Celebrity Cruises has accepted delivery of its newest Edge-series ship, Celebrity Xcel, and simultaneously initiated construction on its sixth Edge vessel, Celebrity Xcite, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard in Saint-Nazaire.
The handover of Xcel was marked by a formal ceremony attended by executives from Royal Caribbean Group and the shipyard, including Jason Liberty, Laura Hodges Bethge, and Laurent Castaing, as well as Captain Kyriakos Matragkas and more than 1,600 crew. The event included traditional maritime rituals—a signing, flag change, and toast in the vessel’s Grand Plaza.
At the same time, the first steel was cut for Xcite, officially commencing its build. The new ship is scheduled to make her debut in 2028.
According to Liberty, Xcel embodies the next phase of the Edge series, which seeks to deepen the connection between vessel and destination through refined design and elevated onboard experiences. Castaing noted that the collaboration on Xcite underscores the shipyard’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in execution.
Celebrity Xcel is set to begin sailing in November from Fort Lauderdale, offering 7-night Caribbean itineraries before repositioning for a European season in summer 2026 from Barcelona and Athens, including overnight stays in Madeira.
Together, Xcel and Xcite represent the continuation of Celebrity’s Edge-class vision—where technical sophistication, design innovation, and destination-driven experiences define the line’s premium offering.