The first of the year’s new ship launches left dry dock this week – signalling the start of one of the most exciting years for new mega ships.
The much-anticipated Celebrity Edge ran down the slipway of the France shipyard STX, marking the first time the new ship’s hull has touched the water.
Passengers who love the line – the Celebrity Solstice is one of Australia’s favourites – are looking forward to the first new class of ship in a decade.
And it certainly sounds as if the new 2,918-guest liner will be packed with innovation and technology.
A new Magic Carpet area suspended off the side of the ship will move up and down between decks throughout the day, offering changing experiences ranging from restaurants to a tender platform.
It’s an incredible engineering feat cantilevered from the side of the ship and able to scale the entire 16 decks.
A new class of “Infinite Veranda” staterooms will offer unobstructed views via a new design that moves the ship’s infrastructure back further from the balcony.
The ship’s main public venue, Eden, covers three decks and offers different entertainment options throughout the day: relaxation, yoga and coffee space in the morning, a venue for the new Eve at Eden performance by night, a dinner restaurant, cocktail bar, and enrichment activities.
The Edges first cruise will now take place on December 9 – one week ahead of schedule.
She will sail two separate seven-night inaugural voyages on alternating western and eastern itineraries to the Caribbean, which can be booked back-to-back for a 14-night sailing.
There will be four Edge Preview Sailings: three-night Bahamas cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale departing November 21, November 24, December 3 and December 6.
Celebrity Edge will spend its inaugural season sailing alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries out of its homeport of Fort Lauderdale.
In 2019, the new ship will offer a series of seven- to 11-night Mediterranean sailings calling at ports like Barcelona and Rome.
The Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sibling vessels in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
“This truly is an exciting moment for our brand,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises.
“The float out process marks a major milestone in the building of Celebrity Edge. With exterior construction complete, the amazing STX France team will now turn their attention to bringing all of the meticulously designed venues and transformational staterooms and suites to life.”
For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com/edge or your local travel agent.
