Celebrity Xcel Debuts With New Celebrity Xcite Announcement
Celebrity Cruises Welcomes New Ship and Announces Another
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Celebrity Cruises just got bigger with some exciting news. The cruise line welcomed its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, to the fleet. They also announced the name of their sixth Edge Series ship: Celebrity Xcite.
Celebrity Xcite Construction Begins
The Celebrity Xcite’s construction officially started at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. Workers cut the first piece of steel in a special ceremony. The new ship is set to debut in 2028.
Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty shared his excitement about the milestone. “Celebrity Xcel represents the next bold step in our journey to transform the way the world experiences premium travel,” he said.
Liberty praised the entire Edge Series for pushing boundaries. “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,” he added.
Guests Helped Design Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Cruises made sure guests had a voice in the Celebrity Xcel’s design. The cruise line created the Xcel Dream Makers program to get passenger input. This approach helped shape the ship’s features and layout.
“The 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,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.
Hodges Bethge expressed enthusiasm about welcoming passengers aboard. “We’re thrilled to welcome guests aboard next month and are excited to further expand these offerings on Celebrity Xcite,” she said.
Partnership with French Shipyard Continues
The Celebrity Xcel shows the strong partnership between Celebrity and its shipbuilder. Chantiers de l’Atlantique has built all the Edge Series ships. The French shipyard continues to work with Celebrity on innovative designs.
“Celebrity Xcel and the entire Edge Series is the result of close collaboration between our teams,” shared Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. He highlighted the ongoing relationship between the companies.
“Our continued partnership with Royal Caribbean Group on the Celebrity Xcite reflects a shared commitment to excellence and innovation,” Castaing added.
Celebrity Xcel’s First Voyages
Celebrity Xcel will start sailing from Fort Lauderdale in November. The ship will offer seven-night cruises to popular Caribbean destinations. Passengers can choose between trips to The Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
The ship’s schedule includes alternating itineraries throughout its first season. This gives cruisers options to visit different islands and countries. All sailings will be seven nights long from the Florida port.
Mediterranean Adventures Coming in 2026
Celebrity Xcel will cross the Atlantic for its first European season in summer 2026. The ship will sail from Barcelona and Athens on Mediterranean cruises. These voyages will last between seven and eleven nights.
The Mediterranean itineraries include a special feature for port lovers. Celebrity Xcel will offer overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal. This gives passengers more time to explore the beautiful Portuguese island.
What This Means for Cruise Travelers
The arrival of Celebrity Xcel gives cruise fans another Edge Series option. These ships are known for their modern design and unique features. The guest input program suggests Celebrity listened to what passengers wanted.
More than 1,600 crew members joined executives for the Celebrity Xcel welcome ceremony. This large crew size means plenty of staff to serve passengers. The ship represents Celebrity’s commitment to premium cruise experiences.
With Celebrity Xcite coming in 2028, the Edge Series fleet will continue growing. This expansion gives travelers more choices for future cruise vacations. Both Caribbean and Mediterranean options will be available on these modern ships.
