The Celebrity Xcel is no copycat. While it is the fifth ship in the Edge-class series, it is stepping things up in ways that even longtime fans didn’t expect. This ship brings bold new energy to the sea, from brand-new restaurants to next-level entertainment. If you thought you had seen everything from Celebrity Cruises, think again.
Celebrity Xcel launches in November 2025 from Fort Lauderdale. It builds on the best of its sisters, like the Celebrity Ascent, but spices things up with seven major changes. Six have been announced, and one is still a secret. That mystery is keeping cruise fans on their toes.
Fresh Spaces With Big Energy
Let’s talk about what is new. First up is The Bazaar. This space replaces Eden and flips the script on what onboard entertainment looks like. Think destination festivals with live local music, hands-on workshops like batik painting or hat-making, and a buzzing street-market vibe.
Giant LED walls, pop-up stalls, and changing cultural themes make this spot feel like it moves with the ship.
Celebrity Cruises / IG / The ship features Bora, a new open-air restaurant that is all about Mediterranean romance. It has got “perfect date night” written all over it.
During the day, you will find a chill brunch vibe with a Bloody Mary bar and acoustic music. At night, it shifts gears into candlelight dinners, tableside show-cooking, and live love songs.
The Celebrity Pool Club gets a total glow-up. Expect shaded daybeds, a pool valet handing out cold towels and games, and upgraded cabanas. On the last sea day, they will host the “Poolest Day Ever,” a full-blown party that ends with “Shine the Night,” a dance bash under the stars.
Adults looking to play? Head to The Attic at The Club. This new hangout is packed with retro games like Pac-Man, pool tables, darts, and foosball. It has got that cool, low-light, adults-only vibe. You can even rent it out for a private party. Think cruise ship man cave, but cooler.
Retail therapy gets a makeover, too. The Celebrity Flagship Store is more than a shop. It is part boutique, part museum. Along with branded merch, you will find curated exhibits tied to the ship’s design and destinations. It is a cool blend of shopping and storytelling, something most cruise shops skip.
Similarly, there is also that one change Celebrity hasn’t shared yet. A secret seventh feature is being held back, and it is creating some serious buzz. It is rare for a cruise line to hold surprises this late in the game, and that alone says a lot about how confident they are in what is coming.
Celebrity Cruises / IG / Suite guests still get The Retreat, a private area with its own sundeck and restaurant. And restaurants like Fine Cut Steakhouse and Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud are here to stay.
Fan Favorites Return
Of course, Celebrity Xcel keeps fan favorites, too. The Magic Carpet, that iconic moving platform hanging off the side of the ship, is back. So is the Grand Plaza, with its dramatic Martini Bar flair shows. The Rooftop Garden and Resort Deck return, along with the clever Infinite Veranda staterooms that open your room to the sea at the touch of a button.
A few spaces are also getting smarter. The Blu restaurant for AquaClass guests will be bigger, making it easier to score a table. The theater now features upgraded tech like pyrotechnics and 3D laser effects. Expect three new full-scale productions, two interactive shows in The Club, and themed dance parties, from ‘80s flashbacks to country nights. With 75 performers onboard, it is the biggest entertainment team in Celebrity’s fleet.
