It was a landmark day for Royal Caribbean Group, as the cruise giant celebrated three major shipbuilding milestones at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France – one for Royal Caribbean International and two for Celebrity Cruises.
The event saw the steel cutting for Royal Caribbean’s next Oasis-class ship, the delivery of Celebrity Xcel, and the steel cutting for Celebrity Xcite, the sixth vessel in Celebrity’s acclaimed Edge-class series.
Together, the achievements mark a powerful demonstration of the company’s continued investment in design innovation and sustainable shipbuilding across its brands.
Construction Begins on Seventh Oasis-Class Ship
Royal Caribbean officially began construction on its next Oasis-class vessel on 23rd October 2025, when the first piece of steel was cut – a symbolic first step in the creation of what will become one of the largest cruise ships in the world.
The yet-to-be-named ship will debut in 2028 and continue the legacy of the record-breaking class that began with Oasis of the Seas in 2009.
Representatives from Royal Caribbean Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique attended the steel-cutting ceremony, which marked the moment the design phase moved into physical construction.
The Oasis class revolutionised modern cruising with its “neighbourhood” concept, dividing the ship into themed districts such as Central Park, Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade.
Although few details have been revealed about the seventh ship, it is expected to build on this evolution with new experiences and sustainability features.
Over the coming years, the shipyard will assemble its massive hull blocks, install internal systems, and complete sea trials before delivery in 2028.
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Celebrity Cruises Welcomes Celebrity Xcel and Begins Building Xcite
At the same time, Royal Caribbean Group’s premium brand, Celebrity Cruises, officially took delivery of its newest Edge-class ship – Celebrity Xcel – and announced the start of construction for her sister ship, Celebrity Xcite.
The 140,600-gross-ton Celebrity Xcel is the fifth ship in the Edge series and will accommodate up to 3,950 guests.
Like her sisters, she features Infinite Veranda staterooms, the Magic Carpet – a cantilevered platform that moves between decks – and the elegant three-deck Grand Plaza.
The ship also continues Celebrity’s push toward cleaner energy use, designed to be methanol-capable to reduce emissions.
“Each ship in the Edge Series has reimagined what’s possible at sea through elevated design and experiences that deepen the connection to the destinations being visited,”
“With Celebrity Xcel now joining the fleet and Celebrity Xcite on the horizon, we’re continuing to set new standards for excellence and innovation alongside our trusted partners at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.”
Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
Celebrity Cruises’ President Laura Hodges Bethge, ship’s captain Kyriakos Matragkas, and the vessel’s 1,600 crew members attended the handover ceremony, celebrating the completion of construction that began in June 2024.
The same day, the steel-cutting ceremony for Celebrity Xcite marked the formal start of the sixth Edge-class ship’s build, with delivery set for 2028. This ceremony also marked the reveal of the ship’s name.
A Celebration of Innovation
All of Celebrity’s Edge-class ships have been constructed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, beginning with Celebrity Edge in 2018. Shipyard General Manager Laurent Castaing praised the long-running collaboration, noting that “Celebrity Xcel and the entire Edge Series are the result of close teamwork and a shared commitment to excellence.”
The shipyard is also responsible for building Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, highlighting the close partnership between the French yard and Royal Caribbean Group that spans both its mainstream and premium brands.
Setting Sail Into the Future
Celebrity Xcel will debut ahead of schedule, departing Port Everglades on 9th November 2025 for a four-night preview cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, followed by her maiden five-night voyage on 18 November to Cozumel and Bimini, Bahamas.
From late 2025 through spring 2026, she will operate 7-night Caribbean itineraries, before repositioning to Barcelona in summer 2026 for Mediterranean sailings.
Her second winter season will be based in Miami from November 2026.
As for Celebrity Xcite, her design details and itineraries are yet to be announced, but she will continue the Edge-class tradition of luxury innovation when she joins the fleet in 2028 – coinciding with the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s next Oasis-class giant.
Together, these three milestones underline Royal Caribbean Group’s continued dominance in shipbuilding and innovation, with both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises preparing to deliver the next generation of experiences at sea.
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