Celebrity Cruises has launched its newest ship with a bold promise: to blur the line between ship and shore. After experiencing a preview sailing on the Celebrity Xcel, I can say this fifth ship in the Edge series delivers something genuinely different from typical cruise experiences.
The vessel officially set sail in November 2025 from Fort Lauderdale with several innovative features that set it apart from its sister ships. While the Edge class has always been known for pushing boundaries, Xcel takes that vision further with completely reimagined spaces designed to connect passengers more deeply with their destinations.
The Bazaar transforms destination experiences
The most striking addition to Celebrity Xcel is The Bazaar, a three-story venue that replaces the Eden space found on earlier Edge-class ships. This multi-sensory hub changes daily to reflect the ports visited on each itinerary, creating an evolving atmosphere that brings local culture onboard.
During Caribbean sailings, The Bazaar features festivals celebrating regional cultures with live entertainment, artisan markets selling authentic local products, and hands-on cultural experiences like basket weaving demonstrations and rum tastings. The space includes two new dining concepts: Mosaic, an open-kitchen specialty restaurant serving elevated regional cuisine, and Spice Café, offering casual bites inspired by each destination.
The Market area within The Bazaar showcases products from local vendors, from Seven Fathoms rum and ceramics from Grand Cayman to embroidered items from Mexico and chocolates from the Dominican Republic.
Standout spaces that surprise and delight
Beyond The Bazaar, Celebrity Xcel introduces several reimagined venues that elevate the onboard experience in new ways.
The Martini Bar anchors the Grand Plaza atrium, where talented bartenders put on high-energy shows twice daily, crafting classic and contemporary martinis below a giant chandelier. I watched as they juggled bottles and poured into precariously balancing glasses, drawing crowds who gathered on the tiered seating surrounding the large bar.
For those seeking something truly unique, there’s IYKYK, the ship’s phone-free speakeasy that lives up to its “if you know, you know” name. I experienced this 1920s Gatsby-inspired venue during my preview sailing, complete with costumed characters and a magician who performed tableside tricks. The space has a smoky, hazy atmosphere that transported us back in time. The hardest part? Resisting the urge to photograph the elaborate craft cocktails and talented performers. Your ticket to enter becomes the only photo souvenir you’ll have of this experience.
The Rooftop Garden received a significant expansion on Xcel, now featuring two infinity pools, larger shaded seating areas and a bigger Rooftop Grill Bar. The standout addition is Bora, a new outdoor restaurant that replaces the previous Rooftop Garden Grill. During the day, Bora serves boozy brunches complete with a Bloody Mary cart, then transforms into a Mediterranean restaurant for evening dining with ocean views.
AquaClass Sky Suites blend wellness and luxury
Celebrity Xcel features 20 AquaClass Sky Suites, a cabin category introduced on the newer Edge-class ships that combines suite-level perks with spa-focused amenities. These 326-square-foot suites with 79-square-foot verandas offer guests access to both The Retreat suite area and the SEA Thermal Suite spa facilities.
The hybrid category appeals to travelers who want butler service, priority embarkation, exclusive dining at Luminae and Blu restaurants, plus unlimited thermal suite access with heated loungers, steam rooms and sensory experiences. It represents the best of both worlds for wellness-minded cruisers who also appreciate suite-class service.
The ship also features over 900 Infinite Veranda staterooms, the signature Edge-class design with floor-to-ceiling windows that open electronically to create an indoor-outdoor space. While these remain divisive among cruisers, they offer 23 percent more interior space than traditional balcony cabins.
Where Celebrity Xcel sails
The ship will spend its inaugural winter season sailing seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. In May 2026, Xcel repositions to Europe for Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona and Athens, before returning to Miami in November 2026 for Caribbean sailings including Southern Caribbean routes to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.
Innovation that pushes boundaries
With capacity for approximately 3,260 guests and a crew of 1,400, Celebrity Xcel represents Celebrity Cruises’ continued commitment to modern luxury cruising that prioritizes destination connection alongside onboard innovation. The ship includes seven new experiences developed partly through the Dream Makers program, where thousands of future guests voted on design elements and menu items.
Whether Xcel’s bold concepts resonate with traditional cruisers or primarily appeal to those seeking something different remains to be seen. But for travelers ready to experience a cruise ship that actively works to bring destinations to life rather than simply transport passengers between ports, this vessel offers a compelling new approach to cruising.