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28th Dec 2025 | 7 nights | Celebrity Cruises | Celebrity Xcel
The fifth vessel in the brand’s award-winning Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel, will be in a class of her own when she launches Winter 2025.
The countdown is on, and the future of elevated travel at sea is officially on its way. Celebrity Cruises announced that the fifth ship in its award-winning Edge Series will be named Celebrity Xcel, continuing the innovative experiences coveted in her sister ships and then going even further for an unmatched premium holiday experience.
The reveal was made at Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, as executives from both Royal Caribbean Group, the world’s leading family of cruise holiday brands that includes Celebrity Cruises, and the shipyard cut the first piece of steel for the new ship.
“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 Celebrity Cruises’ President Laura Hodges Bethge. “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.”
Celebrity Xcel will make her debut in November 2025 in the Caribbean, sailing her inaugural winter season from Fort Lauderdale, on 7-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
Like her sister ship Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Xcel will connect guests to the breathtaking world around them like never before. The onboard experiences on these ships stand them apart as a class of ships without comparison with such distinctive features and spaces as:
The Retreat, an exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, highlighted by a two-story sundeck
An expanded Rooftop Garden and stunning Resort Deck featuring unique cantilevered float pools
A multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar redefining the ship’s aft
Live entertainment and activities creating the best date nights and days at sea
A boldly redesigned Grand Plaza spanning three decks, creating an airy and open indoor space
And, the return of the Magic Carpet, an engineering feat soaring cantilevered above the sea, offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner.
Nothing is more important on a holiday than the place you relax and recharge in between all the exciting experiences you’ll have each day. The Edge Series set a new standard in world-class accommodations, but Celebrity Xcel shows you can even improve on perfection. From their Edge Single Staterooms with Infinite Verandas designed for the solo traveller - which they’ve doubled in number - to the unparalleled luxury of The Retreat, featuring expanded and redesigned exclusive spaces, the accommodations on Celebrity Xcel are designed to make you feel even more at home while you travel the world.
No matter which of Celebrity Xcel's luxurious staterooms you choose, you’ll rest easily on eXhale bedding and Cashmere mattresses designed exclusively for Celebrity. In fact, nearly every stateroom and suite on Celebrity Xcel features a king-sized bed. They want you fully refreshed and ready to explore every day of your holiday. Plus, in-room automation allows you to adjust everything from your shades to your lighting to your AC with the tap of a screen. As they’ve done throughout the Edge Series, they’ve thought of every comfort and refined every detail.
Modern types who prefer a whimsical approach to onboard dining, drinking, décor and entertainment
Anyone scared off by being trendy; boisterous families; cruisers who want dining variety without paying extra
Celebrity draws a broad range of travellers, most attracted by the cuisine, unusual entertainment and creative itineraries. Passenger ages typically average in the 50s, with family groups more visible in the summer and during school vacations. The longer and more exotic cruises usually host an older demographic, and the passenger mix varies with the port of embarkation but most are from North America, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.
Yes and no. The norm on most Celebrity sailings is smart-casual, but in the Galapagos, attire is casual. Despite the daytime casual vibe, you won't find T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps or swimwear in the main restaurant or specialty restaurants at any time. Formal nights (held once on cruises six nights or shorter, twice on longer itineraries) have been replaced by Evening Chic, where anything from cocktail attire to formal wear is appropriate. The dress code also extends to the theatre on those evenings.
No. The cruise fare for a Celebrity cruise covers dining in several complimentary venues, including the Main Dining Room, Oceanview Café buffet restaurant, Spa Café, Mast Grill (on most ships) and Seaside Grill. Room service is also complimentary, except for the period between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Passengers staying at certain suite levels have additional complimentary dining privileges, and those staying in AquaClass rooms can dine in the Blu restaurant without charge. Water, basic coffee and tea, and certain juices are provided free of charge, but unless you're booked in certain suite categories, you'll have to pay extra for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The extensive entertainment from Broadway-style theatre to circus shows, comedy, magic, dance and live music is all available without charge. The kids' program is also free, though you'll pay extra for babysitting. Shore excursions are not covered by cruise fares, nor are gratuities, spa and salon services and some fitness classes. There is also a fee for Wi-Fi and laundry services.
On ships with the Lawn Club, hanging out on the grass, whether playing bocce or just relaxing and reading, is one of the most popular activities for Celebrity cruisers. Other popular things to do on these ships is lounge in the adults-only Solarium, hit the Canyon Ranch Spa or participate in wine tasting. Some ships also offer hot glassmaking demonstrations and classes; sign up early for the classes because they fill up fast. On ships without a Lawn Club, relaxing by the pool or in the Solarium is popular, as are the once- or twice-per-cruise Rooftop film and dinner events. At night, Celebrity showcases everything from Vegas-style production shows to comedians and cabaret, drawing a crowd each time. The ships have a robust program for kids, a lot of it centred on edutainment. Many of the activities are offered courtesy of partners like Anturus, Lonely Planet, Xbox, Fat Brain Toys and Budsies.
