Odyssey of the Seas floated out

 

 

On a positive note, Odyssey of the Seas was floated out of drydock this week.  There is still much work to do before she is completed sometime next year, but she's getting closer.

Here is a short video from  Meyer Werft:

Wonder of the Seas floated out

 

 

Some good news this week, Royal Caribbean's next Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas was floated out today.  The float out is an important milestone in the ship construction process as it marks the completion of the ship's superstructure and hull.  

 

Wonder was moved to Basin C at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, with the help of 7 tugs as she has no engines yet. There is still a lot of work to be done on the ship which will enter service in 2022.

New info from Royal Caribbean on Odyssey of the Seas

Royal Caribbean announced further details on it's upcoming "Quantum Ultra" ship, Odyssey of the Seas.  Some of the highlights include a re-imagined pool deck, new dining, and tons of new entertainment.

Odyssey sailing start in November 2020 from Ft. Lauderdale.  She will then move to Rome in May 2021 for the summer season.

From the press release:

Bold in every direction, Odyssey’s highlights include the ultimate SeaPlex activity space that delivers a dose of adrenaline with new thrills, a little friendly competition and the most interactive arcade at sea. Adding to the mix, Odyssey will debut a reimagined Adventure Ocean where young adventure seekers can choose their own immersive experiences across an entirely new layout, while a new maxed-out teen lounge with gaming consoles, music and movies will provide endless hangout options indoors and outdoors on an exclusive patio. When it’s time to refuel, guests can enjoy the new Teppanyaki restaurant serving Far East flavors, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar with rustic Italian dishes and a contemporary flair. Entertainment across the ship will be punctuated by high-tech signature productions in the Royal Theater and Two70, where art and multimedia merge for surrounding, jaw-dropping performances only on Odyssey.

“Odyssey of the Seas will set an all-new standard created to deliver the most memorable vacations by combining immersive experiences, the best of Royal Caribbean’s trendsetting innovations and the signature ‘Royal Way’ service of our dedicated crew members,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “This Quantum Ultra Class ship introduces a new way to see the world as she becomes our first purposefully built vessel for island hopping on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Fun Stuff:

Odyssey will feature the next generation of the Quantum Class' SeaPlex fun zone which is the largest indoor activity space at sea where there will be bumper cars, trapeze, laser tag, and sports.  There will also be the most interactive arcade to ever sail which will dominate the upper level of SeaPlex with VR games for individual and group play, augmented reality walls and floors for high-tech competitions and family experiences.  All that will be overlooked by Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade which boasts a prime location within SeaPlex, with TVs at every angle and club-level views of the competition below and onscreen.  There will also be other favorites like the FlowRider, RipCord by iFly, and SkyPad.

Just Relax:

Odyssey will feature a two-level pool deck will offer a variety of options to sit back and soak up the sun with two open-air, resort-style pools and four whirlpools, surrounded by plenty of shady casitas and hammocks.  The Lime and Coconut bar will be two levels overlooking the pool area and you can grab some Mexican classics at El Loco Fresh.  

For the kids, there will be Splashaway Bay and for the adults, the peace of the Solarium.

Are you not entertained?

Royal's Quantum ships have some of the highest tech entertainment and Odyssey will continue that trend with Two70 which boasts 270-degree panoramic windows with sweeping ocean views from an expansive open area living room, which transforms in plain sight into a 135-foot-wide and 22-foot-tall screen.  At night the space turns into a multidimensional theater – where a troupe of six agile Roboscreens come to life in sync with music, special effects and multitalented live performers and aerialists.

In the Music Hall there will be an always-changing set list of live performances to enjoy.

Hungry Yet?

New on Odyssey will be Teppanyaki, serving authentic oriental flavors cooked in one of Japan’s traditional styles. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar is a new twist on an old favorite and will feature all you would expect in a classic Italian trattoria including hand-tossed pizzas fresh out of the oven.

