Celebrity Cruises Just Took Delivery of Its Newest Ship—And There's Already Another One on the Way
Celebrity Cruises officially took delivery of Celebrity Xcel and announced construction of Celebrity Xcite, marking major expansion for the premium cruise line's Edge Series.
Celebrity Cruises is making waves with not one, but two major announcements that signal the cruise line’s ambitious expansion plans. The premium cruise brand just officially took delivery of Celebrity Xcel, its newest floating resort, and simultaneously revealed that construction has begun on Celebrity Xcite, the sixth ship in its groundbreaking Edge Series.
A Milestone Delivery in France
The handover of Celebrity Xcel took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, according to Caribbean Journal. The traditional maritime ceremony brought together executives from Royal Caribbean Group (Celebrity’s parent company), shipyard representatives, and an impressive contingent of 1,600 crew members who will bring the ship to life.
This marks the fifth vessel in Celebrity’s revolutionary Edge Series, which has redefined what premium cruising looks like since the first ship debuted in 2018. The Edge-class ships are known for their innovative design features, including the Magic Carpet—a cantilevered platform that moves up and down the side of the ship—and the revolutionary Infinite Veranda staterooms that blur the line between indoor and outdoor space.
What Makes Celebrity Xcel Special
Celebrity Xcel isn’t just another ship in the fleet. The vessel was designed with direct input from guests through the “Xcel Dream Makers” program, ensuring that the newest addition reflects what cruisers actually want from their vacation experience.
The ship features seven brand-new spaces specifically designed to enhance guests’ connections with the destinations they visit. While Celebrity hasn’t revealed all the details yet, this focus on destination immersion represents an evolution in cruise ship design—moving beyond simply transporting passengers to actually enriching their understanding and experience of each port.
Where You’ll Find Celebrity Xcel
Starting in November 2025, Celebrity Xcel will begin sailing seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, visiting some of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations. The ship’s Caribbean season will include calls to The Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
But Celebrity has bigger plans for this vessel. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will relocate to Europe for a season of Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona and Athens. The European itineraries will feature seven- to 11-night voyages, including special overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal—giving guests extended time to explore this stunning Atlantic island.
Celebrity Xcite: The Next Chapter
As if taking delivery of a brand-new ship wasn’t exciting enough, Celebrity used the same ceremony to announce the steel-cutting for Celebrity Xcite, which will become the sixth Edge Series ship when it enters service in 2028.
The steel-cutting ceremony is a significant maritime tradition that marks the official start of construction. With Celebrity Xcite being built at the same French shipyard that just delivered Celebrity Xcel, the cruise line is clearly pleased with the partnership and the quality of vessels being produced.
What This Means for Premium Cruising
Royal Caribbean’s CEO highlighted that these ships represent “the next bold step” in transforming premium travel experiences. And he’s not exaggerating. The Edge Series has been a game-changer for Celebrity Cruises, helping the brand compete more effectively in the premium cruise segment while maintaining its sophisticated, modern aesthetic.
With Celebrity Xcel now in service and Celebrity Xcite on the horizon, Celebrity Cruises is positioning itself for significant growth over the next few years. The Edge-class ships can accommodate approximately 3,250 guests, which means each new vessel adds substantial capacity to Celebrity’s ability to serve the growing demand for premium cruise experiences.
The Bottom Line
The simultaneous delivery of Celebrity Xcel and announcement of Celebrity Xcite demonstrates Celebrity Cruises’ confidence in both the cruise market’s future and the Edge Series design. For cruise enthusiasts, this means more opportunities to experience Celebrity’s award-winning service and innovative ship features on some of the world’s most popular cruise routes.
If you’ve been waiting to try Celebrity’s Edge-class ships, Celebrity Xcel’s Caribbean debut in November 2025 offers the perfect opportunity. And with Celebrity Xcite joining the fleet in 2028, the premium cruise line’s expansion story is just getting started.