Sarah Bretz, ContributorRoyal Caribbean Group announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard to order a sixth Edge class ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028.
Edge 6 or “Xcel 2” will be a sister ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is preparing to set sail later this year. Other Edge class ships include Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent. The first, Celebrity Edge, debuted in 2018.
“Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Xcel will take forward the best of Edge Series ships coupled with seven new experiences, all perfected with the help of our recently announced Xcel Dream Makers – an industry first program enlisting the power of cruisers to make final decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment.”
Celebrity Cruises’ Edge class ships transformed the cruising experience with iconic features like the cantilevered floating platform Magic Carpet, infinity balcony staterooms, and the plant-filled multipurpose space Eden. The sixth ship in the lineup will incorporate key features from the Edge class, while making room for other not-yet-announced innovations.
“The strong ties between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Group have led to the creation of the unique Edge Series design,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “This sixth ship marks the epitome of a pioneering series in the cruise industry that is both elegant, high-performing, and ever more innovative, notably thanks to its methanol capabilities.”
Royal Caribbean Group’s newbuild pipeline currently includes a total of eight ships on order. This year, the company will welcome two new ships including Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel.
The new agreement is contingent upon customary conditions, including financing.
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