Welcome to a new age of cruising-Celebrity Edge

On April 28, 2019, TeamTullyTravel set sail on a 15-day transatlantic cruise (the very first one for this ship with passengers) on the newest concept of sailing vessels that just may revolutionize the way new cruise ships are designed and built. Celebrity’s newest endeavor with the Edge, hopes it will transform the way you see the world.

The Iconic Edge

With a name that reflects its ambitious design, Celebrity Edge is the ship designed to leave the future behind. Every facet of this new vessel is dramatically different from any other ship at sea. And, I guess, is boldly intentional. As soon as you step foot on board, it’s an instant - WOW! You can see that this ship is nothing like anything you have sailed in the past. You truly get the feeling the Edge was built with a desire to connect more deeply with the world we live in; with the destinations the ship would visit; the oceans it would sail and the nature that would surround the ship. To these points all I can say is, well done Celebrity, you nailed it.

There are so many new concepts and aspects on this ship, it would be hard to cover all of them in a single article. Celebrity Edge is not for the first time cruiser. It is an upscale ship on an above average price structure for people who have sailed before and want to experience a difference.

The Staterooms

Most of the staterooms on the ship are verandas, suites, and large scale suites Celebrity calls Iconic Suites. If you like to cruise in an interior room, this is not your ship. The rooms are very well appointed, with a color scheme that makes you feel right at home, ample storage and drawer space, walk in shower in a bathroom two people can actually function, and a 55” TV mounted on the wall opposite the bed. But the newest feature on the Edge is the infinity veranda. If you are expecting your typical veranda balcony, you will be surprised with this feature.

The balcony merges seamlessly with the room. A simple press of a button turns the veranda into a self-contained space, as the top window opens the balcony directly onto the ocean. The nice thing about this concept is that the furniture stays clean, you have more privacy as your neighbors can’t eavesdrop and you are not blown away with the wind. Sitting there gives a relaxing view on the world as the ship cruises to your next port.

The Grand Plaza

The hub of the ships activity is the Grand Plaza a multidimensional, transformational space at the center of the ship. A magnificent three-story chandelier and an undulating bar are the centerpieces of this vast area. As you stand there and look around, you are hit with a cacophony of sound. You look around and wonder where all of this sound is all coming from and you quickly realize it is your fellow passengers giving their “oohs and ahhs.

The cavernous plaza space is inspired by Italian piazzas and connects to the six specialty dining venues on board ship. It’s a great place to enjoy cocktails, listen to live music, have a specialty coffee and pastry at the Grand Plaza Cafe or just relax and “people watch.”

The Magic Carpet

The Magic Carpet, the world’s first ship-climbing platform and the showpiece of Celebrity Edge’s outward facing vision. The orange platform, the size of a tennis court, is located mid-ship on the starboard side, repositions vertically and stops at four different decks, transforming it into a unique venue at each stop. It is used for cocktails at sunset, outdoor dining, private parties or just sitting on comfortable chairs looking at the world as the ship cruises.

Are You Hungry?

So if you hungry, and who isn’t on a cruise, you always have someplace you can feed your appetite. Along with the six specialty restaurants there are four main dining rooms that allow you to have a wonderful dining experience. Cyprus is a nod to Greek heritage with a Mediterranean menu; Tuscan is a take on the Italian favorite, Tuscan Grille. Normandie features French cuisine in an upscale space with a Parisian-inspired vibe, and Cosmopolitan is a new American theme straight out of New York. If those ten places aren’t enough for you, then there is always the buffet in the Oceanview Cafe on the fourteenth deck. A large area where there is so much to choose from, you eventually have to stop grazing and select something, otherwise you will go hungry.

In addition to that you have Mast Grill a hamburger bar and the pizza bar at the rear of the ship, the Juice Bar for the light eaters or the Eden Bar for a nice lunch or quick snack. If you still haven’t had enough, you better make room for desserts. Whoo Nelly, are there desserts. If you are a procrastinator, you will be in trouble. So many great items to choose from and they change each day. Oh, did I forget to mention the ice cream and gelato bar too? I guarantee you will not go hungry on your cruise.

The Art

The one feature that really struck me the most on this fabulous ship was the art. It is abundant and varied in its ever-changing abstracts, 20th-century Modernists, and a curation of contemporaries that adorn the decks. In short, everywhere your eyes gaze, you are introduced to new concepts, abstracts, textures, format and bountiful color from all over the world. It is truly magnificent.

So if you are looking for a change, a new era in the way you cruise and see the world, welcome to Celebrity Edge. If you want to be more connected to the sea, more open to the world, this is your ship. Celebrity Edge has set a new standard in ship design that presents first-at-sea features that transform the status quo of cruise ship silhouettes. With predictability stripped away, unconventional exterior lines and a distinct daring design that sparks intrigue about the experience waiting for you on board.

So until we sail again....

