MIAMI — Celebrity Cruises has ushered in a new era with the delivery of its long-awaited Celebrity Edge yesterday.

Following more than four years of planning and 23 months of construction, the cruise line officially took delivery of the ship in France during an official ceremony that took place both onboard and in the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.

Following the check-signing and delivery ceremony, attendees made their way across the shipyard for the ceremonial keel laying of Celebrity Apex, where a 762-tonne block was lifted in the air and a lucky coin was placed on the dock before the block was lowered into position.

“Today is a very special day for all of us as we have been eagerly anticipating this moment for more than four years,” said Celebrity’s President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “There are so many aspects of Celebrity Edge that are more groundbreaking than we could have ever imagined, and it is all a testament to the hard work, creativity and talent of everyone who helped bring this magnificent ship to life.”

On Nov. 6, Celebrity Edge will begin its transatlantic voyage to its homeport at T25 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Its inaugural season will be spent sailing alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises, with the ‘Maiden Western Caribbean’ voyage departing on Dec. 9, and the ‘Maiden Eastern Caribbean’ voyage departing on Dec. 16.

Then, in spring 2019, the ship will cross the Atlantic again to offer guests a range of seven- to 11-night Mediterranean sailings that visit such cities as Barcelona and Rome. It will join sister ship Celebrity Apex in 2020, and two additional ships in the Edge Series will follow in 2021 and 2022.

Bookings for Celebrity Edge are now open.