Celebrity Xcel Officially Sets Sail

Celebrity Xcel has arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, introducing seven brand-new experiences. The fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ groundbreaking Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel was created with the help of vacationers globally through the Xcel Dream Makers program, where participants played a key role in finalizing many elements of the ship from culinary through to entertainment.

“With each new ship, we raise the bar for the ultimate vacation experience—and Celebrity Xcel stands in a class of her own,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “With innovative design, elevated style, and signature hospitality, Celebrity Xcel’s arrival sets a new standard for the industry and adds to our collection of experiences that turn the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”

Celebrity Xcel was thoughtfully designed with our guests in mind to be the happy place of vacationers globally,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. "From the seven new spaces guests will experience, to the innovative Xcel Dream Makers program, where our guests played a direct role in shaping the ship’s features, Celebrity Xcel lives up to her name in every way.”

On Celebrity Xcel, guests will find new ways to restore and explore:

  • The Bazaar is a transformational experience that erases the line between ship and shore. Each day, the three-story space will transform, introducing new ways for guests to immerse themselves in the destinations called on throughout their sailing. The Bazaar blends guests’ onboard and in-port experiences in an elevated, authentic and unique way through food, activities and live music. Guests will find two distinct, destination-inspired dining venues—Mosaic and Spice Cafe—along with The Market featuring local artisan products, four destination-inspired festivals specific to each itinerary, and entertainment.

    Celebrity Xcel Mosaic
    Mosaic  (Celebrity Cruises)
  • With panoramic ocean views and a vibrant setting, Bora will transport guests to the Mediterranean coast. The rooftop restaurant will transition from day to night, offering the perfect setting for guests to enjoy a lively brunch or an intimate dinner. By day, Bora’s upbeat, boozy brunch will serve Mediterranean-inspired classics alongside brunch favorites, and customizable Bloody Marys with over-the-top garnishes at the best Bloody Mary bar at sea. At night, Bora’s chef-led tableside dining preparations and dishes designed to share set an intimate mood for dinner, as a backdrop of Greek ballads and Italian love songs round out an evening.

  • The Celebrity Pool Club is an all-day, all-night poolside experiences. Guests will not want to leave their sunbed thanks to the new pool valet offering poolside chilled towels, card games, sunscreen and storage for personal items; and a contemporary rooftop design offering increased shading. Guests can also choose to go VIP for the day with enhanced private cabanas complete with dedicated service.

  • An all-day, all-night vibrant games room glittered with neon lights, Attic at The Club is an adult-oriented games lounge. Open 24/7, guests will enjoy the nostalgia of retro games like Pac-Man, NBA Showtime, Golden Tee and more. Other activities include pool, darts, foosball and shuffleboard.

  • Celebrity Cruises’ first-ever Celebrity Flagship store is part museum, part interactive retail experience, while celebrating all things Celebrity. Guests will find interactive screens with trivia questions and insider facts, historical artifacts, and vintage collectibles. A wide range of customizable items can be engraved, embroidered or printed, such as water bottles, cocktail kits, keychains, caps, and robes. Plus, Celebrity Flagship will stock one-of-a-kind Celebrity products only available on Celebrity Xcel.

    Celebrity Xcel Hydra Room
    Hydra Room (Celebrity Cruises)
  • The Spa on Celebrity Xcel will feature Celebrity’s first-ever Hydra Room, the newest of eight therapeutic experiences in the Thermal Suite, which invites guests to indulge in a water-focused wellness experience, meticulously crafted to rejuvenate both body and mind. The Spa’s new outdoor Vitamin D Deck offers sweeping views from the front of the ship where guests can enjoy the restorative ocean breeze from stylish seating, while complimentary non-alcoholic beverages keep them cool and refreshed.

  • Plus, Celebrity’s most expansive entertainment offering to date will offer more variety and more performers delivering entertainment options all day long. With three new shows in The Theatre, two new interactive shows in The Club, immersive new dance parties, new activities, live music and surprises throughout the day, guests will find entertainment options to match every mood.

Celebrity Xcel_Bazaar_Cocktails
Cocktail at The Bazaar (Celebrity Cruises)

All these new experiences were finalized by the Xcel Dream Makers, a global community of vacationers who tested, tried, and voted on the new experiences to feature onboard Xcel. Dream Makers made key decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment.

Celebrity Xcel is sailing its inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on its inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean on seven-to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all-new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

For more information and to book a sailing with Celebrity Cruises, visit www.celebrity.com, or call at 1-800-CELEBRITY.

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