Celebrity Cruises has officially taken delivery of its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, while also revealing the name of its next Edge Series vessel, Celebrity Xcite.
In a ceremony at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, Royal Caribbean Group executives, shipyard officials and more than 1,600 crew members gathered to celebrate the handover of Celebrity Xcel. At the same event, Celebrity announced the start of construction on its sixth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcite, set to debut in 2028.
The milestone was marked by a ceremonial steel cutting, officially beginning the vessel’s build at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
“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, in a media statement. “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.”
Celebrity Xcel to Sail in November
Celebrity Xcel is the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series. The new ship will feature seven brand-new spaces, expanding on the line’s concept of “erasing the line between ship and shore.”
Beginning in November, Celebrity Xcel will embark on her inaugural Caribbean season from Fort Lauderdale, offering 7-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. In 2026, the ship will reposition to Europe for her first Mediterranean summer season, featuring 7- to 11-night itineraries from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
For more information, visit celebritycruises.com.
