Celebrity Cruises is raising the bar for ocean exploration with its upcoming ship, Celebrity Xcel, debuting in November 2025.
Among its many highlights are four brand-new, immersive venues designed to enhance every moment. From sun-drenched deck days to late-night lounges, this new cruise ship will have it all!
“Celebrity Xcel will set sail with seven new elevated experiences that invite guests to escape their daily routine and make memories that will last a lifetime,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, in a press release. “With so much innovation at every turn, the journey will be just as fun as the destinations themselves.”
Here’s your deep dive into these transformative spaces and what they mean for cruisers booked on Celebrity Xcel.
Celebrity Pool Club
Celebrity Xcel’s Celebrity Pool Club gains a stunning rooftop makeover, complete with increased shade and VIP-worthy extras.
A poolside valet will provide chilled towels, sunscreen, card games, and personal storage options, ensuring your only concern is relaxation. Opt for a private cabana, and you’ll receive personalized service throughout the day.
The real transformation will happen on the last sea day of Caribbean sailings. The full-day event, called the “Poolest Day Ever,” will include island beats, DJ sets, pop-up shows, pool games, and themed beverages like Paloma Frescas and fresh coconut cocktails. As evening descends, the setting shifts with a lively “Shine the Night” pool party, featuring elevated bites and drinks.
Attic at The Club
For adults only, Celebrity Xcel’s Attic at The Club will offer a neon-lit arcade retreat that’ll be open 24/7.
This space will pack a nostalgic punch with classic and modern games. Think Pac‑Man, NBA Showtime, Golden Tee—plus darts, foosball, shuffleboard, and pool tables.
Its versatile private areas will also host karaoke nights, golf simulator gatherings, and group events.
Whether you’ll be winding down after dinner or pulling an all-nighter, this atmosphere will be both energetic and effortlessly sociable.
The Spa: Hydra Room and Vitamin D Deck
Celebrity Xcel will boast the most expansive spa in its fleet.
Anchoring the space is the Hydra Room, a brand-new hydrotherapy hotspot. Featuring a warm bubbling pool with massaging jets and heated loungers, it’ll be an ideal setup for unwinding and muscle relief.
The Vitamin D Deck will offer an open-air sun terrace exclusively for Thermal Suite guests, letting you soak in sunshine and panoramic ocean views while sipping complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments.
The Thermal Suite will expand across eight signature experiences, and the full spa menu will include over 120 treatments, a rejuvenated salon, and a bubbles bar.
The spa will elevate the shopping experience. Try-before-you-buy skincare and an advanced Skin Lab will deliver customized product recommendations, a smart way to extend vacation glow long after the cruise ends.
Celebrity Flagship
Stepping into Celebrity Xcel’s Flagship Store will feel more like a mini museum than a shopping venue. It’ll feature interactive screens with trivia and insider facts, alongside historical artifacts and vintage pieces that chronicle Celebrity’s story at sea.
What sets it apart? A robust customization station where guests can engrave, embroider, or print souvenirs—think water bottles, cocktail kits, keychains, caps, and robes—all exclusive to Celebrity Xcel. You’ll be able to walk off with a tangible memento, crafted right before your eyes.
Already announced: The Bazaar and Bora
These four spaces are just part of a broader seven-venue vision for Celebrity Xcel. Among them is The Bazaar, an innovative, multi-level cultural hub that evolves daily to reflect your current destination.
Seafood from the Caribbean? Craft workshops from the Dominican Republic? European-themed festivals in the Mediterranean? The Bazaar will adapt accordingly, offering local artisan markets, cooking demos, culinary sampling, pop-up music events, and festival moments.
In addition, there’ll be a new dining experience onboard called Bora, an al fresco Mediterranean eatery with many options for seafood lovers.
Guests co-creating the experience with Dream Makers
The immersive feel of Celebrity Xcel extends beyond features—it includes your voice.
Through the Xcel Dream Makers global community, guests can help design the final touches of everything onboard, from interior aesthetics to entertainment and retail selection.
Have a say in the games stocked in the Attic, the mementos sold in the Flagship Store, the art sculpture installed by the pool, or the itinerary’s silent-disco playlist. Dream Makers vote via online polls and on-site events, with incentive prizes including free sailings or positions on the inaugural naming cruise.
Celebrity Xcel itineraries and details
Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth ship in the innovative Edge Series, boasting roughly 141,420 GT and accommodating around 3,200 guests.
Her itineraries include:
- First sailings from Fort Lauderdale start in November 2025, rotating seven-night Caribbean trips to The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
- Summer 2026 transitions to Mediterranean voyages, spanning 7–11 nights from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stops in Madeira, Portugal.
Celebrity Xcel won’t be just another cruise ship. It’ll be a ship that transcends the classic cruise model and leans into co-creation, immersive culture, and wellness-rich design.
