Celebrity Cruises unveils ambitious plans for 2026 and 2027, featuring over 600 sailings to 280 destinations in 70 countries.
- Three Edge-class ships, including the renowned Celebrity Apex, will embark on various European voyages in 2026.
- Celebrity Apex, acclaimed for its successful homeporting in Southampton, will continue to serve the UK market.
- Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Xcel will explore the Mediterranean, enhancing the cruise line’s presence in Europe.
- The Grand Voyage promises an extensive journey from Canada to Hong Kong, offering cruisers a unique experience.
Celebrity Cruises has announced a landmark expansion of its itineraries, encompassing more than 600 sailings to 280 destinations spread across 70 countries for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 seasons. This strategic move underscores the company’s commitment to providing diverse and enriching travel experiences.
Among the fleet, three Edge-class vessels, namely the Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Xcel, will navigate through European waters in 2026. The Celebrity Apex, notable for being the first of its class to establish a homeport in the United Kingdom, will remain stationed in Southampton through 2025 and 2026. According to Giles Hawke, EMEA vice-president and managing director, the Apex’s performances have been incredibly positive because of the UK market’s contributions and the broader appeal of its itineraries for travellers from North America and other international regions.
The 2026 schedule is especially exciting as the Apex will journey northward to the Arctic Circle and the picturesque Norwegian Fjords, offering passengers unparalleled scenic vistas. Meanwhile, the Celebrity Ascent and the upcoming Celebrity Xcel, slated for launch in November 2025, will traverse the Mediterranean, further solidifying Celebrity Cruises’ regional influence. As pointed out by Hawke, by then, three out of the five Edge-class ships will be operational in Europe, thereby providing passengers with an expansive selection of options.
Further broadening the scope of their offerings, the Celebrity Eclipse will operate out of Amsterdam, and the Celebrity Xcel will embark on its inaugural winter season within the Caribbean before making its European debut in summer 2026. In addition to these European endeavours, other routes covering Northern Europe, Alaska, Australia, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Iceland, and Japan will be available for booking starting October 1, 2024.
A standout feature among these new itineraries is the Celebrity Solstice’s first Grand Voyage, a 110-night cruise that spans from Canada to Hong Kong, touching upon 55 destinations across 15 countries. This voyage can be reserved in full or in segments, with an extended 18-night segment venturing to Tahiti and Fiji, highlighting the company’s ability to offer both long and short explorative journeys. Hawke mentions that such initiatives align with customer demand for longer voyages to exotic locales and reflect the company’s confidence in their service standards, which cater to keeping cruising experiences both entertaining and innovative.
Moreover, the Grand Voyage will set sail from Canada in September 2026, concluding in Hong Kong by December 2026. Hawke emphasises the potential for travel agents adept at engaging high-value clientele to leverage this opportunity, given the extended duration voyages appeal to those with time and resources for such adventures.
Lastly, the cruise line will introduce a solar eclipse voyage on the Celebrity Silhouette in the year 2026, featuring a unique opportunity for passengers to witness the celestial event from the Icelandic coast on August 12, 2026. The Mediterranean and South America cruise bookings will open on November 5, 2024, followed by Caribbean and Canal routes on November 19, 2024. Additionally, trips to the Galapagos for the 2027 season will become available in spring 2025, aligning with the continued sale of Asia and Grand Voyages starting December 10, 2024. To enhance customer experience, the company will offer a two-week pre-registration period, following the success of previous trials on select northern European and Mediterranean sailings.
Celebrity Cruises is poised to revolutionise European cruise offerings with an expansive and diverse itinerary for 2026 and beyond.
