Diplomacy

Celebrity Cruises currently owns and operates 13 cruise ships, and we have them all listed here.  From the newest ship in the fleet to the oldest, we have listed and detailed every ship along with information about each vessel.

Celebrity cruise ships can be categorized into three classes: Millennium class, Solstice class, and Edge class.  The oldest ship in the fleet was built in 2000, with the latest vessel being completed in 2022.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity Cruises has been around since 1988 and merged with Royal Caribbean in 1997.

Celebrity Xcel, the fifth and last Edge-class ship, is currently under construction and is expected to be delivered in November of 2025.

Here is every Celebrity cruise ship currently operating in the fleet:

Celebrity Xcel (2025)

Tonnage:  141,420 GT
Length:  1,073 feet
Decks:  17
Double Capacity: 3,260

Celebrity Xcel is the fifth Edge class ship from Celebrity Cruises. The cruise line changed Eden into the Bazaar for new immersive experiences for cruisers.

Celebrity Ascent (2023)

Tonnage:  141,420 GT
Length:  1,073 feet
Decks:  17
Double Capacity: 3,260

Celebrity Ascent is the fourth Edge Series vessel with Celebrity, and it debuted in November of 2023. A few changes to the new ship in the class feature slightly more space in the Grand Plaza and more space and maneuverability at the popular Sunset Bar in the very back of the ship.

This is in addition to virtual reality games at The Club and a new Annex Private Experience area with virtual golf and karaoke for small groups.

Celebrity Beyond (2022)

Tonnage:  141,420 GT
Length:  1,071 feet
Decks:  17
Double Capacity: 3,260

Celebrity Beyond is the 3rd Edge-class ship in the fleet and was launched in 2022.  Her maiden voyage sailed from Southampton to Barcelona in April of 2022. Simone Biles is the official godmother of the ship.

Celebrity Apex (2020)

Tonnage: 130,818  GT
Length:  1,004 feet
Decks:  16
Double Capacity:  2,910

Celebrity Apex was christened in late 2020 as the 2nd Edge-class ship with the cruise line.  The debut sailing of Apex took place out of Athens, and because of the 2020 pandemic it was delivered virtually due to travel restrictions.

Celebrity Edge (2018)

Tonnage:  130,818 GT
Length:  1,004 feet
Decks:  15
Double Capacity:  2,918

Celebrity Edge is the first of its class and the first to debut the innovative “Magic Carpet”, a platform on the side of the ship that allows for sea-level tender embarkation and disembarkation.  See our video of Celebrity Edge here.

Celebrity Reflection (2012)

Tonnage:  125,366 GT
Length: 1,047 feet
Decks:  17
Double Capacity:  3,046

Celebrity Reflection is the 5th of the Solstice-class cruise ships with the cruise line and had its maiden voyage in October of 2012. Reflection has one more deck than the other ships in its class.

Celebrity Silhouette (2011)

Tonnage:  122,400 GT
Length:  1,047 feet
Decks:  16
Double Capacity:  2,902

As the 4th Solstice-class ship with Celebrity, Celebrity Silhouette launched in May of 2011.  Her maiden voyage was to Civitavecchia where she sailed Mediterranean cruises to start her career.  The ship is about 6 feet longer than the previous ships built in the same class.  See our video tour of Celebrity Silhouette here.

Celebrity Eclipse (2010)

Tonnage:  121,878 GT
Length:  1,040 feet
Decks:  16
Double Capacity:  2,852

Celebrity Eclipse was launched in February of 2010 as the third Solstice-class ship in the fleet.

Celebrity Equinox (2009)

Tonnage:  121,878 GT
Length:  1,040 feet
Decks:  16
Double Capacity:  2,852

Celebrity Equinox was the 2nd Solstice-class vessel in the fleet and was captained by the first American woman to be the captain of a mega cruise ship, Kate McCue (Captain Kate).

Celebrity Solstice (2008)

Tonnage:  121,878 GT
Length:  1,033 feet
Decks:  16
Double Capacity:  2,852

Celebrity Solstice was the first Solstice-class ship with Celebrity and also the first ship built by the line that was too large to fit through the Panama canal, known as a post-panamax ship. The ship was christened in November of 2008.

Celebrity Constellation (2002)

Tonnage:  90,940 GT
Length:  965 feet
Decks:  13
Double Capacity:  2,184

Celebrity Constellation is the 4th and last of the Millennium-class ships with the line.   Nicknamed by some avid Celebrity cruisers as “Connie”, the ship was renamed with “Celebrity” as the prefix after simply being known as Constellation.  See our video tour of Celebrity Constellation here.

