Celebrity Cruises announced the name of their fifth Edge Class ship, Celebrity Xcel, during the steel cutting ceremony at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire. Celebrity
Xcel is set to join its four sisters, including the well-known Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent in 2025. The newest member of the family is designed to not only meet but exceed the high expectations that Celebrity Cruises has set for itself. Scheduled to make its debut in November 2025, Celebrity Xcel will sail in the Caribbean, for its inaugural season in the Caribbean.
“The Edge series has shattered preconceived notions of cruising, and I am thrilled to announce our next bold step as a brand with Celebrity Xcel,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “True to her name, this next ship will ‘Xcel’ beyond her sister ships with entirely new experiences, yet to be revealed, but that will change the game all over again.”
The vessel will homeport in Fort Lauderdale starting offering cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean. The Eastern Caribbean routes include visits Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Meanwhile, on the Western Caribbean routes, Celebrity Xcel will take guests to vibrant locations such as Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.
While the final design details and features of Celebrity Xcel's interior areas have yet to be revealed, Celebrity Cruises is known for its commitment to providing top-notch amenities, exceptional dining options, and breathtaking entertainment for its passengers. One notable feature that sets Celebrity Xcel apart is its forward-thinking approach to environmental sustainability. Celebrity Xcel will be equipped with engines that can operate on methanol, a promising alternative fuel source that has the potential to come from renewable sources in the future. This innovative approach not only aligns with the cruise line's commitment to eco-conscious practices but also represents a significant step towards reducing the carbon footprint of cruise travel.