Fall in Love Again...With Italy

Manarola, Italy

Manarola, Italy

A visit to Italy is by far one of the most breath-taking experiences that one can make. There are so many exciting places to visit, you wonder to yourself, where do I start? Well if you have never been to Italy and always dreamed of making a trip, well here is what you have awaiting your visit.

Nestled on the Gulf of Poets at the eastern end of Italy’s Ligurian coast, the ancient port city of La Spezia is the perfect jumping off point for countless incredible destinations — like the locally-loved beach towns of Lerici and Fiascherino to the east, and the iconic cliff-side villages of the Cinque Terre to the west. Cultural capitals Pisa, Florence and Genoa are also well within reach. When you have so many options for adventure just a train ride away, it’s easy to overlook La Spezia. But if you can dedicate even a few hours to this bustling, postcard-pretty naval base, you’ll be in for a real treat. Its narrow winding alleys, romantic waterfront promenades, and amazing selection of family-owned trattorias serve up an authentic and refreshing taste of the Italian Riviera that many tourists miss out on.

The Bucket List

Trek the Cinque Terre

As far as seaside cities go, La Spezia is a gem, but it’s best known to travelers as the gateway to the Cinque Terre. The less glitzy, more laid-back little sister of the Amalfi Coast, this rugged stretch of coastline along the Riviera di Levante is home to five impossibly beautiful villages where colorful terraced buildings cling to cliffs bounded by brilliant blue harbors. Many guided tours visit several towns in a day, but you can also explore on your own aboard the Cinque Terre Express, which connects La Spezia to all five villages. The largest, Monterosso al Mare, is less than five square miles, so it’s easy to visit a few in the same day.

Riomaggiore

Eight minutes away by train, lively Riomaggiore is the closest of the Cinque Terre villages and among Italy’s most romantic destinations. The view of its stacked, rainbow-hued tumble of houses from the tiny harbor below has probably popped on your Instagram feed — it’s one of the most photographed sights in the region. If you’re feeling ambitious, make the 45-minute trek uphill to the Madonna di Montenero Sanctuary for breathtaking views of the coastline.

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Corniglia

Tiny Corniglia sits more than 300 feet above the waters of the Ligurian Sea, surrounded by lush vineyards that date back to Roman times. Because of its remote location and the fact that it doesn’t have a harbor, it’s the least visited of the fab five — which means it’s also the quietest and the most peaceful. Life moves at a slower pace here, measured by grape harvests and the flowering of bougainvillea that spill over village balconies in pink and purple bursts.

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Vernazza

People describe Vernazza in superlatives — it’s the steepest, the quaintest, the prettiest town in the Cinque Terre. Streets here offer head-spinning sea views framed by lemon trees and blooming redbuds. Tantalizing scents of fresh-baked bread waft from cozy focaccerias along Via Visconti and Via Roma, and bells at the 700-year-old Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church keep track of time, even if you don’t. You can see plenty
in two hours, but you’ll want to linger and enjoy what locals call il dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing.

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Monterosso al Mare

Furthest from La Spezia (but still less than 30 minutes away) is vibrant Monterosso, the largest and oldest of the villages and the only one lined with true sand beaches — but arrive early to claim your spot. Flatter than
its sisters, Monterosso is easy to get around if the thought of endless stairs and hills makes you cringe. The cash-only beachside Bar Lo Spuntino is perfect for an aperitivo and panini break, and a great spot to watch
the impromptu parties that often break out along the shore.

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Amalfi Coast, Salerno

The lively cliffside village of Salerno is a gateway to the many historical and scenic coastal towns with cruises to the Amalfi Coast. Take a stroll by the water along the city's modern promenade, or stop into a cafe for a refreshing limoncello. Break a sweat with a hike up Mount Vesuvius before you wander through the ancient city of Pompeii. Or take a drive along the coast on the winding roads, and bask in views of steep cliffs over crystal blue water.

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More To Explore

From La Spezia, you can hop on a thirty-minute ferry ride to the spectacular, secluded island of Palmaria. Its many hiking trails and wild landscape have long distinguished Palmaria as a favorite destination among outdoorsy travelers and locals from nearby towns. If you venture to the island’s remote west side, you’ll find steep white cliffs riddled with caves and hidden coves. The two most famous are the Blue Grotto, accessible only by boat, and the Cave of Pigeons. To reach the latter you’ll need to shimmy down a rope, but it’s worth the effort — two million-year-old fossils and evidence of prehistoric human life have been found here.

Blue Grotto

Blue Grotto

La Spezia offers several museums to satisfy all sorts of history buffs. Nicknamed ‘Liguria’s Little Louvre,’ the Amedeo Lia Museum celebrates art across the ages with sculptures, paintings and miniatures that span millennia. The Naval Technical Museum — one of the most important nautical museums in Italy — pays homage to the city’s rich seafaring heritage with maritime marvels like model ships, navigational instruments, cannons and diving suits. And an archaeological exhibit inside the city’s hilltop St. George’s Castle calls to ancient history enthusiasts with artifacts dating from the Copper and Iron Ages.