Celebrity Summit (2001)

Tonnage:  90,940 GT
Length:  964 feet
Decks:  12
Double Capacity:  2,218

Previously named “Summit” Celebrity Summit is the 3rd Millennium-class ship with Celebrity and was launched in March of 2001.  In 2012 the ship was refitted for $16 million, during which more cabins we added.  Again, in 2019, a dry dock allowed Summit to have 30 more cabins added to the vessel.

Celebrity Infinity (2001)

Tonnage:  91,000 GT
Length:  964 feet
Decks:  12
Double Capacity:  2,170

Celebrity Infinity launched in June of 2000.  Her maiden voyage sailed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to San Diego by way of the Panama Canal.  See our video tour of Celebrity Infinity here.

Celebrity Millennium (2000)

Tonnage:  91,000 GT
Length:  964 feet
Decks:  11
Double Capacity:  2,218

Celebrity Millennium is now the oldest cruise ship in Celebrity’s fleet and is the 1st of the Millennium-class cruise ships.  In 2019 the ship was refurbished during a 35-day dry dock in which 30 more cabins were added to the vessel.

Table view of Celebrity cruise ships listed newest to oldest:

Expedition Vessels

Celebrity Cruises also owns and operates three expedition ships that should be mentioned here. These ships are all part of Celebrity’s Xpedition-class.

• Celebrity Flora – This expedition ship was launched in 2019 and is the first expedition ship with the line that was built exclusively for Celebrity. The ship sails itineraries in and around the Galapagos Islands. Flora is a 100-passenger vessel that measures 5,922 in gross tonnage.






• Celebrity Xploration – This vessel is a 98 foot luxury catamaran with a gross tonnage of 3,195. Total occupancy is 16 passengers on Xploration and the ship was brought into the fleet in 2017.






• Celebrity Xpedition – Xpedition was launched in 2001. The vessel measures 2,842 in gross tonnage and can carry 48 passengers on its 296 ft long frame. It currently offers sailings to the Galapagos Islands.

Every cruise ship has a medical facility.  And while no one wants to see the inside of one during a 7-day sailing, the truth of the matter is emergencies happen. 

A recent social media post got a lot of attention after a cruiser asked if anyone else had “been on a cruise where blood donors were requested ship wide.” 

The cruise guest had just gotten home from a sailing in which the captain announced on the intercom system that there had been a medical emergency.  Blood donors were requested to report to the medical facility but only if they had a blood donor card on them.

The Reddit user said the entire vibe on the ship changed after that and wondered if anyone else had experienced a similar situation.

Other Cruisers Share Their Own Experiences

Over 250 comments poured into the post as other veteran cruisers shared their own experiences with the call for blood donors on a ship. 

One common theme was that very often a cruise ship had enough volunteers within minutes and that another announcement had to be made that no more donors were needed.

“It took all of 5 minutes, if that, after the cruise director made the announcement for him to come back on to announce there were plenty of volunteers and more were appreciated but not needed,” one user shared.

Another cruiser confirmed the desire for other passengers to help: “I had literally just made it to the elevator… There had to have been like 20 people already, they definitely didn’t need me. It was pretty cool to see people show up for a complete stranger like that, restored my faith in humanity a little bit.”

Specific Blood Types

The calls for blood are often for a very specific blood type. One cruiser remembered a 2 AM call during a Transatlantic voyage that went out specifically for “O positive blood.”  Another cruiser recalled an announcement for “O- or A-.”

And in some cases it was not just the blood type that mattered, but also whether or not the person had alcohol in their system.

One user stated, “Earlier this year – a call out went for my blood type and someone who hadn’t drunk alcohol for 24 hours and were younger than 50.”  The passenger said only about 10 people met that criteria and it was their first time giving blood.

In this particular case, it was a crew member who had suffered blood loss.  “It was pretty nice to help,” the blood donor stated, “Got personally called and thanked by practically every member of the senior staff including the captain, who offered us free drinks or whatever we might want.” 

Another cruiser who was registered to help but wasn’t needed still received a “nice bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to our room that night with a thank you letter” from the captain.

Saving a Life Comes First

On another cruise on Oasis of the Seas a comment reported that when a medical airlift failed, the captain “put all engines online and we would go to our planned port… all out.” Later, the captain admitted that the rush cost about $75,000, saying that saving a life comes first, no matter the price.

