In February 1998, Royal Caribbean signed a letter of intent with Chantiers de l'Atlantique to build two new ships, with an option for two more, that would make up a new class of ships, dubbed the Millennium class. Designed to be an evolution from Celebrity's Century-class ships, these new ships were originally planned to measure 85,000 GT and have a guest capacity of approximately 1,900, and be delivered in June 2000 and January 2001, respectively.

The ship was the first new-build vessel for Celebrity following the merger between it and Royal Caribbean, and also Celebrity's first new-build not built by German shipyard Meyer Werft.She was launched on 7 November 1999 from the shipyard. She set out for her first set of sea trials on 7 April 2000 and her second set on 21 April 2000. She was initially scheduled to be delivered on 31 May 2000, but her delivery was delayed to 22 June 2000. She was christened in Southampton on 26 June 2000 by Robyn Roux, wife of French celebrity chef Michel Roux. Her first port of registry was Monrovia, Liberia.