Celebrity Ascent has touched water for the first time ahead of its launch in December 2023.

The construction milestone means the Celebrity Cruises’ fourth Edge-series now has a completed hull and exterior structure.

Celebrity said the vessel, which is being built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France, would be a “twin sister” to Celebrity Beyond which debuted in April last year.

President Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said: “Celebrity Ascent will be the embodiment of a relaxed luxury resort at sea and I can’t imagine a more exciting way to start the new year than by celebrating this important construction milestone.

“The collaboration between the shipyard and Celebrity teams continues to be extraordinary and I am grateful to all involved for their passion and expertise.

“Momentum and anticipation is quickly building for this ship and we’ll continue to share her progress and all that awaits our guests onboard this next installation in our ground-breaking, next-generation Edge-series.”

Celebrity Ascent is now mooring in a new location at the shipyard, where interior work will now begin and continue over the next several months, the line said.