Two More Edge Class Ships Ordered

Looks like Celebrity will be enlarging their fleet or getting rid of older ships.

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/15000-royal-orders-oasis-five-two-more-ships-for-celebrity.html

Like everyone else, I'm curious about the size of the new edge class ships. We happen to see the Harmony of the Seas in Southampton last Sunday and it is HUGE. Some folks like that whole resort in a boat feel and don't mind having to book tickets to see shows, etc. To us, it's geared towards family cruising.

My DW and I much prefer smaller ships and we're hoping that the edge class is somewhat smaller than the s-class with the return of the "old celebrity" ambiance, food, shows, entertainment and activities.....and they view oceania/azamara as their competition rather than trying to be more like all the other mass market lines.

Why would RCI want Celebrity in direct competition with Azamara?

I expect they will be big, they will have a section like the haven on NCL or yacht club on MSC and as the come online the M class will go.

Why would RCI want Celebrity in direct competition with Azamara?

Why do they currently want them in competition with RCL?

Great news !

I hope they are not big, or like NCL. The size is fine now

I expect they will be big, they will have a section like the haven on NCL or yacht club on MSC and as the come online the M class will go.

Not expecting them to be big, but definitely expecting the suite class segregated deck/s.

Bye-Bye M Class.

You are soon to be the Mein Schiff 3, 4, 5, 6!

5th oasis class ship. Amazing.

Bye-Bye M Class.

 

 

You are soon to be the Mein Schiff 3, 4, 5, 6!

Mein Schiff already has ships 3 and 4. Not sure they need more.

It's hard to get too excited about additional Edge class ships when there is so little known about the first ones.

We were on the Solstice last year when the Edge Class were announced./ We were advised that they would be bigger than the Millenium Class but smaller than the Solstice Class. It seems to me that RCCL is positioning Celebrity as the medium between RCCL ships and Azamara.

We were on the Solstice last year when the Edge Class were announced./ We were advised that they would be bigger than the Millenium Class but smaller than the Solstice Class. It seems to me that RCCL is positioning Celebrity as the medium between RCCL ships and Azamara.

And this was confirmed by NUMEROUS staff members on the April Reflection TA, including the Captain. The Edge Class will hold about 300 LESS passengers than the "S" class.....

Anxious to see the finished product, even if 2 years away....

Like everyone else, I'm curious about the size of the new edge class ships. We happen to see the Harmony of the Seas in Southampton last Sunday and it is HUGE. Some folks like that whole resort in a boat feel and don't mind having to book tickets to see shows, etc. To us, it's geared towards family cruising.

 

My DW and I much prefer smaller ships and we're hoping that the edge class is somewhat smaller than the s-class with the return of the "old celebrity" ambiance, food, shows, entertainment and activities.....and they view oceania/azamara as their competition rather than trying to be more like all the other mass market lines.

I expect they will be big, they will have a section like the haven on NCL or yacht club on MSC and as the come online the M class will go.

The Edge Class ships will be 117,000 tons. This new class will be a bit more crowded than the S-class, with a space ratio 40.34, compared to 42.81 on the Solstice. Not a huge difference however. The Solstice is 122.000 tons.

MIAMI, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Cruises has taken a bold step in ship design with the signing of a letter of intent for a new class of vessels, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and French shipbuilder STX France announced today. The two 2,900-guest, 117,000-gross-registered-ton ships, developed under the project name EDGE will build upon the modern luxury experience of the brand's Millennium and Solstice class vessels.

Enjoy!

Kel:)

The two 2,900-guest, 117,000-gross-registered-ton ships, developed under the project name EDGE will build upon the modern luxury experience of the brand's Millennium and Solstice class vessels. Kel:)

Let's hope that they truly build upon the modern luxury experience and it's just not marketing rhetoric like they're doing now.

Hi Everyone,

Here's the Press Release from Royal Caribbean & Celebrity via PRNewswire :

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-caribbean-cruises-expands-oasis-and-edge-class-300275158.html

MIAMI, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with French Shipbuilder STX France to build a fifth Oasis-class ship for delivery in the Spring of 2021, and two additional Edge-class ships scheduled for delivery in the Fall of each of 2021 and 2022.

