Key Points:
- Movie star Xcel has aced her sea trials within the Bay of Biscay and returned to the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard.
- Ending work on the ship will now proceed and she or he will likely be handed over to Movie star Cruises within the subsequent few weeks.
- Movie star Xcel will welcome her first company on a preview crusing on November 9, 2025, forward of her maiden voyage on November 18.
The forthcoming Movie star Xcel has sailed boldly via an vital milestone. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the brand new ship accomplished her sea trials.
These important checks consider the ship’s technical techniques, together with navigation, propulsion, turns, emergency stops, and extra. This ensures the ship is in peak functioning situation earlier than she will likely be handed over to Movie star Cruises.
That is additionally the primary time Movie star Xcel has been out within the open ocean, actually testing her resilience and performance beneath real-world circumstances.
Captain ‘Kirk’ Kyriakos Matragkas led the vessel for these maneuverability checks within the Bay of Biscay close to the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the place the 141,400-gross-ton ship is beneath development.
Movie star Xcel has returned to the shipyard and additional steps in her ending work are already underway. That is particularly important for the new areas being launched on this fifth Edge-class ship.
Of particular curiosity is the cruise line’s first-ever Movie star Flagship retailer that may mix interactive museum-quality reveals with branded retail that celebrates the cruise line’s wealthy and opulent historical past.
Additionally coming to Movie star Xcel would be the first-ever Hydra Room for the cruise line, a part of the Thermal Suite and that includes a heat therapeutic massage pool and heated lounge chairs. The ambient environment with water options and soothing decor will supply the perfect in immersive leisure.
Retro arcade video games and neon lights will make a enjoyable and playful house at Attic at The Membership, a 24/7 lounge that invitations enjoyable and video games with darts, foosball, shuffleboard, and pool.
Now that the ship is technically sound, the ultimate element work on these and different new areas could be accomplished. Movie star Xcel is scheduled to debut in November 2025, with a particular 4-night preview crusing departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, November 9, with a go to deliberate for Cozumel.
This preview crusing was solely added to the ship’s inaugural schedule a number of months in the past, as development is forward of schedule and Movie star Xcel will have the ability to welcome her first company sooner than anticipated.
Cruising Aboard Movie star Xcel
Following the brand new preview crusing, Movie star Xcel‘s official maiden voyage is slated for November 18, 2025. That 5-night Bahamas and Mexico cruise will go to each Cozumel and Bimini and is certain to be full of superb occasions because the ship begins service.
Movie star Xcel‘s common itineraries will likely be 7-night itineraries, together with each Jap Caribbean and Western Caribbean routes.
Relying on the crusing date and precise itinerary, the brand new ship can even be calling on high locations corresponding to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Grand Cayman.
Guide Now: Nice Sailings Accessible Aboard Movie star Xcel
On April 26, 2026, Movie star Xcel will depart Fort Lauderdale to return to Europe, providing departures from Barcelona and Piraeus (Athens) for a summer time spent within the Mediterranean and alongside the beautiful French Riviera.
Of particular curiosity are the ship’s new in a single day stays in Madeira, Portugal, giving company additional time to take pleasure in such a tremendous vacation spot. Different European ports of name embrace Good, Portofino, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Santorini, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Lisbon, Cadiz, and far more.
In November 2026, the brand new ship will return to her Caribbean routes however homeported from Miami as a substitute of Fort Lauderdale, and the summer time 2027 season will once more be spent within the Mediterranean.
Movie star’s Latest Ship Passes Essential Sea Trials With Flying Colours
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