“Sailing into the future”: Celebrity Cruises welcomes first ship of its new class

USA. Celebrity Cruises’ new ship Celebrity Edge has arrived in Florida ahead of its inaugural season.

The ship completed a 15-day transatlantic crossing to arrive at Port Everglades’ Terminal 25 (T25) in Fort Lauderdale, dubbed the “new home of modern luxury”.

Celebrity Edge is Celebrity Cruises’ first new ship in six years and the first of a new class in more than a decade.

Grand entrance: More than 1,400 crew members on Celebrity Edge waved to shoreside colleagues who had gathered to welcome the ship to its new home.

“The arrival of Celebrity Edge book-ends a major chapter in the growth of Celebrity Cruises,” said Royal Caribbean Cruises Chairman and CEO Richard Fain.

“It’s the culmination of years of dreaming, designing and dedication to bring this magnificent ship to life. A new era is truly upon us.”

Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo commented: “The completion of her first-ever transatlantic crossing and arrival at T25 marks such a historic moment for Celebrity Cruises. This has been more than four years in the making. The collaboration and effort between teams across the world all comes together in this incredible moment.

“I can think of no better place to be than with Captain Costas and the crew of Celebrity Edge knowing that we are sailing into the future, literally and figuratively, with this beautiful ship.”

A grand opening of T25, which was designed exclusively for Celebrity Cruises, was attended by brand executives and local officials. T25 makes use of new technology to provide an expedited check-in process and also features an interactive light wall art installation. Suite-only The Retreat offers an exclusive lounge, elevator lobbies, screening areas and a private rooftop terrace.

In its inaugural season, Celebrity Edge will sail alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruise itineraries. The first western Caribbean voyage departs on 9 December 2018, and the first eastern Caribbean sailing on 16 December. In spring 2019, Celebrity Edge will sail on seven- to 11-night trips visiting European cities.

Sister ship Celebrity Apex is scheduled to become operational in 2020, and two additional ships in the Edge series are set to follow in 2021 and 2022.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine