Celebrity Cruises has launched Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship in its Edge Series, introducing seven fresh spaces – including a late-night games arcade for adults – designed to rethink how travellers relax and play at sea. Olivia Palamountain reports

Celebrity Xcel, a new ship by Celebrity Cruises, has arrived in Fort Lauderdale at a time when cruise lines are reinventing how people spend their time at sea, with more emphasis on social spaces, flexibility and personalised entertainment.

Shaped directly by traveller input through the Xcel Dream Makers programme (an interactive initiative that invites guests to share their thoughts on how the brand should evolve), the ship now offers new environments designed for play, discovery and wellbeing, marking a step towards a more experience-led style of cruising.

Central to the new design is The Bazaar, a three-storey space that blends elements of each destination into the rhythm of ship life. Throughout the day it shifts in atmosphere, offering local food, live music and activities intended to echo the cultures visited along the itinerary. Two new dining venues, Mosaic and Spice Café, anchor this area, while The Market showcases artisan goods connected to the ship’s routes.Another addition is Bora, a rooftop restaurant that moves from a bright, Mediterranean-inspired brunch spot during the day to a quieter setting at night, with shared plates, tableside preparations and a soundtrack of Greek and Italian classics.

One of the most eye-catching new features is Attic at The Club, an “adult-oriented games lounge” filled with retro arcade titles such as Pac-Man and Golden Tee. Open around the clock, it gives grown-up guests a nostalgic, playful escape alongside activities such as darts, shuffleboard and pool.The Celebrity Pool Club has been redesigned with more shade, dedicated pool hosts and private cabanas, reflecting the wider trend for resort-style deck spaces. Indoors, the ship debuts the first Celebrity Flagship store, a combined retail and museum-style space with interactive displays and memorabilia. Guests can personalise items ranging from water bottles to robes, with products available only on Celebrity Xcel.Wellbeing has a more prominent role too. The Spa on Celebrity Xcel is the brand’s most extensive to date, with the new Hydra Room adding a water-focused therapeutic element to the Thermal Suite. A Vitamin D Deck at the front of the ship provides open-air seating for quiet rest and ocean views, supported by complimentary non-alcoholic drinks.

Entertainment has been broadened across the vessel. Three new shows in The Theatre, two interactive productions in The Club and a full programme of live music, dance parties and daytime activities offer guests a variety of ways to spend their time, whether they want high-energy performances or a calmer evening.Many of the ship’s features were influenced by the Xcel Dream Makers, a global group of travellers who tested concepts and voted on elements across dining, design and entertainment.

Celebrity Xcel is now sailing seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale to destinations including The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St Thomas and St Maarten. In summer 2026 it will begin its first European season with Mediterranean journeys between Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira.