Cruise News

Celebrity Cruises Starts Construction of Next Ship, Sells Two Older Vessels

Celebrity Cruises just marked a new milestone with the start of construction for its latest addition to its Edge Series ships. Celebrity Xcel had its keel laying ceremony at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

New Ship will be Cruise Line’s First Tri-Fuel Capable Vessel

A group of people in hard hats and business attire stand in front of a banner that reads — (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity Xcel is scheduled to launch in 2025 and will be the first in the fleet to be powered by methanol.

“Each new ship is an opportunity to advance our journey to net zero. We are building our first methanol capable ship, which helps advance our transition to the energy platform of the future,” said Jason Liberty, CEO of parent Royal Caribbean Group.

Liberty, Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, and Laurent Castaing, GM of Chantiers de l’Atlantique lowered the first 739-ton steel block for the new ship. “We are grateful for the continued partnership of the Chantiers de l’Atlantique team,” said Laura Hodges Bethge.

Workers wearing safety gear observe the keel laid process of the first Celebrity Tri-Fuel Ship in a bustling shipyard. On the left, they are gathered and looking up; on the right, a large ship section is hoisted by cranes. — (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity Xcel will become the cruise line’s first tri-fuel capable vessel. The new engine has the ability to run three types of fuel, including methanol. The company’s Destination Net Zero program has set a 2050 target for net-zero emissions. Finnish technology company Wärtsilä is supplying the ship’s engines.

Close-up of hands holding a circular, golden plaque that reads: — (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity Xcel will debut in November 2025 in the Caribbean, with an inaugural season based in Fort Lauderdale. The new ship will sail seven-night alternating cruises between the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. These itineraries are now open for booking.

Celebrity Selling Two Galapagos Small Ships

A split image shows two large cruise ships with — (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity recently announced the upcoming sale of two small Galapagos cruise ships. It is offloading the 48-guest Celebrity Xpedition and the 16-guest Celebrity Xploration to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, operator of the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic cruising brand.

The deal is expected to complete in early 2025 and will see the two ships undergo multimillion-dollar refurbishments. The two vessels will be renamed.  

Celebrity Xpedition was built in 2001 and has two restaurants and 24 cabins. Constructed in 2007, Celebrity Xploration features eight double occupancy cabins.