Celebrity Cruises' second Edge-class ship starts to take shape at shipyard in France
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Chantiers de l'Atlantique (formerly STX France) has cut the first piece of steel for Celebrity Cruises’ second Edge-class ship at its yard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
To be named Celebrity Apex, the newbuild is set to join the Celebrity fleet in spring 2020 and will offer many of the innovative features and venues that will debut onboard Celebrity Edge this year.
“Welcoming Celebrity Apex into our family with the leadership team was a very special moment, especially when we all signed the ship silhouette cut from the first piece of steel,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, at the ceremony. “We are so grateful for our partnership with Chantiers de l'Atlantique and are thrilled to work on another very special ship together. The success and momentum for Celebrity Edge has been incredible, and with Celebrity Apex we will yet again show how we are taking our brand to the next level. We are offering our guests the best way to experience the world in modern luxury style.”
Now that it has cut the first pieces of steel, the team at Chantiers de L’Atlantique will begin constructing the blocks that will make up the keel of the vessel and other elements of her superstructure.
"We are proud to celebrate the launch of another incredible Edge-class ship with Celebrity Cruises,” said Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l'Atlantique. “The brand is known for many industry firsts so it's fitting that Celebrity Apex is the first to participate in a steel-cutting ceremony under our new name Chantiers de l'Atlantique, another milestone of the great partnership we have built together."
Celebrity also has two other Edge-class ships on order, which will be delivered in autumn 2021 and 2022.