I’m Boarding Celebrity Xcel This Weekend and I’d Love for you to Come Along for the Ride!
It’s happening, and I couldn’t be more excited! This Friday through Sunday, I’ll be heading out on the pre-inaugural sailing of Celebrity Cruises’ brand-new ship, the Celebrity Xcel. This is your personal invite to come along with me, virtually, of course, as I explore every inch of this stunning vessel before it officially welcomes its first guests. I’ll be posting on Instagram and my personal Facebook all weekend long, so make sure to follow @zipporahs and watch stories, reels, and behind-the-scenes peeks from the ship.
Celebrity Cruises is known for blending luxury with discovery, and the Xcel is about to raise the bar even higher. I’ll be getting an up-close look at The Bazaar, their latest innovation onboard (more on that below), and everything from the staterooms to the dining, to the sun decks and entertainment. If you’ve ever cruised with Celebrity before, you already know the attention to detail and elevated experience that awaits. But if you haven’t? This is the perfect chance to see what all the buzz is about.
And if you’re already dreaming about your next big vacation, get this: Celebrity just dropped its 2027-2028 itineraries, and let me tell you, they’re pulling out all the stops across the Caribbean, Asia, and South America.
Let’s talk about what’s new.
Caribbean: More Than Just Beaches (But Also… Incredible Beaches)
If turquoise water, island-hopping, and toes-in-the-sand relaxation sound like your kind of escape, you’re going to want to see what Celebrity has in store for the Caribbean. They’re sending eight ships to 65 sun-soaked destinations, and they’re not just sticking to the usual suspects.
One of the biggest headlines? Celebrity Cruises is launching dedicated sailings to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos for the first time ever. This island gem is beloved for its untouched beaches, clear-as-glass waters, and laid-back charm. Now, it’ll be even easier to explore it with Celebrity.
And let’s not forget Perfect Day at CocoCay, the private island that blends overwater cabanas, beach club luxury, and splashy adventure. If you’re after a weekend reboot or a weeklong unwind, Celebrity’s got you covered with sailings from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Port Canaveral.
Want options? You’ll have them:
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Celebrity Beyond: Year-round 7-night cruises including Grand Turk, CocoCay, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.
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Celebrity Ascent: 10-14 night Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings — history, tropical escapes, and bucket-list crossings all in one.
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Celebrity Xcel (yes, the one I’ll be sailing on!): Immersive 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean trips with shore stops like Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman and Magens Bay in St. Thomas.
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Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Eclipse: 6-12 night itineraries touching down in places like Jamaica, Mexico, the ABC islands, and more.
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Celebrity Reflection: Quick 3- and 4-night getaways — the perfect little pick-me-up with stops at CocoCay, Bimini, and Nassau.
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Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Constellation: Departing from Port Canaveral and Tampa with 7-night trips to the Bahamas and Key West.
Asia: Overnight Adventures & Electric Nightlife
If you’re the type who wants to dive into ancient cultures by day and explore vibrant cities by night, Asia is calling your name. For 2027 and 2028, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium will be sailing to 49 destinations across seven countries, from Indonesia and Malaysia to Thailand and Vietnam.
One of the standout features? 52 overnight stays. That’s right. That means you don’t just get a taste of these fascinating places, you get to linger, explore, dine, and dance into the night. If you followed me on my adventures in Hong Kong and Thailand a few years ago, you know JUST how many things you can ONLY do at night in the cities. So, I’m excited that Celebrity is giving you time to really get under the surface.
Here are some highlights:
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Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong with an overnight stay and a fireworks display over Victoria Harbour.
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Experience Thai culture with extra-long port days and overnight visits to Bangkok and Phuket.
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Soak in Bali’s spiritual energy with overnights in Benoa.
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Wander the street markets of Hanoi and taste your way through Malaysia’s Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
If you’ve ever thought about taking an extended journey through Asia without all the repacking, jetlag, and airport chaos — this is your moment.
South America & Antarctica: Raw Beauty Meets Culinary Fire
From November 2027 to February 2028, Celebrity Equinox will be sailing 14-night adventures across South America and down to the edge of the Earth: Antarctica.
Yes, Antarctica!!!!
These aren’t your average cruises. You’ll be journeying through:
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The Chilean Fjords, with their dramatic cliffs and icy-blue waters.
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Iguazu Falls, one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring waterfalls in the world.
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Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans collide.
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Tierra del Fuego, home to glaciers, penguins, and some of the most untouched natural landscapes on the planet.
Foodies, take note: South America is bursting with bold, regional flavors. From Argentine barbecue to ceviche fresh from the Pacific to rich Chilean seafood and decadent Uruguayan sweets like dulce de leche, this is a journey for your taste buds too.
Back onboard, of course, you’ll have all the luxury touches Celebrity is known for — from fine dining and award-winning wine lists to curated shore excursions and spa days.
So, What’s Next?
If your wanderlust is stirring, here’s when you can start planning:
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Caribbean itineraries are on sale NOW (as of November 11, 2025)
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Asia and South America go on sale December 10, 2025
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For more information visit www.celebrity.com, call Celebrity Cruises on 1-800-CELEBRITY, or contact a trusted travel advisor.
Whether you’re mapping out a warm winter escape for 2027, dreaming of temples and tuk-tuks in Asia, or finally checking Antarctica off your list, there’s something in this lineup for every kind of traveler.
But before all that? I’m stepping aboard Celebrity Xcel this weekend, and I want you to come along with me.
Follow me on social @zipporahs and stay tuned for the full scoop – from my stateroom tour to what’s new at The Bazaar, to the meals, cocktails, and sunsets in between. This ship is going to set the tone for the future of cruising, and I can’t wait to show you everything. Let’s pop some champagne and get this journey started.
