BARCELONA – November 1, 2018 –After more than 4 years of planning and 23 months of construction, and thanks to the work of thousands of workers including engineers, architects, designers, contractors, shipyard employees and the Celebrity Cruises team, today the brand has officially received the Celebrity Edge, which represents a historic moment for both Celebrity and the industry.
As part of this iconic moment, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. President and CEO Richard D. Fain and Celebrity President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo hosted a ceremony aboard Celebrity Edge as it docked at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Celebrity's executive team was also present, along with shipyard officials, including Managing Director Laurent Castaing, and 1,377 crew members from 72 different countries.
During the ceremony, Fain emphasized that “The Celebrity team has done an exceptional job, and I couldn't be more grateful to the Chantiers de l'Atlantique team for creating this ship, which is set to revolutionize the industry by changing the rules of the game, and for their continued collaboration. Thanks to their work, our guests will continue to have access to new experiences in everything around them.”
“Today is a very special day for all of us, as we have been eagerly awaiting this moment for four years,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “There are many aspects of Celebrity Edge that are more innovative than we could ever have imagined, and this result is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and talent of everyone who has contributed to bringing this ship to life.”
“Thanks to the trust placed in us by Celebrity Cruises and the exceptional level of cooperation between our respective teams, we are proud to have been able to design and build one of the most innovative cruise ships of all time, added Castaing. “This achievement demonstrates once again our ability to deliver the highest quality ships on time to our most discerning customers.”
Following the official handover ceremony of the Celebrity Edge, attendees crossed the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard for the keel-laying ceremony of the Celebrity Apex, where a 762-ton block was lifted onto the dock.
On November 6, 2018, the Celebrity Edge will sail to Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, its new homeport, and will operate out of the new Terminal 25. There, it will begin its inaugural season, alternating seven-night cruises in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In the spring of 2019, the Celebrity Edge will cross the Atlantic again to offer its passengers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean with seven- and eleven-night itineraries visiting iconic cities such as Barcelona and Rome.
Bookings are now open aboard Celebrity Edge at https://www.celebritycruises.es/edge.php . Celebrity Edge will be joined by its sister ship, Celebrity Apex, in 2020, and two additional Edge-class ships in 2021 and 2022.
