Key Points:
Superstar 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 he or she will probably be handed over to Superstar Cruises within the subsequent few weeks.
Superstar Xcel will welcome her first company on a preview crusing on November 9, 2025, forward of her maiden voyage on November 18.
The forthcoming Superstar Xcel has sailed boldly by means of an vital milestone. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the brand new ship accomplished her sea trials.
These important exams consider the ship’s technical programs, together with navigation, propulsion, turns, emergency stops, and extra. This ensures the ship is in peak functioning situation earlier than she will probably be handed over to Superstar Cruises.
That is additionally the primary time Superstar Xcel has been out within the open ocean, actually testing her resilience and performance beneath real-world situations.
Captain ‘Kirk’ Kyriakos Matragkas led the vessel for these maneuverability exams 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.
Superstar Xcel has returned to the shipyard and additional steps in her ending work are already underway. That is particularly important for the brand new areas being launched on this fifth Edge-class ship.
Of particular curiosity is the cruise line’s first-ever Superstar 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 Superstar 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 ambiance with water options and soothing decor will provide the most effective in immersive leisure.
Retro arcade video games and neon lights will make a enjoyable and playful area 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 might be accomplished. Superstar 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 just a few months in the past, as development is forward of schedule and Superstar Xcel will have the ability to welcome her first company sooner than anticipated.
Cruising Aboard Superstar Xcel
Following the brand new preview crusing, Superstar 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 bound to be full of superb occasions because the ship begins service.
Superstar Xcel‘s common itineraries will probably be 7-night itineraries, together with each Japanese Caribbean and Western Caribbean routes.
Relying on the crusing date and actual itinerary, the brand new ship may also be calling on prime locations akin to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Grand Cayman.
E-book Now: Nice Sailings Obtainable Aboard Superstar Xcel
On April 26, 2026, Superstar Xcel will depart Fort Lauderdale to return to Europe, providing departures from Barcelona and Piraeus (Athens) for a summer season 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 get pleasure from such an incredible vacation spot. Different European ports of name embody Good, Portofino, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Santorini, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Lisbon, Cadiz, and way more.
In November 2026, the brand new ship will return to her Caribbean routes however homeported from Miami as an alternative of Fort Lauderdale, and the summer season 2027 season will once more be spent within the Mediterranean.
Superstar’s Latest Ship Passes Crucial Sea Trials With Flying Colours
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