whipped Greek yogurt dish drizzled with honey and toasted walnuts.

Luminae

(Deck 12): Luminae is available exclusively to suite passengers and is located next to the suites-only The Retreat section of the ship. Anyone who books a suite can dine there as they wish for breakfast, lunch or dinner (reservations are not required).

The breakfast menu is the same every morning and includes all the usual items.

The lunch menu is on a seven-day rotation (a new menu every day for seven days) and might include prawn ceviche or cream of parsnip soup as appetizers and creamy lobster rolls, grilled petite filet mignon, a vegetable stir-fry and Luminae signature burger as main courses.

The dinner menu, which rotates daily over the course of 14 days, includes items such as Maine lobster salad, beef tartar and artichoke soup for starters; venison ragout, Alaskan halibut, grilled guinea hen, roasted spiced eggplant and cauliflower "steak" for main courses; and a handful of sides and desserts.

Celebrity has a partnership with acclaimed New York-based French chef, Daniel Boulud, with several menu items designed by him available only in Luminae. His chicken tagine dish, using a sous-vide method (vacuum cooked), is a standout dish on the menu.

The kids’ menu at Luminae is the same one you'll find in the four main dining rooms.

Blu

(Deck 5): This spa-centric restaurant, decked out in pretty blue-and-white decor and found on all Celebrity cruise ships, is for the exclusive use of passengers staying in AquaClass cabins, as well as suites; it's open for breakfast and dinner only.

The Celebrity Edge Blu menu changes every night for dinner and features spa-style cuisine. We dined on sherry-glazed pheasant (a rarity on cruise ships) and it was a standout.

A small menu of "timeless classics" is also always available in Blu.

Oceanview Cafe Buffet

(Deck 14): Celebrity Cruises' signature buffet restaurant has been completely reimagined for Edge. The Celebrity Edge Oceanview Cafe is located at the back of the ship on Deck 14, featuring high ceilings and windows all around. The double-height of the room is noticeable from the second you walk in; it feels brighter and more spacious than other buffet restaurants at sea. Food is arranged into stations in the center, with seating options for two people and room for big groups. In keeping with the ship's theme of connecting to the sea, several tall bars (with high stools) are set up facing the windows. These were a favorite among passengers and filled quickly each day. At the back of the restaurant is an open-air seating area overlooking the ship's wake.

Oceanview Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers a wide variety of options at all meals, and we were happy to find healthier options alongside some great indulgences no matter the time of day. All bread is made onboard Edge, and you can watch as pastry chefs make carb-rich treats out in the open in Oceanview Cafe.

At breakfast, you can expect a variety of hot and cold items. At lunch, a wide variety of cold options are available, plus there's a sandwich bar where you can order from a chef, who will make it exactly the way you want it. Other spots include a carving station and the daily feature station, which offers a rotating selection of deliciousness -- one day, chefs might prepare Vietnamese-style pho, the next, paella. This was one of our favorites, as many items are made a la minute and are both creative and delicious. Other hot items fell under themes like Latin American and Indian. Themes change each day. American standards are available every day, too; head to the back of the restaurant for freshly made pizza, calzones and breadsticks.

Dinner is quieter in the Oceanview Cafe, when many passengers elect to visit other restaurants. The mood (and dress code) is relaxed in the evening. The menu is similar to what is offered at lunch, but entrees are more robust, with carving station items like roast beef and appetizers such as ceviche. A large dessert bar serves up a variety of goodies -- small enough so that you can sample a couple -- at both lunch and dinner. Passengers craving ice cream can visit Scoops, tucked into the corner at the front of the restaurant on the port side. The selection of ice cream changes each day.

Mast Grill

(Deck 14): Tucked into a corner behind the main pool is Celebrity's signature poolside grill. We were surprised at the lack of seating (about 50 spots, including 26 at shared eight-person high tops), but we loved the offerings, which include beef burgers and cheeseburgers, as well as veggie and turkey burgers, hot dogs and, of course, French fries. All items are available made-to-order, so it can take 10 to 15 minutes (especially for the veggie and turkey burgers). There's a great toppings bar as well.

