BARCELONA – September 13, 2018 – Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.es) has revealed the final iconic space on its new ship, the Celebrity Edge, currently under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France and due for delivery in less than two months. The ship will feature a space called The Grand Plaza , which will undoubtedly become the heart of the vessel: a space that breaks the mold of classic cruise ship design and was designed by Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku of the prestigious Jouin Manku Studio in Paris.
This new space joins those already presented in recent months such as Eden, an incredible space that combines gastronomy and entertainment, The Magic Carpet, the world's first floating platform that reaches a height of 13 stories above sea level, or the new nature-inspired spa with the most cutting-edge treatments that harness the benefits of the elements of nature.
“We're thrilled to share another glimpse of this incredible ship. The Grand Plaza will be the ever-evolving heart of Celebrity Edge, thanks to the visionary architecture and interior design studio Jouin Manku, who have infused a dynamism and energy that will be felt throughout the ship. “.
THE HEART AND SOUL OF CELEBRITY EDGE
With the goal of completely transforming how passengers connect with the world, Celebrity enlisted creative talents and personalities from outside the cruise industry to ensure that every corner of Celebrity Edge departed from traditional design thinking. Among those chosen was the Paris-based design duo Jouin Manku Studio, internationally renowned for their multicultural inspiration and for fusing cutting-edge technology with time-honored craftsmanship. They are the creators of world-famous works such as the Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée and the Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower. Together with the Celebrity team, they collaborated to bring these new spatial concepts to life.
WELCOME TO THE GRAN PLAZA
The Gran Plaza is a blend of simplicity and modernity, inspired by the glamorous era of transatlantic travel, when cruise ships were the heart of high society with their spectacular ballrooms. It is both a tribute to and a reinterpretation of those spaces.
Spanning three decks of the Celebrity Edge , this space is the ship's vibrant hub of activity throughout the day, constantly evolving to suit every moment. Visitors can journey to the lively piazzas of Italy, another source of inspiration for the ship; enjoy a cappuccino and croissant in its cafes; savor one of its new specialty restaurants; take in special performances; or relax with a drink at the Martini Bar, one of the most iconic venues in the Celebrity Cruises fleet.
Above this sits The Chandelier, a striking light and art installation that rises three stories. Furthermore, intricate hand-sewn mesh screens, combining more than 13,500 pieces of metal, leather, and fabric, define the space of the Great Plaza.
MAKING TRADITIONAL TRANSFORMATIVE
The Gran Plaza is the space where designer Jouin Manku has completed his work, drawing inspiration from the many people involved in building a ship, such as his grandfather, who was a welder. With an industrial-inspired design, The Gran Plaza connects via an open-air walkway to the ship's main dining areas. Depending on which direction passengers take, they can appreciate both the unadorned beauty of the ship's structure and, in the opposite direction, a sleek and modern design.
“When we were commissioned for this project, one of our biggest inspirations was how the shipyard workers manipulated the steel as if it were plastic. Their craftsmanship made us wonder: How can we showcase the ship's skeleton? Given its beauty, we decided not to cover it,” Manku added.
Jouin Manku's influence is also evident in the main Atrium dining room, where they took the concept of a staircase and turned it into a work of art: The Pendulum, an installation whose base moves gently to the rhythm of the ocean, reminding passengers that they are in motion and connected to the sea.
To learn more about Celebrity Edge, visit
