- Formal delivery of Celebrity Xcel from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard.
- The sixth Edge Series ship, *Celebrity Xcite*, was announced, and its construction began.
- Celebrity Xcel‘s inaugural sailings begin in November 2025 from Fort Lauderdale.
- The ship will sail its first European season in Summer 2026 with new itineraries.
On October 23, 2025, Celebrity Cruises achieved two significant milestones for its Edge Series at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. The company formally took delivery of its newest vessel, Celebrity Xcel, and simultaneously announced the name of the sixth ship in the series, Celebrity Xcite, marking the start of its construction with a steel-cutting ceremony.
Celebrity Xcel officially joins the fleet, representing what Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO Jason Liberty calls the “next bold step” in transforming premium travel. Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge noted the ship was designed with guest input through the Xcel Dream Makers program. The handover was marked by traditional maritime ceremonies, including a formal signing and the symbolic changing of flags, and was attended by executives, the shipyard’s general manager Laurent Castaing, the ship’s captain Kyriakos Matragkas, and over 1,600 crew members.
Celebrity Xcel is scheduled to begin her inaugural season in November 2025, sailing from Fort Lauderdale. Her initial itineraries will be seven-night Caribbean journeys, visiting destinations like The Bahamas, Mexico, and St. Thomas. In Summer 2026, she will move to Europe, offering seven- to 11-night Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Athens, which will include new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
The newly named sister ship, Celebrity Xcite, is expected to debut in 2028. Both vessels are intended to continue the brand’s legacy of innovation and commitment to elevated guest experiences, a result of the ongoing partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique.