Celebrity Xcel Ship Overview: The Bazaar, Bora, The Retreat & Every Room

Celebrity Xcel is the fifth and newest ship in Celebrity’s Edge Series. It carries 3,260 guests at double occupancy and keeps Edge favorites like the Magic Carpet, the Rooftop Garden and The Retreat. It also debuts seven new experiences, including The Bazaar, Bora, Attic at The Club and Celebrity’s biggest spa yet. It sails the Caribbean in winter and the Mediterranean in summer.

Updated October 2026

Celebrity Xcel, the fifth ship in Celebrity’s Edge Series.

We filmed Celebrity Xcel from the pool deck all the way down to Destination Gateway on Deck 2, along with 12 of its staterooms and suites. This guide walks you through what’s new, each area of the ship, the room and suite categories, and where it sails. Danny’s on-camera tips are in there too.

Celebrity Xcel at a Glance

Ship class	Edge Series (fifth ship, after Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent)
Built	Chantiers de l’Atlantique, France
Entered service	November 2025, from Fort Lauderdale
Godmother	Chef Janaína Torres of A Casa do Porco in São Paulo
Guests	3,260 at double occupancy
What’s new	The Bazaar, Bora, Attic at The Club, Celebrity Pool Club, Celebrity Flagship and an expanded spa
Dining	18 restaurants and 15 bars and lounges, including four included main restaurants
Rooms & suites	Oceanview staterooms to the two-story Edge Villas and Iconic Suites
Sails from	Miami (winter 2026–27), Fort Lauderdale (winter 2027–28), and Barcelona and Athens in summer

Ship details per Celebrity Cruises’ Xcel pages and announcements as of October 2026. Venues, inclusions and itineraries can change, so check with your Harr Travel advisor before you book.

What’s New on Celebrity Xcel?

Xcel keeps the Edge Series favorites, from the Magic Carpet and the Grand Plaza to Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and The Retreat. Here’s what it adds:

• The Bazaar. A three-story space that brings the places you’re visiting on board, with festivals, music, dancing, a market of local products and new places to eat. It replaces Eden, the aft venue on the other Edge Series ships.
• Bora. A Mediterranean rooftop restaurant with brunch by day and dinner at night. Danny calls it the best new restaurant in the cruise industry.
• Celebrity Pool Club. The main pool deck gets more shade, a pool valet and private cabanas, plus the Poolest Day Ever party on Caribbean sailings.
• Attic at The Club. A neon-lit games lounge above The Club with pool, darts and retro arcade games.
• Celebrity Flagship. Celebrity’s first store and museum at sea, with memorabilia donated by past guests and crew.
• The Spa. Celebrity’s biggest spa at sea, with the first-ever Hydra Room and a new outdoor deck.
• Three new production shows in The Theatre, plus what Danny says is the biggest casino in the fleet.

Guests who’ve sailed it agree. One guest told us they loved the ship, and that The Bazaar was “very different” from what they were used to, but they liked it. Another said they really loved the changes, especially The Bazaar.

Pools, Bars and the Top Decks

Celebrity Pool Club

The main pool is big enough for morning laps, with in-water loungers and drink service all around. The Pool Club bar anchors the middle, and in the evening the deck turns into an entertainment zone, with the deck chairs cleared and a live band on the bandstand. A new pool valet handles the details, from chilled towels and sunscreen to games, and you can book a private cabana for the day. On the last sea day of each Caribbean sailing, Celebrity throws the Poolest Day Ever, with island music, pool games and poptails. The Mast Grill is right there for burgers, hot dogs and fries.

Danny’s tip: “At its heart, this is one of the best pool decks in the industry.”

The Celebrity Pool Club on Celebrity Xcel. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

The Magic Carpet

The Magic Carpet is a platform cantilevered off the side of the ship that moves between decks. Up top, it’s a bar with lounge seating and sofas. On Deck 5, it hosts Dinner on the Edge, a specialty dining experience. On tender days, it drops to Deck 2 and becomes a comfortable boarding platform, still with a full bar. For more, read our Magic Carpet guide.

Dining on the Magic Carpet, shown on an Edge Series ship. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

The Solarium

The adults-only Solarium is fully indoors and climate-controlled. It has an oval pool with two hot tubs, plenty of loungers facing the water and more facing two-story ocean views. It’s the spot to grab a book on a cooler or hotter day.

Sunset Bar

All the way aft, the Moroccan-themed Sunset Bar was designed by Nate Berkus. Seating wraps around the back of the ship, with step-down seats on the sides, so almost every spot looks out over the wake.

Danny’s tip: “That wake in the distance makes my heart really happy, and never better than with a martini right here.”

The Sunset Bar at the back of an Edge Series ship. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

Rooftop Garden and Bora

The Rooftop Garden sits at the top of the ship, surrounded by live plants. It has lounge seating in sun and shade, a pickleball court, a big LED screen for movies, parties, and two new plunge pools along the side. Camp at Sea even brings kids up here for activities.

