Celebrity Cruises announced 19-time World Champion and seven-time Olympic Medalist Simone Biles as the Godmother of their newest and most luxurious ship yet, Celebrity Beyond. 

Simon Biles added another very special title to her decorated career as Godmother of the newly named Celebrity Beyond at the official ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on November 4, 2022. The ceremony included a special live performance by award-winning singer and songwriter Leona Lewis. 

The role of Godmother is to inspire all guests and crew who sail on the ship – and Biles does just that with her courageousness and historic accomplishments as a gymnast. “My wish for passengers of all cultures and backgrounds is that they experience their own magical moments on this ship,” says Biles. 

Celebrity Beyond will remain in South Florida until May 2023 for a full season of Caribbean sailings. The ultra-modern ship is meant to make you disconnect entirely while you reconnect with each other and the world. It’s a place where the possibilities are as endless as the views. “It’s beyond expectations, beyond imagination, and beyond all perception on a cruise ship,” says Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. 

Trailblazer Captain Kate McCue, America’s first female cruise ship captain, takes the helm of Celebrity Beyond, the third ship in the groundbreaking Edge series. The dynamic captain leads the new era of luxury travel on a ship with the help of dream team icons, multi-award-winning designer Kelly Hoppen, CBE, as well as celebrated designer Nate Berkus, Global Culinary Ambassador chef Daniel Boulud, and Wellbeing Advisor Gwyneth Paltrow.

Sustainability is the central focus of Celebrity Cruises guests’ vacation experience. Not only with the elimination of single use plastics, but from the operations standpoint, they have it down to a T. They know how many lobster tails you’re going to have (and they know it’s not one!) They produce their own water on board, and once it goes down in the holding tanks, it goes through a purification process. 

A Culinary Journey Like No Other

When on vacation, where you go is just as important as what you eat. The cruise offers 32 distinct food and beverage experiences, 14 cafes, bars and lounges, 8 specialty restaurants, 4 main dining restaurants, 4 complimentary casual dining venues, and 2 exclusive restaurants. You’ll embark on a culinary journey like no other! 

Specialty Dining 

Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud is world renowned chef and Global Culinary Ambassador Daniel Boulud’s first signature restaurant at sea. Just as the name implies, travel is the inspiration behind these tasty dishes. The global flavors are designed to give you a taste of the places that inspire him. The ambiance of the restaurant is the result of Jouin Manku’s Persian creative talents. The aesthetic is intimate and upscale, featuring soft tones, private banquette seating, and a stunning entryway. The restaurant is open at dinner time only and can accommodate up to 57 guests.

Le Grand Bistro is inspired by classic French cafés and features a dining experience like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. Le Petit Chef brings your tabletop to life with tiny virtual chefs who prepare your meal right in front of you. Le Petit was one of my most memorable experiences. It’s an immersive fusion of animation and entertainment – almost like you are enjoying a mini show with flavorsome dishes. The tartlet of slow roasted heirloom tomatoes was super fresh, juicy and full of flavor. The roasted beets salad was light and mild. The poached shrimp and Persian cucumber salad wasn’t overwhelmingly fishy while the braised short rib of beef was super tender. 

Soar on the Magic Carpet at the top of the ship. On Deck 14, the Magic Carpet hosts Dinner on the Edge experience, taking you on an alfresco culinary journey. On Deck 5, the Magic Carpet sits next to Raw on 5, serving its own delicious menu of cocktails, sushi, and seafood hovering close enough above the water to hear the soothing waves. 

Main Dining 

Normandie offers contemporary French cuisine in a modern setting that evokes the romance of summertime in Paris. It was one of my favorite restaurants to dine in on the ship. Try the New York sirloin steak that was super tender and not at all fatty. The Roasted Colorado rack of lamb was very decadent and moist. It can be hard to hide lamb flavor, but they did a great job of adding flavor with just the right amount of gaminess. Wash it all down with the strong Parisian or French Daiquiri that’s more on the sweeter side. 

Complimentary Dining 

I found myself dining often at the ever-so popular Oceanview Café, featuring sweeping two-story, floor-to-ceiling views. Serving a wide variety of globally inspired cuisines morning, noon, and night, you’ll find old and new favorites every visit. 

At Eden Café you’ll find gourmet sandwiches like chicken pesto, paninis, and pork sliders, soups, and other casual culinary bites. The relaxing spacious atmosphere is bright and airy thanks to the three stories of glass that brings in the shimmering morning light. The garden-like restaurant gives off nature vibes and is reminiscent of dining in a forest. The talk show “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” was even filmed here at Eden!

Fine Drinking

Fine drinking is just as important as fine dining. The World Class bar uses the freshest ingredients and finest spirits to satisfy your every drinking need. 

I’m still thinking about the Beyond Signature cocktail I had at Sunset Bar that was one of the best drinks I’ve ever had. Nate Berkus redesigned this two-story hot spot that’s nearly twice the size as before. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink and soak up some of the best views on the ship. Take in the beautiful ocean sunsets; you may even get lucky and spot a rainbow! 

The Martini Bar is in the middle of the action and offers 30 different martinis. Grab a seat at the now fully circular Martini Bar underneath the glow of the newly designed LED chandelier. Prepare to be stunned by the gravity-defying skills of the talented bartenders. 

Entertainment on Beyond

The Grand Plaza is the heartbeat of the cruise, the social scene on Beyond. Meet new friends or catch up with old ones in this three-story space that was inspired by the piazzas of Italy. 

The Theater on Beyond is taken to even greater heights with revolutionary experiences and is technologically mind-blowing for exciting entertainment on board. 

The Club offers hours of entertainment; it’s the spot for dancing and grooving. (Jessie Hamilton Jr. puts on a great show!)

On Floor 15, you’ll find the expansive Resort Deck that wraps around the ship, getting all the best 360 ocean views. You can’t miss the Main pool centered with a giant white elephant on a man’s back. The adults-only Solarium Pool and Main Pool are perfect for lounging in the morning or afternoon during a hot sunny day. Any pool you take a dip in will have amazing ocean views. 

There’s also a Vegas-style casino with a wide variety of games to get your gamble on. 

Browse one of the Celebrity Shops offering carefully curated collections of famous brands that represent the epitome of luxury. 

If you want to take the luxury up a notch, The Retreat is the ultimate luxury vacation experience. Every guest not only enjoys stunning suite accommodations but also private dining, exclusive spaces, and a long lineup of services and amenities. “It’s like everyone has their own utopia,” says McCue. 

Accommodations 

After all that excitement, relax and recharge in one of Beyond’s luxurious staterooms. Stay in the Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda to enjoy open air access to the sea and bring the outside, inside. These staterooms feature the latest design and technology. I loved getting to hear the sounds of the soothing waves with the touch of a button.

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Cover Photo courtesy Celebrity Cruises

Leean Vargas is the Highlight Reel newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.