Eden Cafe

(Deck 5): The Eden Cafe is a bit hidden, off to the side of the Eden Bar, but it's a great spot for grabbing a complimentary breakfast and lunch bite. There's not much seating inside -- maybe six chairs by the windows, but there is a small outdoor area with tables and chairs.

The breakfast selection is impressive for what's mostly a grab-and-go spot with muesli, yogurt parfait, fruit, hot oatmeal, a cold cut and cheese platter, steak and egg on a bagel, egg and cheese with your choice of either bacon or sausage, a turkey and egg white panini, and two types of wraps. And, of course, no cafe would be complete without some tempting pastries.

Lunch is as impressive with five salad choices, soups and sandwiches. There's also a daily carving station for freshly carved sandwiches and an array of pastries including cookies, muffins, nut breads and brownies.

You can also pour your own tea (12 tea choices) and coffee, or fill up a glass with orange juice, lemonade, fruit punch or iced tea for free.

Grand Plaza Cafe

(Deck 3): This is a slightly misleading title for what consists of a small counter just below the Martini Bar in a corner of the Grand Plaza, offering casual daytime nibbles -- mostly indulgent pastries. At lunch you will find a couple of finger sandwiches on offer. Pour-your-own coffee is also available from two coffee machines. At night it is subsumed into the Celebrity Edge Martini Bar.

Celebrity Edge Room Service

For room service aboard Celebrity Edge, hot and cold breakfast items are available between 6 and 9:30 a.m.; just make your selections on the placard and hang it over your doorknob by 2 a.m. the night before.

The all-day menu is available from 11 a.m. (except on the first day of the cruise when it's not available until 5 p.m.) and includes a selection of hot and cold items, as well as a kids' menu. Orders have a hefty $9.95 per order charge, plus an 18% gratuity.

What Restaurants Cost Extra on Celebrity Edge?

Eden Restaurant

(Deck 4); $65: Eden Restaurant offers five courses of "experiential" waiter-served dishes. From the menu, diners can select from two items for each course, with dishes that have such ethereal names, such as raindrops (lobster with a gribiche sauce), tidal pool (black cod with almonds and white asparagus), ashes (tuna toro with mango) or life after death (aged ribeye).

Dinner slots are available every 15 to 30 minutes between 6 and 10 p.m.

There's also a cocktail menu with items like garden (Woodford Reserve bourbon, honey syrup, lemon juice, aromatic bitters), clouds (Novo Fogo Silver cachacas, Earl Grey tea, lemon juice, rose water), planter (Del Maguey Vida mezcal, cardamom, lime, curacao) and the $45 village (Plymouth gin, Fino sherry, Earl Grey tea, lemon juice, demerara syrup, allspice dram, Tiki bitters, soda), which serves four people.

Le Grand Bistro

(Deck 4); $39 for brunch, or a la carte to go: Not content to only offer a small selection of French dishes at Normandie Restaurant, Celebrity Edge also offers Le Grand Bistro. Inspired by classic French bistros, seating options range from tables on a planter-edged "sidewalk" to the inner cafe with sea views.

At brunch, passengers can order from a set waiter-served menu that includes omelets, pancakes, crepes and other items. They can also opt to visit a self-service buffet; it's one of the best spots if you want lobster or crab.

Throughout the day, an a la carte counter offers grab-and-go items like muffins, croissants and Danishes.

Le Petit Chef

(Deck 4) $55. At dinner, the Le Grand Bistro space transforms into Le Petit Chef. The TableMations Studio Experience features the Le Petit Chef experience, which centers on a 4D animated story starring tiny characters who prepare your dish on your table, course by course, before real waiters or waitresses serve you the actual dish. The dish looks just like the animated one, and each course is a charming surprise. One chef might create pasta from scratch using fresh-harvest wheat ground by a mini-pig, while another might go for an unintended ride when his icing canister gets out of hand.

