On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, successfully completed its sea trials off the coast of France near the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.
Under the command of Captain Kyriakos “Kirk” Matragkas, the vessel underwent a series of rigorous operational and maneuverability tests, including navigation, propulsion, emergency stops, and turning maneuvers.
According to the cruise line in a press release, Celebrity Xcel ship passed all evaluations with flying colors, marking a significant milestone ahead of its inaugural season.
Shipbuilders conduct sea trials as the last step before officially delivering a ship to its cruise line or owner. During this phase, engineers and crew take the vessel out to sea to test its speed, maneuverability, safety systems, engines, and overall performance. It’s essentially a shakedown cruise to ensure everything works properly before passengers ever step aboard.
Sea trials allow for any final tweaks, repairs, or design adjustments to be made before the ship is officially delivered to the cruise line. Only once the ship passes all its tests will it be handed over and prepared for its maiden voyage.
As the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises‘ Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel introduces seven new onboard spaces, including the first-ever Celebrity Flagship store and the innovative Hydra Room in the Thermal Suite. These additions aim to enhance the guest experience, offering immersive relaxation and interactive retail environments.
Following the sea trials, Celebrity Xcel has returned to the shipyard for final finishing work and is scheduled to be handed over to Celebrity Cruises in the coming weeks.
She is Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, joining her sister-vessels: Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent.
The ship is set to debut in November 2025, with a special four-night preview sailing from Fort Lauderdale on November 9, followed by the maiden voyage on November 18, 2025. Subsequent itineraries will include seven-night cruises to The Bahamas, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
