Celebrity Cruises is set to redefine couples’ getaways with its newest ship Celebrity Xcel offering a luxurious upgrade to the traditional date night.

Celebrity Cruises has launched a new Australia/New Zealand travel advisor incentive to earn a European cruise holiday for two guests in a Veranda stateroom.

David R. Siewers, formerly of Celebrity Cruises, will join Azamara Cruises as Chief Sales Officer, International, effective 22 May 2025.

Galapagos expeditions on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Flora are now available for booking in 2027. The program features all-inclusive seven-, 10-, 11- and 16-night itineraries on the 100-passenger mega-yacht, designed specifically for the Galapagos.

Celebrity Cruises says it will introduce an all-new multi-level, multi-sensory space unlike anything else at sea when Celebrity Xcel launches. The Bazaar experience will be the epicentre of excitement on board and will introduce authentic experiences that extend guests’ time “on shore” to enjoy destinations unconventionally.

Celebrity Cruises will make a play at the booming river cruise market, unveiling plans to launch premium river cruise holidays in Europe beginning in 2027. The new brand, Celebrity River Cruises, will comprise 180-passenger “transformative ships” and inherit the “elevated design and sophistication of the Edge Series ocean ships”.

Celebrity Cruises will take delivery of a sixth Edge Series ship in 2028 which will be a sister ship to the soon-to-launch Celebrity Xcel, President Laura Hodges Bethge has revealed.

Forbes Travel Guide is expanding its acclaimed global rating system to include rating restaurants on cruise ships – a cruise industry first. The Forbes Travel Guide experts have already been conducting their in-depth research and reviews and will reveal the 2025 cruise ship ratings and restaurant accolades next month when the highly anticipated annual Star Ratings are released, which include hotels, restaurants, and spas in more than 85 countries.

Bookings are now open for Celebrity Solstice’s return Down Under for the 2026/27 season as part of its highly anticipated Grand Voyage.

Celebrity Edge has arrived in Australia for its second season in the region, with the 2,908-passenger vessel set to sail 17 itineraries from homeport Sydney.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, former Celebrity Cruises President and CEO, has been appointed as Chairwoman of the Board at Hornblower Group.

Travel Associates’ inaugural Luxury Cruise Event lured more than 500 keen-to-book cruisers to the Hyatt Regency Sydney last Sunday, with crowds amassing at the doors to the Grand Ballroom eagerly awaiting for the doors to open at 10am.