Celebrity Edge’s newly revealed performance and dining area, Eden, will become “an iconic and signature space for the [new ship] class”, the creative forces behind the project have promised.
US architect Scott Butler and Spanish interior designer Patricia Urquiola told TTG they believed Eden would offer experiences “not available on land and which can’t be seen elsewhere”.
Butler added that he hoped Eden would “appeal to all the senses” and that travel agents would benefit from word of mouth fuelling sales demand.
The pair unveiled Eden to media and trade partners at Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York last week, alongside the line’s president and chief executive Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
They were joined by collaborator David Ley, director for Variety Worldwide. He has developed Eden’s entertainment concept, which features performers known as Edenists.
Eden – which will be located in the aft of Edge across decks four, five and six – will change its look, product offering and atmosphere throughout the day, with “chillful”, “playful” and “sinful” experiences.
Among its features are a cafe, restaurant and bar enveloped by a 90 metre-long ramp which Celebrity claims will be “the first of its kind at sea”. There will also be a Tree of Life installation similar to those found on Celebrity’s Solstice-class vessels and a Library of Plants wall containing herbs and ingredients which will be used in the food and drink served in Eden.
Butler said the ramp was a way of making sure “nobody moves through the space in a conventional manner”.
“We wanted the experience of visiting Eden to be as memorable as possible and imbue it with design qualities that would make the guests look at it totally differently from anything they’ve seen before,” he said.
Meanwhile Urquiola, who has never designed a venue at sea before, said Eden’s use of real plant life meant the area would “push the boundaries” of interior design for cruise ships.
