Celebrity Cruises’ next Edge-class ship, the Celebrity Xcel, will enter service earlier than initially planned.
According to a statement issued by the company, the 3,260-guest vessel will offer a short preview cruise ahead of its maiden voyage in November.
“We have an important update on the arrival of the Celebrity Xcel into Fort Lauderdale,” Celebrity said in a message to booked guests.
“Our teams have been working diligently on building our new ship, and the completion is now earlier than we had originally anticipated,” the company added.
As a result, the Xcel will sail from Port Everglades for a new four-night cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, on Nov. 9, 2025.
According to the company, while the ship is entering service earlier. Inaugural festivities are still set to take place during the ship’s Nov. 18, 2025, sailing.
Passengers who booked the inaugural cruise are being offered a chance to change their reservations to the new preview sailing.
“We understand that for some guests, it’s important to be the first onboard, and for others, being part of the inaugural celebrations is what matters most,” Celebrity explained.
“With this added sailing, we wanted to give you an exclusive opportunity to be the first to join us for our new sailing; or have the option of switching, if that’s what you prefer,” the company continued.
Passengers who opt to change their reservation to the new preview cruise will sail in the same exact suite or like-for-like staterooms currently booked.
While suite guests will have the same booked suites held for them as a courtesy, the offers are on a first-come, first-served basis, Celebrity noted.
The cruise fare rate will be adjusted to the current prevailing rate, and if there’s an overpayment, guests will be refunded for the difference.
Currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the Celebrity Xcel is the fifth ship in Celebrity’s Edge-class series.
After its inaugural cruise, the 140,600-ton ship launches a series of seven-night cruises to the Caribbean departing from Fort Lauderdale.