Celebrity Cruises has reached two major milestones at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, with the official delivery of its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, and the start of construction on its next Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcite.

Executives of Royal Caribbean Group, parent company of Celebrity Cruises, gathered on Oct. 23 to celebrate the handover of Celebrity Xcel from the shipyard. Welcoming the newest addition were Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO, and Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, who were joined by more than 1,600 Celebrity Xcel crew members.

The delivery ceremony included several time-honoured maritime traditions, including a formal signing, the symbolic changing of flags and a celebratory toast in the ship’s three-storey Grand Plaza.

Celebrity Xcel will set sail in November with seven brand new spaces. Its inaugural season kicks off from Fort Lauderdale with seven-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. In summer 2026, the ship will sail on its inaugural European season with seven- to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

Introducting Celebrity Xcite

Celebrity Cruises also revealed the name of Celebrity Xcel’s sister ship – Celebrity Xcite – at the delivery ceremony.

As Celebrity’s sixth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcite will further elevate the guest experience, added Liberty.

Celebrity Xcite will set sail in 2028.

For more information, go to celebrity.com.

Source: Travelweek