CELEBRITY XCEL KEEL LAYING CEREMONY MARKS NEW LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE FOR PREMIUM CRUISING

Construction begins on the fifth vessel in the brand's award-winning Edge Series setting sail in fall 2025. 

SAINT-NAZAIRE, France, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of elevated travel at sea reached a major milestone today, as construction commenced for Celebrity Cruises' next ship, Celebrity Xcel. The keel laying ceremony at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France celebrated the momentous occasion for the latest and most elevated vessel in Celebrity's award-winning Edge Series ships. When she sets sail in the fall of 2025, Celebrity Xcel will connect guests to the breathtaking world around them like never before, furthering the innovative experiences coveted in her sister ships with several new yet-to-be-revealed offerings for an unparalleled premium vacation.   

The future of elevated travel at sea reached a major milestone on June 13, as construction commenced for Celebrity Cruises’ next ship, Celebrity Xcel.

At the ceremony, Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises, Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l'Atlantique lowered the first 739-ton steel block for the new ship in the dry dock. As part of the longstanding maritime tradition, executives from the cruise company and the shipyard placed newly minted coins on the first piece of steel to bestow good luck on the ship during both the construction process and future sailings. Nodding to the new caliber of excellence ushered by the brand's Edge Series ships, the coin design commemorated another great innovation, NASA's Saturn V rocket. 

"Today, we not only mark the start of construction, but we are laying the foundation on which countless memories will be created," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "Each new ship also represents an opportunity to advance our journey to net zero, and with Xcel, we are building our first methanol capable ship, which helps advance our transition to the energy platform of the future."

"We can't wait to debut Celebrity Xcel and her unrivaled guest experiences, living up to her name in every way with surprises that confirm 'Nothing Comes Close' to a Celebrity vacation," said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. "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."

"The Edge Series is the result of close collaboration between the Celebrity Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique teams," continued Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l'Atlantique. "We know and trust one another, and work in harmony to offer a unique and sustainable experience for passengers."

Pushing the boundaries of leisure travel, Celebrity Xcel will advance Royal Caribbean Group's decades-long commitment to sustaining the planet with the first tri-fuel capable engine. The new engine will provide unmatched fuel flexibility, with the ability to use three types of fuel, including methanol, a first for the company, and represents an important steppingstone on the company's journey to Destination Net Zero, its vision for net-zero emissions by 2050.

Celebrity Xcel will make her debut in November 2025 in the Caribbean, sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, on seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. The sailings are now open for booking.  

To stay up to date on Celebrity Xcel or to book a Celebrity cruise visit www.celebritycruises.com, call 1-800-CELEBRITY, or contact a trusted travel advisor. 

About Celebrity Cruises  
Celebrity Cruises delivers an elevated premium vacation experience across their fleet of ships traveling to nearly 300 destinations across more than 70 countries spanning all seven continents. Uniquely offering the intimate feel and thoughtful service of small ships, with the variety and excitement of bigger ones – guests can explore the world or get away from it for a little while. With every detail elevated beyond expectations, guests will never want to vacation any other way. An industry pioneer for 35 years, each Celebrity vacation offers experiences you won't find anywhere else aboard ships which continue to shatter industry expectations with the highly anticipated Celebrity Xcel arriving Fall 2025.  

Celebrity Cruises is headquartered in Miami and is one of five cruise brands owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). Visit www.celebritycruises.com for more information, and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. 

About Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Thanks to the expertise of its teams and its network of subcontractors, associated with its first-rate industrial facilities, Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a key leader in the fields of design, integration, testing and turnkey delivery of cruise ships, naval vessels, electrical substations for offshore wind farms and services to the fleets. The company is at the core of the challenges of tomorrow, designing and building today ships whose environmental performance exceeds the most drastic standards, as well as equipment for offshore wind power that make it a major player in the energy transition.

Construction of Celebrity Xcel, the fifth vessel in Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Edge Series Ships, commenced on June 13.

Royal Caribbean Group and Chantiers de l'Atlantique teams celebrate the Celebrity Xcel keel laying. (L to R) Jean-Yves Jaouen, Chantiers de l'Atlantique Operations Senior Vice President; Eric Perennou, Chantiers de l'Atlantique Senior Project Manager; Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean Group Executive Vice President Maritime and Newbuilding;Beatrice Siri, Royal Caribbean Group Associate Vice President Newbuilding; Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises President; Vasilé Sofronia, Chantiers de l'Atlantique welder; Laurent Castaing, Chantiers de l'Atlantique General Manager; Arnaud Le Joncour, Chantiers de l'Atlantique Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO; Keith Lane, Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President Hotel Operations; Robert Flack Celebrity Cruises Associate Vice President Hotel Operations.

Newly minted coins were placed to bestow good luck on Celebrity Xcel, marking the official commencement of construction on Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship.