by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Tue September 16, 2025
Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, has successfully completed sea trials.
The new vessel completed its first ocean sailing on September 13, with Captain Kyriakos “Kirk” Matragkas at the helm.
Celebrity Xcel demonstrated a series of maneuverability skills to test its functional and operational capabilities near the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where the ship has been under construction.
Celebrity Xcel during sea trials (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises)
Now, Celebrity Xcel is preparing to welcome its first guests for its inaugural sailings in November. It’s the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series and features seven new spaces.
Celebrity Xcel will sail her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
Next summer, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season.
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