When Celebrity Xcel sets sail in November, guests will be immersed in all-new entertainment experiences, with top resident artists delivering the greatest variety ever offered by the vacation brand. Featuring three brand-new theatrical productions, two interactive club shows, musical experiences, lively dance parties, interactive activities, and countless surprises in between, every moment on board is designed to spark connection and delight from morning till night.
“Celebrity Xcel will further elevate Celebrity’s offering to create a world-class entertainment destination that will delight our guests,” said Lisa Lehr, Vice President of Entertainment for Celebrity Cruises. “With more than 75 resident artists, guests will enjoy unforgettable experiences and unexpected surprises at every turn.”
At the heart of the new entertainment program are three spectacular shows at The Theatre, shows that combine world-class singers, dancers, parkour artists and aerial acrobats with cutting-edge technology, including kinetic lighting, laser engraving, projection mapping, pyrotechnics and a 33-meter curved kinetic LED screen, to deliver a fully immersive entertainment experience.
- Mainstage is an energetic live music concert that transports the audience to the world's most iconic music festivals, featuring hits from the best artists of all decades.
- Between Takes transports visitors to a 1920s Hollywood film set, straight into the chaos that occurs between CUT and ACTION, as a crew strives to create the next blockbuster hit.
- Chapters is a poetic and visually stunning journey through nature, transformation, and self-discovery.
At The Club, two new interactive shows invite visitors to lose themselves in a bygone time and place:
- Guests at 254 West are transported back to the 80s on the closing night of the iconic 254 West club. But the party isn't over yet, as guests are invited to join the high-energy celebration, where groovy vibes await. After closing time, guests are invited to stay for the 254 West After Party.
- HOTEL brings a scandal, a spectacle, and a crime to solve: this crime comedy boasts a cabaret flair, sharp wit, and keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from check-in to check-out. With daring musical numbers, eccentric characters, and unexpected twists at every turn, the only question is: will the guests solve the mystery before it's time to pack their bags?
Live music and multiple dance parties draw guests to the dance floor:
- The piano bar entertainment will have guests singing their favorite hits.
- Guests can put on their boots and grab their cowboy hats to enjoy a top-notch country music party: Saddle Up Saloon. Dance to the rhythm of a live band playing country classics and current hits.
- A candlelit concert will pay tribute to the most iconic artists of classic rock. Guests will be swept away and energized by electrifying anthems, classic hits, and thunderous guitar riffs, all illuminated by the soft glow of candles.
- The magic of the Mediterranean awaits you at Bora. During the day, roving musicians play energetic hits to keep the brunch atmosphere going, while at night, a backdrop of Greek ballads and Italian love songs will complete an unforgettable evening.
- In addition, the Shine the Night party returns, even more electrifying, inviting guests to end their perfect date dancing under the stars in their most dazzling outfits.
At The Bazaar, authentic entertainment extends guests' stay in the destinations they visit, even after the ship has sailed from port. Four unique festivals—Carnival, Aqua, Viva, and Flora—celebrate the cultures of the destinations the ship visits. From costumes to music, guests will find regional entertainment that brings the beauty of the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic to life. At The Bazaar, guests will never set foot in the same space twice, as performances and activities evolve from day to day, from hands-on activities like making salt scrubs to live roving musicians.
For guests looking for friendly competition that will undoubtedly leave them with unforgettable memories, the new games at Celebrity Xcel offer fun for all ages:
- High Stakes is a high-energy, mass-elimination game show driven by instinct, luck, and suspense.
- Brain Spin is a fast-paced game show that combines the excitement of spinning the wheel with strategic thinking, and challenges guests to put together the eight sections of their "mind map".
- Guests will bring a robot to life in an escape room-style game that challenges them to build a unique circuit board using clues and accessories hidden in locked boxes.
- In a destination-themed mystery game, participants must assemble a world map to eliminate destinations and find a hidden treasure.
- Game On at The Club is back and better than ever. This new version of a retro arcade experience projects audience favorites onto the floor, inviting players to compete in interactive contests using their own bodies as controllers.
- For guests under 18, a new interactive digital game wall will enhance the gaming experience at our award-winning youth program, Camp at Sea, with more than 50 new games ranging from sports to education.
Starting in November, Celebrity Xcel will sail its inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In the summer of 2026, Celebrity Xcel will embark on its inaugural European season, where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven- to eleven-night voyages from Barcelona and Athens, including new one-night stays in Madeira, Portugal.
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