Celebrity Xcel offers guests the opportunity to continue exploring the destinations they visit long after the ship has left port, thanks to its transformative space, The Bazaar. As Celebrity Xcel sails through Europe this summer, passengers will immerse themselves in four new festivals that bring the sights, sounds, flavors, and traditions of the Mediterranean to life.
Since its launch aboard Celebrity Xcel in November, The Bazaar has revolutionized destination immersion, keeping guests engaged in the culture of each location long after their time ashore. “Days at sea have been transformed by a design that extends the authentic dining, beverage, and entertainment offerings into a unique and cohesive experience,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “From morning till night, and day into the next, this unparalleled experience has captivated guests, and we are excited to transform it once again to bring the pulse of the Mediterranean onboard every European itinerary.”.
Designed to seamlessly integrate onboard and in-port experiences, The Bazaar is an elevated, authentic, and ever-evolving cultural celebration. This space blurs the line between ship and land, bringing each destination to life through a curated mix of destination-inspired festivals, markets featuring local artisans, participatory activities, regionally influenced culinary offerings, and unforgettable entertainment. In this one-of-a-kind concept, no two days are the same. Thanks to dynamic programming and immersive, three-tiered LED screens, the space evolves with each voyage, offering guests new and engaging ways to connect with the Mediterranean destinations they visit, from Florence to Santorini.
At the heart of The Bazaar experience are four Mediterranean-inspired festivals celebrating the region's vibrant flavors, timeless traditions, and unforgettable moments. These festivals will bring the best of the Mediterranean to life in a multitude of ways, including local culinary offerings, artisanal experiences, enriching retail activations, destination-inspired cooking and dance classes, emerging entertainment, and performances by local musicians.
- Festival Opa! immerses guests in the traditions and infectious energy of Greece. During the day, this vibrant celebration of Greek culture combines iconic dishes like baklava and moussaka with hands-on activities, such as crafting jewelry from the “Mati,” the protective eye. As the sun sets, the energy intensifies: live musicians invite guests to join the party as they twirl napkins, dance, laugh, and shout “Opa!” to the rhythm of beloved hits.
- Focusing on the flavors, beauty, and romance of Italy, the La Dolce Vita Festival will allow guests to experience the “sweet life.” During the day, they will sample limoncello and other authentic delicacies while participating in hands-on experiences such as pasta making and tiramisu preparation. In the evening, they will be enveloped in Venetian magic, immersing themselves in an evening of elegance and charm.
- A vibrant fusion of Spain's color, rhythm, and spirit, the Salud Festival is bold, passionate, and unforgettable. During the day, guests will sample sangria and local dishes while creating their own Spanish style with activities like making flamenco roses and Spanish fans. The energy explodes at the end of the day, when flamenco dancers and bullfighters bring to life a celebration of Spanish passion and soul.
- The Silk & Spice Festival invites guests on a sensory journey through spices, dances, and mesmerizing music inspired by the vibrant cultures of Morocco and Turkey. During the day, guests can savor aromatic teas, enjoy sweet bites of Turkish delight, and participate in interactive activities. At night, energetic music and whirling dancers will captivate guests in a celebration of rhythm and culture.
For those who enjoy connecting with new cultures through gastronomy, the destination-inspired culinary offerings will delight the palate with local cuisines. The Mosaic open kitchen concept will serve reinvented and elevated dishes inspired by the flavors of cities like Naples, Mykonos, and Lisbon. The Bazaar's casual restaurant, Spice, will offer a rotating selection of bites throughout the day, with specialties inspired by the ports visited on each itinerary, as well as spectacular ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
On days at sea, Market at The Bazaar invites guests to take home a piece of the iconic cities they visit in Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Morocco. Passengers can immerse themselves in captivating experiences and discover regional products from local artisans, such as olive oil, Italian scarves, or hand-painted tiles.
Food lovers can learn to cook regional delicacies at Chef's Studio at Mosaic, Celebrity's first destination-inspired cooking school. Chef's Studio invites guests to discover their inner chef as they learn to prepare new dishes from each destination visited. Throughout the voyage, the cooking school's repertoire will change to reflect the themes of destination-inspired festivals, allowing guests to master local specialties and enrich their recipe collection while creating new memories.
On land, the unforgettable European adventure continues, as Celebrity Xcel takes guests to the romance of places like Florence and Palma de Mallorca, the stunning landscapes of Santorini and Mykonos, and offers overnight stays to enjoy more time in Madeira.
Starting in May 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail for its inaugural season in Europe, where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven- to eleven-night voyages from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
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