Celebrity Cruises new ship Celebrity...

Multi-sensory space to host festivals and celebrate the regions featured in itineraries

Celebrity Cruises has unveiled a first-of-its-kind experiential concept aboard new ship Xcel.

Scheduled to sail her inaugural season in November 2025, the all-new Celebrity Xcel will bring The Bazaar to the high seas, offering a rotating programme of experiences that mirror the onshore experience.

A three-storey, multi-sensory space, The Bazaar will transform according to the ship’s destination, bringing the music, traditions, cuisines and even festivals on board.

Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity, said the cruise line wanted to “blend ship and shore” transforming the way guests experience the regions they visit.

“Celebrity Xcel intentionally extends the destination experience onboard through a continued authentic offering between ports of call, allowing guests to take the destination with them.”

Promising that no two days will be the same, the space will transform daily with experiences including regionally inspired dining, craft workshops, dance classes and pop-up entertainment and performances from local musicians.

The Bazaar’s Market will feature food and cooking classes from local artisans alongside activities such as rum and chocolate pairings and local hot sauce tastings on Caribbean sailings, and demonstrations of culture-rich traditions, from basket weaving to mask making.

The space will also include open kitchen concept Mosaic, an industry-first Chef’s Table experience serving a multi-course tasting menu covering all continents and Chef’s Studio, the cruise line’s first-ever destination-inspired cooking school. Throughout the sailing, the repertoire will change to reflect the festival themes, whether cruising the Caribbean or sailing around the Mediterranean.

New concept Spice will also offer a daytime selection of dishes with items inspired by the ports visited.

Cruisers will also have the opportunity to vote for the new experiences they want to see on board Celebrity Xcel, including those on offer at The Bazaar. The recently announced Xcel Dream Makers initiative lets guests test and vote on new features, from what makes the menu at Mosaic to the entertainment.

In port, Celebrity’s authentic shore excursions offer multiple ways for guests to explore a region’s culture, from expertly crafted small group journeys curated and led by local guides to personalised, exclusive visits on private journeys.

One of 2025’s most anticipated ships, Celebrity Xcel is the fifth vessel in the cruise line’s award-winning Edge Series, and will feature the first tri-fuel capable engine, as well as an expanded rooftop garden that extends over the side of the ship for better ocean views.

Other highlights include a new multi-terraced Sunset Bar, verandah staterooms with retractable glass walls and an exclusive wellness area for suite guests offering private pools and dining.

For its inaugural season in November 2025, Celebrity Xcel will offer seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. In summer 2026, the ship will embark on its European season, with seven- to 11-night Mediterranean journeys departing from Barcelona and Athens.

To book Celebrity Cruises sailings, call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, email book@rccl.ae or visit www.celebritycruises.ae

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