"The response to the arrival of Harmony of the Seas is staggering, eliciting excitement from eager cruisers from markets on both sides of the Atlantic," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "And Edge-class is one of the most highly anticipated new projects, following the high bar of Modern Luxury design set by its predecessor, the Solstice-class."

"The Oasis-class ships have delivered beyond expectations each time," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Harmony of the Seas' warm reception is evidence that growing this class of ship will continue to drive exceptional performance for the brand."

"Although our first Edge-class vessel is still over two years away from delivery, there has been a tremendous amount of interest around the new standard of style Edge-class will introduce," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. "Solstice-class ushered in a new era of design for modern cruise ships, and Edge-class will not disappoint as the new generation of high style and design."

"We are extremely pleased with the recent success of Harmony of the Seas and take great pride in our partnership with Royal Caribbean," said Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of STX France. "It is especially exciting to collaborate on such diverse projects from Oasis to Edge, both marvels in their own space."

This order is contingent upon the completion of customary conditions, including documentation and financing. Final contracts, which include the definitive payment schedules, are expected to be completed within the quarter. Capacity increases for 2016 through 2020 remain unchanged.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisières de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture. Together, these six brands operate a combined total of 47 ships with an additional twelve on order. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on approximately 490 destinations on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on http://www.royalcaribbean.com, http://www.celebritycruises.com, http://www.pullmantur.es, http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com, http://www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com, http://www.tuicruises.com or http://www.rclinvestor.com.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Bye-Bye M Class.

 

 

You are soon to be the Mein Schiff 3, 4, 5, 6!

Hi Neverbeenhere,

While I'm sure the M-Class will say farewell at some point, it's probably way too soon to start the countdown, for the following reasons :

1. I can't see any scenario where the M-Class potentially leaves the fleet until there's at least 3-4 of the Edge Class ships, which puts them somewhere around 2021/2022.

2. Celebrity has been revitalizing the M-Class ships. If they were going anywhere say in the next 1-3 years, they would not be making the investment.

3. Mein Schiff already has 2 new ships (Mein Schiff 3 & 4) and has 2 more on the way (Mein Schiff 5 & 6). This likely means they are not hungry for older ships at he moment.

Hope this helps !

Mein Schiff 7 is already on order, too

Hi Neverbeenhere,

 

While I'm sure the M-Class will say farewell at some point, it's probably way too soon to start the countdown, for the following reasons :

 

1. I can't see any scenario where the M-Class potentially leaves the fleet until there's at least 3-4 of the Edge Class ships, which puts them somewhere around 2021/2022.

 

2. Celebrity has been revitalizing the M-Class ships. If they were going anywhere say in the next 1-3 years, they would not be making the investment.

 

3. Mein Schiff already has 2 new ships (Mein Schiff 3 & 4) and has 2 more on the way (Mein Schiff 5 & 6). This likely means they are not hungry for older ships at he moment.

 

Hope this helps !

Exactly what they did with the S class ships, ordered I believe one and then increased the number of new builds. Agree with Andy, you won't see M class going for a few years.

Okay, as countdowns go this one is out a few more days than 40 days. And Yes, Tui may have there ships in line, but Ctrip stock has more than doubled in the last year and CDF only has a couple ships. So, we shall see.

As well as Mein Schiff there's Pullmantaur / Thomsons (who've taken on. An old RCI ship recently ) or some other joint venture in the pipeline?

DYKWIA, celebrity is now in direct competition with RCL. What would be the difference?

I sure hope they'll build a thalassotherapy pool (or two) into the design of the E- class ships! A great chance to rectify the serious mistake of not including them on the S-class, IMHO. :p

Betsy

DYKWIA, celebrity is now in direct competition with RCL. What would be the difference?

Are they marketed to a different audience?

In the same way carnival seems to market its brands to different audiences?