What Is the Celebrity Edge Infinite Veranda Cabin?
When Celebrity Cruises introduced the Infinite Veranda cabin concept in 2018, the cruise community was immediately divided. Traditional cruisers balked at the idea of giving up their beloved outdoor balcony, while design-forward travelers were intrigued by the futuristic concept. Years later, the debate hasn't quieted down — and it was front of mind when my husband and I booked a 12-night cruise to New Zealand aboard the Celebrity Edge.
Instead of a conventional balcony with a railing and open air, the Infinite Veranda replaces that outdoor space with an extended interior area enclosed by massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Those windows lower at the touch of a button, transforming the cabin into something that feels like a private sunroom with sweeping, unobstructed ocean views. It sounds simple enough on paper, but truly understanding the concept requires experiencing it firsthand.
Why We Decided to Book It Despite Mixed Reviews
Before our departure, I spent considerable time reading reviews online. The feedback was, predictably, all over the place. Some cruisers absolutely loved the flexibility and the seamless indoor-outdoor feel. Others were deeply disappointed, saying they missed the ability to step outside and feel the sea breeze on their face. With opinions so polarized, we hesitated — but ultimately decided to splurge and judge for ourselves.
Our reasoning came down to the destination. New Zealand is not a tropical cruise destination where you spend every afternoon lounging on a sunny balcony in shorts. The weather can be unpredictable, the temperatures cool, and the scenery so dramatic that you want to be as comfortable as possible while drinking it all in. A climate-controlled space with panoramic windows suddenly made a lot more sense than an exposed outdoor deck.
First Impressions: The Cabin Is Bigger Than You Think
Stepping into the Infinite Veranda cabin for the first time, the most immediate impression is one of space and light. Because the traditional balcony wall has been pushed outward and replaced with glass, the cabin feels significantly larger than a standard balcony room of similar square footage. The natural light flooding through the full-height windows creates an airy, open atmosphere that makes the room feel like a genuine retreat rather than just a place to sleep.
The layout is thoughtfully designed. The veranda area sits raised slightly from the main cabin floor, with a comfortable seating area positioned to maximize the view. Lowering the windows is effortless — a single button on the wall gradually brings the glass panels down until you have what amounts to an open-air perch. For those chilly New Zealand mornings, we could crack them halfway and still enjoy the crisp ocean air without fully exposing ourselves to the cold.
The Views: Absolutely Unmatched
If there is one thing every reviewer — even the most critical ones — agrees on, it is this: the views from an Infinite Veranda cabin are extraordinary. Without a balcony railing, a dividing wall, or any visual obstruction between you and the horizon, the panorama feels almost cinematic. Watching New Zealand's fjords, coastlines, and rolling green hills drift past through floor-to-ceiling glass was among the most memorable travel experiences of my life.
In destinations like Milford Sound or the Bay of Islands, being able to sit comfortably inside your cabin with a cup of coffee and watch the landscape unfold felt like having a private theater seat for one of nature's greatest shows. We spent hours in the veranda area that we might otherwise have spent crowding the ship's public decks for a similar view.
The Trade-Offs: What You Actually Give Up
To be fair, the Infinite Veranda is not without its compromises, and understanding them is essential before booking.
- No true outdoor space: Even with the windows fully lowered, you are still standing inside the cabin footprint. You cannot physically step outside, feel rain on your face, or lean over a railing. For many seasoned cruisers, this loss is genuinely significant.
- Wind and noise management: When the windows are down, you do experience the outdoor environment — including wind noise. In rougher seas or faster sailing speeds, fully lowering the windows can be disruptive for sleeping.
- Privacy nuances: While the design offers excellent visual privacy when the windows are up, lowering them in port means neighboring cabins or passersby on deck can potentially see into your space. It requires a bit more mindfulness than a walled balcony.
- Price premium: Infinite Veranda cabins typically carry a price premium over standard balcony rooms. Whether that premium is justified depends heavily on your travel style and destination.
Who Is the Infinite Veranda Cabin Best Suited For?
After 12 nights living with this design, our verdict was overwhelmingly positive — but with important caveats about who will love it most. The Infinite Veranda is an exceptional choice for travelers cruising to scenic, temperate, or cool-weather destinations where the weather may not always cooperate with outdoor lounging. It is ideal for couples or individuals who prioritize views, privacy, and a sense of spaciousness over the traditional balcony experience.
It is a less natural fit for travelers who are deeply attached to the ritual of sitting outside with their feet up in the open air, or for those sailing in warm tropical climates where an outdoor space is used constantly throughout the day.
Final Verdict: Is the Infinite Veranda Worth It?
The Celebrity Edge Infinite Veranda cabin is one of the most genuinely innovative stateroom designs in modern cruising — and one of the most misunderstood. It does not try to replicate a traditional balcony. It offers something different: a flexible, private, view-optimized living space that adapts to the environment around you. In the right destination and for the right traveler, it is not just worth the price — it is the best cabin on the ship.
If you are planning a scenic itinerary, are open to a new way of experiencing the ocean, and value light-filled space over the feel of wind in your hair, the Infinite Veranda deserves serious consideration. Just go in with accurate expectations, and you may find yourself as surprised as I was by how much you love it.