Celebrity Cruises to host Edge shipyard visit for UK agents

The vessel, due to launch in early December, began its first set of sea trials in France last week.

Jo Rzymowska, managing director UK and Ireland and Asia Pacific, told TTG the line would invite agent leaders to see Edge on September 12-13.

They will be hosted by Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Celebrity president and chief executive, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.

She explained that the decision to host the trip was made during a visit by RCCL bosses to the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard last week for the steel-cutting of Edge sister ship, Celebrity Apex.

Apex is expected to make her debut in spring 2020, with the third and fourth Edge series ships arriving in autumn 2021 and autumn 2022.

Rzymowska also revealed that a new training module for the line’s $500 million (£384 million) fleet modernisation programme - Celebrity Revolution – would be going live on the Cruising for Excellence training portal “over the next 48-hours”.

Announced last October, the line says Revolution will bring its fleet up to the standard of Edge.

“It’s so we can really show the difference that Revolution is going to make, it’s so much more than new carpets and a fresh coat of paint,” Rzymowska said.

“It is such a significant investment and making sure agents can understand and show the changes is absolutely vital.”

An educational video blog will also be made available for agents to learn more.