Celebrity Cruises has held the steel cutting ceremony for Celebrity Ascent – the fourth ship in the line’s Edge class.

The event – which took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire – was attended by cruise line executives.

Celebrity Ascent is scheduled to launch in early 2023 and will join Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond as Edge-class ships.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO and chairman Richard Fain said: “The name of this new ship is very apropos as the industry rebounds, but also as Celebrity continues to lead the industry as an unmatched new-luxury brand and cruise line.

“Celebrity Ascent will take the industry to new heights as it pushes the boundaries of what people can experience on a ship and how they experience it.”

Celebrity Cruises president & CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said: “What another wonderful moment for our brand, our company and our industry to be in this incredible shipyard making the traditional first cut of steel on this magnificent ship and signalling the bright future that lies ahead.

“While I wish I could share what we have in store for this ship, I can tell you our ‘Ascent’ will be Celebrity Beyond’s sister ship in every way, and then some.”

Chantiers de l’Atlantique general manager Laurent Castaing added: “This is a momentous occasion and a new milestone in the long success story we have with Celebrity Cruises and the Royal Caribbean Group.

“Celebrity has been on the forefront of pushing the industry forward on multiple levels, and it’s our privilege to partner and collaborate with them as we bring Celebrity Ascent to life.”

Celebrity Cruises recently held the naming ceremony for Celebrity Apex, another ship in the Edge class. The ship was named by its godmother, Reshma Saujani, the founder of international non-profit organisation Girls Who Code.