Celebrity Cruises have taken delivery and welcomed its newest ship – Celebrity Xcel – and announced the name of its sixth Edge Series ship – Celebrity Xcite – as the ship’s first piece of steel was cut and construction commenced at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.
Celebrity Xcite is expected to set sail in 2028, continuing the brand’s legacy of redefining premium cruising.
“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.
“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 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,” continued Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “We’re thrilled to welcome guests aboard next month and are excited to further expand these offerings on Celebrity Xcite.”
“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. “Our continued partnership with Royal Caribbean Group on Celebrity Xcite reflects a shared commitment to excellence and innovation.”
Celebrity Xcel officially joins Celebrity Cruises’ fleet.
Royal Caribbean Group executives and Celebrity Cruises crew gathered to celebrate the handover of Celebrity Xcel from Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
Welcoming the newest addition to the Celebrity Cruises fleet were Liberty, Hodges Bethge, Castaing, and captain Kyriakos Matragkas, captain of Celebrity Xcel. Executives were also joined by more than 1,600 Celebrity Xcel crew members in the celebration.
The milestone was marked with time-honored maritime traditions, including a formal signing ceremony, the symbolic changing of flags aboard the vessel, and a celebratory toast in the ship’s spectacular three-story Grand Plaza.
Celebrity Xcel will set sail in November with seven brand new spaces – from erasing the line between ship and shore to creating even more ways to restore and explore while on vacation.
Celebrity Xcite becomes sixth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series.
Celebrity Cruises also ushered in its next era of excellence, as it revealed the name of Celebrity Xcel’s sister ship – Celebrity Xcite. The name was unveiled during a steel cutting ceremony, marking the official start of construction. Executives from Royal Caribbean Group and the shipyard were present to celebrate this milestone.
Celebrity Cruises’ sixth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcite will continue to elevate the guest experience, furthering the innovative experiences coveted in her sister ships designed to deliver an unmatched premium vacation.
Celebrity Xcel and Celebrity Xcite will connect guests to the breathtaking world around them like never before.
From November, Celebrity Xcel will sail her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven- to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
Celebrity Xcite will set sail in 2028. For more information, visit www.celebrity.com, call Celebrity Cruises on 1-800-CELEBRITY, or contact a trusted travel advisor.
Source: Celebrity Cruises Press Center
Images: © 2025 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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