WE DIDN’T FIND YOUR CUSTOMERS' HAPPY PLACE, WE BUILT IT.

23 October 2025

We didn’t just build a ship. We built the holiday your customers will always remember.

The restaurant they'll never forget. The date night so good it lasts all day long.

The pool day to outshine all other pool days. We built new ways for your customers to explore the world before they even get there. New chances for them to restore like never before. A new check mark on their bucket list.

We built your customers happy place. Say hello to Celebrity Xcel.

Celebrity Xcel is sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven-to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

Our newest ship debuts in November 2025. Find out more about what your customers can expect on board, below.

CELEBRITY XCEL OFFICIALLY JOINS THE FLEET

Royal Caribbean Group executives and Celebrity Cruises crew gathered to celebrate the handover of Celebrity Xcel from Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Welcoming the newest addition to the Celebrity Cruises fleet were Liberty, Hodges Bethge, Castaing, and captain Kyriakos Matragkas, captain of Celebrity Xcel. Executives were also joined by more than 1,600 Celebrity Xcel crew members in the celebration.

The milestone was marked with time-honored maritime traditions, including a formal signing ceremony, the symbolic changing of flags aboard the vessel, and a celebratory toast in the ship’s spectacular three-story Grand Plaza.

Celebrity Xcel will set sail in November with seven brand new spaces - from erasing the line between ship and shore to creating even more ways to restore and explore while on vacation.

GET READY FOR ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT

When Celebrity Xcel sets sail in November, your customers will be immersed in all-new entertainment experiences, featuring the most resident performers delivering the greatest variety ever offered by the vacation brand. With three brand-new theatre productions, two interactive club shows, music experiences, elevated high-energy dance parties, interactive activities and endless surprises in between, every moment onboard is designed to spark connection and delight from morning to night.

At the heart of the all-new entertainment lineup are three spectacular production shows in The Theatre – custom developed by industry-leading creative visionaries with credentials spanning theater, film, television, and concert tours for world-renowned artists. Featuring Celebrity’s largest cast, these shows combine world-class singers, dancers, parkour artists, and specialty aerial performers with cutting-edge technology – including kinetic lighting, laser video etching, projection mapping, pyrotechnics, and a 110-foot curved kinetic LED screen – to deliver fully immersive entertainment.

· Mainstage is a high-energy live music concert that transports audiences to the world’s most iconic music festivals, featuring hits from top artists across the decades. Guests will sing along as they are immersed in festivals that span electrifying dance vibes to country soul, and everything in between — Mainstage is a celebration of music and culture.

· Between Takes transports guests to a 1920s Hollywood backlot straight into the mayhem that ensues between CUT and ACTION, as a crew endeavors to create the next blockbuster. This spectacle juxtaposes the glamour of the screen with the reality of life on set using dynamic, colour-changing set design. Guests will witness jaw-dropping Hollywood scenes, incredible vocals, high-flying stunts, and mind-blowing choreography.

· Chapters is a poetic and visually stunning journey through nature, transformation, and self-discovery. The journey through each chapter reflects growth, change, and connection — inviting guests to see themselves in the stories unfolding on stage.

In The Club, two new interactive shows invite your customers to lose themselves in an earlier time and place:

· 254 West guests find themselves in the 80s at the closing night for the iconic “254 West” club. But the party isn’t over yet, as guests are invited to join in the high-energy celebration, where groovy vibes await. After closing time, guests are invited to stay for the 254 West After Party.

·HOTEL brings a scandal, a spectacle, and a crime that needs solving – this comedic “whodunit” performance features cabaret flair, razor-sharp wit, and keeps audiences guessing from check-in to checkout. Featuring bold musical numbers, eccentric characters, and twists at every turn, the only question is: will guests solve the mystery before it’s time to pack their bags?

Live music and multiple new dance parties beckon guests to the dance floor:

· Piano bar entertainment will have guests singing along to their favorite hits.

· Guests can throw on their boots and grab their cowboy hats for an elevated country music party – Saddle Up Saloon. Dance along as a live band plays classic country favorites and fresh hits.

· A candlelit concert experience will celebrate Classic Rock’s most iconic artists. Guests will be swept up and energized by electrifying anthems, classic hits, and thunderous guitar riffs – all illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight.

· The magic of the Mediterranean awaits at Bora. By day, roaming musicians play energetic hits to keep the brunch vibes high, while at night, a backdrop of Greek ballads and Italian love songs will round out an unforgettable evening.

· Plus, an even more electric Shine the Night party returns, enticing guests to end the perfect date dancing under the stars in their shiniest outfits.

