Celebrity Xcel Officially Named as Celebrity Cruises’ 5th Edge Class Ship

Under a cloudless blue sky, just before dusk in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everlgades, Celebrity Xcel was officially named on Sunday, making it the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class. Travel advisors, members of the media, and some of Celebrity’s most avid fans filled the ship’s Resort Deck, Rooftop Garden, and jogging track for the ceremony.

“May God bless her and all who sail on her,” godmother Janaina Torres said before holding up her arm to show a blinking Celebrity wristband all passengers had been given before the ceremony and urging others to do the same. She then pushed a button to release a bottle of Champagne that successfully smashed against the ship’s hull, as is tradition in the maritime industry to bring good luck to the vessel.

Torres, voted the world’s best female chef in 2024 for her Brazilian cuisine, focuses on accessible fine dining with her five restaurants in Sao Paulo.

The event kicked off with a welcome from Luigi De La Cruz and Shawna Hachey, the vessel’s duo of cruise directors – the first time the line has had two people share the role. The pair, along with several performances from the onboard production singer and dancers, hyped up the crowd.

Bishop Dalton Fernander and Rabbi Lawrence M. Schuval offered their blessings of safe passage for the ship, its crew and its passengers, and guitarist Jeff Arnold played a rather rock ‘n’ roll rendition of the United States’ national anthem.

Throughout the ceremony, they were joined on stage by Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group; Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises; and Captain Kyriakos Matragkas, the ship’s master.

“May your guests forever be inspired by your beauty, your warmth, and wonder that began with the Greek dream and continues today but takes what Celebrity is known for to a whole new level,” Hodges Bethge said.

That wasn’t the only reference to the line’s Greek roots. New for Celebrity with Celebrity Xcel is the Celebrity Flagship area onboard. It features a giant model of the vessel (with a Magic Carpet that actually moves and Waldo of “Where’s Waldo” fame rumored to be hidden in miniature); a small museum of memorabilia dating back to when the line was owned by the Chandris family; and a large shop that sells cruise line branded items and logo apparel.

Other new additions that set Celebrity Xcel apart from its sister ships are an expanded spa that includes a hydrotherapy pool and large outdoor sun deck; The Bazaar, which is positioned where Eden appears on other vessels, featuring a market of local wares and food and performances that change with Xcel’s location; Bora, a Mediterranean restaurant that serves brunch and dinner with an emphasis on seafood; and new theater and nightclub shows that give Virgin Voyages a run for its money.