Next door is Bora, the new Mediterranean restaurant. The staff bring it to life like a Greek family meal, so expect a little singing and maybe some napkin waving. Brunch is the big draw, and it turns into a dinner spot at sunset. Bora costs extra and fills up fast, so book early. Our Celebrity Xcel dining guide has the menu highlights.

Danny’s tip: “I dream about that butter poached lobster, the fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The Rooftop Garden, shown on sister ship Celebrity Ascent. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

What Is The Bazaar on Celebrity Xcel?

The Bazaar is Xcel’s biggest new idea. It’s a three-story space at the back of the ship, wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows, with LED walls, columns and ceilings that change to match the day’s festival. Celebrity’s aim is to erase the line between ship and shore. In Europe, the festivals celebrate Greece (Opa), Italy (La Dolce Vita), Spain (Salud), and Turkey and Morocco (Silk & Spice). The Caribbean sailings have their own four, including a Carnival festival. Expect costumes, music and dancing, crafts, a market of local finds and live entertainment every night.

The Bazaar is also home to Spice, an included build-your-own-bowl café with a coffee bar, and Mosaic, an extra-charge restaurant whose menu follows your itinerary. Celebrity’s new Chef’s Studio cooking classes are here too.

Danny’s tip: “Make sure you make those reservations early, because it’s so popular.”

The Spa and Fitness Center

Celebrity calls this its biggest spa at sea, with more than 120 treatments. There’s a full salon, a gents’ barber shop and treatment rooms for massages, facials and wraps. The SEA Thermal Suite has heated stone loungers, a salt room, a hammam, an aromatherapy steam room and an experience shower. New on Xcel are the Hydra Room, a warm, bubbling hydrotherapy pool, an infrared sauna, and an outdoor deck with daybeds and loungers. Thermal Suite access comes with AquaClass, Aqua Sky Suites and some other suites, and other guests can buy a pass.

Up forward, the fitness center has floor-to-ceiling ocean views, cardio machines, free weights and classes, plus a spin studio. It’s included in your fare.

Danny’s tip: “I always recommend booking ahead. It’s really popular. My personal favorite is the aromatherapy hot stone massage, especially after a long flight to Europe.”

The new Hydra Room in The Spa on Celebrity Xcel. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

The Grand Plaza, Shows and Nightlife

The Grand Plaza is the heart of the ship, like the square of an Italian town. At the Martini Bar, bartenders do flair shows under a chandelier that lights up at night, and the dance floor hosts live music and silent discos. Around it you’ll find Cafe al Bacio, the World Class Bar (with mixology classes), Raw on 5 and Fine Cut Steakhouse.

The Grand Plaza and Martini Bar, shown on an Edge Series ship. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

The Theatre has three new production shows with Celebrity’s largest cast: Mainstage, a live concert inspired by music festivals; Between Takes, set on a 1920s Hollywood backlot; and Chapters, a visual journey through nature and transformation. They play out in front of a 110-foot curved LED screen, with seats wrapping around the stage.

Danny’s tip: “The three main production shows on board Xcel really blew my mind. My family and I love the entertainment here on board. We don’t miss a show.”

The Club is a nightclub at heart, with a dance floor, stepped lounge seating, shows and interactive parties. New above it is Attic at The Club, with darts, pool and retro arcade games, plus a private room you can book for golf simulator games and other group fun. Elsewhere, Craft Social is the neighborhood pub, and the casino is the biggest in Celebrity’s fleet, with a full bar.

Danny’s tip: “They even have a photo booth in the corner. Make sure you stop by and get your photo taken. It’s an absolute must.”

A show at The Club on Celebrity Xcel. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

The Retreat: Xcel’s Suite Experience

The Retreat is Celebrity’s ship-within-a-ship for guests in full suites. The Retreat Sundeck spans two decks up forward, with a pool, bird’s nest loungers, hot tubs, cabanas, daybeds, a bar and a lunch restaurant open from about 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In the Retreat Lounge, the concierge handles everything from new room keys to shore excursions and dining, so you never need the front desk. Luminae serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for suite guests every day.

Celebrity lists Retreat perks including a premium drink package, premium Wi-Fi, butler service and a stocked minibar. Royal Suites and above also include specialty dining. Inclusions vary by suite and fare, so your Harr Travel advisor will confirm exactly what comes with yours.

Danny’s tip: “The Luminae burger is absolutely delicious. And they’re going to have sunscreen up here for you. I even forgot my sunglasses, and they had those as well.”

The Retreat Sundeck, shown on an Edge Series ship. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

Is Celebrity Xcel Good for Families?

Yes. Camp at Sea covers ages 3 to 17 and mixes learning with play. Older kids get video games, a giant Lite-Brite, ping pong, foosball, robotics and arts and crafts. Danny’s daughter learned to program a robot here. Kids from age 3 who are potty-trained have their own space, and counselors take activities out around the ship. Teens head to The Basement, with games, beanbags, a dance floor and a big screen.

Danny’s tip: “Your kids are going to love this space, and I know that because my kiddos absolutely do. In fact, they beg every single night to stay just a little bit longer.”

