# Celebrity Cruises Expands Caribbean Offerings with Short Weekend Sailings Celebrity Beyond will introduce three to five-night itineraries starting in late 2028. - **Source:** [The Independent – Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/travel) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f7cfe6b4-d6fd-47ac-a08b-38f32a7a9e5b ## New Short-Duration Caribbean Routes Celebrity Cruises is shifting its strategy by offering shorter weekend sailings on its large Edge-class ships. Starting in late 2028, passengers can book three to five-night trips in the Caribbean. This change allows travelers with limited time to experience premium vessels that were previously reserved for week-long or longer cruise itineraries. ## Celebrity Beyond Weekend Itineraries The Celebrity Beyond will operate nine three-night roundtrip getaways from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas between November 2028 and March 2029. Prices for these weekend trips start at £308 per person. Additionally, a five-night route departing on 28 December will visit George Town and Cozumel, with fares beginning at £599 per person. ## Private Island Access Included Select routes will provide passengers with exclusive access to the Royal Caribbean Group’s private Royal Beach Club Paradise Island located in Nassau, Bahamas. This inclusion serves as a strategic value-add for the shorter weekend packages. By leveraging corporate assets, the cruise line aims to enhance the overall guest experience during these brief excursions. ## Ship Specifications and Capacity Launched in 2022, Celebrity Beyond remains one of the largest ships in the fleet, boasting a gross tonnage of 141,420. The vessel accommodates up to 3,260 passengers. Its design features include the signature Magic Carpet bar, a three-deck indoor Eden piazza, a large Sunset Bar, and a dedicated Rooftop Garden for guests. ## Refurbishment and Dining Upgrades The ship is currently undergoing a major refurbishment in dry dock scheduled for completion by 17 November. This update introduces new dining venues, including the Orange Peel Bar & Grille, Tacos del Sol, and Bora. These additions are part of a broader effort to refresh the onboard experience for returning and new passengers. ## Fleet-Wide Short Cruise Strategy Beyond the Celebrity Beyond, other ships are joining the short-trip initiative. Celebrity Eclipse will offer three-night weekend getaways from Fort Lauderdale, while Celebrity Summit will operate four- to five-night itineraries from Miami. These options start as low as £243 per person, providing diverse price points for travelers seeking shorter, more flexible vacation windows. ## Inaugural Season for Celebrity Xcite The company also announced that its newest ship, Celebrity Xcite, will spend its inaugural season in the Caribbean. Operating seven-night sailings from Miami starting in November 2028, the ship will visit ports including St. Thomas, Antigua, and the Dominican Republic. Prices for these longer inaugural voyages are set to start from £642 per person. ## Strategic Focus on Caribbean Demand President Laura Hodges Bethge emphasized that the Caribbean remains the most popular destination for their guests. By deploying more Edge Series ships to the region, the company aims to balance innovative design with increased accessibility. This expansion reflects a broader industry trend toward catering to both spontaneous weekend travelers and long-term vacationers. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/cruise/celebrity-cruises-caribbean-long-weekends-b3079082.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._