Celebrity Cruises has announced that Celebrity Apex, the line’s second Edge-class ship, will homeport in Southampton for its full 2024 season.

It will be the first Edge ship to sail out of Southampton, replacing Celebrity Silhouette and operating four to 13-night sailings from May through to November 2024.

Itineraries include a 12-night Norwegian Fjords and Arctic Circle cruise, as well as voyages to Ibiza and the Mediterranean.

Following agent feedback from travel partners, Celebrity Cruises said it was announcing its UK deployment two weeks in advance of launch date for the first time. 

In addition, Celebrity Cruises has committed to hosting 600 agents on board the ship in 2023.

It will also introduce new Celebrity Apex training modules on Celebrity Passport, plus agents selling Celebrity Apex can earn up to £20 per booking on all 2024 bookings via Celebrity Rewards.

UK market ‘integral’ to Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises EMEA vice-president and MD Jo Rzymowska said: “The UK has always been integral to the success of our brand, and homeporting Celebrity Apex from Southampton underlines our commitment to this market and is testament to the strength of local consumer demand, supported by our formidable travel partners.

“There is huge appetite from UK guests who share our curiosity for people, places and cultures, and our passion for opening up the world through a love of travel.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming even more of our guests on board Celebrity Apex when she raises the bar for cruising from Southampton in 2024.”

The line’s president and CEO Lisa Lutoff Perlo added: “This truly is an exciting moment for us.

“Having one of our award-winning Edge Series ships sailing from Southampton will offer an experience like no other from the UK, connecting guests to the world around them through the innovative outward-facing design and visionary spaces these celebrated ships are known for.

“Celebrity Cruises continues to redefine cruising, taking our guests to the world’s best places on the world’s best places.”