A robotics activity at Camp at Sea. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

Where to Eat on Celebrity Xcel

Xcel is a food lover’s ship. The included options are the four main restaurants (Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie and Tuscan), the Oceanview Café buffet, Mast Grill and Spice. The extra-charge lineup includes Bora, Mosaic, Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on 5 and Le Petit Chef. AquaClass guests also get Blu, and suite guests get Luminae. Our Celebrity Xcel dining guide covers every venue, with deck locations and the dishes to order.

Danny’s tip: “The pasta, absolutely amazing with the ragu. Make sure you stop by Tuscan. It’s my personal favorite of the four.”

Celebrity Xcel Staterooms and Suites

Every stateroom has a king-size Cashmere mattress that can split into twins, twice-daily turndown service, cotton robes and an interactive TV. Xcel is also a smart ship. Download the Celebrity Cruises app before you sail, and you can use it to control your lights, temperature and TV, and even open your door. Click any room name below to watch our walkthrough on YouTube.

The Retreat suites

• Edge Villa: A two-story suite with its own terrace, plunge pool and hot tub. Danny’s favorite amenity here was that hot tub and plunge pool combination.
• Penthouse Suite: Sleeps up to six, with two bedrooms, a full dining table and a private hot tub with a window to the sea. There are only two on board.
• Royal Suite: A half bath by the door, a dining table and a bed facing straight out to the ocean.
• Celebrity Suite: A sliding divider closes off the bedroom from the living area.
• Sky Suite, Sunset Sky Suite (aft-facing, with wake views) and Magic Carpet Sky Suite (the entry-level suite, with a tub).
• Aqua Sky Suite: Full Retreat perks plus Blu restaurant and the SEA Thermal Suite.

At the very top are the Iconic Suites, set high above the bridge. Celebrity calls them the largest and most luxurious suites in its fleet.

Luminae at The Retreat, shown on sister ship Celebrity Edge. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

AquaClass and Concierge Class

AquaClass adds spa touches to an Infinite Veranda stateroom, plus dining at Blu, a spa concierge and access to the SEA Thermal Suite. Concierge Class adds a dedicated concierge and a boarding day lunch, among other perks. Danny says the shower in these rooms is one of his favorite designs in the industry.

Veranda and oceanview staterooms

• Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda: Press a button and the window lowers, turning the veranda into part of your room.
• Sunset Veranda: An aft-facing balcony over the wake. Danny says it’s his favorite type of veranda.
• Oceanview Stateroom: A picture window and the same smart-room features.

Where Does Celebrity Xcel Sail?

For winter 2026–27, Xcel sails the Caribbean from Miami, with Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman, Eastern Caribbean and ABC Islands itineraries. For winter 2027–28, it moves to Fort Lauderdale. In summer, it sails the Mediterranean from Barcelona and Athens (Piraeus), with transatlantic crossings each spring and fall.

Watch Our Full Celebrity Xcel Tour

Danny’s full walkthrough covers the whole ship. Jump to the part you care about most:

• Pool deck & Pool Club
• Magic Carpet
• Solarium, Sunset Bar & Rooftop Garden
• Bora
• Retreat Sundeck, Lounge & Luminae
• The Spa & Thermal Suite
• The Theatre
• Grand Plaza & Martini Bar
• Celebrity Flagship
• The Bazaar, Spice & Mosaic
• The Club & Attic
• Camp at Sea

Here’s a quick look at Bora, filmed on board:

For every room tour in one place, visit our Celebrity Xcel ship page.

Celebrity Xcel FAQ

How many guests does Celebrity Xcel carry?

Xcel carries 3,260 guests at double occupancy. It’s the fifth Edge Series ship and entered service in November 2025.

What’s the difference between Celebrity Xcel and the other Edge Series ships?

Xcel shares the Edge Series layout, with the Magic Carpet, Rooftop Garden, Grand Plaza and The Retreat. It adds The Bazaar in place of Eden, plus Bora, Attic at The Club, Celebrity Pool Club, Celebrity Flagship, an expanded spa with the Hydra Room and three new production shows.

Is Bora included on Celebrity Xcel?

No. Bora is an extra-charge specialty restaurant, and it’s one of the most popular on the ship, so reserve early. Spice in The Bazaar is included.

Is Celebrity Xcel good for kids?

Yes. Camp at Sea covers ages 3 to 17, with a separate space for little ones and The Basement for teens. The Rooftop Garden, the pool deck and The Bazaar’s festivals are fun for the whole family.

Where is Celebrity Xcel sailing?

It sails the Caribbean from Miami in winter 2026–27 and from Fort Lauderdale in winter 2027–28. In summer, it sails the Mediterranean from Barcelona and Athens (Piraeus).

Ready to Sail Celebrity Xcel?

We’ve walked its decks and filmed the rooms, and we know which cabins are worth the upgrade. Explore Celebrity Xcel, call us at 1-888-871-4233, or reach out online, and your Harr Travel advisor will find the right sailing, room and rate for you.

For more ship tours and suite walkthroughs, subscribe to our YouTube channel.