Celebrity Cruises has announced it will launch and christen the Celebrity Apex in Southampton in April 2020, with a series of voyages from the port to follow.

The ship is the second in the line’s Edge-class.

It will be the first time Celebrity has operated two ships from Southampton, with Celebrity Silhouette returning for her third consecutive year. 

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO, Celebrity Cruises, said: “When Celebrity Apex launches in Southampton in 2020 it will be another incredible moment for our company and for the UK & Ireland market, especially as it will be ten years since we last named and operated a brand new ship from the UK.

“In 2010, Celebrity Eclipse changed the face of UK cruising with our modern luxury approach. Celebrity Apex will continue our tradition of reimagining what is expected from all aspects of a holiday at sea and elevate modern luxury cruising in ways never seen before.”

Lutoff-Perlo added that the design of the Edge-class ships “bring a closer connection to both the ocean and the destinations visited with a unique outward facing design”

“Excitement for our newest ships continues to build and build, and I’m thrilled that this news about Celebrity Apex will ensure that enthusiasm reaches record levels.”

Jo Rzymowska, vice president and managing director, UK, Ireland and Asia, paid tribute to the work of the line’s agent partners.

She said: “The appetite from our agent partners for the Edge-class of ships has been simply phenomenal – it is no exaggeration to say it’s been record breaking.

“It’s a fitting thank you to bring new ship Celebrity Apex to the UK in 2020 and showcase one of our ships to more agents than ever before. I promise that the travel industry will have never seen anything like it, and I simply can’t wait.”

Celebrity Apex will go on sale 29 November 2018. 

A selling toolkit specific to the new ship and new itineraries will be available later in the year.