Celebrity Cruises has officially taken delivery of its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, and announced the name of its next Edge Series vessel, Celebrity Xcite, as construction began at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Celebrity Xcite is scheduled to debut in 2028.
The delivery of Celebrity Xcel was marked by a traditional maritime handover ceremony, attended by executives from Royal Caribbean Group, the shipyard and the ship’s 1,600 crew members. The event included the formal signing of documents, a changing of flags and a toast in the ship’s Grand Plaza.
“Celebrity Xcel represents the next bold step in our journey to transform the way the world experiences premium travel,” said Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO Jason Liberty. “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.”
Celebrity Xcel features seven new spaces designed to bring guests closer to the destinations they visit. Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, said the ship’s design was shaped in part by the “Xcel Dream Makers” program, which included guest input.
New Ship and Expansion Plans
The company also revealed Celebrity Xcite as the sixth ship in its Edge Series. Construction began with a steel cutting ceremony, marking the official start of the build. Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said the new ship reflects the shipyard’s continued partnership with Royal Caribbean Group and its focus on innovation.
Celebrity Xcel will begin service in November 2025, sailing seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale with calls in The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. In summer 2026, the ship will move to Europe for Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
Celebrity Xcite will enter service in 2028, continuing the brand’s Edge Series expansion.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2025-10-24 13:07:00