The first brand-new ship announcement of 2025 is here, as the Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed the formal order of a sixth Edge-class vessel for Celebrity Cruises, marking another milestone in the success of this innovative ship series.
The new vessel, set to debut in 2028, will be built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, continuing the strong partnership between the cruise company and the shipyard.
The Edge-class ships have become iconic in the cruise industry for their ground-breaking designs and guest-centric experiences.
Notable features include the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that transforms between a dining venue, a tender embarkation area, and an observation deck with breath=taking sea views.
The new vessel will be a sister ship to the forthcoming Celebrity Xcel, which will set sail in November 2025 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Celebrity Xcel is already generating excitement with its new features, including guest-driven design innovations under the “Xcel Dream Makers” programme.
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, expressed her enthusiasm for the expansion.
“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.”
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises
A decade of Edge-Class excellence
The Edge-class journey began in 2018 with the debut of Celebrity Edge, followed by Celebrity Apex (2020), Celebrity Beyond (2022), Celebrity Ascent (2023), and the upcoming Celebrity Xcel (2025).
When the sixth Edge-class ship enters service in 2028, the series will have redefined premium cruising for a full decade.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, highlighted the importance of the Edge series.
“Each ship in this award-winning series has set a new standard for the industry, and Celebrity Xcel, sailing later this year, is no exception. Partnering with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to expand the Edge Series with Edge 6 is another milestone in our mission to deliver the world’s best vacations responsibly.”
Jason Liberty
Expanding the Royal Caribbean Group fleet
This new order brings Royal Caribbean Group’s active shipbuilding pipeline to six vessels across its three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
Upcoming ships include Star of the Seas, the second Icon-class ship for Royal Caribbean International, which will debut in August 2025, and two additional Icon-class vessels slated for 2026 and 2027.
Additionally, a surprise seventh ship in the Oasis class has been ordered, with a planned delivery in 2028.
We also know that a new class of ship, currently named Discovery, is in the works – though no ship orders have been confirmed.
For Celebrity Cruises, the sixth Edge-class ship and Celebrity Xcel represent the brand’s immediate growth plans, with the focus on maintaining its premium positioning in the industry.
Details about the new ship’s name, homeport, features, and itineraries remain under wraps.
However, given the Edge series’ track record of innovation and success, expectations are high for a ship that will continue to elevate the cruising experience.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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