Celebrity Xcel begins sailings from Fort Lauderdale, unveils seven new venues

Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, has arrived in Fort Lauderdale, marking the start of its inaugural season of Caribbean sailings. 

The ship introduces seven new guest spaces and experiences, many of which were shaped through the company’s Xcel Dream Makers program, where participants provided input on culinary, entertainment and design elements.

“With each new ship, we raise the bar for the ultimate vacation experience – and Celebrity Xcel stands in a class of her own,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

“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.”

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, said the vessel was developed with direct guest feedback. 

“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.”

New spaces and experiences

The Bazaar
A three-deck venue designed to evolve throughout the day, The Bazaar combines dining, retail and entertainment influenced by the destinations the ship visits. Mosaic and Spice Café highlight regional flavours, while The Market features artisan products. Four itinerary-specific festivals and daily entertainment round out the space.

Bora
A rooftop restaurant offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Bora transitions from daytime brunch service to a quieter evening setting, featuring tableside preparations and shared plates.

Celebrity Pool Club
The pool area features shaded spaces, updated design and a pool valet offering towels, games, sunscreen and storage. Guests can also book upgraded cabanas with dedicated service.

Attic at The Club
A 24/7 adults-only games lounge featuring retro arcade titles including Pac-Man, NBA Showtime and Golden Tee, along with pool, darts, foosball and shuffleboard.

Celebrity Flagship Store
An onboard shop featuring a mix of interactive displays, historical items from the brand’s archives, and customizable merchandise such as engraved bottles, embroidered apparel and branded accessories.

The Spa
Celebrity’s most expansive spa to date includes the brand’s first Hydra Room within the Thermal Suite. A new outdoor Vitamin D Deck provides front-facing sea views with non-alcoholic beverages included.

Entertainment
The ship debuts new theatre productions, interactive shows in The Club, themed parties, daily activities, and live music across multiple venues.

These features were refined through input from the Xcel Dream Makers, a global advisory group of guests who tested and selected concepts for culinary, design and entertainment.

Deployment

Celebrity Xcel will operate seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. 

In summer 2026, the ship will reposition to Europe for seven- to 11-night Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

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