Cruisers have been waiting for Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, for more than a year, and it’s almost finally here.
This week, Celebrity officially took delivery of the long-anticipated ship from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. Xcel is set to make its debut next month, but many fans online say they’re still eager to learn more about what’s on board—especially those who’ve already booked their sailings.
On the same day, Celebrity revealed another new Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcite, coming in 2028. But with so much about Xcel still under wraps, many fans say they’re just hoping for a proper reveal before its inaugural Caribbean voyage sets sail next month.
Celebrity Cruises Has Taken Delivery Of Its Newest Edge Series Ship
According to a news release, Celebrity Cruises officially took delivery of Celebrity Xcel on October 23, 2025, during a ceremony at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France—the same shipyard where Royal Caribbean recently cut steel on a mega ship most ports aren’t ready for. The Xcel is the newest addition to Celebrity’s award-winning Edge Series.
Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series Ships:
- Celebrity Edge
- Celebrity Apex
- Celebrity Beyond
- Celebrity Ascent
- Celebrity Xcel
- Celebrity Xcite
The event included executives from Royal Caribbean Group, along with more than 1,600 Celebrity Cruises crew members. They celebrated by taking part in traditional maritime rituals, including a signing ceremony, a flag exchange, and a toast in Xcel’s three-story Grand Plaza.
At the same ceremony, Celebrity also revealed the name of its next Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcite, which will debut in 2028.
When the Xcel begins sailing next month, it will launch week-long Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, visiting The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In 2026, it will head to Europe for seven- to 11-night Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
The Cruise Line Says Xcel Was Designed With Guests In Mind
Celebrity says Xcel is a ship created with guests in mind, featuring design input from travelers themselves through its Xcel Dream Makers program.
“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,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.
While some aspects of the Xcel are still under wraps, the cruise line has confirmed seven brand-new spaces that will “erase the line between ship and shore.” Among the new additions is The Bazaar, a space that Celebrity says will immerse guests in a cultural experience through the sights, sounds, and flavors of the destinations they visit.
As the countdown to launch continues, many cruisers say they’re excited—but still in the dark about what to expect once they’re onboard. On Reddit, one commenter said they would prefer more details about Xcel before an announcement about Celebrity Xcite.
“I want more information about the Xcel, not the Xcite. I feel they really butchered the rollout on that ship. It’s coming out… when? Next month? …and it’s been crickets,” they wrote.”
The commenter added that although they’ve received several promotional emails about Xcel’s upcoming debut, the images and details shared so far haven’t provided much clarity about what’s actually on board.
“There’s a million emails with very little real information. If you look at the website, the pictures are renders or single shots. There’s mention of a pool club with no information on where it is, what it entails, [or] whether it is replacing other pool areas. There’s a photo or two of the restaurants with generic information about each.”
There is, however, one small sneak peek available. A behind-the-scenes shipyard tour of Celebrity Xcel posted to YouTube by In The Loop Travel offers a first look at the ship’s construction process at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. It gives cruisers a rough idea of what to expect once the vessel is complete—but for the full reveal, fans will unfortunately have to wait until Xcel officially sets sail next month.