Celebrity Cruises is one step closer to launching its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, which completed sea trials on Sept. 13, 2025. Under the command of Captain Kyriakos “Kirk” Matragkas, the vessel demonstrated a full range of maneuverability and operational capabilities off the coast of Saint-Nazaire, France, near the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, where it has been under construction.
Elevated Experiences on Celebrity Xcel
With sea trials complete, the ship is now preparing to welcome its first guests this November. Celebrity Xcel is the fifth ship in the cruise line’s Edge Series.
Celebrity Xcel will debut from Fort Lauderdale with a series of 7-night itineraries. Sailings will alternate between two Caribbean routes: one calling at the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, and another visiting Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Looking ahead, the ship will reposition to Europe for its inaugural summer season in 2026.
Celebrity Xcel will introduce four brand-new venues designed to elevate the guest experience. Among them is the Celebrity Pool Club, an enhanced poolside space offering chilled towels, card games, sunscreen, storage and plenty of shaded areas. Guests can also reserve private cabanas with dedicated service for a more exclusive retreat.
For adults, the ship will debut Attic at The Club, an arcade lounge featuring retro favorites like Pac-Man, NBA Showtime and Golden Tee, alongside games like pool, darts, foosball, shuffleboard, karaoke and even a golf simulator.
Wellness will also take center stage with the line’s spa, featuring more than 120 treatments and therapies. Highlights include Celebrity’s first Hydra Room, offering water-based therapies with a bubbling pool, massaging jets and heated lounge chairs, and an exclusive Vitamin D Deck for Thermal Suite guests.
For more information, visit celebritycruises.com.