There will also be Royal Caribbean favorites, Izumi, Chop’s Grille, Chef’s Table, and Wonderland.

Busy week

Just back from our 2nd Harmony of the Seas sailing in the last 2 months this past Sunday.  Getting back up to speed slowly, so keep an eye out for the review which will be coming soon.

There have also been a few new Royal Caribbean related stories over the last couple of weeks that are of interest.


Oasis 5 named:

Royal announced the name of the 5th Oasis class ship last week and she will be called Wonder of the Seas.  She will be the first Oasis ship based in Asia and will sail out of Shanghai starting in 2021.

Full press release can be found here - ROYAL CARIBBEAN REVEALS HOMEPORT AND NAME OF FIFTH OASIS CLASS SHIP


New "Perfect Day":

A couple of days ago Royal Caribbean announced a new private island is in the works in the South Pacific.  It will be called Perfect Day at Lelepa, Vanuatu.  The cruise line said it will be first "Carbon Neutral" private cruise destination in the world.

Press release is here - ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES LELEPA, VANUATU IS PERFECT FOR “PERFECT DAY”


Grandeur of the Seas leaving fleet

Just read on another site that Royal has announced that Grandeur will be transferred out of the Royal Caribbean fleet and enter service with Pullmantur Cruises in Spring 2021.  Seems they are moving out some more older ships to make way for new ones.

Royal Caribbean finally bringing a Quantum Class ship to Florida

This is exciting news.  For the first time, Royal Caribbean is bringing a Quantum Class ship to Florida, and it's the new Odyssey of the Seas.  Odyssey will be the second Quantum Ultra ship in the fleet, joining Spectrum of the Seas. 

The Quantum ships are the only class we haven't been on, so we will have to check this out. 

Odyssey is currently under construction and, when completed, she will sail to the Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale beginning in November 2020.

Here is the full press release:

ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO WELCOME FIRST QUANTUM ULTRA CLASS SHIP TO NORTH AMERICA

Odyssey of the Seas Inaugural Season Starts November 2020, Sailing from South Florida

MIAMI, Sept. 13, 2019 – Royal Caribbean International will dial up the adventure in South Florida in fall 2020 with the debut of the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas – the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America. The global cruise line’s 27th ship will arrive to her seasonal homeport of Fort Lauderdale, FL in November 2020 to offer 8- and 6-night Caribbean cruises. Odyssey will then continue her inaugural year in Europe for summer 2021.

          Offering even more ways to experience the sun-soaked islands of the Western and Southern Caribbean, Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to call on Aruba and Curacao as part of its 8-night itineraries. Island-hopping vacationers can explore Aruba’s rugged landscape off-roading in Arikok National Park, and discover the beloved architecture and narrow streets of Willemstad, Curacao. Primed for memory-making, Odyssey’s 6-night adventures will open the door to deep diving in Cozumel, Mexico; swimming with sea turtles in George Town, Grand Cayman; and a day of thrill and chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay, home to Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America; Up, Up & Away, the helium balloon experience that soars up to 450 feet in the air; Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool; and the pristine, white sand beaches of The Bahamas.

          Odyssey’s Caribbean cruises are now open for sale; and Europe itineraries will open in November 2019.

          As part of the Quantum Ultra Class, Odyssey of the Seas will represent the next evolution of Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking and high-tech Quantum Class. First introduced in 2014, Quantum Class ships boldly redefined the industry with unprecedented innovations in design, thrilling activities, game-changing technology and multidimensional entertainment. Travelers on board Odyssey can expect to find an unrivaled combination of new, soon-to-be-announced experiences, plus “Only on Royal” features, including the RipCord by iFLY sky-diving adventure; North Star, a glass observation capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; the state-of-the-art Two70 entertainment venue; and a robust lineup of culinary experiences. The ship will also tout the SeaPlex, the largest and most revolutionary indoor active space at sea, featuring a trapeze school, full-size basketball court, roller-skating rink and bumper cars.

