Celebrity Cruises just announced its plans to build two new cruise ships currently dubbed Project EDGE. Bucking the trend of bigger is better, the new class of ship will actually be smaller than the largest in the current Celebrity fleet.
At 117,000-gross tons, the two sister ships will be sized between the Millennium-class and Solstice-class vessels and carry 2,900 guests each. The intent is to accommodate “small ship itineraries with large ship amenities,” according to the cruise line.
The new EDGE-class ships will be built by STX France and measure in at 984 feet in length, 123 feet in width and 190 feet in height. They will represent the latest in environmentally-friendly designs.
“The addition of two project EDGE vessels to our fleet delivers on our long-term strategic plan of moderate capacity growth, and continues the positive momentum the Celebrity brand has achieved in the premium segment of our industry,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Expected delivery of the first new cruise ship is in the fall of 2018 with the second expected in early 2020. Stay tuned here as more details are released.
HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: JASON LEPPERT