Construction begins on the fifth vessel in the brand's
award-winning Edge Series setting sail in fall 2025.
SAINT-NAZAIRE, France, June 13,
2024 /CNW/ -- 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.
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.
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SOURCE Celebrity Cruises