            For more details on these new itineraries, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 16 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Construction on Royal Caribbean's Fifth Oasis Class Ship Begins

Oasis number 5 had her "steel cutting" ceremony today.  The, still unnamed, ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2021.

Royal Caribbean's press release:

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON FIFTH OASIS CLASS SHIP

MIAMI, April 24, 2019 – The revolutionary Oasis Class will soon have a new sister, as today Royal Caribbean International celebrated the steel cutting of a fifth Oasis Class ship, scheduled to be delivered in 2021. The steel cutting, marking the official start of construction, took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The Oasis Class took the cruise industry by storm with the introduction of Oasis of the Seas a decade ago and again with the introduction of Symphony of the Seas in 2018. The fifth Oasis Class ship will combine the iconic seven-neighborhood concept that her sister ships feature with a bold and unexpected lineup of thrilling experiences, imaginative dining, unparalleled entertainment and the latest technology.

Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest global cruise line, delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 260 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Perfect Day Island Collection with the first private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The cruise line has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 16 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Celebrity orders 5th "Edge-Class" Ship.

Royal Caribbean has announced that they have placed an order for a 5th Edge Class ship for subsidiary Celebrity Cruises which is due to enter service in Fall 2024.

Three other Edge-class ships were ordered earlier and are scheduled for delivery in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This new order is contingent upon financing.

Below is a link to the full news article from Cruise Industry News:

Celebrity Orders Fifth Edge-Class Ship for 2024 Delivery

Spectrum of the Seas construction video

Now that Spectrum of the Seas is complete and has been officially delivered to Royal Caribbean, shipyard Meyer Werft released this video on their YouTube channel showing her construction and delivery.

Royal Caribbean officially takes delivery of Spectrum of the Seas

Today Royal Caribbean officially took delivery of the 26th ship in its fleet, Spectrum of the Seas, in a ceremony held today in Bremerhaven, Germany. Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019.

Here is a video from Royal Caribbean:

And here is the full press release for your reading enjoyment:

ROYAL CARIBBEAN WELCOMES SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS TO THE FAMILY 

First Quantum Ultra Class Ship Features New Suite Class, Innovative Dining and First-to-Brand Experiences

MIAMI, April 11, 2019 – Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line, officially took delivery of the 26th ship in its fleet, Spectrum of the Seas, in a ceremony held today in Bremerhaven, Germany. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain and President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley received the new ship from Meyer Wert Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer and Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Director Tim Meyer at the official handover ceremony. The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019.

“We are excited to welcome Spectrum of the Seas, our first Quantum Ultra Class ship to the Royal Caribbean family,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We have once again combined revolutionary ship design with the latest technology to deliver a ship that will redefine the China cruise market. We are excited for our guests to make amazing family memories.”

Designed and built for unforgettable vacation experiences, Spectrum will debut the global cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, and innovative dining concepts, along with stunning features, experiences and technology – many of which have never been seen before at sea.

Spectrum’s highlights include:
Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive suites-only area, which will feature the exquisite Goldenand Silver suite accommodations in a private enclave at the forward end of the ship on decks 13 through 16. Vacationers booked in these luxury suites will have special keycard access, a private elevator and a dedicated restaurant and lounge. In addition to a range of exclusive amenities, guests will have access to The Balcony – a private outdoor space for sunbathing and relaxing – that offers the best views on board; and The Boutique, a shopping area where travelers can book private shopping experiences.
The two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite accommodating up to 11 guests. The three-bedroom suite includes a master bedroom and two additional bedrooms for grandparents and other family members. Kids have their own kid-friendly space on the upper level, complete with an in-suite slide that will transport them to the living area below. Everyone in the family can enjoy time together in the recreation room, featuring surround-sound equipment for a night of karaoke, movies and video games.