Sst. George’s Castle

Sst. George’s Castle

So if you want to Fall in Love Again, then your next trip to Europe must be to Italy. The country has so much to offer in countless ways. Whether you take a trip on your own, a land tour or cruise, you must experience this wonderful country with history and culture dating back thousands of years.

GO AHEAD, FULL IN LOVE AGAIN...WITH ITALY.

Cool Off This Summer, Travel to Alaska

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So you are looking for a great way to cool off this summer when the outside temperatures are running 90+ and your internal temperature is about the same, well then, travel north to Alaska with Princess Cruises.

The 49th State, the largest in the U.S., is perfect for cruisers, with numerous opportunities to appreciate its vast natural beauty. Sail along the Inside Passage to visit the immense ice formations of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, as well popular ports such as Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, the only U.S. state capital that's not accessible by car. Or travel further north to the Kenai Peninsula and nearby Anchorage, a perfect jumping-off point for cruise tours to Denali, Fairbanks and Canada's Yukon.

Princess offers many ways to see this beautiful state in all its glory. Choose one of the many "Come Back New" cruises or cruise + land tour packages available.

Plan now so that when those temperatures sore, you will keep your cool, and "Come Back New!" not only relaxed but with numerous memories of a beautiful vacation.

Princess “Come Back New”

Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Northbound)

Ships: Royal Princess | Coral Princess | Golden Princess | Island Princess

7 Days with 5 Ports

Ports: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Ketchikan, Alaska, United States | Juneau, Alaska, United States | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | College Fjord (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, United States | Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska, United States

Starting from: $739* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges  

Dates: Aug 03, 07, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, Sept 04, 07 2019

Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Southbound)

Ships: Golden Princess | Island Princess | Royal Princess | Coral Princess

7 Days with 5 Ports

Ports: Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Juneau, Alaska, United States |Ketchikan, Alaska, United States | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Starting from: $739* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges 

Dates: Aug 03, 07, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, Sept 04, 07, 11, 14 2019

Inside Passage (Seattle to Vancouver)

Ships: Ruby Princess

7 Days with 5 Ports

Ports: Seattle, Washington, United States | Juneau, Alaska, United States | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | Ketchikan, Alaska, United States | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Starting from: $899* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges

Dates: Sept 14, 2019

Inside Passage with Glacier Bay National Park

Ships: Ruby Princess

7 Days with 5 Ports

Ports: Seattle, Washington, United States | Juneau, Alaska, United States | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | Ketchikan, Alaska, United States | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Seattle, Washington, United States

Starting from: $999* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges

Dates: Aug 03, 10, 17, 24,31 Sept 07 2019

Inside Passage (Roundtrip Los Angeles with Glacier Bay)

Ships: Royal Princess

12 Days with 5 Ports

Ports: Los Angeles, California, United States | Ketchikan, Alaska, United States |Juneau, Alaska, United States | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | Los Angeles, California, United States

Starting from: $1,779* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges

Dates: Sept 17, 2019

Cruise + Land Tours

“On Your Own” - Tour AAX

Cruise first (7 days), then Tour (3 days)

10 Days with 5 Ports

Ships: Royal Princess | Golden Princess

Cruise Ports: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Ketchikan, Alaska, United States | Juneau, Alaska, United States | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska, United States

Land Tour: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge | Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge - Talkeetna | Anchorage

Starting from: $1,279* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges

Dates: Aug 03, 10, 17, 24, 31 Sept 07 2019

Cruise + Land Tours

“Denali Explorer” - Tour CA3


Cruise first (7 days), then Tour (3 days)

10 Days with 5 Ports

Ships: Coral Princess | Island Princess Cruise Ports: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Icy Strait Point,

Cruise Ports: Alaska, United States | Juneau, Alaska, United States | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | College Fjord (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, United States | Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska, United States

Land Tour: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge | Fairbanks
Starting from: $1,292* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges

Dates: Aug 07, 14, 21, 28 Sept 04 2019

Cruise + Land Tours
“Off The Beaten Path” - Tour VA5


Cruise first (7 days), then Tour (5 days)

12 Days with 5 Ports

Ships: Royal Princess | Coral Princess | Golden Princess | Island Princess

Cruise Ports: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Icy Strait Point, Alaska, United States | Juneau, Alaska, United States | Skagway, Alaska, United States | Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, U.S. | College Fjord (Scenic Cruising), Alaska, United States | Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska, United States

Land Tour: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge | Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge - Talkeetna | Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge | Fairbanks

Starting from: $1,592* for Interior Stateroom + taxes, fees & port charges

Dates: Aug 03, 07, 10, 14, 17, 21, 28, 31 Sept 04, 07 2019

So now that you have your way to beat the heat this summer you just need to make call TeamTullyTravel to make your reservations & pack your bags…LET’S GO!

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Enjoy

Up to $600 to spend on board + Free room upgrade + Fares from $99 for your extra guests