Celebrity Cruises has confirmed the forthcoming debut of Celebrity Xcel, its latest Edge-series vessel, designed to enhance onboard experiences for couples and leisure travellers. The ship will enter service in November 2025, sailing from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) on 7-night Caribbean itineraries before transitioning to European operations in the summer of 2026.
Positioned as the line’s most expansive high-end offering to date, Celebrity Xcel will introduce new dining venues and entertainment formats, aimed at increasing choice and passenger engagement throughout the cruise. Notably, the vessel will debut Bora, an al fresco rooftop restaurant. This venue will serve brunch and dinner against panoramic sea views, with menus inspired by Mediterranean coastal cuisine. Daytime offerings will include dishes such as shakshuka eggs and salmon gravlax croissant benedict, complemented by customizable Bloody Marys. By evening, the space transitions to an intimate dining environment with chef-led service and a curated selection of seafood and regional dishes, accompanied by Mediterranean-inspired live music.
The vessel will also feature 32 distinct food and beverage outlets, offering globally influenced menus across a range of service levels and atmospheres.
In terms of onboard programming, Celebrity Xcel will deliver the brand’s largest entertainment schedule to date. New mainstage productions, interactive performances, and themed dance parties will be facilitated by an onboard cast of over 75 resident performers. Technological enhancements—including kinetic lighting systems, laser effects, and large-scale LED installations—will augment the performance environments.
Michael Scheiner, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Celebrity Cruises, noted that the development of Celebrity Xcel was informed by the demand for shared experiences among the line’s guest demographic. He stated that the new ship would provide expanded dining and entertainment options with the intention of enabling guests to engage in memorable, shared activities throughout the day.
Lisa Lehr, Vice President of Entertainment, added that the entertainment offering has been expanded to include three newly produced theatre shows and multiple immersive options across other onboard venues. She highlighted the inclusion of interactive events in The Club and themed dance experiences ranging from regional music festivals to 1980s-themed parties.
In support of ongoing product development, Celebrity has also introduced the Xcel Dream Makers program, a participatory initiative that invites guests to preview, evaluate, and vote on new onboard features prior to launch. Participants may influence aspects such as show selection, performer line-ups, and culinary programming.
Following her Caribbean debut in late 2025, Celebrity Xcel will reposition to Europe for the 2026 summer season. Scheduled sailings will range from 7 to 11 nights, operating out of Barcelona and Athens (Piraeus), and include new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.