Read on for an exclusive look into Celebrity Xcel with Laura and why the next wave of cruising is all about making connections. 

 

Laura: At Celebrity, we’re all about the intimate feel and thoughtful service of a smaller ship, with the variety and excitement of a bigger one. Our Edge Series ships set that standard with their debut in 2018 — and when I stepped into this role two and a half years ago, I wanted to push it further. We spent months listening to guests, digging into what they loved and what they dreamed of. That’s where the vision for Xcel began. 

 

Our guests have five passion points. One of which is the destination. Ultimately, guests come to us to experience destinations. So, we asked ourselves, how do we blur the line between ship and shore to give them even more of destinations? How do we bring destinations onboard? How do we make the ship feel like an extension of the culture, the music, the flavors they’re chasing? That’s how The Bazaar was born — a space that transforms, that pulses with the spirit of wherever we are. 

 

Food and drink are another passion point. Guests told us they wanted a Mediterranean restaurant; however, our job is to deliver not only what they want, but also what guests don’t know they want. So, we didn’t just give them a restaurant — we created an unforgettable Mediterranean experience. Picture this: a rooftop garden setting, a cocktail reception that feels like a prelude to something bigger, followed by dinner with live music. It’s not just a meal; it’s a full night out. 

 

Laura: The Bazaar is a perfect example. It’s not just a space — it’s a living canvas. We’ve built LED screens into arches and a cupola so the environment can transform with the programming which is transforming along with the itinerary. In the Caribbean, Carnival, Viva, Aqua, and Flora Festivals are activated. In Europe, Mediterranean nights, Spanish fiestas and Turkish rhythms. The ship breathes with the world around it. 

Entertainment? We’ve gone all in. This is the largest cast we’ve ever had — 75 resident performers will call Xcel home. There are two new club shows: 254 West, which is pure spectacle, and HOTEL, an interactive whodunit where guests become part of the story; three new theatre productions that feel like Broadway’s raw energy; and then there’s The Club — our “Always On” space. Every hour, something happens. Games projected onto the floor where you’re the pawn. Nostalgic board games upstairs in The Attic. Think air hockey, darts, Pac-Man — a 24/7 adult playground with a twist. 

 

Laura: Honestly? The food. Bora in The Rooftop Garden is absolutely incredible — fresh fish, locally sourced, never frozen. You can pick a whole fish of your choosing for dinner, have it salt-crusted or grilled, or prepared however you like, then filleted tableside. And brunch — our first boozy brunch at sea. Mosaic will be a love letter to global flavors, curated with obsessive care. Fine Cut will serve Butchers’ Feasts with Wagyu and USDA Prime, thanks to a custom broiler we have worked for years to have approved, first on Celebrity Ascent and now on Celebrity Xcel. Our team’s relentless commitment shines in every dish, in every restaurant onboard. 

 

We’ve created seven new spaces — six announced, but the final one is our little secret. Across the ship we’re introducing 32 new, bespoke cocktails. My preferred drop is wine, but I tasted every single cocktail and they’re so good, I encourage everyone to try something new. For activities, The Club is going to be electric. From morning to night, something is always happening. You can join in or just watch — it’s entertainment as participation, or pure spectacle if that’s your vibe. 

 

Laura: I can’t spill all the secrets yet, but we’re reimagining the upper decks to transform the outdoor experience. And if you’ve seen what we’re doing with the modernization of our Solstice Series ships, you might guess where we’re headed. Italian dining? Let’s just say I’ve tasted through an entire menu that might make an appearance! 

 

Laura: Over 50% of our guests have taken or are interested in taking a river cruise. And, given we are serious about turning a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations, it is a place we need to be. With the simple launch of ship renderings and a video, the response was unprecedented — it sold out in hours over two years before the first sailing. Eight bars and restaurants on a river ship? Unheard of. A top deck that never closes? That’s us. And excursions? We’re not just sightseeing. We’re delivering experiences — immersive, authentic, local. 

 

Laura: Eventually, yes. All rivers are on the horizon. But again, we listened to our guests, and we’re starting where they want to go: the Danube and the Rhine. This isn’t a hobby for us, and we are excited to get started. 

 

Laura: It’s more about what we’re bringing from ocean to river. The DNA of our Edge Series ships — modern, gorgeous, immersive. And guest favorites like Café al Bacio, Martini Bar, Sunset Bar — they’re all coming with us. 

 

Laura: The intimacy. The authenticity. You’re not just visiting marquee cities — you’re slipping into villages and smaller towns you’d never see otherwise. You feel like a local for a day. That’s what our guests crave: connection, not just sightseeing. And we’re going to deliver that in ways no one else has imagined. 

 

 

Laura and Celebrity Cruises aren’t just building ships — they’re building experiences that feel alive, fluid, and deeply human. From Rooftop Gardens serving salt-crusted fish to immersive river journeys that slip into hidden villages, the vision is clear: the future of Celebrity Cruises isn’t about bigger ships or flashier tech. It’s about intimacy, authenticity, and creating moments that linger long after the voyage ends. With Celebrity Xcel and river vacations plus Celebrity Xcite on the horizon, Celebrity isn’t just charting new waters — it’s redefining what it means to travel.