One unique feature of ships in Celebrity’s Edge series is the Magic Carpet, the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level. This bright orange platform, about the size of a tennis court, hangs off the outside of the ship, offering amazing views. Throughout the day the platform is stationed on different decks and performs different functions.

Our first time on the Magic Carpet was in the morning when it was stationed on Deck 2 and was being used as a deck for passengers to board the tender boats without the need for ramps or stairs. The tender boats are air-conditioned and have comfortable plush seats for a nice ride. The tender boats are used at ports where Celebrity Ascent is unable to dock. But on this day we were just going for a fun joy ride. We had the special honor of having one of the ship’s two captains, who happen to be brothers, as our tender captain. With the elder brother, Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis, busy at the helm of the Celebrity Ascent, younger brother Captain Tasos Kafetzis got to have a little fun taking us for a spin around the ship. While we were having fun doing donuts, Captain Dimitrios radioed our tender and the other tender and challenged us to race each other. Captain Tasos won the race, but passengers on both tenders had fun cheering their captains on.

Later that day, while we were in the elevator, we noticed that the Magic Carpet was on Deck 14, near the main pool. (The elevators have a video screen that shows where the Magic Carpet is throughout the day.) We decided to check out what the Magic Carpet looks like when it’s set up for happy hour. We got there before it was open, and the staff were working feverishly to move tables and chairs around to create a cozy atmosphere for enjoying cocktails. It must be exhausting for them to have to keep rearranging this area throughout the day, but they had it down to a science! When they were done, we sat down in comfortable cushioned chairs and enjoyed the views and a cocktail.

We didn’t have the opportunity to see the Magic Carpet transform into an alfresco dining venue, but we did see it beautifully lit up at night.

— Tracey Cullen, art director