Celebrity Cruises has opened reservations for its new ship Celebrity Xcite, the sixth vessel in its award-winning Edge Series, ahead of its inaugural Caribbean season starting in 2028. The ship will offer seven-night cruises departing from Miami, visiting destinations including St. Thomas, Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Maarten, and the Dominican Republic.
Expanded Caribbean Sailings Across Edge Series Ships
In 2028 and 2029, Celebrity Cruises will operate the largest Edge Series fleet in the Caribbean, deploying multiple ships from four Florida ports. Celebrity Beyond will provide nine three-night weekend cruises from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas between November 2028 and March 2029.
Celebrity Eclipse will offer weekend getaways from Fort Lauderdale along with 11-night Caribbean itineraries. Celebrity Summit will run four- and five-night cruises from Miami, featuring stops at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas. Celebrity Beyond’s longer voyages last eight to 11 nights and include six journeys through the Panama Canal, as well as visits to St. Kitts and Nevis, Martinique, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Antigua.
Celebrity Ascent will sail nine- to 12-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curaçao, Saint Lucia, Martinique, St. Maarten, Barbados, Antigua, and Turks and Caicos Islands. Celebrity Xcel’s six- and
eight-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale encompass Southern Caribbean destinations such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, plus Western Caribbean stops in Mexico, Honduras, and Grand Cayman. Celebrity Silhouette offers eight- to 12-night summer itineraries to Barbados, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Grenada, and starting in October 2028 will sail seven-night routes from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Thomas, Antigua, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Barbados, all with five port days. Celebrity Reflection will operate year-round from Fort Lauderdale on six- to eight-night cruises following a March 2027 refurbishment.
Onboard Upgrades and Ship Transformations
Celebrity Beyond will introduce new onboard venues in November 2026, including the Orange Peel
Bar & Grille, Tacos del Sol, and Bora. The March 2027 refurbishment of Celebrity Reflection will add 13 new spaces featuring Edge Series innovations such as the Grand Plaza and popular venues from refreshed ships, enhancing outdoor areas, dining options, and entertainment. Celebrity Apex will return to Cape Canaveral offering Eastern and Western Caribbean routes with stops at the British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Key West. Celebrity Constellation will continue seven-night sailings from Tampa to Key West, The Bahamas, and the Western Caribbean.
Executive Remarks on Caribbean Expansion
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, said: “The Caribbean is
our guests’ favorite place to vacation. Whether it’s a long-awaited island getaway or a spontaneous weekend escape, we are creating new and fresh ways for guests to experience the region with Celebrity Cruises.” She added, “With the debut of Celebrity Xcite, and more Edge Series ships in the Caribbean than ever before, our 2028 and 2029 season gives guests more ways to experience the destinations they love, paired with innovative design, elevated service, and unforgettable moments at sea that only Celebrity Cruises can deliver.”
Booking Availability and Traveler Options
Bookings for Celebrity Xcite’s first season began on November 3, 2026. The ship’s seven-night itineraries departing
from Miami present travelers with new Caribbean route options. Multiple Celebrity ships offer year-round sailings from four Florida ports, expanding access to popular Caribbean destinations. Some itineraries include exclusive visits to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau. The expanded Edge Series deployment provides a range of sailing durations—from three-night weekend getaways to trips extending beyond 12 nights—catering to diverse vacation preferences.
Corporate Context of Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises operates as part of the Royal Caribbean Group, which is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker RCL. The company’s Edge Series ships are recognized for premium vacation experiences featuring innovative design, upscale service, and
distinctive onboard amenities. The expansion of Edge Series ships in the Caribbean reflects Celebrity Cruises’ strategic focus on the region, which it identifies as its guests’ most favored vacation destination.
