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A beautiful woman riding a bedazzled panther sings “come join the party” as they both twirl in the air. Moments later, the same stage erupts into a glitter-drenched, emotional rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You.”
That actually happens during “Chapters” one of the marquee productions on Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Xcel.
It sounds ridiculous and campy – and it is. But it’s also emblematic of the distinctly maximalist vibe the latest Edge-series ship is leaning into. While the talent, staging and technical precision rival what you’d find on a Disney ship (a compliment to both brands), Xcel is attempting something slightly different: delivering value in ways that feel bigger than the price tag, and in ways that often compete more with land-based vacations than other cruise lines.
Here are three things to watch on Celebrity Xcel – especially if you’re deciding whether this megaship should be your next vacation.
1. There’s always Vegas-quality entertainment available
Celebrity has quietly been building a reputation for Broadway-caliber performances, but Xcel pushes it further. The ship carries more than 75 performers, the most the brand has ever placed on a single vessel, according to Celebrity Cruises Chief Marketing and Product Officer Michael Scheiner.
“We’re competing with everywhere the wallet goes,” Scheiner said. “Concerts, restaurants, Vegas – people expect elevated entertainment, and we want to deliver that every night.”
You feel that ambition onboard.
Between the mainstage spectaculars, roving musicians, intimate shows in The Club and immersive performances in the new Bazaar venue, Xcel aims to ensure that at any given hour, there’s something happening on par with a Vegas residency – minus the ticket price.
One moment, it’s aerialists soaring over you in the theater; the next it’s Greek napkin-throwing, improvised singing or a DJ set in a room that transforms in real time based on the ship’s itinerary. Every hour on the hour, there’s something happening at The Club, a multiuse entertainment space, according to Celebrity.
On Xcel, you’ll need to plan your day around the entertainment that appeals to you.
(Pro tip: Take a photo at The Club’s photo booth for a pleasant surprise.)
2. The food options are varied and genuinely delicious
Food is where Xcel most intentionally incorporates guest feedback.
Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity’s president, called Xcel “the truest manifestation of what our guests want,” and nowhere is that clearer than in its dining. Fans of the Edge series will recognize returning favorites, but Xcel debuts several new venues, including three major standouts:
Spice Café: Born directly from guest requests for more destination-inspired flavors, this casual venue rotates menus based on onboard festivals. (Think a high-end Chipotle.) Early sailings have seen twice as many guests compared with the older Eden Café concept it replaces, according to Celebrity.Mosaic: A fully reinvented fine-dining concept serving elevated Caribbean cuisine while in the Caribbean, and elevated Mediterranean dishes once the ship heads to Europe. It’s a thoughtful twist on cuisine that, as a Puerto Rican, I know very well. It blended homestyle flavors with a high-end presentation.Bora: A Greek-inspired supper club where dinner is an event, with cocktails, community seating, live music, storytelling and a celebratory finale straight out of a Mykonos summer night. I visited Bora for brunch and highly recommend you end your meal with the French toast. It’s perfectly fluffy and sweet.
“I’m a foodie at heart,” Hodges Bethge said. “Bora is more than a meal; it’s a full evening. And Mosaic takes something homey and makes it elevated. … The team knocked it out of the park.”
Even Captain Dimitrios “Captain Kirk” Matragkas – a Greek native – called Bora “one of the best Mediterranean restaurants I’ve had, even in Greece.”
Add to that upgraded buffets, refreshed poolside bites, a new concept in The Bazaar that rotates with each destination and classic Celebrity staples, and the ship becomes a culinary tour before you even set foot in port.
3. Despite its size, you don’t feel like you’re ‘inside a cruise’
Xcel is massive, but it rarely feels that way.
Part of that is architectural, with pathways always leading you to a different venue. Part of it is programming. And part of it is the way the ship shifts throughout the day to avoid the classic “megaship bottleneck” effect.
Matragkas says the guiding principle is making guests feel like they’re “in their home away from home.” And guests do notice: There are quiet corners that exist alongside bustling public spaces, and flow-through areas like the multilevel Grand Plaza prevent crowding even during peak hours.
But the biggest differentiator is The Bazaar, the new indoor-outdoor destination hub at the aft of Deck 5. It’s not one room but a constantly evolving micro-neighborhood:
Marketplace by dayLive-music venue by nightCulinary hub that switches themesA place where local artisans and vendors come aboard while in portSocial area where the vibe literally changes with each destination
“The Bazaar doesn’t exist anywhere on land,” Matragkas said. “It changes completely from day to day, and from region to region. In the Caribbean, it feels Caribbean; in Europe, it will feel Mediterranean.”
Even accessibility is designed into the feeling of openness. Hodges Bethge pointed out the Braille embedded under handrails – an example of what Celebrity calls “invisible ease,” small details that quietly reduce friction for all travelers.
And while Xcel offers more to do than many land resorts, the atmosphere onboard never feels overwhelming. It feels intentional.
The reporter on this story received access to this event from Celebrity Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control.
Josh Rivera is USA TODAY’s Senior Travel Editor. You can reach him at jrivera@usatoday.com
Dining and Cooking