Celebrity Summit Launches Epic Panama Canal Adventure and Transforms the Caribbean Cruise Experience: Everything You Need to Know

Published on September 26, 2025

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit, a flagship of the Millennium-class, is embarking on an exciting journey as part of its annual repositioning. The vessel, after completing its successful summer season in Alaska and Canada, is headed to the Caribbean for the winter season. The ship’s repositioning journey, which began on September 19, 2025, involves a 16-night Panama Canal voyage from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This marks the start of the Celebrity Summit’s Caribbean deployment, offering a series of short cruises that will delight travelers throughout the upcoming winter months.

Panama Canal Eastbound Voyage: The Adventure Begins

On September 19, 2025, the Celebrity Summit set sail on its eastbound repositioning voyage, departing from Los Angeles. The 16-night cruise is filled with captivating stops across Central America and the Caribbean. This voyage is an excellent way for passengers to experience the legendary Panama Canal, along with diverse cultural destinations throughout Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Jamaica.

The ship’s first stop is in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where passengers will enjoy a full day in port on September 22, 2025. The lively resort town is famous for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and beautiful sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Afterward, on September 25, the ship will dock in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, a charming port town with nearby historical attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua.

The journey continues on September 27 in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, where travelers can explore tropical rainforests, visit national parks, and experience Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. On September 29, passengers will be treated to a scenic crossing of the Panama Canal, one of the most remarkable engineering feats in the world, a highlight for many cruisers.

The final stop of the eastbound Panama Canal voyage is Cartagena, Colombia on September 30. Cartagena is renowned for its colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and vibrant culture. Afterward, the ship will sail onward to the Falmouth port in Jamaica and the George Town in the Cayman Islands, offering more tropical experiences.

Winter Caribbean Season: Short Cruises from Fort Lauderdale

After arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in early October 2025, the Celebrity Summit will kick off its winter Caribbean season with a series of short cruises that will run through mid-April 2026. This is part of Celebrity Cruises’ effort to provide a variety of itineraries catering to different traveler preferences, whether they prefer quick getaways or longer vacations.

These four- to ten-night cruises will call at some of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, with the ship sailing to both the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Passengers can expect to visit destinations such as San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Maarten in the Leeward Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Grand Cayman. These destinations are well-loved for their crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and a variety of activities like snorkeling, diving, and cultural exploration.

Additionally, the ship will be offering themed cruises during its winter Caribbean season. Some of the standout themed sailings include:

• Country Cruising: A special sailing in October 2025 that will celebrate the best in country music, with performances and events dedicated to the genre.
• David Foster The Hitman Cruise: Scheduled for January 2026, this sailing will feature performances by legendary musicians and entertainers led by renowned music producer David Foster.
• The Smooth Jazz Cruise: Set for February 2026, this cruise will offer passengers a chance to enjoy world-class jazz performances while cruising through tropical waters.

These themed cruises bring an added layer of excitement for passengers who are interested in more specialized entertainment options during their cruise.

Longer Caribbean Itineraries: A Deeper Exploration

For guests seeking a more extensive cruise experience, the Celebrity Summit will offer longer itineraries that span more than seven nights. These longer cruises will sail through the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and Southern Caribbean, offering passengers the chance to explore both familiar and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

In the Eastern Caribbean, ports like St. Thomas, St. Croix, and San Juan, Puerto Rico will feature, with opportunities for cultural immersion, historic tours, and beach excursions. The Western Caribbean will include stops at Cozumel, Mexico, one of the most popular dive destinations in the world, as well as Falmouth, Jamaica, which offers a mix of beaches, cultural experiences, and nearby nature reserves.

The Southern Caribbean offers even more diverse destinations, including St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Maarten, all of which offer pristine beaches, scenic views, and exciting excursions, such as hiking, snorkeling, and island tours. These extended itineraries provide the perfect combination of adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration.

Return to Alaska: Summer 2026 Itineraries

After completing its winter Caribbean season, the Celebrity Summit will head back to Alaska in early May 2026. The ship will offer a series of open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska. These Alaska cruises will feature scenic cruising at the stunning Hubbard Glacier and visits to the picturesque towns of Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway.

The Alaska season provides a completely different experience, with lush landscapes, wildlife sightings, and glacier tours, offering a stark contrast to the tropical warmth of the Caribbean. The Celebrity Summit is perfect for those who want to experience the best of both regions—whether it’s the clear waters and sandy beaches of the Caribbean or the majestic glaciers and fjords of Alaska.

Future Deployment: Tampa Bay in Late 2026

Looking further ahead, the Celebrity Summit is slated to reposition to Tampa Bay, Florida, in late 2026 for another season of cruising to the Caribbean and North America. This marks an expansion of Celebrity Cruises’ presence in Florida, as the company continues to explore new itineraries and provide cruisers with exciting travel options from various departure points.

The repositioning of the Celebrity Summit from Alaska to the Caribbean marks an exciting phase in its deployment for the 2025-2026 season. With a wide range of itineraries, including short cruises, themed sailings, and longer voyages, the ship offers something for every type of traveler. Whether passengers are interested in relaxing on Caribbean beaches or cruising through the Panama Canal, the Celebrity Summit promises an unforgettable experience. As Celebrity Cruises prepares for the next chapter of its deployment, cruise enthusiasts can look forward to another exciting year of adventures at sea.

Image Source: Celebrity Cruises