By the Caribbean Journal staff

There was another time in transatlantic journeys, when travelers sailed on grand, ornate ships, the vessels themselves at the heart of the glamorous life.

At the heart of these ships there was always a remarkable ballroom, a place where guests would meet and dine and drink.

It’s not a concept that’s survived on modern cruise ships. But that’s precisely what Celebrity Cruises says it was looking to do on its newest ship, Celebrity Edge.

The new ship, which is three months away from its debut, will have a grand ballroom-style space as its centerpiece: The Grand Plaza.

The brainchild of world-renowned designers Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku of Jouin Manku Studio, the new space is a throwback to the golden age of transatlantic crossings, with a modern twist.

The space, which will span three decks at the center of the ship, will include a striking light installation called The Chandelier; a Martini Bar; and a host of new restaurants, from the signature Cafe Bacio to the new Grand Plaza Cafe.

The space will be surrounded by hand-stitched mesh screens, which include more than 13,500 pieces of metal, fabric and leather, the company said.

“When we were asked to work on The Grand Plaza, one of our biggest inspirations were people in the shipyard who were able to manipulate steel as if it were plastic,” Manku said. “Their awe-inspiring craftsmanship inspired us and had us asking ourselves ‘How can we show the bones of the ship?’ Because the bones are so beautiful, you don’t need to put a cover on them.”

— CJ