Celebrity Apex has been officially named at its homeport in Florida more than 580 days after it was scheduled to be christened.

The 2,910-passenger vessel will now operate a nine-day round-trip sailing from Fort Lauderdale, calling into Puerto Rico, Antigua, St Lucia and St Kitts.

Next spring Apex will reposition to Amsterdam after a series of mainly seven-night Caribbean voyages this winter.

Hundreds of guests – including local dignitaries, representatives from the US Customs and Border Protection, US Coast Guard and the county sheriff’s department – attended yesterday’s ceremony.

Godmother Reshma Saujani (pictured), author and founder of non-profit organisation Girls Who Code, said it was “thrilling and humbling” to be handed the role.

President and chief executive Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said: “Celebrating Celebrity Apex is certainly long overdue and it’s a day I have been waiting to celebrate for quite a long time – 581 days, to be exact.

“This stunning ship truly represents a new standard in ‘new-luxury travel’, and we can’t wait for our guests to finally experience it for themselves.”

Lutoff-Perlo added: “Reshma is a visionary, leading the charge to challenge stereotypes and inspire a whole new generation of girls and women to bravely pursue tech jobs; just as Celebrity is working to close the gender gap at sea, growing our percentage of women serving as bridge officers to 30% in an industry where the average is 2%.”

Saujani said: “Celebrity is leading the way to create a more diverse future in the cruise industry. The brand’s commitment to the cause is clear not only through the leadership of its president and chief executive Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.”

The line will offer coding courses onboard ships as part of its Camp at Sea programme for children. More than 500 activities are available through the programme.

Apex features a bar and restaurant platform called The Magic Carpet that debuted on sister ship Edge.

The second Edge-series vessel also has infinite veranda cabins that have traditional glass doors and an exterior window that can been lowered electronically.

Lounge area, Eden, has a new dinner menu and entertainment programme. New to Apex is a pub – called Craft Social – serving a selection of international beers.