The Importance of the Donor Card

Most comments to the post mentioned that a blood donor card was required. Cruisers pointed out a few reasons for this.

It proves blood type, confirms recent health screening, and often verifies that the person has donated within a specific timeframe, such as the last six months.

This requirement is especially challenging because, as one user noted, “It was mid morning so many people had been drinking by then,” further limiting the eligible pool.

For those who travel light, digital solutions are a great option. As one cruiser shared, virtual donor cards available through apps “may have virtual donor cards that you can add to your phone wallet. It has your name, blood type & donor ID.” This practice is usually accepted by ship medical staff.

Bottom Line

For many, the cruisers post was a reminder to bring their blood donor card with them or at least find a digital option to keep a copy on their phone.   It’s definitely something that should be added to the packing list of every cruiser who is a blood donor.

For others, the stories of how fast other cruisers come to the aid of a stranger at sea was reassuring.

“Everyone I’ve talked to about those incidents after they happened…said that even when they themselves went to lend theirs, there was already an overabundance of volunteers…rest assured on a floating city of thousands of people, their request is almost IMMEDIATELY met,” one user shared.

A cruise ship departed yesterday on an epic 142-day cruise that will visit five continents, 33 countries and 51 ports.

Costa Cruises’ World Cruise was first introduced in the 1970s and has remained one of the cruise line’s most popular itineraries.

Costa Deliziosa departed from Trieste, Italy on Costa’s latest World Cruise and will return to the homeport on April 11, 2026.

The cruise ship will head to France and Spain, then on to the Canary Islands by way of Morocco, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to visit the Caribbean.

After a transit through the Panama Canal, the ship will sail down the west coast of South America, discovering Peru and Chile, before reaching Easter Island.

The cruise continues across the Pacific Ocean, from the Pitcairn Islands to French Polynesia. Guests will then visit the the remote islands of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, before arriving in Australia.

After a visit to Papua New Guinea, the ship heads north to Japan, including futuristic Tokyo, a new destination for this cruise. The epic cruise continues to Kobe and Nagasaki, and then onward to South Korea.

Other places in Asia the ship will visit are Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.

Costa Deliziosa will then head to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius and Southern Africa.

From South Africa to Namibia to Cape Verde, the cruise returns to Europe, with Italy as the final destination of this incredible trip.

To make this journey even more memorable, Costa Cruises offers a rich program of Land Experiences that include over 200 authentic and unforgettable shore excursions that range from:

• Trekking among the geoglyphs of the Atacama Desert
• Diving in Barbados’ crystal-clear waters
• African safaris in Chobe National Park
• Tea ceremonies in kimono in Kyoto
• Tribal dances on Mystery Island

Guests enjoy a true “journey within the journey” with exclusive multi-day overland tours, offering time and depth to explore iconic places like Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, and Victoria Falls, immersing themselves in local culture and nature.

Carnival Cruise Line just announced that guests will have an extra three months to prepare for the new Carnival Rewards program that was introduced earlier in the year.   Instead of going into effect on June 1, 2026, the program has been pushed back to September 1, 2026.

ID 256045063 | Carnival Cruise Ship © Jouni Niskakoski | DreamstimeThe email from Carnival also stated that “all your cruise activity through August 31, 2026 will count toward your final VIFP status, which will become your starting status in Carnival Rewards.”

With this new update, the entire Summer 2026 sailing season will now count under the old rules, which is a big deal for anyone still scrambling to reach the next loyalty tier before the rules change.

If you have a cruise booked for June, July, or August of 2026, those days will still count toward your final legacy status. For cruisers who are close to hitting Platinum or Diamond, this extra time might be all you need to reach that next tier.

More Time for a Head Start

You basically have a three-month extension to lock in those higher tiers before the new spend-based system takes over.

If you reach Diamond, you lock in that status for life and you never have to requalify. If you reach Platinum, you get a permanent ‘head start’ of 10,000 bonus stars every two years (at the start of every cycle).  This makes requalifying easier and makes sure you don’t drop back down to Gold.

“When Carnival Rewards begins on September 1, 2026, your new status will match your VIFP status on August 31, 2026, and will last through December 31, 2028,” the email stated.

A Few New Details

The announcement from Carnival also clarified some details about the new points system that might make things a bit more complicated. Carnival stated that under the new program, the value of your rewards points will vary.