Innovative dining concepts Sichuan Red– with authentic cuisine from the Sichuan province of China, Wonderland’s Dadong – a new outpost of Chinese chef Dong Zhenxiang, renowned for his much-coveted roast duck; and the Leaf and Bean traditional tea room and café parlor offering a range of authentic Chinese teas, classic coffee drinks as well as freshly baked Chinese and western desserts and pastries. 

 
Debuting on Spectrum, a new lively and energetic karaoke venue, Star Moment, where family and friends can belt out and sing like stars.
An enhanced SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea, where families can enjoy bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and new augmented realitywalls and floors, providing guests with thrilling, high-tech interactive experiences. 

The iconic Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience located on the aft of the ship, as well as Quantum Class favorites: the North Star, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views; RipCord by iFly, a heart-pounding skydiving simulator experience; and the FlowRider surfing simulator. 

 
Cutting-edge and transformative venues, such as Two70with its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking 270-degree views of the ocean. Two70 features its signature Vistarama technology, which transforms the panoramic windows into a projection surface more than 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall to showcase spectacular digital shows. Six agile Roboscreens, measuring over 7 feet tall and controlled by powerful, yet nimble robotic arms, create scenes as they soar and twist solo or as one. Two70 will also feature new room-scale augmented reality experiences that transport vacationers to new worlds of adventure.

Accommodating 4,246 guests at double occupancy and 1,551 international crew members, Spectrum will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she arrives to her new home in Shanghai on June 3, 2019. Before Spectrum arrives to her new home this summer, she will sail a 46-night Global Odyssey from Barcelona, Spain to Shanghai, taking guests to an exciting array of ports, including Aqaba, Jordan; Dubai, UAE; Muscat, Oman; Cochin, India and Georgetown, Malaysia. In winter 2019, the ship will reposition to Hong Kong to offer special holiday cruises.

Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest global cruise line, delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to the more than 260 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Perfect Day Island Collection debut with a transformed private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The cruise line has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 16 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and  visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Spectrum of the Seas Conveyance Video

Royal Caribbean shared a video today of Specrtum's conveyance down the River Ems.  Cool video sowing some pretty tight clearances as she maneuvers down the river to the open sea.

Check it out:

Spectrum of the Seas float out

Just came across this video from Meyer Werft's Facebook page of the float out of Spectrum of the Seas.







The full video can be found on their You Tube page:

Royal Caribbean orders sixth Oasis Class ship

Just saw the breaking news that Royal Caribbean has officially placed an order for a sixth Oasis Class ship.  The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2023. 

Reports indicate that this will be the largest of the class, climbing to about 231,000 tons, roughly 3,000 tons larger than Symphony of the Seas.  Oasis 6 will also have more cabins and a double occupancy capacity of 5,714 guests.  Symphony of the Seas can hold 5,518 passengers at double occupancy.

Oasis 5 is also still currently under construction and will be completed in 2021.

Royal Caribbean planning a multi-billion dollar expansion and improvement project

Beginning with the release of Symphony of the Seas in a few weeks, Royal Caribbean is kicking off an expansion and renovation plan that they hope will carry them into the future and attract the next generation of cruisers to their brand.  There is a lot to go through, I'll focus on what I think are the highlights.

Perfect Day Island Collection
In 2019, they will debut the first of their "Perfect Day Island Collection" destinations with a re-imagined Coco Cay.

Perfect Day at CocoCay, is a $200 million transformation of the cruise line’s existing private island in The Bahamas that will deliver the ultimate family destination in the Caribbean.

Highlights include:

• Thrill Waterpark, featuring two brag-worthy water towers with 13 slides – the most slides found in any waterpark in the Caribbean – will include the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. In addition, the waterpark will feature the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and a kid-friendly obstacle course pool.
• Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, with a swim-up bar and in-pool loungers.
• A 1,600-foot zip line that crisscrosses the island at up to 50 feet high and features the only water landing in the Caribbean.
• A helium balloon, dubbed Up, Up and Away, floats up to 450 feet above the ground providing for the highest vantage point in The Bahamas.
• Two specially designed beaches – Chill Island for the ultimate beach escape, complete with pristine, crystal-clear tropical waters and white powder-like sand – and plentiful cabanas and daybeds for relaxation; and the action-packed South Beach with volleyball, beachside basketball, soccer, paddle boarding, glass-bottom kayaking and zorbing in an inflatable zorb ball.
• The exclusive Coco Beach Club, will offer an upscale island experience that will feature the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas.

