STX France today cut steel for Celebrity’s 2018 newbuild, now named Celebrity Edge, which will be the first of four Edge-class vessels for the brand. The ships are 117,000 tons and 2,900 passengers. The second ship in the class, following in 2020, will be named Celebrity Beyond.

“Edge Class is destined to be a trailblazer in modern luxury travel,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. “The new ships will be on the cutting edge of innovation and the leading edge of design, so the ship names are spot on and offer a sense of how Celebrity Cruises is looking into the future.”

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity’s President and CEO, said: “We set the bar high for the architects and designers on Edge class, and we were rewarded with a stunning design. Cutting the ship’s first piece of steel is the traditional first step in the shipbuilding process, and I’m excited to see our dreams turn into reality over the next 24 months.”

She added: “We are excited to reveal more details soon, and travelers, trade partners and enthusiasts alike will not be disappointed — this ship is going to be amazing.”

Laurent Castaing, General Manager STX France said: “Everyone involved in Edge has embraced the challenge of making this new class of ships dramatic and special, and we take great pride in helping Celebrity Cruises take such a remarkable step forward in ship design.”

The company expects delivery of Celebrity Edge in Fall 2018. Celebrity Beyond is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2020, and the third and fourth Edge Class ships in Fall 2021 and Fall 2022, respectively.