Celebrity Cruises Rewards Top UK & Ireland Agents with Exclusive Preview Sailing Aboard New Celebrity Xcel
In a bold move to recognize sales excellence and strengthen trade relationships, Celebrity Cruises has invited its top 10 performing travel agents from the UK and Ireland on an exclusive preview sailing aboard its highly anticipated Celebrity Xcel. This elite recognition underscores the cruise line’s commitment to celebrating its valued trade partners while providing them with firsthand experience of its next-generation luxury vessel.
Honoring the Best in the Business
The honored travel agents—selected based on exceptional sales achievements during the first half of 2025—will board the Celebrity Xcel for a special two-day sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, scheduled for November 14–16, 2025. Among the recognized agencies are respected names such as Stewart Travel, Cruise Club UK, Imagine Cruising, Click & Go, Gold Medal, and Love It Book It.
This voyage will allow agents to explore the ship’s groundbreaking amenities before its official debut, giving them exclusive insight into what promises to be a game-changing addition to Celebrity Cruises’ fleet.
“The trade is vital to our business,” said Nicola McNeish, Sales Director, Celebrity Cruises UK & Ireland. “This is our way of saying thank you. We’re thrilled to host our best-selling partners on Celebrity Xcel—a revolutionary ship they can now experience and sell with deeper confidence.”
Celebrity Xcel: The Pinnacle of Modern Luxury
Built at the renowned Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, Celebrity Xcel is the fifth ship in Celebrity’s Edge Series and represents the next evolution in luxury cruising. Designed to accommodate 3,260 passengers, the ship will feature newly unveiled venues including The Bazaar, Bora, and Attic at The Club, promising a blend of elevated lifestyle, cutting-edge entertainment, and immersive culinary experiences.
This luxury vessel integrates the brand’s core ethos of relaxed luxury with new, boundary-pushing concepts aimed at today’s modern traveler. From expansive open spaces and world-class dining to tech-forward guest experiences, Celebrity Xcel aims to redefine what it means to cruise in style.
A Strategic Sales Boost for 2025
The exclusive sailing acts not only as a reward but also as a strategic opportunity to boost future bookings. Agents who experience the ship will return equipped with insider knowledge that can be used to better promote the ship to their clients. This “taste before you sell” strategy is expected to significantly elevate confidence and increase sales in the 2025–2026 Caribbean cruise season.
“We’re giving agents direct access to our latest innovation before anyone else,” said McNeish. “It’s about equipping our partners with the tools they need for continued success.”
Fort Lauderdale Launch and Caribbean Routes
Following the preview cruise, Celebrity Xcel is set to begin official operations from Fort Lauderdale, sailing alternating seven-night Caribbean itineraries. These journeys are expected to include stops at top destinations like Cozumel, St. Thomas, and Grand Cayman, offering guests a seamless mix of tropical adventure and luxury aboard the newest vessel in the Celebrity fleet.
These itineraries will cater to both experienced cruise travelers and newcomers looking for a premium escape in the Caribbean. With its innovative design, Celebrity Xcel will also appeal to eco-conscious guests, continuing Celebrity’s commitment to sustainability through modern propulsion systems and advanced energy efficiency.
Strengthening Trade Partnerships Across the UK & Ireland
This initiative comes at a time when UK and Irish cruise markets are seeing strong recovery and renewed interest in long-haul and premium cruise products. With agents being the frontline force in driving bookings, Celebrity Cruises is doubling down on trade support, product education, and reward incentives to ensure that its partners feel engaged and equipped.
“Celebrity’s focus on partnerships is unparalleled,” said one of the invited agents. “Being among the first to sail on Xcel gives us an amazing head start. It’s more than a reward—it’s a business advantage.”
A Long-Term Commitment to Collaboration
Celebrity Cruises continues to deepen collaboration through events, FAM trips, webinars, and now this preview voyage. The company has also ramped up digital training programs and marketing support for UK and Irish agencies to help them position luxury cruise offerings more effectively in a competitive market.
The preview cruise complements other strategic B2B programs, such as Celebrity Rewards and ongoing investment in trade-friendly booking platforms. These efforts demonstrate the cruise line’s long-term commitment to enabling mutual growth alongside their travel agent partners.
Looking Ahead
As the cruise industry prepares for a landmark year of growth, Celebrity Xcel’s debut in late 2025 is poised to be a cornerstone of that momentum. By bringing agents into the fold early, Celebrity Cruises is ensuring that its latest ship launches not just with fanfare, but with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic salesforce ready to deliver a new level of guest experience.
With its innovative design, luxury offerings, and strong trade relationships, Celebrity Xcel is not just a new ship—it’s a new chapter for Celebrity Cruises and the entire premium cruise segment.
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