Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the new vessel. “With each new ship, we raise the bar for the ultimate vacation experience – and Celebrity Xcel stands in a class of her own,” he said. “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 Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge emphasized the ship’s co-creation process. “Celebrity Xcel was thoughtfully designed with our guests in mind to be the happy place of vacationers globally,” she said. “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.”
Among the ship’s new offerings is The Bazaar, a three-story space that blends onboard and in-port experiences through dining, activities and entertainment. Each day, the venue transforms to reflect the destinations on the itinerary, featuring marketplace-style artisan products, destination-inspired festivals, live music and two new dining concepts, Mosaic and Spice Café.
Bora, the new rooftop restaurant with panoramic ocean views, introduces a Mediterranean-inspired brunch concept by day and chef-led tableside dining by night. Its evening atmosphere features shared dishes and a curated soundtrack of Greek ballads and Italian classics.
The re-imagined Celebrity Pool Club enhances the poolside experience with a pool valet service offering chilled towels, sun protection, card games and secure storage. Guests can also reserve private cabanas with dedicated service for a VIP experience.
New leisure and entertainment concepts include Attic at The Club, an adults-only, 24/7 neon-lit games lounge featuring retro arcade titles and activities such as darts, foosball, shuffleboard and pool. The first-ever Celebrity Flagship store combines retail and exhibition elements, offering interactive displays, ship memorabilia and customizable merchandise exclusive to Celebrity Xcel.
Vitamin D Deck
The ship also introduces Celebrity’s most expansive spa to date, featuring eight therapeutic experiences within the Thermal Suite and the brand’s first Hydra Room, a water-centered wellness environment. The new outdoor Vitamin D Deck provides oceanfront relaxation, stylish seating and complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments.
Celebrity Xcel also launches the line’s broadest entertainment program, including new theatre productions, interactive shows, dance parties, live music and surprise performances throughout the ship. Many of these additions were refined through the global Dream Makers community of travelers who tested and voted on new concepts ahead of launch.
Celebrity Xcel is now sailing seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, visiting destinations including The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. The ship will reposition to Europe in summer 2026 for her inaugural Mediterranean season, offering seven- to eleven-night sailings from Barcelona and Athens, with new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
