Celebrity Apex, the second ship in the hotly anticipated Edge Class series, will launch and be named in the UK ahead of calling Southampton home for its first ever cruises in April 2020.
In a major boost to the UK cruise industry, it will be the first time Celebrity Cruises will operate two ships from Southampton, with Celebrity Silhouette returning for her third consecutive year.
Celebrity Apex, currently being built at the Chantier de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, is sister to the first Edge-class ship, Celebrity Edge, launching in December.
Working with designers including British designer Kelly Hoppen, Patricia Urquiola and Jouin Manku, Celebrity Apex will feature all the signature spaces including the Magic Carpet and the Edge Stateroom with Infinite Balcony.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president of Celebrity Cruises, said: “In 2010 Celebrity Eclipse changed the face of UK cruising with our modern luxury approach. Celebrity Apex will continue our tradition of reimagining what is expected from all aspects of a holiday at sea and elevate modern luxury cruising in ways never seen before.”
The Edge-class of ships are being built to offer “the ultimate cruise experience” – featuring more suites than any other Celebrity Cruises ship, including the twin-level Edge Villas with outdoor plunge pools.
The two Iconic Suites will be the most spacious found anywhere in the fleet featuring over 2,500 square feet of space both indoors and out, plus 82 feet of wraparound glass windows giving uninterrupted views out to sea from the lounge, bedroom and dining room.
Lutoff-Perlo adds: “Our new Edge-class ships are design and architectural feats that bring a closer connection to both the ocean and the destinations visited with a unique outward facing design. Excitement for our newest ships continues to build and build, and I am thrilled that this news about Celebrity Apex will ensure that enthusiasm reaches record levels.”