Celebrity Cruises is set to redefine the passenger experience with its newest vessel, the Celebrity Xcel, which will actively integrate the vibrant culture of the Caribbean into its onboard offerings. The ship, scheduled for its maiden voyage in November 2025, aims to provide guests with an authentic taste of the destinations before they even disembark.
The Bazaar: A Hub of Caribbean Culture
Central to this immersive strategy is a unique, multi-level space called “The Bazaar”. Replacing the Eden venue found on previous Edge-class ships, The Bazaar is designed as a vibrant marketplace blending shopping, dining, and entertainment. This dynamic area will feature LED-lit walls and archways, creating an atmosphere that mirrors Caribbean celebrations. It will host a variety of destination-inspired festivals, pop-up artisan markets, and live entertainment, transforming daily to reflect the ship’s itinerary.
The Bazaar aims to extend the destination experience onboard, allowing passengers to engage with the culture of the ports they visit. This includes sourcing local ingredients for food and drinks, with chefs at the Mosaic Restaurant preparing destination-specific dishes that change based on the port of call. Guests can also expect to find local artisan products for sale, with up to 80% of items in The Bazaar being locally sourced. Furthermore, performances from local carnival experts and musicians will be featured, offering authentic entertainment.
The concept promises a seamless blend of ship and shore, inviting passengers to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, flavors, and traditions of the Caribbean. Four distinct Caribbean destination-inspired festivals—Aqua, Viva, Flora, and Carnival—will rotate throughout voyages, bringing the beauty of The Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic to life. These festivals will include local food and beverage offerings, hands-on craft experiences, cooking and dance classes, and pop-up performances.
Elevated Onboard Experience
Beyond The Bazaar, Celebrity Xcel introduces several other new features designed to enhance the passenger journey. The ship boasts 32 culinary offerings, including specialty restaurants and casual venues. New dining concepts include Spice, a casual eatery within The Bazaar offering rotating destination-inspired bites, and Mosaic, an open-kitchen restaurant that serves dishes inspired by the regions the ship visits. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, The Retreat offers a suite-class sanctuary with private dining and amenities.
The ship also features an expanded spa, Celebrity’s largest at sea, with new amenities like the Hydra Room and an outdoor Vitamin D Deck. The resort-style pool deck has been upgraded, offering enhanced service and shaded areas. Other notable features include the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered venue offering panoramic views, and The Attic, an adults-only arcade lounge.
Itinerary and Vision
Celebrity Xcel will embark on its inaugural Caribbean season from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with seven-night itineraries visiting destinations such as The Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. The ship is the fifth in Celebrity’s acclaimed Edge Series, built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France and measuring 141,420 gross tons with a capacity for nearly 4,000 passengers.
Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, stated that Celebrity Xcel represents a “bold step” in transforming how the world experiences premium travel, setting a new industry standard. Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, emphasized that the ship was designed with guest input through the “Xcel Dream Makers” program, ensuring it would be a “happy place” for vacationers globally. This focus on guest collaboration and authentic cultural integration underscores a broader trend in the cruise industry towards more immersive and experiential travel.
The Celebrity Xcel‘s commitment to showcasing local culture and providing diverse entertainment not only enriches the passenger experience but also aligns with the growing demand for authenticity in travel. This approach is a significant development in cruise industry news, signaling a move towards deeper connections with the destinations visited. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will reposition to Europe, offering Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona and Athens.