Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday performed the official naming ceremony of a new 117,000 gross ton cruise ship, the Celebrity Edge owned by Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity Cruises partnered with Yousafzai’s NGO, the Malala Fund, to support its mission to facilitate 130 million school girls around the world who are out of school to get the 12 years of free, safe and quality education.
The Malala Fund, which campaigns for education of girls all around the world, was set up by 21-year old Yousafzai after she was shot by a Taliban masked gunman in October 2012, while on her way home from school, for advocating for girls to go to school.
“Malala embodies our commitment to opening the world through education and gender equality. Seeing her aboard our ship sends a powerful message to our crew who represent over 70 diverse nationalities, and our guests who we sail all over the world,” Celebrity’s President and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, said.
Celebrity Edge, with 1,377 crew members from 72 different countries, will depart from Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazzaire, France, today and head for T25 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to prepare for its maiden voyage.
The ship is 300 meters long, 38 meters wide and has the capability to carry 2,900 guests in 1,450 staterooms.
One of the notable features of the ship is the so-called Magic Carpet, a 90-ton movable platform that is cantilevered over its side. This floating platform reaches a height of 13 stories above sea level. The ship also features a rooftop garden, dubbed the Eden.
Celebrity Edge will begin its inaugural season sailing alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries before heading for the Mediterranean in 2019. Sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Celebrity Edge will set sail on its maiden voyage on December 9, 2018.
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