Celebrity Cruises Accelerates Fleet Expansion: Xcel Delivered, Next Ship Xcite Begins Construction
Celebrity Cruises took a giant leap forward today in redefining premium cruising, officially taking delivery of its newest Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel, and simultaneously launching the next era by cutting the first piece of steel for Celebrity Xcite. This twin milestone event at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard solidifies the brand’s commitment to innovation and elevated guest experiences.
A New Era of Design: The Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Xcel, which officially joins the fleet, is the latest iteration of the award-winning Edge Series.
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises stated:
“Celebrity Xcel has been designed with our guest as our north star, we even involved them in the design process through the Xcel Dream Makers program, so we know she will be the happy place of vacationers globally,” “We’re thrilled to welcome guests aboard next month and are excited to further expand these offerings on Celebrity Xcite.”
Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said:
“Celebrity Xcel represents the next bold step in our journey to transform the way the world experiences premium travel,” “Each ship in the Edge Series has reimagined what’s possible at sea through elevated design and experiences that deepen the connection to the destinations being visited. With Celebrity Xcel now joining the fleet and Celebrity Xcite on the horizon, we’re continuing to set new standards for excellence and innovation alongside our trusted partners at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.”
Delivery of Celebrity Xcel
Looking Ahead to Celebrity Xcite
As the excitement over Xcel‘s delivery peaks, the focus now also shifts to its sister ship. The name of the sixth vessel in the Edge Series, Celebrity Xcite, was unveiled during the steel-cutting ceremony, marking the official start of construction. Scheduled to set sail in 2028, Xcite will continue to push boundaries, furthering the innovative experiences coveted in her sister ships and delivering an unmatched premium vacation experience.
Celebrity Xcite Steel Cutting
Inaugural Seasons and Global Journeys
Guests won’t have to wait long to experience the new flagship. Celebrity Xcel will set sail in November for its inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering diverse seven-night itineraries. These voyages will alternate between:
- The Western Caribbean: Visits to The Bahamas, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands.
- The Eastern Caribbean: Journeys to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
Looking further out, Celebrity Xcel will head to Europe for Summer 2026. She will offer seven- to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the Mediterranean with new overnight stays, including in Madeira, Portugal.
More details on Celebrity Xcel can be found on Celebrity Cruises website.
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