The next generation of cruise ships moved from concept to construction this week, with the ceremonial cutting of the first piece of steel for Celebrity Cruises’ newest, and boldest, ship.
The company has been keeping details of the project firmly under wraps, but if the steel silhouette in the picture is anything to go by, the design includes an aggressive cruiser bow, along the lines of the most recent newbuilds from AIDA.
The ship, due to launch in two years’ time, will be called Celebrity Edge. The name of her twin sister, scheduled for spring 2020, has been revealed as Celebrity Beyond. A third and fourth versions of the same design, expected to enter service in autumn 2021 and 2022 have yet to be named. All four vessels, designed to carry 2,900 passengers each, are to be built at the STX France shipyard in St Nazaire, which recently constructed Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas and has been responsible for Norwegian Epic and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.
“Edge Class is destined to be a trailblazer in modern luxury travel,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. ” The new ships will be on the cutting edge of innovation and the leading edge of design, so the ship names are spot on and offer a sense of how Celebrity Cruises is looking into the future.”
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO, added: “We set the bar high for the architects and designers on Edge class, and we were rewarded with a stunning design. Cutting the ship’s first piece of steel is the traditional first step in the shipbuilding process, and I’m excited to see our dreams turn into reality over the next 24 months.”
She added: “We are excited to reveal more details soon, and travellers, trade partners and enthusiasts alike will not be disappointed — this ship is going to be amazing.”
PICTURE shows (l-r): Jean-Yves Jaouen, Operations Senior Vice President, Harri Kulovaara, EVP New Build and Innovation, Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity Cruises President and CEO, Laurent Castaing, General Manager STX France
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