Celebrity Xcel will enter service earlier than initially planned, Celebrity Cruises has confirmed, with the 3,260-guest vessel to sail a short preview cruise ahead of its maiden voyage in November.

The news was revealed in a message to guests booked on the inaugural cruise, along with an offer to switch their bookings to the new preview – a four-night cruise from Port Everglades to Cozumel, Mexico which departs on 9 November 2025.

“We have an important update on the arrival of the Celebrity Xcel into Fort Lauderdale,” Celebrity said in the message, as reported by Cruise Industry News.

“Our teams have been working diligently on building our new ship, and the completion is now earlier than we had originally anticipated.”

Although the ship will set sail earlier than originally anticipated, the launch celebrations will still be held during the ship’s 18 November 2025 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,” the cruise line said.

“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.

Passengers switching to the new preview cruise will have the same suites as their original reservation held for them as a courtesy, but the offers are on a first-come, first-served basis. The cruise fare rate will be adjusted to the current rate, with guests to be refunded for any overpayment.

Celebrity Xcel, the fifth ship in Celebrity’s Edge-class series, is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

After its inaugural cruise, it will sail a series of seven-night cruises to the Caribbean departing from Fort Lauderdale.

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