Celebrity Cruises’ brand-new Celebrity Xcel has officially left the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France — and new photos from Oceanliner Pictures reveal her breathtaking interiors for the first time.
As the fifth vessel in the award-winning Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel continues the cruise line’s focus on accessible luxury and relaxation at sea.
Photos of the newest Celebrity cruise ship feature an innovative design, brand-new spaces, and architecture that blurs the line between ship and resort.
Every venue feels brighter, bolder, and more connected to the sea, from the dazzling Grand Plaza to the whimsical Bazaar and serene Solarium. Here’s a first look at the new Celebrity Xcel ship, with all images courtesy of Oceanliner Pictures on Facebook.
Oceanview Café Buffet
The Oceanview Café has been reimagined with an airy, coastal design aboard Celebrity Xcel.
Sunlight pours through floor-to-ceiling windows onto crisp white tables and teal-accented chairs. Geometric tilework, marble counters, and warm lighting make it feel more like a modern market hall than a buffet.
Guests can sample international flavors from Mediterranean and Asian to American comfort dishes, all in a fresh, open layout that feels both refined and relaxed.
Luminae at The Retreat
Reserved for suite guests in The Retreat, Luminae embodies understated sophistication. The dining room pairs sculptural chandeliers and curved walls with rich burgundy and gold accents.
Soft lighting, rose-tinted glassware, and panoramic windows create an intimate environment for gourmet cuisine served with Celebrity’s signature polish for guests of The Retreat.
Aqua Class: Blu Restaurant
The exclusive Blu restaurant is reserved for Aqua Class guests. The dining room features calm, oceanic energy through soft blues, ivory tones, and flower-like pendant lights.
The restaurant is serene and elegant, perfectly complementing Blu’s health-focused menu.
The Bazaar
At the aft of the ship, The Bazaar is one of the new spaces aboard Celebrity Xcel. Taking the place of Eden on other Edge class ships, The Bazaar is a multi-level sanctuary of greenery, art, and immersive lighting.
The newly introduced Bazaar adds an airy, botanical twist with mint-green walls, wicker textures, and arched doorways that draw light from the patterned glass ceiling above. Massive windows provide uninterrupted views of the ship’s wake, making it a perfect place to relax during the day.
Inside the main Bazaar space, vibrant LED arches, cascading foliage, and curved seating transform the area from a tranquil lounge by day to a lively entertainment hub after sunset.
Solarium
Under a geometric glass canopy, Celebrity Xcel’s beautiful Solarium glows with natural light and tranquil energy.
Turquoise loungers, lush greenery, and a sculptural blue wave wall surround a peaceful pool area reserved for adults.
This climate-controlled oasis invites guests to unwind in year-round comfort, which exemplifies Celebrity’s focus on serenity and design.
The Club and LED Walkway
The Club returns as Celebrity Xcel’s late-night hotspot. This venue is a multi-level space filled with ambient lighting, sleek seating, and neon accents that shift color as live music and shows take over.
Nearby, an LED walkway dazzles with swirling tropical colors and mirrored arches, creating a visually striking corridor that doubles as a digital art experience. This is a signature experience aboard Edge class ships.
Rooftop Garden
Located on the top deck, Celebrity Xcel’s Rooftop Garden seamlessly blends art, architecture, and nature. Sculpted metal leaf structures rise over terraced wooden decks, surrounding pockets of greenery and ocean-view seating.
It’s a space made for quiet morning coffee, live-music evenings, or open-air movies beneath the stars, all framed by the ship’s signature blue-and-white “X” funnel. This is where you can find Bora, a brand-new Mediterranean restaurant with al fresco dining on Celebrity Xcel.
Craft Social Bar
The Craft Social Bar combines the atmosphere of a high-end lounge with the comfort of a sports pub. Plaid chairs, caramel leather stools, and multiple large-screen TVs create a lively yet refined hangout spot.
With dozens of craft beers on tap, it’s perfect for casual afternoons or pre-dinner drinks. Celebrity Cruises continues to prove that even a sports bar can feel upscale at sea!
Café al Bacio
One of Celebrity’s most beloved venues has been given its most stylish design yet. The Café al Bacio on Celebrity Xcel is bright and inviting, featuring a soft mint-and-cream palette, marble tables, curved banquettes, and a glossy black ceiling that reflects ambient light.
Vases of greenery and modern chandeliers create a calm, modern café aesthetic that flows seamlessly into the surrounding atrium.
By day, guests linger over cappuccinos and pastries; by night, it transforms into a lively social spot serving espresso martinis and after-dinner liqueurs.
The Grand Plaza
At the center of the ship lies the spectacular Grand Plaza, the architectural crown jewel of the Edge Series. This is often considered the heartbeat of the ship!
Spanning three decks, this open atrium surrounds the dazzling Martini Bar, now anchored by a sculptural chandelier of glowing tiers that cascade downward like a waterfall of light.
Warm woods, soft neutrals, and geometric latticework frame the space, while sweeping staircases and balcony lounges give the plaza an amphitheater-like grandeur.
During the day, natural light filters through the glass dome as guests relax with coffee or live acoustic music.
By night, the atmosphere transforms. You can find the chandelier pulsing to the rhythm of music, musicians performing live, and bartenders entertaining with synchronized routines at the Martini Bar. The entire area comes alive as the social heartbeat of the ship.
Each vantage point offers a different perspective, from intimate corners near Café al Bacio to elevated terraces overlooking the action. This creates one of the most visually striking interiors at sea.
Celebrity Xcel’s design and destinations
Every space aboard Celebrity Xcel reflects the evolution of the Edge Series with refined spaces, thoughtful design, and modern art woven into every surface. The ship captures the balance of sophistication and approachability that defines Celebrity’s brand.
Following her November 2025 debut, Celebrity Xcel will sail Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. In the summer, she will reposition to Europe for Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira.
From the tranquil Rooftop Garden to the vibrant Grand Plaza, Celebrity Xcel delivers the perfect harmony of art, innovation, and ocean views — redefining what modern luxury looks like at sea.
Celebrity Xcel Fast Facts
- Ship Class: Edge Series (5th ship)
- Builder: Chantiers de l’Atlantique, France
- Gross Tonnage: ≈ 140,600 GT
- Guest Capacity: ≈ 3,260 (double occupancy)
- Crew: ≈ 1,400
- Debut: November 2025
- Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
