Key Aspects:

• Celebrity Cruises sent thousands of future guests of Celebrity Beyond emails about itinerary changes that don’t exist.
• Guests booked on sailings from the end of this year through the end of 2026 received the incorrect emails, causing panic and confusion.
• Some of the guests suspected that something wasn’t quite right, as in some cases, the original itineraries referenced in the emails did not match the itineraries that passengers had booked. 

On September 9, 2025, potentially thousands of Celebrity Cruises guests received the dreaded emails that their upcoming sailings on Celebrity Beyond had been altered. 

The emails, which were sent in error, told of significant changes like cancelled port calls and swapping destinations.

But while the emails were inaccurate and never supposed to be mass distributed, the stress and anxiety they caused were very real. 

Reports quickly surfaced from concerned passengers booked on cruises from the end of 2025 through the end of 2026, which is more than a year away.

First, the reason that some passengers were given for the change was that Celebrity Beyond was suffering from ongoing propulsion issues. 

“Due to necessary maintenance, operations will proceed at a reduced speed,” some of the incorrect emails stated. 

While it’s true that the 2022-launched vessel has had to adjust itineraries to accommodate slower speeds following a major propulsion issue in July, an engine repair has technically been made to allow her to safely resume cruising. 

But what really made it clear that something was amiss is that guests were learning about changes that impacted ports of call that were never actually part of their original itineraries. 

“We received that same email. However the original ports of call they show in the email are not our original ports of call at all,” one passenger shared.

“We got changed ports too but the original ports listed in the email aren’t even accurate? And the Celeb website is still selling our cruise with the original ports and not the updated ones,” another person wrote.

Eagle-eyed guests did notice that the Celebrity Cruises website and smartphone app did not reflect the changes in the emails, which only added to the confusion. 

Emails Sent By Mistake 

By the late afternoon, Celebrity Cruises was aware of the technical blunder and issued a new message to confirm that the itinerary changes were sent out in error.

“Earlier today you received a communication in error regarding an itinerary change,” the email confirms.

“Please rest assured that the original ports on your itinerary will remain the same. You will be receiving an updated invoice with the adjusted times we will be visiting these ports,” it continues.

But while guests should be relieved to know that the email they received was a false alarm – and many suspected a glitch or IT issue was at play all along – others were still reeling from the unnecessary stress.

Some had spent hours trying to figure out what was really going on in cruise forums online and/or on hold with the cruise line.

Others had already gone ahead with trying to refund shore excursions they had booked through independent tour providers.

The line about “adjusted times we will be visiting these ports” is also a point of contention.

Some cruisers have taken this to mean that Celebrity Beyond will still be suffering from the propulsion issues that began in July, even if their sailing is over a year away, and are considering canceling altogether.

“My guess is the issue was so severe that it couldn’t be completely fixed in the week of the sailing they had to cancel, and it’ll just limp around until the next scheduled dry dock,” one guest theorized on Reddit.

That dry dock stint is scheduled for November 1-17, 2026.

“The ship is having propulsion issues. I would personally cancel and rebook,” another cruiser said.

So far, Celebrity Cruises has released itinerary updates through July of 2026, with multiple update letters citing the need to sail at reduced speeds as the reason.

But while the destinations on these original itineraries are safe for now, there is always a risk of tweaks later on due to factors like unexpected changes to port availability and weather.

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?

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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.