Celebrity Cruises has officially begun construction on its newest ship, the Celebrity Xcel, which is set to debut in the fall of 2025 in the Caribbean.
The "keel laying" ceremony took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, marking a significant milestone in the ship's development.
Celebrity Xcel is the latest addition to the Edge-class series, joining the ranks of the popular Beyond and Edge ships. A standout feature of the Xcel is its "tri-fuel" capable engine, which can operate on three different types of fuel, including methanol, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
During the keel laying ceremony, prominent figures including Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group; Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises; and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, participated in the traditional maritime "coin ceremony". This ritual involves placing newly minted coins on the first piece of steel to bring good luck to the ship during its construction and future voyages.
Jason Liberty highlighted the significance of the event, stating, "Today, we not only mark the start of construction, but we are laying the foundation on which countless memories will be created. Each new ship also represents an opportunity to advance our journey to net zero, and with Xcel, we are building our first methanol-capable ship, which helps advance our transition to the energy platform of the future".
Laura Hodges Bethge expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, acknowledging their craftsmanship in enhancing the innovative design and world-class features of the Edge Series ships.
The ship’s inaugural season will commence in November 2025, with voyages departing from Fort Lauderdale. The seven-night itineraries will explore various Caribbean destinations such as The Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Celebrity Xcel is set to become a new favourite among travellers seeking a premium Caribbean cruise experience.
Book your Celebrity Cruise now and be among the first to experience the extraordinary Celebrity Xcel!