Key Aspects:
- In a historic move, Celebrity Cruises has named two inaugural cruise directors for the upcoming Celebrity Xcel instead of just one person.
The debut of a new cruise ship is always invigorating, but the upcoming launch of Celebrity Xcel is so exciting that there will be two cruise directors onboard.
Shawna Hachey and Luigi Del Mar will be the winning combination leading the fun when the fifth Edge-class ship enters service in mid-November.
“Big news! Shawna & Luigi are making history as Celebrity Xcel’s first-ever dual Cruise Directors,” Celebrity Cruises posted on social media on September 8, 2025.
“This dynamic duo is ready to bring all their experience to sea this November. Who’s excited to see them in action?”
Indeed, the cruise directors have no shortage when it comes to experience and have each lived and worked onboard Celebrity Cruises ships for more than a decade.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Hachey was hired by the cruise line just over 16 years ago.
She served as a cruise director from May 2018 until January of 2025, when she transitioned to a new role as a traveling cruise director.
Meanwhile, Del Mar has worked for the Royal Caribbean-owned brand for just over 12 years, nine of which were spent as a cruise director.
As the faces of the cruise ship, the two will have their work cut out for them – but they are surely up to the challenge.
The pressure is on as it is up to them to make sure the entertainment onboard is top notch as the 3,260-guest ship makes her first impression on the cruising world in just a few short months.
Cruise Guests Celebrate the Announcement
The cruise community has been in a flurry of excitement since Hachey and Del Mar were named as dual cruise directors.
Those that have been lucky enough to sail with either or both members of this perfect pair have confirmed that they are truly the best of the best.
“We are in for a treat. We have sailed with both of them and they are both phenomenal,” said one former passenger.
“Sailed with Shawna. She’s fabulous. Somehow she manages to be everywhere all at once,” another past guest gushed.
“Wow, excellent duo! I love Luigi’s energy, an excellent cruise director,” another chimed in.
Read Also: What is it Really Like to Be a Cruise Director on Embarkation Day?
Announcements like these only heighten the anticipation for the 141,420-gross ton vessel to arrive.
But rest assured, construction crews are making good progress at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The new-build was already successfully floated out from the shipyard in January, and is expected to undergo her sea trials in October.
In fact, the building process has gone so smoothly that an extra 4-night preview voyage to Cozumel, Mexico, was slotted in ahead of the maiden voyage – embarking from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 9, 2025.
The official maiden voyage, which is a 5-night sailing to Bimini Island, Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico, will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on November 18, 2025.
And of course, Hachey and Del Mar will be eagerly waiting to welcome Celebrity Xcel’s first guests on her inaugural sailings and as she begins her career sailing throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
