10 key Celebrity Cruises updates to know in time for peaks

Following the success of the first Xcelerator Programme session, a second, focused on what’s new for the line in 2026, took place on 16 December 2025. Hosted by Celebrity Cruises’ charismatic training manager for Emea, Leon Hand, it was packed with product updates and tips to help enhance your sales and marketing. Here’s a snapshot of the 10 key takeaways.

1. Going big in Europe

With eight ships based in Europe next summer, 2026 will see Celebrity’s biggest European programme to date. Five of these ships will be sailing the Mediterranean, based in Barcelona, Athens, Rome, and Ravenna, while Celebrity Silhouette heads to Iceland for just a couple of months in high summer.

2. Time to Xcel

The newest ship in the fleet and fifth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel will be coming to Barcelona in May 2026 sailing seven-night itineraries with longer options at the start and end of the summer. Seven brand new spaces include the Pool Club, ideal for “premium couples” who want to kick back and have fun. Every sea day in the Caribbean becomes the “Poolest Day Ever” in this new space, with activities, gourmet treats, entertainment and pool parties after dark.

Other new highlights include: the Hydra Room, a new spa experience with a thalassotherapy pool; the Vitamin D Deck, an outdoor sundeck part of the Thermal Suite; Celebrity Flagship, a retail store and interactive museum; The Attic, a gaming room with pool, darts and virtual games and finally The Annex, a private rentable space for up to 15 people.

3. UK homeport for Apex

Celebrity Apex will homeport in Southampton both next summer and summer 2027. The Edge Series ship will be sailing all over Europe from the Norwegian Fjords and the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, Canaries, Spain, Portugal and France.

Hand said: “The Fjords are probably the most popular sailings and we've got some Arctic Circle and Fjords cruises as well with the ship going over the top of the world twice for 12 nights.”

4. Aim high with Ascent

Edge Series Celebrity Ascent is the second youngest ship in the fleet and will be based in Rome next summer offering 10- and 11-night eastern Mediterranean sailings. Hand’s top tip was to highlight the overnight in Istanbul: “It is a magical, intoxicating city. Who wants to go all that way and leave at five o'clock? Use that overnight experience to sell this amazing itinerary because it's a five-star free stay hotel in a beautiful city,” he said.

5. Mini city breaks on Equinox 

With its lawn club and 85% balcony staterooms, Solstice Series Celebrity Equinox holds endless appeal. Hand called it the “mini city break ship” thanks to its 9- and 10-night itineraries in the Mediterranean and around Spain, Portugal and Morocco. An ideal choice for customers who have done seven nights and want something longer and more immersive. 

6. Late summer sun with Eclipse

Celebrity Eclipse will be based in Amsterdam with sailings around northern Europe up to the Fjords, Iceland, Scandinavia, Reykjavik, Lisbon and Copenhagen. Come September, it repositions to the Mediterranean for late summer sun cruises which Hand highlighted as a great opportunity. 

“September and October are the best kept secret, it’s a wonderful time to travel, it may be cheaper, it may be cooler and also less crowded,” he said.

New to selling Celebrity Cruises? Here's everything you need to know

7. Chasing the sunshine

Celebrity Infinity is the only ship that sails year round in the Mediterranean. 

Athens-based in summer and operating seven-night, round-trip Greece and Turkey itineraries, it stays put in winter for a season of 12-night winter sun sailings, primarily to the Canaries, Spain and Morocco. New for next year is a Madeira overnight so you can sell 12-night Canaries, Madeira and Morocco sailings. 

8. Intensive Iceland

With its hot geysers, craters, mountains, lakes and glaciers plus the bustling city of Reykjavik, Iceland is on many bucket lists. Celebrity Silhouette will sail seven-night Iceland intensive cruises next summer.

Hand’s top selling tip was to highlight the savings to be had with an overnight in Reykjavik: “One thing that I noticed was how expensive the city is. So sell this by saving your customers money with that overnight. No expensive hotel costs. a beautiful base to explore Europe's most Northern capital.”

9. Riding the wave

To help agents seal the deal in peaks, Hand highlighted Celebrity’s three key offers:

• Customers booking before 2 March 2026 enjoy 60% off the second guest’s cruise fare;
• Up to £500 of savings per room on cruises booked before 12 January 2026;
• All Included (unlimited classic drinks and unlimited basic wifi) upgrades reduced to £50pp for European cruises.

10. Be prepared

The key takeaway from the workshop was to use Celebrity Central – your one-stop shop for everything Celebrity Cruises and a hub for all the campaign information. 

Hand advised agents to go to the Campaign section and familiarise themselves with the offers and promotions. Use the toolkit as well as the shortcuts to download assets and content videos.

“Be ready”, was his final piece of advice. Use the headline messages, download them and post them to your customers; prime your loyal and repeat customers to book early to make the most of the offers and keep momentum going throughout January by constantly talking about it and using all the resources in the toolkit.

Piqued your interest? Watch the Xcelerator Programme sessions one and two on demand. To view, simply register here: ttgmedia.com/xcelerator-registration