At the end of October, Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Beyond, arrived in New York City, marking its North American debut and beginning its inaugural U.S. season. I had the pleasure of exploring the ship while it was docked in Bayonne, New Jersey, and learning more about the transformational new ship with the first and American female captain, Kate McCue.

McCue leads a crew of more than 1,400. After a series of European sailings this summer, Celebrity Beyond sails a variety of Caribbean itineraries, including stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman and more.

© Kimberly Krol Inlander

“Today marks the start of a game-changing couple of weeks for our brand. Our newest, most awe-inspiring and expectation-defying ship, Celebrity Beyond, is making her North American debut in the Big Apple today; and next week we will officially name her with the amazing Simone Biles as the ship’s godmother,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “This ship is at the forefront of travel innovation – it’s a luxury resort, spa resort and culinary haven combined into one exceptional ‘Journey WonderFULL.’ There has never been a better time to journey to the world’s best places on one of the world’s best places.”

The designers behind Celebrity Beyond include British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE, American designer Nate Berkus, Paris-based design firm Jouin Manku, British architect Tom Wright, Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud, and Goop CEO and founder Gwyneth Paltrow.

© Kimberly Krol Inlander

Here’s more about the spaces and amenities onboard Celebrity Beyond:

• Le Voyage, a first-ever Chef Daniel Boulud fine-dining restaurant at sea, joins more than 30 food and drink venues
• The Retreat is a resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, with a two-story Retreat Sundeck, the Retreat Lounge and private restaurant Luminae
• Two-story Edge Villas boast outdoor plunge pools
• The 1,900-square-foot Iconic Suites are the largest in the fleet
• A Rooftop Garden joins the Resort Deck’s cantilevered float pools and sunken seating areas
• Designed by Nate Berkus, the multilevel Sunset Bar features international beach club vibes
• New AquaClass SkySuites include complimentary access to the spa’s Thermal Suite and wellness amenities
• The Grand Plaza spans three decks at the ship’s center
• Cutting-edge entertainment, like Elements, utilizes revolutionary technology
• The Magic Carpet soars cantilevered above the sea