Perfect Day at CocoCay will roll out in phases, beginning Sept. 2018 with the completion of the pier, and the majority of the island will launch spring 2019. Coco Beach Club, the final experience to be completed, is set to open Nov. 2019. Additional Perfect Day Island Collection destinations in Asia, Australia and Caribbean will be announced at a later date.

For a taste of the perfect day, visit royalcaribbean.com/perfectdaycococay.

Royal Amplified
On the ship side of things, Royal Caribbean will be investing $900 million on what they are calling the "Royal Amplified" program which will span 4 years and 10 current ships in the fleet including Oasis and Allure of the Seas, as well as all Freedom and Voyager Class ships.

In developing Royal Amplified, the line analyzed multiple years of guest satisfaction ratings, venue utilization data and crew interviews to focus the major investment on key features and experiences that matter most to travelers. Full details on each ship’s new amenities will be revealed on a continuous basis in the next three years.

A Look Ahead at Royal Amplified

• Freedom Class – Independence of the Seas will be the first ship in the Royal Amplified program to reveal multimillion-dollar upgrades, including Sky Pad, Battle for Planet Z, a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides and a new Escape Room: The Observatorium challenge, where competitors can solve a series of high-tech riddles to unravel a mystery. Not to mention the addition of new dining venues, from Fish and Ships – a seaside seafood spot with freshly battered fish and chips and other guest favorites – to Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Sugar Beach. Independence will offer 3- to 14-night sailings from Southampton, England beginning in May 2018, before she heads across the pond in Nov. 2018 to sail from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on 4- to 5-night Caribbean cruises. Freedom of the Seas will be up next, debuting new features in 2020, followed by Liberty of the Seas in 2021.
• Voyager Class – In summer 2018, the transformation of Royal Caribbean’s short Caribbean cruises will begin with the $90 million amp-up of Mariner of the Seas. Mariner will redefine the quick getaway by giving guests the chance to take their weekends to new heights with the addition of new thrills, such as Sky Pad and laser tag; The Bamboo Room, a retro lounge with its tiki-chic décor; and the fun and vibrant Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. The program will continue in 2019 on sister ship Navigator of the Seas, which also will be redesigned to specifically cater to those who seek a quick getaway.
• Oasis Class – Oasis of the Seas will be completely reimagined in fall 2019, ten years after her revolutionary debut. The ship will gain new thrills, pools, bars and culinary creations, as well as introduce new restaurants and onboard adventures found on the newest Oasis Class ship, Symphony of the Seas. These enhancements will cascade to Allure of the Seas in spring 2020, making every ship in the class more adventurous than ever.

New Ships
Beginning with Symphony of the Seas in April 2018, Royal Caribbean has plans to add at least 6 new ships between now and 2024.  They will include the Quantum Ultra Class Spectrum of the Seas, an evolution of the Quantum Class of ships set to debut in 2019; a second Quantum Ultra Class ship in 2020, a fifth Oasis Class ship in 2021 and a new class known as Icon, with ships delivered in 2022 and 2024, both which will be largely powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel cells.

Latest Symphony of the Seas videos

Symphony of the Seas is quickly approaching her maiden voyage. She just completed her second round of sea trials and is now having the final touches applied at the shipyard prior to her turnover to Royal Caribbean. 

They have shared a couple of updated videos of her progress.




Some B-roll footage:

Symphony of the Seas sneak peek from USA Today

For everyone who can't get enough news about Symphony of the Seas, USA Today just posted a "Sneek Peek" of the soon to be largest cruise ship ever built.

