St. Maarten among first ports on Celebrity Xcel’s debut, next vessel also revealed

GREAT BAY--Celebrity Cruises has marked two major milestones with the official delivery of its newest Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel, and the unveiling of the name of its next luxury liner, Celebrity Xcite, scheduled to debut in 2028.

When Celebrity Xcel sets sail in November 2025, St. Maarten will be among the first ports featured on her inaugural seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, which also include stops in the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, and St. Thomas.

The delivery ceremony for Xcel took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, where construction has simultaneously begun on her sister ship, Xcite, the sixth vessel in Celebrity’s acclaimed Edge Series.

Celebrity Xcel is the fifth vessel in Celebrity’s innovative Edge Series and represents the next evolution of the brand’s modern luxury at sea. Building on the success of her predecessors, Xcel combines cutting-edge design with enhanced guest experiences that blur the line between ship and shore.

The new ship will feature seven brand-new public spaces and venues, along with upgraded versions of Celebrity’s most popular attractions. At double occupancy, Xcel can accommodate approximately 3,250 guests, offering a refined balance of space, comfort, and innovation.

Among her highlights are The Retreat, a “ship-within-a-ship” concept for suite guests that includes a private restaurant, lounge, and sundeck; an expanded Rooftop Garden and Resort Deck with open-air pools and cabanas; and The Bazaar, a three-deck immersive entertainment and dining venue.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty described the launch of Xcel as “the next bold step in our journey to transform the way the world experiences premium travel.” He added that each Edge Series ship “reimagines what’s possible at sea through elevated design and experiences that deepen the connection to the destinations being visited.”

Celebrity Xcel will introduce seven all-new venues and public spaces, continuing the line’s tradition of combining cutting-edge design with refined hospitality. Following her Caribbean season, Xcel will cross the Atlantic for her first European deployment in summer 2026, offering seven- to 11-night Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

The reveal of Celebrity Xcite at a steel-cutting ceremony in France underscores the brand’s ongoing collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, as the company continues to expand its fleet under the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella.

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