New luxury cruise ship sails its way to the Aegean

With a Greek captain at the helm, a new luxury cruise ship named ‘Celebrity Edge,’ which has been named the “best new cruise ship in the world” sailed its way into the Aegean, making its first stop at the port of Piraeus in Athens, before it sets off for Santorini, Mykonos, Nafplio and Katakolo.

It is the first of a series of new generation cruise ships that belongs to new company Celebrity Cruises, which was founded in 1988 by the Greece-based Chandris Group. In 1997, Celebrity Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to form Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

With a large occupancy and facilities including a tennis court, outdoor rooftop garden, open-air plunge pools, and 270-degree views, Celebrity Edge has been called "the coolest cruise ship at sea,” by Forbes magazine.

There are currently 2,500 guests on board and 1,400 crew members, with all bridge and engine officers being Greek.

This journey is part of the 11-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise, which visits Rome, Sicily, Malta, Santorini, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Nafplio and Katakolo in Pyrgos before heading back to Italy for stopovers in Naples and Capri.