Celebrity Apex back at Saint-Nazaire for 'mini trials'Celebrity Apex back at Saint-Nazaire for 'mini trials'

The ship is to undergo sea trials between Belle-Ile and Noirmoutier.

Should have taken place earlier

These 'mini trials' should have taken place before the newest Celebrity Cruises ship headed to Southampton but were delayed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique's schedule. Once they're completed, Celebrity hopes the ship will be able to start its trans-Atlantic crossing.

According to local media, Celebrity Apex didn't come back to the port but moored off the coast of Pornichet. A small team dedicated to sea trials from Chantiers and contractors have boarded the ship, Chantiers said.

Celebrity Apex was handed over to its owner in March and had remained docked at Chantiers' Penhoet wharf due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ship moved to make room for MSC Virtuosa and had been anchoring off the coast since Aug. 23 before leaving Sept. 21 for the visit to Southampton the following day.