Celebrity XCEL Keel Laying Ceremony

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Jacinta from Travelbiz joined the hordes of press and media colleagues, Celebrity staff and proud shipyard workers at Chantiers de L’Altantique in St. Nazaire, France to witness the keel laying of Celebrity Cruises next super ship, Celebrity Xcel. This marks the commencement of construction.

When the vessel sets sail in Autumn 2025, Celebrity Xcel (part of Celebrity’s award-winning Edge Series) will connect guests to our breathtaking world like never before. 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 cable engine. This is a game changer as the new engine will provide unmatched fuel flexibility, capable of using three types of fuel including methanol. This represents an important stepping stone in the company’s journey to Destination Net Zero, it’s vision for net-zero emissions by 2050.

At the ceremony, Jason Liberty (President & CEO Royal Caribbean Group), Laura Bethge ((President of Celebrity Cruises) and Laurent Castaing (GM of Chantiers de L’Atlantique) lowered the first steel block for the new ship. This gargantuan keel weighing an incredible 739 tons was lowered and set in place with amazing accuracy in dry dock. In maritime tradition, executives then placed newly minted coins to bestow good luck on the ship. Good luck in construction and in future sailings. This was an awesome spectacle.

Again, our wonderful hosts, Liam Croker (Accounts Executive PR/EMEA Royal Caribbean International), Laura Allen (Senior PR & Comms Manager EMEA Celebrity Cruises) and Emma Mumford (Senior Director, Global Public Relations & Comms, Celebrity Cruises) treated us royally and we enjoyed a unique experience, great company and lasting memories.