Check out the article here:

Sneak peek: Inside Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, largest cruise ship ever

Cruise Critic tour of Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas is just about a month away from her launch and Cruise Critic was among a select group of journalists invited to tour her at the shipyard where she is being built.

Check out the article here:

Just Back From Symphony of the Seas: Touring at the Shipyard

New construction pictures of Spectrum and Symphony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean released some new construction photos of it's two newest ships, Symphony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.

Symphony of the Seas is the latest in the Oasis Class of ships and is set to make it's maiden voyage in just a couple of months.

Spectrum of the Seas will debut in 2019 and is the latest in the Quantum Class of ships.

Celebrity Edge float out

Celebrity Cruises marked a milestone in the construction of their newest ship, Celebrity Edge, today as she was floated out of drydock for the first time.  Set to make her maiden voyage on 11/21/2018, the ship still needs to be fitted out and run her sea trials before entering service.

This is one I'm keeping a close eye on as there are some very interesting features and innovations in the design of this ship.  Will it get me to break my 18 year streak of sailing exclusively on Royal Caribbean?  Not sure, but it is tempting.

Here is the full press release:

SAINT-NAZAIRE, FRANCE – January 23, 2018 – Celebrity Cruises is excited to offer the world a glimpse of what will be the brand’s first ship in a new class in more than 10 years, as Celebrity Edge floated out of her dry dock at the STX France shipyard.

“This truly is an exciting moment for our brand,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “The float out process marks a milestone in the building of Celebrity Edge. With exterior construction complete, the amazing STX France team will now turn their attention to bringing all of the meticulously designed venues and transformational staterooms and suites to life.”

Celebrity Edge will spend her inaugural season sailing alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries before transporting guests to the stunning vistas of the Mediterranean with a range of seven- to 11-night sailings from iconic cities like Barcelona and Rome in 2019.

Homeporting in Fort Lauderdale, FL., Celebrity Edge will be making her first sailing November 21, 2018. Bookings are now open at www.celebritycruises.com/edge, or through a travel agent. Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

About Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 12 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents incredible cruise tour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of five cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.

New photo update on Symphony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society has posted some more photos of Symphony's progress on Facebook.

Check them out.

Royal Caribbean begins construction of Spectrum of the Seas, first "Quantum Ultra" ship

Royal Caribbean began construction on their first "Quantum Ultra" class ship yesterday.  The ship will be named Spectrum of the Seas and it will be designed specifically for the Asian market.

More from Royal Caribbean's press release:

ROYAL CARIBBEAN MARKS FIRST MAJOR CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE OF THE NEW QUANTUM ULTRA

World’s Most Innovative Cruise Line Celebrates Steel Cutting and Reveals Name of Newest Ship For China

MIAMI, August 15, 2017 – Excitement was in the air today at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, as Royal Caribbean International marked the official start of construction by cutting the first piece of steel for its new Quantum Ultra ship. The next engineering marvel in the innovative cruise line’s lineup will officially be named Spectrum of the Seas.

Set to debut in 2019, Spectrum will be the next evolution of the cruise line’s groundbreaking and high-tech Quantum class of ships placing the ship in a new class of her own. The revolutionary Quantum Ultra ship will specifically be designed for guests in China and the Asia-Pacific region, and will feature cutting-edge and unprecedented experiences and amenities.

“Today is a very special day in the development of our new Quantum Ultra ship, Spectrum of the Seas. We are now one step closer to delighting our guests in Asia Pacific with this remarkable ship,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Spectrum will be another giant leap forward in vessel design and guest experiences that will provide travelers with ample opportunities to create unforgettable memories.” 

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 48-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. On board, guests are catered to with the cruise line’s world-renowned friendly and engaging service by every staff and crew member. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 14 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

The cruise line sails 24 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. 

Some photos courtesy of the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Facebook page.