I’m writing this from the the Infinite Veranda on the Celebrity Silhouette. I’m still in port in Fort Lauderdale and waiting for the ship to head out to the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Mexico in about an hour or so, but while I’m enjoying a cortado from Café al Bacio on my veranda, my heart is halfway around the world in Sydney, Australia, where Celebrity Edge has just officially launched her third season Down Under.
And let me tell you, the lineup sounds spectacular.
A Warm Welcome to Sydney
Early this morning, the award-winning Celebrity Edge arrived in Sydney, fresh from an incredible 19-night Transpacific sailing from Honolulu. She’s now ready to whisk guests away on 17 unforgettable itineraries through April 2026 — exploring Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific in true Celebrity style.
The season kicks off this afternoon with an 11-night sailing to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, which feels like the perfect tone-setter for the adventures ahead. From coral wonderlands to cool-climate vineyards, this season is about immersion, the kind of travel that stirs your senses, restores your soul, and reminds you why we cruise in the first place.
Why Celebrity Edge Is Such a Game Changer
Celebrity Edge has always been a bit of a disruptor in the best possible way. When she debuted, she didn’t just redefine luxury cruising; she reimagined the very relationship between ship and sea.
As Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, puts it:
“With its revolutionary, outward-facing design, Celebrity Edge has been a game changer for the cruise industry — offering guests premium travel with enriching experiences and culinary journeys. Sailings on Celebrity Edge are much more than just a vacation.”
And she’s right. If you’ve ever stepped onboard, you know it’s something special that perfect blend of innovation and elegance that makes you feel instantly at home, even while you’re sailing across the world.
17 Sailings, Infinite Possibilities
From short four-night escapes to immersive 14-night journeys, this season’s lineup has something for every traveler’s taste. Among the standouts:
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Seven dedicated New Zealand itineraries, including a 13-night Holiday Cruise visiting the country’s iconic fjords — Milford, Doubtful, and Dusky Sounds — along with seven port stops across both islands.
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A nine-night Australia Wine Journey, featuring vineyard-hopping adventures through Hobart, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, and Melbourne because, let’s be honest, cruising and cabernet sound like a perfect pairing.
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And dozens of shorter, scenic sailings that bring guests closer to the heart of the region whether it’s the lush rainforests of Queensland or the art and culture of Auckland.
New Shore Excursions Worth Packing For
In true Celebrity fashion, the 2025/26 season doesn’t just offer new destinations, it offers new ways to experience them.
There are 54 brand-new and exclusive shore excursions, each one designed to give guests a more authentic connection to the places they visit.
Among the highlights:
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Newcastle, Australia – Celebrity Edge’s first-ever port call there happens this December, and guests can enjoy a sculpture walk, wine tasting, and gourmet lunch tour, blending art, food, and local flavor.
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Wellington, New Zealand – A new wellness-focused experience invites guests to relax amid the countryside at Mangaroa Farm, complete with a guided garden tour, a yoga session beside native bush and flowing water, and refreshments crafted with ingredients straight from the farm.
These aren’t cookie-cutter shore excursions — they’re curated experiences that echo what Celebrity does best: meaningful, elevated travel.
Life Aboard the Edge
Of course, when you’re not off exploring, life onboard the Edge is a destination all its own.
She features 29 bars, restaurants, and lounges, over 120 spa treatments, and entertainment that rivals Broadway and the West End. The iconic Magic Carpet — the world’s first floating, cantilevered platform — offers an unforgettable way to dine, sip, or simply take in the horizon.
And those Infinite Veranda staterooms? They transform your cabin into an open-air retreat at the touch of a button — one of my favorite innovations Celebrity has ever introduced.
Double the Celebration: Celebrity Solstice Joins In
As if the Edge’s return weren’t enough, tomorrow brings a second reason to toast. Celebrity Solstice will arrive in Sydney Harbour, marking Celebrity Cruises’ first-ever consecutive port days there a historic milestone and a strong statement of commitment to the region.
Solstice herself is in the midst of an incredible transformation. When she returns in April 2026, she’ll debut $250 million in enhancements including eight new experiences, four all-new-to-sea spaces, and a complete bow-to-stern redesign. Think modernized dining, entertainment, and newly imagined stateroom categories, a fresh take on a beloved classic.
She’ll also sail some remarkable itineraries next season:
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A 13-night Best of New Zealand voyage
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A 10-night Australia Wine cruise
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And a 12-night South Pacific adventure
It’s an exciting time to be a Celebrity cruiser — whether you’re chasing coral reefs or sipping your way through vineyards.
Watching From Afar (and Cheering Loudly)
Back here on the Celebrity Silhouette, I can’t help but feel a sense of connection and maybe even a bit of FOMO. There’s something magical about knowing that on the other side of the world, another Celebrity ship is gliding into port, full of travelers about to fall in love with the brand the same way I did.
That’s what keeps me coming back to Celebrity, the sense that no matter where in the world you sail, you’re part of something that feels special, elevated, and deeply human.
So while I’m soaking up the Caribbean sun this week, I’ll be raising my glass to Celebrity Edge and the start of what promises to be a stunning season Down Under.
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For more information and to book a sailing on Celebrity Edge, visit www.celebrity.com, contact a trusted travel advisor, or call Celebrity Cruises on 1-800-CELEBRITY.