The update stated that 100 points will be worth approximately $1, but that value will depend on demand, “similar to how cruise fares vary”.

This means the points system will work somewhat like dynamic pricing. If you want to redeem your points for a drink or an excursion on a busy holiday sailing, it could cost you more points than it would on a quieter sailing in the off-season.

Carnival also stated that points will never expire as long as you earn or redeem them at least once every 3 years.

Longer Window the First Cycle

To help everyone adjust to these changes, Carnival is also simplifying the calendar. Once the program officially launches in September 2026, it will eventually run on a standard January to December schedule, every 2 years.

But to bridge the gap, the first earning period will be a long one.  The first cycle will run from September 1, 2026, all the way through December 31, 2028. That gives you a 28-month window to earn your status for the following years.

This extra-long cycle is likely designed to give everyone plenty of time to get used to earning “Stars” based on spending rather than just days at sea.  Remember, stars are what will determine your status level

How to Earn: Stars and Points

Earning Stars (For Status)

You collect these to reach Gold, Platinum, or Diamond. They reset every 2 years.

• Base Rate: You earn 3 Stars for every $1 spent on Carnival (cruises & onboard spend).
• Casino Rate: You earn 1 Star for every casino point.
• Credit Card Boost: If you use the Carnival card (coming in September 2026), you earn 1 extra Star per $1 on Carnival purchases (Total: 4 Stars per $1).

Earning Points (For Free Stuff)

You spend these like cash on drinks, excursions, or future cruises.

• Base Rate: You earn 3 Points for every $1 spent on Carnival.
• Casino Rate: You earn 1 Point for every casino point.
• Credit Card Boost: If you use the Carnival card, you earn 3 extra Points per $1 on Carnival purchases (Total: 6 Points per $1).
• Everyday Spend with Carnival card: You earn 2 Points +1 star per $1 at grocery stores/restaurants and 1 Point per $1 everywhere else.

So, to break it down, if you spend $100 on a shore excursion this would be an example:

• Paying with cash/debit: You get 300 Stars (Status) and 300 Points (Rewards).
• Paying with Carnival Card: You get 400 Stars (Status) and 600 Points (Rewards).

Bottom Line

I know it’s a bit confusing when trying to wrap your head around this new reward system, and it’s much different than just counting the number of days on a cruise to determine how many points you have. Perhaps this is why Carnival is giving a few extra months to get used to this new program. 

With so many cruisers reaching higher tiers in the legacy loyalty program, something had to be done. After all, when half the ship is getting priority boarding, it’s just the same as regular boarding. The new system is more spend-based and also introduces the cruise line’s new credit card. There was some major backlash when the new program was first rolled out, but hopefully loyal cruisers will be happy with the benefits of the new rollout as time goes on.

I recently had the opportunity to take a three-night cruise to The Bahamas on Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess.

Princess Cruises invited me and my family to sail on the inaugural cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I walked away impressed by the ship, changes Princess made since the first ship in the class, and by the crew.

While I was on the ship, I wrote about my first impressions of Star Princess that you can read here.

Let’s take a look at the different areas of the ship and the cruise that impressed me.

Changes Princess Made

The cruise line made several changes on Star Princess from the first ship in the fleet, Sun Princess. The addition of a sports court on the top deck was much needed and is a great space for kids to play. It’s a great size and has everything from basketball to pickleball to cornhole.

One of the biggest complaints I had on Sun Princess was the lack of self-service drink stations in the Eatery (buffet). I really liked the stations they added between the Eatery and Americana Diner on Star Princess. There is tons of space and was never crowded at all. It’s perfect when you just want a quick drink of water.

Another great change Princess made was adding a non-smoking casino that is away from the main casino. Many times cruise lines add a non-smoking section that’s part of the main casino but smoke just flows right into the non-smoking side.

The non-smoking casino is on the other side of the Piazza and takes the place of where a shop is on Sun Princess.

Firefly Park

Since my wife and five year old son came with me on the cruise, we were excited about getting first hand experience of what Princess offers for kids.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect going in. While families do travel on Princess, they carry far less than the mainstream cruise lines. My son has cruised on five different cruise lines, and this was his first on Princess Cruises.

Firefly Park is the kids club for children his age on Star Princess. Since we embarked on the ship a day before the cruise for the christening ceremony, I was able to walk around the club, since no kids were in it, and see everything that the club offers.

