Perfect Day at CocoCay has had a “fantastic” response from passengers of Celebrity Cruises who have visited the private island (pictured), according to the cruise line’s president.
Celebrity Cruises’ passengers started visiting the island in April, as part of their itineraries in the Bahamas.
The private destination was introduced by sister brand Royal Caribbean International and features on Celebrity Cruises’ new short Caribbean itinerary offerings.
Laura Hodges Bethge told a Travel Weekly webcast: “It has been quite fantastic. It has actually become our number-one-rated destination by Celebrity guests. Our Celebrity guests are absolutely loving it.
“It has really helped me understand more about our guests.”
Asked if she would like a private island just for Celebrity passengers, she commented: “Why wouldn’t we share [with Royal Caribbean International], if it worked?”
Hodges Bethge also outlined how the cruise line is developing longer itineraries plus more shorter sailings, in response to feedback from agents and passengers.
For its 2025-26 programme, there are more open-jaw sailings, enabling clients to have longer itineraries without repeating ports of call, by combining back-to-back sailings.
“We will be launching our 2026-27 deployment this fall, and one of the things that we’re working on is 50-plus nights, but I’ve pushed the team to do 75-plus nights,” she added.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be able to get there, but we’re trying back-to-back-to-back and not repeating a port because lots of our most loyal guests want to stay on for months at a time to see the world.”
She said such a cruise could start in Alaska, go through Hawaii, and pass through the Suez Canal if the situation in the Red Sea allows.
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Guests are also asking for shorter getaways, she noted, in addition to their longer vacations – and Brits are able to combine these short cruises to make longer itineraries.
Hodges Bethge will get more inspiration from clients when she joins next year’s president’s cruise on Celebrity Apex, sailing in the Norwegian fjords for the first time.
“I am really hoping a lot of our British guests will join us,” she said.
“I have never been; I’m excited to experience something new with our most loyal guests.
“I love getting the feedback and watching what works.
“Celebrity cruisers are joiners. They join everything with gusto, which is fantastic.”
Next year will also see the launch of Celebrity Xcel, the cruise line’s fifth Edge Class, which will enter service in November 2025 in the Caribbean.
Celebrity Xcel will be powered with the first tri-fuel capable engine, with the ability to use three types of fuel, including methanol, a first for the company and part of its vision for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Hodges Bethge hinted at seven fresh “exciting” elements for Xcel, including two “really big” new things.
“One is a space that has never existed before and another is a reimagining of a space that’s existed,” she said.
“And they both have immersive entertainment, food, etc. We are going to own the evening and blur the line between ship and shore.”
She also suggested further ships would be added to the classic fleet rather than in the expedition sector.
Celebrity’s Millennium Class ships are getting to the age where they need to be replaced, while Solstice Class vessels are “middle aged” so will need to be modernised.
The line is able to learn from its Edge Class series about which innovations have been popular – but an order for another ship has not yet been placed, she said.