Celebrity Cruises has celebrated the start of construction of its next ship, the latest Edge-class vessel Celebrity Xcel, with a  keel laying ceremony at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Celebrity Xcel is due to sail her maiden passenger voyage in the fall of 2025, and will debut several new yet-to-be-revealed offerings that will further elebavate the Edge class.   

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. 

The laying of the keel marks the start of Celebrity Xcel’s assembly. The ship’s keel is the lowest block in the hull, around which the rest of the ship is then assembled like giant LEGO pieces.

As part of longstanding maritime tradition, executives from Celebrity Cruises 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. 

“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,” he added.

Celebrity Xcel will advance Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to sustainable travel 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.

This represents an important steppingstone on the company’s journey to Destination Net Zero, its vision for net-zero emissions by 2050.

“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,” she added.

Celebrity Xcel will make her debut in November 2025 in the Caribbean, sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, on 7-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.