Celebrity Cruises set out to design its newest and most technologically advanced ship, Celebrity Edge, to make a statement. Not with titles -- it's not the largest, nor the most luxurious; it doesn't have the most water slides or the biggest suite at sea. But it is one of the most unusual and appealing cruise ships we've seen in a decade, and it was very much built to appeal to the contemporary traveler. (Note we didn't say cruiser.)

Celebrity Edge's draw lies within its name: It's edgy. Entertainment in the theater is loud and influenced by today's top hits. Food venues are straight out of any big city, from a grab-and-go gourmet deli and a reservations-only sushi spot to a high-tech French bistro with an animated dining experience you have to see to believe. The cocktails you'll find in the ship's three-deck spiraling restaurant/lounge/theater called Eden are mind-bendingly one-of-a-kind. (Speaking of Eden, while it's playful and chill during the day, the complex gets pretty sensual at night.) The experience on the ship also blends edges -- between indoor and outdoor, between stage and audience. There's so much greenery onboard and so many massive windows, it's easy to feel as though you're outside, even when sitting inside Eden or in your cabin. It's especially true if you're in one of the 918 Infinite Veranda rooms, cabins that can function as an ocean view with solarium with floor-to-ceiling views and air conditioning or as a quasi-traditional balcony with the push of button to lower the top window. (The innovation also gives you more space.) In the theater, the stage juts out into the audience, and in Eden, performance artists wander around the lounge, drawing people into the show. The Rooftop Garden on the top deck combines the best of the Millennium-class and Solstice-class designs, with a stage for live bands and metallic trees for performers to perch in. Celebrity Edge didn't just revolutionize cabins, dining and entertainment. The ship has turned tendering -- that often unpleasant experience where you have to board a small boat to get to a port -- into an infinitely more pleasant experience. The Magic Carpet is a tennis court-sized moveable deck, kitted out with an open-air lounge, complete with bar and comfy couches and armchairs. From there, it's a breeze to get onto the tenders, or you can stay to get a drink and watch others get on and off -- talk about people-watching. It's somewhere people actually want to go, rather than escape. And the Magic Carpet isn't just a tender platform. It can be positioned on Decks 5 and 14, where it serves as an eatery or bar. On special days, it climbs to Deck 16 for exclusive brunches and dinners "on the Edge." Uncover the best deals with a Celebrity expert Muffett Grubb Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 181 reviews Call Agent Anita Thompson Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 81 reviews Call Agent Barbara Lawrence Specialities : All Inclusive and Family Vacations 38 reviews Call Agent Danny Fisher Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 33 reviews Call Agent Jody Piotter Specialities : River Cruises and Luxury Cruises 27 reviews Call Agent Josh Oretsky Specialities : Luxury Cruises and River Cruises 18 reviews Call Agent Angie Lavalle Specialities : Luxury Cruises and Small Ship Cruises 13 reviews Call Agent Emily Forsberg Specialities : Destination Weddings and Disney Vacations 11 reviews Call Agent Amy Stambaugh Specialities : River Cruises and National Parks 11 reviews Call Agent Ilana Goldstein Specialities : Luxury Cruises and All Inclusive 8 reviews Call Agent With all these changes, there's a good chance past Celebrity cruisers, expecting the quiet sophistication that they've come to know and love from the line, are not going to be thrilled. In fact, many traditional cruisers may have a hard time with the ship. There are no quiet lounges for casual evenings of light music and a drink with friends, and for those who like to eat at the same table and time every night with the same tablemates, space is set aside in only one of the four main dining rooms. To love this ship, you have to appreciate stylish, contemporary design, and to get the full experience, you need to be tech savvy; the ship uses facial recognition when you board for the first time, and you can control your room's lights and temperature from your phone. You'll probably know what Spotify is, enjoy craft cocktails and DJ-run Miami-style lounges. And you probably won't be traveling with your young children; this is a grown-up ship. This isn't to say that Celebrity Edge is only for those in their 20s and 30s -- in fact, the price point is probably too high for most millennials. But you'll probably have more in common with your millennial kid, niece, nephew or grandkid than you realized.

Inclusions Included with your cruise fare: Meals in the main dining room, the Oceanview Cafe buffet, room service and at select other eateries All theater shows and most entertainment options Most daily activities unless otherwise noted Use of the fitness center, but not most classes Gratuities, but only for those booked in Australia or New Zealand and paid in AU and NZ dollars Not included with your cruise fare: Gratuities ($15.50 per person, per day for those in standard cabins; $16 per person, per day, for Concierge and AquaClass passengers; and $19 per person, per day for those staying in suites) Automatic gratuities for beverage, mini-bar, spa and salon purchases (20 percent for all) All beverages with the exception of water, tea (including iced tea), basic coffees and select juices from the buffet Meals at several specialty restaurants and snack venues Spa treatments Most fitness classes and all personal training sessions Access to the ship's Persian Garden thermal suite (except for people staying in AquaClass staterooms, for whom entry is free) Activities like alcohol tasting events, select game shows and interactive trivia sessions Shore excursions Wi-Fi Select theme parties Photographs and artwork