Launching in November 2025, Celebrity Xcel will debut in the Caribbean, sailing seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.

The ship will call into the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, St Thomas and Sint Maarten. The sailings are now open for sale. 

Its name was revealed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, as Royal Caribbean Group executives gathered to watch the first piece of steel cut. 

Celebrity Xcel, like Celebrity Ascent, which is launching next month, will feature resort-within-a-resort area, The Retreat; two-storey villas with plunge pools; and an expanded Rooftop Garden. 

In addition, there will also be multi-level Sunset Bar and a fine-dining restaurant curated by Daniel Boulud on board. 

Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge said: “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.

“True to her name, this next step will excel beyond her sister ships with entirely new experiences, yet to be revealed, but that will change the game all over again.”