Embracing a naming scheme first introduced for its original Galapagos-based vessels (Celebrity Xpedition, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience, which has since left the fleet and been replaced by Celebrity Flora), Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Xcel will emphasize the brand’s “X” in more ways than one. (Historically marking the Greek letter for Chi, standing for the line’s founding Chandris family, the “X” will be boldly highlighted not just in the ship’s name, but visually in vibrant orange onboard the upcoming vessel.)
Scheduled to set sail in November 2025, Xcel will be the fifth Edge-class ship, following Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, at an anticipated 141,420 gross tons and capacity of 3,260 passengers.
In a recent interview with Katina Athanasiou-Soy, the line’s new senior vice president of sales and services, she confirmed that “Celebrity Xcel will introduce seven new experiences that live up to her name in every way.”
Those seven new experiences have yet to be revealed, but a look at the ship’s deck plan does outline several previous features of the ship series, such as a Magic Carpet “floating platform” cantilevered off the starboard side, The Theatre at the bow and Eden Restaurant at the stern.
Editor’s note: This story was last updated on April 28, 2025.
In fact, the line is launching a "Dream Makers" initiative to invite customers to help design said seven experiences. Through a series of online polls and in-person events, future guests will have the chance to influence ship spaces and the vessel's food and entertainment by selecting textiles and other interior design elements, customizing service offerings, picking preferred dishes and drinks, further shaping dining concepts and table settings, and curating production show props, costumes and playlists, as well as entertainment positions. Those wishing to participate can visit this web page.
“We want to ensure our guests love our products and experiences, so involving them in the process to perfect Celebrity Xcel was a great way to achieve this,” said Michael Scheiner, chief marketing and product officer of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Cruises is known for ground-breaking innovation in ship design and experiences unlike any other at sea, when Xcel launches guests won’t have just found their happy place, they’ll have helped us build it.”
The Bazaar
As an evolution of the ship class' earlier Eden space, The Bazaar will be a multi-deck, multi-purpose event space that "invites guests to get swept away in the sights, sounds, flavors and traditions of the places they visit, and the festivals made famous by those destinations," according to the line.
Changing out each day will be a new means for guests to immerse themselves in the traveled region with experiences ranging from a local market of artisanal products and crafts to itinerary-specific cuisine and entertainment.
“The Bazaar is a truly one-of-a-kind space designed to seamlessly blend ship and shore and transform the way guests experience destinations,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “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.”
Venue elements will encompass the multi-sensory Market at The Bazaar featuring local art displays on sea days and open-kitchen Mosaic serving elevated destination-inspired foods. At Mosaic will also be a Chef's Table experience wherein Celebrity’s international team will craft dishes influenced by their native cuisine to be presented across multiple courses and Chef's Studio for guests to engage at a destination-centric cooking school. Plus, Spice will be a cafe offering rotating regional flavors surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows.
Onboard Sustainability Efforts
Some specifics that are known include Xcel’s sustainability efforts, anchored by parent corporation Royal Caribbean Group’s initial tri-fuel engine, including methanol as a power source in a first for the company. The feature is an effort toward Royal Caribbean’s “Destination Net Zero” goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Celebrity Xcel’s Itineraries
It has also been announced that from fall 2025 into the 2026 European season, Celebrity Xcel’s inaugural voyages will sail the Mediterranean Sea, including the line’s first overnights in Madeira, Portugal. Itineraries will last from seven to 11 nights, cruising from Barcelona and Athens.
Then, the ship will head to the Caribbean out of Miami for its second season, scheduled for winter 2026-2027. Routes will be seven nights in length calling on Mexico, the Bahamas and Grand Cayman.
Romantic Dining and Entertainment
In an effort to make date night an all-day affair, Xcel will expand its romantic dining and entertainment offerings, starting with Bora. The new Mediterranean rooftop venue will highlight seafood (and offer a custom Bloody Mary bar) at alfresco brunch service, complete with live musicians. At night, the space will host intimate evening meals accompanied by Greek ballads and Italian love songs.
Three new performances in The Theatre, plus two interactive shows in The Club, will create opportunities for dinner and a show. Dance parties will further extend to a country music night and an 80s theme, as well as a candlelit concert event and the "Shine the Night” under-the-stars experience.
