[9] The two ships were known under Project EDGE and were planned to be at 117,000 gross tonnage (GT) each, with a guest capacity of 2,900 passengers.

More of Celebrity Edge's features unique to the company fleet carry over to Celebrity Apex, including the "infinite veranda" balcony staterooms that integrate the balcony patios into the cabins' structure, a three-deck aft dining and performance venue called "Eden," and an outdoor garden on the top deck.

[18][24] On 16 January 2020, Celebrity originally announced that Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, would christen the vessel at the inaugural ceremony in Southampton on 30 March 2020, but it was announced on 5 March 2020 that all naming festivities would be postponed until the ship arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in late 2020.

[26] The next day, on 27 March 2020, 29 people had tested positive for the virus, and one person had been brought to a hospital with breathing issues.

Celebrity Apex was originally scheduled to set sail from Saint-Nazaire towards Southampton on 21 March 2020, following her delivery ceremony.

[40] Celebrity's suspension of operations due to the pandemic resulted in the postponement of her maiden voyage[3] and the cancellation of all Southampton sailings[21] as well as the second tentative debut date, which had been set for 20 May from Barcelona.

[21][41] Celebrity Apex was scheduled to re-position to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale in fall 2020 to sail week-long, round-trip Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

[42] [a]pproximately three hundred and fifty (350) crewmembers working aboard the Celebrity Apex test[ed] positive for COVID-19.