This New Celebrity Cruise Ship Has Parkour Shows, Global Street Food, and Private Retreat Suites

Whether you are an avid cruiser that thrives off of thrilling entertainment and connecting with fellow guests or a solo traveler seeking a more tranquil, intimate experience, Celebrity’s newest vessel, and the fifth ship in Celebrity’s Edge Series, Xcel, offers the best of both these worlds. The 1,074-foot ship, which set sail for the first time on Nov. 16, features seven new products and experiences on board.

Starting with perhaps the most innovative of the vessel’s offerings, and a favorite among many aboard the inaugural sailing: The Baazar. It’s a three-story space that transforms daily, allowing guests to wander while enjoying food and beverages from each destination, listen to live music from local artists, and browse local artisan products. At least 90 percent of the crew members who work in The Bazaar are from the destinations visited on each sailing.

“One of our customer passion points is the destination and places they visit,” Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, told Travel + Leisure. “So, we wanted to figure out how we could carry that through every day of the voyage. How do you bring the destinations you visit on board? That’s how The Bazaar was born.”

In addition to The Baazar, the entertainment onboard Xcel is next level. “Whenever our guests walk into the theater, we try to transform the space and make it different each time,” Lisa Lehr, Celebrity’s vice president of entertainment, told T+L. “We erase the line between performance and stage.”

In my experience on board the new vessel, this line was most definitely erased. I watched a performance in the theatre in the afternoon, and went back to see the show again in the evening. The theatricality, the technology, with projection laser etching, kinetic lighting, and, of course, the sheer talent of the performers made it even more mesmerizing the second time around. Over 75 resident entertainers are living on board, and parkour artists are taking the stage for the first time on a Celebrity vessel.

The variety and quality of food options on board also shouldn’t go unnoticed. With up to 32 venues to choose from serving menus inspired by and sourced from the places Xcel sails to, guests are spoiled for choice. Go to Bora for Mediterranean fare, a Bloody Mary, and stunning ocean views, or pop into Spice Cafe for small bites and a coffee.

For guests seeking a more private and relaxed experience, The Retreat suites are an ideal choice. With a separate lounge area, pool, hot tub, bar, and restaurant, guests of The Retreat can take a break from the action and reside in their own personal oasis. I loved having the option to step out into the larger space and explore, while also being able to slip back into a more intimate area and relax poolside.

The ship’s inaugural season starts in Fort Lauderdale, and includes seven-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Summer 2026 will mark the vessel’s European Mediterranean season, setting sail out of Barcelona and Athens.

To learn more, visit celebritycruises.com.