The first thing I noticed was the size of the club, it was much bigger than the club on one of the largest cruise lines that we sailed on last year.

Besides little crafts they made (including a cruise ship), they gave him this swishy ball when we picked him up one night that he still plays even though we’re home.

To say that he loved the Firefly Park would be an understatement. He normally walks really slow anywhere he goes. The last night when we were heading to drop him off, we couldn’t keep up with him he was walking so fast.

It was by far his favorite place on the ship and I believe it’s an area most kids will enjoy.

The workers in Firefly Park were nothing short of amazing, they remembered by son’s name every time they saw him. They also said he was “really good at Mario Kart”, that’s my boy!

Another nice surprise was the kids area on Princess Cays, the cruise line’s private island that we stopped at during the cruise. It had a place for kids to play and even a small swimming pool for them.

Spellbound

Spellbound is by far my favorite space on board Star Princess. Spellbound comes from a partnership with the Magic Castle and Princess and is only found on one other cruise ship (Sun Princess).

Princess made a few changes to this space, but I’ll just talk about one of them. Afterall, somethings are best enjoyed when you experience them firsthand. They added a table with four chairs for close-up magic right when you walk in. This was much needed as the bar could get crowded, especially with a magician performing there.

Magician and mentalist Mark Gibson was on our sailing and he put on a 15 minute show in the intimate theater in Spellbound. I’ve seen him perform before and he’s one of the best I’ve seen.

During the sailing, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with the president of Magic Castle, Erika Larsen. In our short conversation, I was able to see her love and passion for magic and it’s one of the reasons why this space is so unique. This is not just a magic venue, it was created by the most exclusive magic club in the world.

If you love sleight of hand, card tricks, or just having your mind blown, Spellbound is a place that you will enjoy.

Crew

I can’t say enough good things about the crew on Star Princess. I wasn’t on the ship more than 15 minutes before one of them remembered me from a previous cruise. 

From our room steward to those who worked in specialty restaurants, they really know how to make sure you have a great cruise.

I’d also like to give a special shoutout to Farral who works at Crooners, he’s one of the best on board Star Princess.

Food

Food can be extremely subjective, we all have different tastes and preferences. Two of my favorites on Star Princess was dining at Crown Grill, the steakhouse on board, and Alfredo’s Pizzeria. They both have my favorite steak and pizza at sea.

However, I would be remiss if I did not mention Butcher’s Block by Dario. The meat there is so good and you will want to come hungry when you dine there.

Even though cruise lines, including Princess, are moving to more paid specialty dining, I thought there was still a good amount of complimentary food (included in your cruise fare) all around the ship.

My son loved going to the International Cafe each night to get a snack before bed. It’s open 24/7 and it’s nice having a spot always open where you get get a bite if you are hungry.

Also, Lido Slice on the pool deck is great for pizza, tacos, burgers and salads when you just want something casual.

One feature I wish the Princess app had was dining times. We could not find anywhere in the app that told you what was open. Thankfully, Princess left us a paper copy of Princess Patter (daily schedule) in our cabin each day. So if you’re reading this Princess, please add that to the app (it was in the old app).

Dome

This is another one of the unique features on Star Princess that you won’t find on any other class of ships in the world.

During the day, it’s a quieter spot to relax in a climate controlled environment.  At night, entertainment takes place here including the Candlelight Concert which was loved by all.

Tip: There isn’t a ton of seating here so you will want to arrive early.

The Dome is going to be extremely popular when the ship sails to Alaska next summer. You will be able to watch the glaciers without being outside in the cold.

Final Thoughts

I would sail on Star Princess again without even a second thought. Princess made some good changes that made this class of ships even better. I’ve always really liked this class, just thought they need a few tweaks, which Princess has done.

I love how the buffet is off of the Piazza instead of being right off the pool deck. The Sphere allows you to look out at the water when you are in the Piazza.

There was a great variety of entertainment on the ship that ranged from production shows in the theater to comedian Ken Boyd, who was really funny.

The Ocean Medallion sets Princess apart from every other cruise line. From being able to track where your family is on the ship at all times to your cabin door automatically unlocking as you walk up to it, I’d prefer it any day over a traditional key card.

With all of that being said, I will have more on Star Princess in the near future so stay tuned.

Carnival Cruise Line has made ship deployment changes to their 2027-2028 cruises that will bring added capacity for cruises out of Galveston, Texas.

Carnival Cruise Line has made a homeport change for Carnival Spirit and the ship will no longer sail from Galveston, Texas for the 2027-28 season.

Carnival also announced that Carnival Sunshine will sail from Galveston for the first time in the place of Carnival Spirit with Carnival Spirit moving to Florida to offer cruises from Tampa.

This change will bring added capacity to Galveston and support the market’s growing demand for cruising.

Carnival Cruise Line will continue to sail four ships from Galveston with cruises that range from four- to 10-nights in length.

Shorter cruises will visit Mexico, including calls in Cozumel and Progreso, while longer sailings will reach a wider selection of destinations, including:

• Cozumel
• Belize
• Celebration Key
• Half Moon Cay
• Grand Turk
• Amber Cove
• Dominican Republic
• Limón, Costa Rica
• Colón, Panama
• Isla Tropicale, Roatán
• Grand Cayman
• Cayman Islands
• Montego Bay, Jamaica
• View Best Prices on Carnival Cruises

Carnival Sunshine will open eight new cruises that include a 10-day sailing to Cozumel, Isla Tropicale, Montego Bay, and Grand Cayman.

Carnival Spirit will sail a variety of six- to eight-night cruises from Tampa to the Caribbean. Ports the ship will visit include Belize, Isla Tropicale, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico.

The ship will offer six cruises to the Panama Canal that will be eight nights long each. On January 30, 2028, Carnival Spirit will sail a 13-day Carnival Journeys cruise to Grand Cayman, Limón, Colón, Aruba, Curaçao and Ocho Rios. 

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement:

“We’re excited to introduce Carnival Sunshine to Galveston for the first time and bring Carnival Spirit to Tampa.

“This move allows us to serve more guests in Galveston where we continue to see strong demand and introduce new, longer Caribbean itineraries for guests sailing from Tampa.”

As an invited guest on Celebrity Xcel, I recently had the chance to explore the ship for two days and see first-hand what the new “Eden replacement” was all about. 

From the new unique scents of the tunnel to the transformative LED panels that bring the destinations to life, I was blown away by just how different this space is.

Celebrity Cruises has transformed the multi-deck, aft-end space on its newest vessel, Celebrity Xcel, replacing the popular Eden venue with a totally new concept called The Bazaar.

This change reflects a philosophy noted by Celebrity Cruises: to eliminate the line between the ship and the shore, making the destination the star of the entire cruise experience.  To highlight this even more, the theme in the Bazaar will rotate between four festivals: Carnival, Aqua, Viva, and Flora.

The Journey to The Bazaar

I’ve always loved the aft space on an Edge-class ship with Celebrity Cruises.  The views out the back windows are incredible, and the gradual inclined walkway that wraps around the aft offers great views of both the inside and outside of the ship.

But Celebrity always made a point for the journey to this part of the ship to be just as important as the destination.  The tunnel walkway to Eden was always an unexpected intrigue to first timers on the ship.

On Celebrity Xcel, the tunnel to The Bazaar is even more immersive, and it changes depending on the festival.

The intent is to fully immerse passengers in the cultures, sights, sounds, smells, flavors, and traditions of the ports the ship visits. It’s a complete evolution of the aft-end venue, shifting to an ever-changing marketplace and festival space.

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, described the experience as a “journey,” starting with the entrance:

“So, it’s starting the journey through the tunnel, and you get the smell, you get like, kind of a sense with the projection as to what’s waiting ahead of you… So you get this technology piece, but then you get the tactile piece.”

This approach uses sensory elements like unique scents crafted for each theme, LED projections, and reflective surfaces to immediately transport guests into the atmosphere of the day’s theme.

I only experience two themes during my cruise—Aqua and Carnival—and I must say, I loved the fresh aromas in the tunnel.  They were present enough to notice them but light enough not to be overwhelmed.

I heard several people on the cruise say they wanted to buy bottles of the aroma to bring back home.  These scents were specifically crafted by Celebrity’s team, and combined with the moving artwork on the LED archways it created a real build-up to the main venue.

Market at The Bazaar

On other Edge-class ships, the area after the tunnel leads to a Chocolatier and some boutique shops.  On Celebrity Xcel there is the all-new Market at the Bazaar.  But this isn’t just a normal market.

These are products sold by local artisans depending on the location or destination of the ship.  So, if the ship is sailing to the Caribbean, you will have crafted goods and items sold by people who live in that area.

Local artisans will also be welcomed on board the ship when the vessel is in port, so cruisers will have a chance to interact with local vendors right on the ship.  The cruise line is still working with local ports to get all of the logistics of that figured out, but it’s a concept unlike any other I’ve seen on a cruise ship.

A Palate Cleanser Before the Wow

Before walking into the official Bazaar area there is one more transition on the ship.  The design incorporates a moment of calm, which Laura Hodges Bethge affectionately refers to as the “palate cleanser.”

As guests transition from the immersive entrance to the main space, they walk through an area described as a deep, vibrant red. There’s a sort of neutralizing scent in the air here as well.

“This is the palate cleanser when you walk into that red center, because you’ve just been immersed in all of these… experiences, and then you go into the wow,” Hodges Bethge said.

More Photos of Celebrity Xcel

The Bazaar

The festival theme for the Bazaar is apparent from the moment you walk in.  Huge LED archways and ceiling formations display the vibrant colors and moving artwork. Decorations (which have to be swapped out for each festival) line the columns, tables, and walls that reinforce the theme as well.

There’s even a giant screen on the wall that displays the theme of the day, and it changes depending on the time.   One night I saw a large full moon displayed on the huge wall screen, illuminating the area.

In addition to the décor, there are several carts around the Bazaar with different crafts and activities cruisers can enjoy.  And again, they are all themed with the festival.

Throughout the day entertainment in the form of “Pop-up” shows take place as well.  Once again, the costumes, music, and style of the entertainment all match the festival theme.

These shows are not listed in the daily schedule though, so you just have to show up at the Bazaar and wait to see what happens.   You don’t have to wait very long before one of these variety shows to pop up.  They only last for a few minutes, so you can grab something to eat at Spice Café right next door and have a seat.

Spice Cafe

I found myself constantly walking into Spice Cafe to see what kinds of treats I could find, and I never walked away disappointed (unless they were closed, so you have to check the operational hours).

Spice Cafe is the complimentary, casual dining venue at the Bazaar. It replaces the former Eden Cafe found on other Edge-class vessels.

Operating primarily for breakfast and lunch (and some snack times from 2:00pm to 4:00pm), the Spice Cafe offers a rotating menu inspired by the places the ship visits.

There are all kinds of wonderful snacks and treats to enjoy, including protein bowls, paninis, cold cuts, salads, hot soups, quesadillas, yogurts, cakes, and a whole lot more, in addition to daily carvings.  And of course, you can grab a cup of specialty coffee here as well.

The culinary variety supports the Bazaar’s four rotating festival themes, so it’s another area where the true emphasis of the cruise line is on the destination.

I loved the seating area for Spice Cafe too.  On other Edge-class ships there is a seating area that’s outside, but on Xcel it’s more like a little solarium.  It did get a little warm on a sunny day and if there’s a lot of people in there the noise can be a bit much because it bounces off all the glass, but it’s still such an inviting space to enjoy a delicious eat from Spice.  It was one of my go-to spots on the ship.

Mosaic

Mosaic is the new fine dining option just a level below the main action at The Bazaar, and it offers some of the best ocean views at the huge aft-facing windows.  It’s an open kitchen design, and the multi-course menu is also destination-inspired, so it will change based on the ship’s location and itinerary.  As you can see, this is a theme throughout this new venue on the ship.  Dining at Mosaic is an extra charge, and there’s also a Chef’s Table experience for some of the most exquisite dishes the ship has to offer.

Four Festivals of The Bazaar

The core of The Bazaar is a rotating schedule of destination-inspired festivals. For the Caribbean sailings, four festival themes have been developed: Carnival, Aqua, Viva, and Flora. Guests on a typical seven-night cruise will get to experience three of these themes.

• Caribbean Focus: These festivals are currently Caribbean-focused, inspired by traditions from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and other regions.
• Mediterranean Focus: When the Celebrity Xcel repositions to the Mediterranean, The Bazaar will completely transform to feature festivals, markets, and culinary experiences aligned with European destinations.

Each festival features local artisans selling handcrafted goods, hands-on craft classes (like jewelry making or paper decorations), dance classes, live music, and regional food and beverage tastings, allowing guests to touch, feel, smell, and taste the destination while at sea.

The goal, as was emphasized by Celebrity, is to involve all of the senses in experiencing destinations even while still on the ship.

By creating this “immersive experience” where the destination is brought directly onboard through sight, sound, and flavor, Celebrity Cruises is directly addressing the core reason people book a cruise: to explore the world.