For customers seeking friendly competition that’s sure to create lasting memories, new games on Celebrity Xcel offer fun for all ages:

· High Stakes is a high-energy, mass participatory elimination game show driven by instinct, luck, and suspense. By choosing between “Celebrity Blue” and “Tangerine”, players will be eliminated until one winner emerges from a crowd of participants.

· Brain Spin is a fast-paced game show that combines the thrill of spinning the wheel with strategic thinking, challenging guests to collect all eight sections of their “mind map.” The first contestant to complete all eight wins the game.

· Guests will bring a robot to life in an escape room-style game that challenges guests to build a unique circuit board using clues and props hidden in locked boxes.

· In a destination-themed mystery game, guests must assemble a world map to eliminate destinations and find hidden treasure.

· Game On at The Club is back and better than ever. Offering the most games in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, this new spin on a retro arcade experience projects crowd-favorite games onto the floor, inviting players to compete in interactive competitions using their own body as a controller.

· For guests under 18, a new, interactive digital game wall will level-up the gaming experience at our award-winning youth program, Camp at Sea, with more than 50 new games that span sports to education.

INTRODUCING THE GODMOTHER OF CELEBRITY XCEL

The recipe is coming together for the debut of Celebrity Xcel with our announcement of Godmother Janaína Torres. Her bona fides speak for themselves. The Brazilian chef and restaurateur was named “Best Female Chef in the World” last year by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Torres became a culinary star by crafting recipes that combine authentic flavors, locally sourced ingredients, and innovative no-waste cooking techniques, and she’s deeply passionate about next-level hospitality. That’s right. We have a lot in common, and we couldn’t have a more perfect Godmother for a ship that celebrates local cultures and brings the flavors of the world to your table like never before. As Godmother, Chef Torres will have the honor of naming Celebrity Xcel on November 16, 2025, marking the ship’s official debut. We can’t wait to welcome her—and you—aboard soon.

Brazilian chef and restaurateur Janaína Torres is a breakout star on the world culinary stage. Named "Best Female Chef in the World" by The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2024, Torres has made a name for herself with her deliciously innovative and sustainable approach to cooking. On top of that, she’s passionate about sharing culture through cuisine, launching a one-of-kind project for researching and promoting Brazilian identity through food. Torres co-owns two restaurants in São Paulo, including her flagship, A Casa do Porco. Famous for its inventive menu based around pork dishes, the restaurant hit number 12 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2023. Torres has also dedicated herself to improving school nutrition, empowering women, and making dining more accessible to everyone.

CELEBRITY XCEL CAPTAIN

Celebrity Cruises is thrilled to reveal the face behind the buzz around who will take the helm of Celebrity Xcel: Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis, affectionately known as Captain Kirk, has been revealed as Captain of the brand’s newest billion-dollar Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel.

With a legacy rooted in seafaring tradition and a personality as magnetic as the ship he now commands, Captain Kirk’s appointment signals not just a new chapter for Celebrity but a bold new era in cruising.

Born in Piraeus, Greece, Captain Kirk’s maritime roots run deep. He began learning the trade as a boy alongside his father and later graduated from the world’s oldest marine academy in Hydra. He joined Celebrity Cruises in 2000 as part of the launch crew for Celebrity Millennium and has been a beloved figure in the fleet ever since.

Now, as he takes the helm of Celebrity Xcel, Captain Kirk brings not only decades of experience but a dynamic spirit that mirrors the ship’s bold design. Off duty, he’s a snowboarder, guitarist, drummer, and avid reader—an embodiment of the modern explorer who excels in every pursuit.

OUR BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP EVER

Anyone can put on a show, but only we can make showtime anytime—especially onboard our newest ship Celebrity Xcel. Explore the largest, most diverse entertainment lineup ever seen on our ships.

SEVEN NEW SPACES

Celebrity Xcel introduces seven new spaces and countless new experiences that take your customers far away from the everyday. The Bazaar completely erases the line between ship and shore. Bora takes brunch through the roof. Celebrity Pool Club is an all-new, all-day outdoor destination featuring the Poolest Day Ever. The Spa features a new Hydra Room and Vitamin D Deck. Any time is game time at the new Attic at The Club. And our new Celebrity Flagship is the store that makes your customers part of our story.

BORA

We’re taking brunch through the roof at our new alfresco restaurant, Bora. With the best sea views from the top of the ship and an over-the-top Bloody Mary bar, this is more than a meal, it’s a celebration. After the sun sets, Bora brings the flavours of the Mediterranean to your clients table like never before. With the stars above, every table is the best in the house. Dinner is intimate and personalised with elevated cocktails and dishes prepared tableside. So, whether they're in the mood for a deliciously lively brunch or an elegantly romantic dinner, Bora is a must-do for their date night that lasts all day long.

