Celebrity Cruises’ Takes Delivery of Ascent, Reveals Name of Fifth Edge-Class Ship
by Dori Saltzman
Photo: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises has officially taken delivery of its fourth Edge-class ship, Celebrity Ascent. The handover took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.
At the same time, the shipyard also cut steel for Celebrity’s fifth Edge-class ship, and Celebrity revealed the vessel’s name: Celebrity Xcel. It will launch in November, 2025.
The line has previously had other “X” named ships – Xpedition, Xploration – but both were part of the line’s Xpedition-class, which sailed only in the Galapagos.
“The Edge Series has shattered preconceived notions of cruising, and I am thrilled to announce our next bold step as a brand with Celebrity Xcel,” said Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge. “True to her name, this next ship will ‘Xcel’ beyond her sister ships with entirely new experiences, yet to be revealed…”
Celebrity Ascent makes its official debut in Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 3, with a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing.
When Xcel debuts, it will sail seven-night Caribbean itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Sailings are now open for sale.
