Lovers of Celebrity Edge and its sisters soon will have a new option to try out, as Royal Caribbean this week ordered a sixth Edge Series ship, scheduled for delivery in 2018.
Dubbed “Xcel 2” for now, the ship will join Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge, as well as the newest member of the Edge Series fleet, Celebrity Xcel, which will debut in November.
While the ship will include popular elements of the Edge Series, such as the floating Magic Carpet platform and Infinite Veranda staterooms that bring the balcony inside, the company promises, “other yet-to-be-announced innovations.” To that end, Celebrity has launched a “Dream Makers” program, inviting its fans—and their travel advisors—to help design their perfect voyage. Everyone is invited to join the “Dream Makers” community (Opt In thank you page Opt In Form), where you can vote on and test new experiences, from F&B to entertainment to textiles and interior design, the company said.
“Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6,” Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge said In a press release announcing the new ship.
Celebrity Xcel’s inaugural season will depart Fort Lauderdale on seven-night itineraries to the Caribbean and Mexico, and then move to the Mediterranean for 7- to 11-night sailings from Barcelona and Athens, with overnights in Madeira, Portugal.
Royal Caribbean Group currently has six more ships on order, including the Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas, which also is scheduled to launch this year.