THE BAZAAR

Celebrity Xcel doesn’t just bring your customers to some of the world’s best places. It brings those places along for the ride. With The Bazaar, we’re no longer just blurring the line between ship and shore. We’re erasing the line completely. From the culture, flavours, sights, and sounds of the destinations your customers will visit to the local festivals they’re famous for, the experience is so authentic, they won’t even know you’re not there, yet.

CELEBRITY POOL CLUB

Welcome to Celebrity Pool Club, where pool days are so good, your customers will never want them to end. They'll enjoy more shade, more personalised service, more entertainment, and some unexpected treats. Forgot their sunscreen? Need a chilled towel? They van visit their Pool Valet for poolside services and amenities. They can also choose to go VIP in their own cabana with dedicated service, elevated sips and bites and a front row seat to the action. At Celebrity Pool Club, it’s never just another day at the pool.

On every Caribbean sailing, at Celebrity Pool Club, your customers can experience The Poolest Day Ever. Caribbean inspired live music and DJ-spun favorites set the mood throughout the day. Your customers can dive in with a guided meditation poolside or a dance class in the pool. Soak up the sun and chill out with frozen fruits, boozy ice cream, and poptails (think popsicle meets cocktail). Get caught up in pop-up shows and friendly pool games. When the sun goes down, the energy goes up at our Shine the Night poolside party where they’ll shine even brighter than the stars.

THE SPA

Your customers will enjoy more ways to restore than ever before at The Spa on Celebrity Xcel. They can unwind in our first-ever Hydra Room, a new therapeutic H20 experience in the SEA Thermal Suite. Soak up their daily dose of sunshine at the new outdoor Vitamin D Deck. In our biggest spa at sea, they can choose from more than 120 treatments, therapies, and experiences, and they can get their glam on at the expanded salon. Those seeking a total mind-body reset can choose a spa-inspired AquaClass stateroom as their personal sanctuary, where they’ll enjoy restorative perks and services along with unlimited, complimentary access to the SEA Thermal Suite.

CELEBRITY FLAGSHIP

It’s part museum, part retail therapy, and totally Celebrity Cruises. The minute your customers step inside, they step into our story. Discovering how we’ve been ruining all other holidays since 1988 with interactive experiences and curated exhibits. They can start their own collection with one-of-a-kind Celebrity logo gear, Xcel exclusives, and vintage collectibles they won’t find anywhere else. Not even the internet. Plus, they can personalise their keepsakes and mark their place in history with us. After all, we wouldn’t be who we are without them.

ATTIC AT THE CLUB

When guests come up to the Attic at The Club, it’s game time anytime. The neon glow sets the scene for friendly competition. Whether they’re shooting pool, playing darts, or aiming for the top of the leaderboard on their favorite arcade classics, this is the place to get your game on.

For a private get-together, they can book The Annex. The virtual simulator lets them play their favorite sports—a game of baseball, football, or a round of golf on one of the world’s best courses. Rock out at a karaoke night. Settle in for a movie night, complete with popcorn. Or make it their own party lounge to celebrate a special occasion.

XCEL DREAM MAKERS

Be part of creating the next ship on your customers bucket list. Join the Xcel Dream Makers, a team of holiday makers who will help us elevate Celebrity Xcel into a class of its own. This ship is going to be your customers happy place, so we can’t make all the final decisions without you. Test, try, vote, and share your thoughts!

In an industry first, Dream Makers will have the final say across key elements of the holiday experience to be offered on Celebrity Xcel when she sets sail. Through online polls and one-of-a-kind experiential in-person events, guests and agents will perfect the ship’s design, culinary and entertainment offerings.

Dream Makers will put their design, experiential and foodie skills to the test on Celebrity’s newest ship, making decisions across key spaces, including the ship’s seven, new, yet-to-be-revealed experiences. Dream Makers will make their mark on the Celebrity Xcel by:

Choosing textiles, managing interior design elements and curating service offerings;
Picking their favorite dishes and beverages, choosing table settings and shaping dining concepts; and
Providing input on headline shows, curate props and costumes, select playlists and partake in selections to appoint pivotal entertainment positions onboard.

Interested in becoming an Xcel Dream Maker? Register here.

Once registered, you can log in and start voting here.

Celebrity Xcel Toolkit >>

Celebrity Xcel Caribbean Deployment 2026-2025 >>

Celebrity Xcel European Deployment 2026 >>