Sailing in Style: The Visionary Design of Celebrity Edge by Jouin Manku
Design studio Jouin Manku has unveiled the breathtaking interiors of Celebrity Edge, a new-generation luxury cruise ship setting sail on its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 9. Known for their immersive and emotive approach to spatial design, Sanjit Manku and Patrick Jouin bring their signature narrative-driven style to sea, crafting a hospitality experience that pays homage to the golden age of ocean travel while redefining it for a modern audience.
On board Celebrity Edge, Jouin Manku has designed three key areas: The Grand Plaza, the Main Dining Atrium, and the connecting circulation spaces—each conceived as part of a journey, where every design detail is rooted in emotion, materiality, and movement.
A Voyage of Emotion and Elegance
Drawing inspiration from the glamour and adventure of the pre-war era of sea travel, Manku and Jouin approached the Celebrity Edge with a sense of wonder. Rather than replicate nostalgia, they reimagined it—infusing a romantic sensibility with bold contemporary craft. At the heart of their philosophy is an “emotional choreography”: designing how people feel at every step, before sketching a single line.
This emotional blueprint guided every decision—from the architecture to the lighting, furniture, and fabrics—ensuring each moment on board feels considered and connected. Central to their vision was a desire to remind guests they are at sea, blending the comfort of a boutique hotel with the exhilarating uniqueness of ocean travel.
The Grand Plaza: The Heartbeat of the Ship
Anchoring the social life of the vessel is The Grand Plaza, a majestic, all-day gathering space that evokes the elegance of the classic cruise ship ballroom. Conceptualised as a vibrant piazza surrounded by cafés and restaurants, the plaza is a stage for interaction and spectacle.
At its heart is a circular bar, a hub of energy and connection, crowned by a kinetic chandelier that evolves with the time of day. A sculptural presence by day, it begins to glow with a soft orange at dusk before transforming into a pulsating spectacle after dark—mirroring the rhythms of sea life and social engagement.
To bring intimacy to the grandeur, the lounge is subtly terraced, creating varied groupings and perspectives. Overhead, guests strolling the upper bridges are invited to pause and people-watch, adding layers to the spatial choreography.
Screens of Light and Texture
Intrigue is built into the design. Three large embroidered screens—created in collaboration with Studio MTX—add both mystery and acoustic softness. Composed of shimmering modules in metal, leather, and fabric, the screens glint like jewelry and play with light as guests move past. They act as both art and architecture, offering tantalising glimpses while containing the plaza’s vibrant energy.
The Exposed Corridor: A Passage Through Structure
Moving beyond The Grand Plaza, Jouin Manku’s vision continues in the circulation spaces leading to the Main Dining Atrium. Here, the ship’s internal skeleton is revealed—a rare move in cruise ship interiors, where structural elements are typically concealed. Slim steel columns, weld marks, even upside-down construction markings are left exposed, celebrating the craftsmanship of the shipbuilders.
Walls clad in scale-like fabric panels absorb sound while echoing the curves of the ship itself—fluid forms replacing right angles, in tune with the sea’s natural forces.
The Main Dining Atrium: Movement and Mystery
Spanning three levels and connecting five restaurants, the Main Dining Atrium is a soaring, triple-height space that invites guests on a journey. A sweeping white staircase spirals through the atrium like a dance, inviting movement and exploration. This is not simply a means of transit but a stage for emotion—a moment of transition and discovery.
Suspended in the centre of the atrium is a striking brass pendulum, a nod to ancient maritime instruments. In a ship engineered to resist the feel of the ocean, the pendulum quietly reminds guests that they are floating—an elegant anchor to a seafaring past.
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“Every project is an individual dream,” say Manku and Jouin. “As the first guests board Celebrity Edge, we hope they’ll be captivated by how they feel in the spaces we’ve created—and charmed by the magic of travelling by sea.”
With Celebrity Edge, Jouin Manku has not only designed a ship—they’ve composed an experience, where every curve, every glow, every gesture brings passengers closer to the poetry of the ocean.
