Celebrity Xcel Celebrates Keel Laying Ceremony

A significant milestone has been reached in the construction of Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, as the official keel laying ceremony took place at France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard.

Royal Caribbean Group’s CEO Jason Liberty, together with Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge, and the shipyard’s General Manager Laurent Castaing, initiated the build by placing a hefty 739-ton steel block into the dock. The team honoured maritime traditions by setting freshly minted coins beneath the steel for luck during both the construction and future voyages.

Celebrity Xcel is due to set sail on her maiden journey in November 2025. The Caribbean will be the first to welcome the state-of-the-art ship; sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, the ship will offer seven-night voyages, alternating between destinations such as the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Laura Hodges Bethge commented: “We can’t wait to debut Celebrity Xcel and her unrivalled guest experiences, living up to her name in every way with surprises that confirm ‘Nothing Comes Close’ to a Celebrity vacation.

“We are grateful for the continued partnership of the Chantiers de l’Atlantique team for lending their craftsmanship to further elevate the innovative design and world-class features of our beloved Edge Series ships.”

Discover more about Celebrity Xcel’s sailings here.