It's a delightful experience for families, though the relatively high price tag might restrict you to just one seating. The Le Petit Chef experience offers two set menus to choose from, but the animated characters will act out the creation of only the main menu; the other menu is for vegetarians.

Both Le Grand Bistro and Le Petit Chef feature extensive wine lists.

Fine Cut Steakhouse

(Deck 5); $55: Fine Cut is the ship's steakhouse. The restaurant is open to the Grand Plaza, but it's surprisingly quiet, even when the evening's entertainment is in full swing. The steakhouse offers a menu for carnivores, so if you are a vegetarian, Edge has better options for you. Meat-lovers will love the variety of steaks on offer, ranging from the petite 6-ounce filet mignon to the 14-ounce ribeye. If you've got a bigger party, try the Butcher's Block, a family-style platter of the chef's favorite meats, served with four sides and four sauces. This serves four. If steak isn't your thing, the menu also features chicken, lobster and sea bass. Save room for the sides -- we loved the bacon mac 'n' cheese and mushroom fricassee. We also highly recommend the tangy, melt-in-your-mouth Berkshire pork belly appetizer. Fine Cut offers a kids’ menu, as well.

Raw on 5

(Deck 5); a la carte, $8 to $75: This simple, yet elegant Raw is so popular that despite its large size, usually requires reservations to get into. The menu, which offers hot and cold items, includes everything from oysters, crab and lobster to shrimp salad, sushi and sashimi, lobster rolls, Japanese noodles, New England clam chowder, caviar, edamame and three choices of seafood towers. Raw Bar is open for lunch and dinner.

Magic Carpet on 5

 (Deck 5); a la carte: On afternoons on which the Magic Carpet is not being used for tendering, it is positioned on Deck 5, where it serves as an alfresco eatery. Originally slated to be simply an extension of Raw on 5, its menu is actually more varied. It's a lovely spot to dine with great views and a comfortable, living room feel.

Similarly, in the evening Magic Carpet returns to Deck 5 (if not being used for tendering), where it serves up drinks and a limited menu of small bites.

We recommend making a reservation for lunch and getting there nice and early in the evening.

Rooftop Garden Grill

 (Deck 15); $25 for lunch; $45 for dinner: Just because you're at sea doesn't mean you have to forgo the outdoor barbecue. At this venue, located in a corner of the Rooftop Garden, you can enjoy gourmet versions of your favorite backyard barbecue standards for lunch and dinner.

Dinner on the Edge

(Deck 16); $65 for dinner: Once per sailing, the Magic Carpet ascends all the way to Deck 16 for an exclusive waiter-served dinner. There are no set menus for these experiences, as menus will be determined by the chef and might include items sourced at a port along the ship's sailing. Reservations are required.

Cafe al Bacio

(Deck 4); a la carte: Part lounge, part eatery, this Celebrity signature offers an extensive menu of specialty coffees and teas for a fee and complimentary sweet treats. Pick your poison and then choose one of the many comfy seats in the sizable accompanying lounge, laid out in a serene color palette of gray and taupe -- except for smack-dab in the middle of the lounge, which pops with cranberry-colored, high-backed chairs and a round carpet, also in cranberry.

Spa Cafe & Juice Bar

(Deck 14); a la carte, $5 to $6: Anyone looking for healthy food options at breakfast or lunch will want to check out this small cafe located off to one side of the Solarium. The food is complimentary but the juice and smoothie bar costs extra.

How Does Celebrity Edge Handle Dietary Restrictions?

Items on the dinner menus in the main dining rooms (not specialty restaurants) are clearly marked as gluten-free, vegetarian, no sugar added or lactose-free. There are also items marked as "fit fare." (We never saw a single item that didn't have at least one designation.) Additionally, there's a gluten-free dessert and baked goods counter in the buffet, and you'll find a sugar-free item or two at the regular dessert counter.