Cozumel — The Celebrity Cruises Xcel, the newest ship in the Celebrity Cruises' Edge class, manufactured in 2025, arrived in Cozumel, the first port it has called on in the world after departing from Miami. This represents a historic event for the maritime tourism of Quintana Roo and of Mexico, consolidating the Mexican Caribbean as one of the most important destinations in the cruise sector.
"It departed from Miami in its entire history and they chose the Island of the Swallows, which reflects the confidence of the international cruise industry in the Mexican Caribbean," expressed Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa during the official plaque and key ceremony to commemorate this first visit.
The head of the Executive Branch highlighted that it is a great day for Cozumel with the arrival of this brand-new cruise ship, with more than 3,836 passengers; it is a luxury cruise ship, with great attractions, an open-air garden, a great proposal for families to enjoy.
In the presence of Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, Governor Mara Lezama highlighted the business vision and the sensitivity to recognize in our communities an invaluable wealth that deserves to be shared with the world.
"Here, tourism advances with purpose, with direction, and with social responsibility. Because women and men artisans from our communities are promoting their products, their art, our culture, upon the arrival of this international cruise ship. This event drives a tourism model that not only generates wealth but shares it and multiplies it," assured the governor of Quintana Roo.
Tourism Has a Human Face
Furthermore, she explained that this is the Quintana Roo we are building: "a State where tourism has a human face, where opportunities reach everyone."
The arrival of the Celebrity Cruises Xcel symbolizes the confidence of the international cruise industry in the state's port infrastructure, in the quality of tourist services, and in the warmth of the people of Quintana Roo.
The cruise ship is the newest in its class, has a capacity of up to 3,260 passengers, with a crew of 1,400 members and dimensions of 327 meters long by 39 meters wide.
Present at the event were Bernardo Cueto, Secretary of Tourism; José Luis Chacón, municipal president of Cozumel; Vagner Elbiorn, head of the APIQROO; Ari Adler, president of Royal Caribbean Mexico; Laura Hodges, CEO of Celebrity Cruises; and Captain Kyriakos Matragkas (Kirk), captain of the Celebrity Xcel.
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