Celebrity Cruises marked a historic day for its fleet as it officially took delivery of its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, and revealed the name of its sixth Edge Series ship – Celebrity Xcite. The dual celebration took place at the iconic Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, attended by executives from Celebrity Cruises and its parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, alongside shipyard representatives and more than 1,600 crew members.

A New Chapter in the Edge Series

The newly delivered Celebrity Xcel is the fifth ship in the award-winning Edge Series, renowned for redefining modern luxury travel through groundbreaking design and experiences that deeply connect guests with the destinations they visit. Her sister ship, Celebrity Xcite, is now officially under construction and expected to debut in 2028, continuing the brand’s evolution of transformative cruise experiences.

“Celebrity Xcel represents the next bold step in our journey to transform the way the world experiences premium travel,” said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO. “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.”

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, added: “Celebrity Xcel has been designed with our guests 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 for vacationers globally. We’re thrilled to welcome guests aboard next month and are excited to further expand these offerings on Celebrity Xcite.”

Celebrating Maritime Excellence

The delivery ceremony followed maritime tradition with a flag-changing event, formal signing, and a champagne toast in the ship’s spectacular three-story Grand Plaza. Attendees included shipyard general manager Laurent Castaing, who praised the ongoing partnership between Celebrity Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, calling it “a testament to shared innovation and ambition.”

Among the festivities, executives and over 1,600 crew members joined in marking the moment when Celebrity Xcel officially became part of the fleet. The ship’s captain, Kyriakos Matragkas, also took part in the maritime handover ceremony, signaling the readiness of the vessel to begin her inaugural season.

Introducing Celebrity Xcel

Celebrity Xcel continues the distinctive Edge Series design philosophy — integrating artistry, architecture, and guest experience. The ship measures more than 1,070 feet in length and carries 3,260 guests in luxurious accommodations ranging from plush staterooms to The Retreat, a private all-suite enclave with its own sundeck and restaurant.

Highlights onboard include the brand-new “Bazaar” marketplace, vibrant pool deck sculptures, the signature Magic Carpet venue, and a reimagined Pool Club experience combining live Caribbean-inspired music and “Shine the Night” DJ evenings [web:106][web:108][web:110].

Celebrity Xcel will begin sailing from Fort Lauderdale in November 2025, offering seven-night Caribbean voyages that alternate between The Bahamas, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In summer 2026, she will reposition to Europe for her first Mediterranean season — sailing from Barcelona and Athens on 7- to 11-night itineraries featuring overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

Meet the Next Edge Series Ship – Celebrity Xcite

The celebration also featured the reveal of Celebrity Xcite, marking its official debut into construction through a ceremonial steel cutting. Expected to set sail in 2028, Celebrity Xcite will continue Celebrity’s focus on connection, comfort, and cutting-edge design. Set to embody the brand’s next phase of premium cruising, the vessel will elevate the aesthetic and experiential standards introduced by its sister ships, delivering travel that seamlessly connects guests with the beauty of the world.

The Edge Series — which includes Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent,