Cast Off for the Celebrity Xcel: The Edge Class’s New Flagship Sets Sail

Culinary Art Instead of Show Business: A Christening with Taste An interesting detail right from the start: For the choice of the Godmother, the cruise line deliberately skipped Hollywood glamour and instead made a clear statement regarding the ship's culinary focus. The Godmother is Janaína Torres, who was named "Best Female Chef in the World" in 2024. The ceremony in Fort Lauderdale combined maritime tradition with modern staging as Torres triggered the obligatory champagne bottle to smash against the hull—accompanied by Jason Liberty (CEO Royal Caribbean Group) and Laura Hodges Bethge (President Celebrity Cruises).

Evolution of the Edge Class: From "Eden" to "The Bazaar" Those familiar with the sister ships of the Edge series will immediately notice a striking structural change on the Xcel. In the aft section of the ship, the previous "Eden" concept has been replaced by "The Bazaar." This area spans two decks and is designed as a lively marketplace intended to connect passengers more strongly with the ports of call. Through huge floor-to-ceiling windows, guests enjoy an almost unobstructed view of the sea and harbors, whether looking to port (backbord) or starboard (steuerbord). "The Bazaar" functions as a central hub for events, retail, and gastronomy.

New Gastronomic Highlights The introduction of "The Bazaar" also brings new restaurants:

• Mosaic: This fine-dining restaurant replaces the former Eden Restaurant. The focus is on destination-specific dishes. A highlight is the "Chef’s Studio," where guests can participate in cooking classes.
• Spice: As the successor to the Eden Café, this "Bowl Bar" offers upscale fast-casual food, ideal for a quick but high-quality snack.
• Bora: Instead of the Rooftop Garden Grill, guests will now find "Bora." The concept is cleverly split: During the day, an "All-Day Brunch" attracts guests with trendy dishes like avocado toast, while in the evening, the location transforms into an elegant dinner restaurant focusing on seafood.

Entertainment for the "Kidults" Celebrity is also breaking new ground in the entertainment sector. With "The Attic," an area has been created that evokes nostalgic feelings. This 24-hour arcade is aimed at adults and offers arcade classics from the 80s, billiards, and a golf simulator. By the way, if you want to try the "secret" cocktail, you first have to earn access via a photo booth—a nice gimmick for the social media generation.

Route and Outlook The maiden voyage took the Xcel on a 5-night short trip from Fort Lauderdale via Bimini (Bahamas) to Cozumel (Mexico). The layover in Cozumel was notably long at 13 hours, allowing guests extensive shore excursions. In the future, the Celebrity Xcel will alternate between the Eastern and Western Caribbean before embarking on its first season in the Mediterranean in the summer of 2026.

With Captain Kyriakos Matragkas on the bridge and a fresh management team in the hotel department, the Xcel seems well-equipped to find its place in the premium segment of "Large Resort Ships."