Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St Nazaire (France) has welded a ceremonial coin to a huge steel block forming the vessel’s keel, officially marking the start of construction on the 4th ship in Celebrity Cruises' transformational Edge Series, Celebrity Ascent.
Placing the coin in the time-honored maritime ceremony were Jason Liberty (the new President and CEO of RCG-Royal Caribbean Group), and Laurent Castaing (shipbuilder's General Manager).
The laying of the coin is thought to bless and bring good fortune to the new ship.
Celebrity Ascent is the 4th in the fleet’s EDGE Series, a class of vessels hailed as design and engineering marvels. Like her industry-changing sisterships, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond, she will connect passengers to the breathtaking world around them.
Having 16 decks and 1646 staterooms, Ascent is 20 m longer than the original Celebrity Edge, allowing more space and luxury onboard.
Celebrity Ascent is scheduled to debut from the American homeport Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades Florida on December 3, 2023, for an inaugural Caribbean season of alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean roundtrip itineraries.