Celebrity Cruises’ latest ship, Celebrity Xcel, has reached a major milestone, completing its first ocean sailing on Saturday, September 13. Helmed by Captain ‘Kirk’ Kyriakos Matragkas, Celebrity Xcel completed a series of maneuverability skills designed to test the ship’s functional and operational capabilities near the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France – where the ship has been under construction.

After completing sea trials with flying colors, Celebrity Xcel is ready to welcome guests for inaugural sailings in November.

Fifth Edge-class ship

The fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ revolutionary Edge-series ships, Celebrity Xcel takes forward the best of the Edge-series while introducing seven new spaces that will deliver an unmatched vacation experience.

Celebrity Xcel will sail its inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering 7-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on its inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on 7-to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.