If you’ve ever got back on your cruise ship in a port of call wishing you had more time to experience the destination, you’ll appreciate a thoughtful new concept aboard Celebrity Cruises’ brand-new cruise ship, Celebrity Xcel.
The new premium Edge Series ship, which was designed with input from vacationers across the globe, introduces seven new experiences on board, including the Bazaar, a unique concept that offers passengers a way to continue to explore their destinations while on board the ship.
As I explored Celebrity Xcel during one of its inaugural voyages, I discovered that the Bazaar is a destination itself. It’s not a central hub of ship activity, but like a favorite destination on shore, it’s a place you seek out or stumble upon. Although it’s an expansive three-story venue, it’s tucked away at the back of the ship and unfolds slowly, much like a journey.
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The entrance to The Bazaar is a tunnel walkway that transforms throughout each sailing with a daily festival theme.Image source: Alisha dos Santos / TravelHost
The Bazaar is a sensory journey inspired by cruise destinations
On a Caribbean cruise, your journey through the Bazaar begins with a vibrant tunnel walkway that engages all your senses to recall the feeling of being on shore in a lively island destination — from the sights that surround you on LED screens to the warmth felt on your skin and scent in the air.
After passing through the tunnel, you reach the Market at the Bazaar, a shopping experience offering products from local artisans — some of whom come on board to showcase their creations, offer samples, and even teach passengers how to make their own keepsakes inspired by their destinations. The Market offers authentic products from the destinations the ship visits like jewelry and handbags made in Mexico, rum handcrafted in the Cayman Islands, and chocolate from the Dominican Republic.
Related: Celebrity Cruises wants to make your next cruise more experiential
Beyond the Market, the Bazaar opens up into a multi-level space and that invites deeper destination exploration and relaxation wrapped in panoramic ocean views. Cozy tables and plush seating surround a chic bar and intimate performance area where decorative LED screens evoke the beauty of the Caribbean.
Throughout the day, periodic pop-up performances increase the energy with island rhythms, culminating in more elaborate performances later in the day highlighting a daily festival theme.
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The Aqua Festival in the Bazaar immerses passengers in the beauty and tranquility of the Caribbean sea. Image source: Alisha dos Santos / TravelHost
Festival themes transform the Bazaar experience each day
Celebrity Xcel’s Caribbean sailings feature four unique festivals — Carnival, Aqua, Viva, and Flora — celebrating the cultures of destinations the ship visits across The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico. When the ship sails in Europe during the summer, new festivals will showcase the cultures of Mediterranean destinations. Along with enjoying festival performances in the Bazaar, passengers can sample local sips and snacks and make DIY crafts inspired by the day’s festival theme.
The Bazaar also includes two new restaurants offering destination-inspired dining: Spice, a new casual daytime café, and Mosaic, an open-kitchen specialty restaurant.
Spice features a flavorful selection of rotating bites, including special items inspired by the destinations visited on the itinerary, and an inviting glass-enclosed seating area offering stunning sea and port views.
Related: Celebrity Cruises reimagines premium cruising with two new ships
Mosaic is designed to enhance passengers’ appreciation of the ports they’ve visited through elevated takes on destinations’ signature dishes. The specialty dining venue is also home to Celebrity’s first destination-inspired cooking school, which offers passengers the opportunity to learn to prepare dishes from the ports they visit.
Like any cruise destination, the Bazaar invites passengers to dive deep into culture through local food, activities, and entertainment, or just relax and enjoy the views in a captivating setting with a tranquil ambiance.
From the Bazaar to the luxurious pool club, rooftop garden, and sophisticated bars and restaurants across the ship, an elevated atmosphere carries throughout Celebrity Xcel, making relaxation effortless no matter where the onboard journey takes you.
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This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.