Exploring the cultures of your cruise destinations doesn’t have to end when the ship leaves port when you’re sailing on board Celebrity Cruises’ new Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel.
Celebrity introduced a thoughtful new destination immersion concept on the ship that offers passengers a unique and authentic way to continue to experience the cultures of their destinations while on board the ship.
Right now, vacationers sailing on Celebrity Xcel’s Caribbean cruises have the chance to continue savoring the spirit of The Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mexico at The Bazaar, a dynamic venue that transforms throughout each cruise with four unique, destination-inspired festivals.
When Celebrity Xcel sets sails on her inaugural Mediterranean season this summer, passengers will enjoy a completely different experience at The Bazaar through four new European-inspired festivals designed to enhance the journey by bringing the soul of the region on board.
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
The ¡VIVA! Festival celebrates Mexican culture on Celebrity Xcel’s Caribbean cruises.Danielle Rosen/TravelHost
(Danielle Rosen/TravelHost)The Bazaar celebrates cultures in a fresh, immersive way
The Bazaar gives passengers a sense of connection to their destinations, extending time in port to the ship through immersive entertainment, regionally influenced culinary offerings, hands-on activities, and markets offering items from local artisans. Rotating festival themes bring a different look and feel to The Bazaar each day of a cruise through dynamic programming and immersive, three-story LED screens.
Related: New Celebrity Cruises ship brings destinations along for the voyage
“Since the concept launched on Celebrity Xcel in November, The Bazaar has revolutionized destination immersion, keeping guests enveloped in the culture of destinations well beyond their time in port. Sea days have been transformed with spatial design extending the authentic food, beverage and entertainment delivered into a cohesive singular experience,” Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge said in a press release. “From morning to night, and from day to day, the one-of-a-kind experience has captivated guests, and we’re excited to transform the experience yet again to bring the heartbeat of the Mediterranean on board throughout every Europe sailing.”
Subscribe to Come Cruise With Me’s YouTube channel for expert advice on making the most of your cruise vacation.
The Opa! Festival is one of four new festivals that will be featured on Celebrity Xcel’s Mediterranean cruises.Image source: Celebrity Cruises
(Image source: Celebrity Cruises)Four new Bazaar festivals will celebrate Mediterranean destinations
On Celebrity Xcel’s Europe cruises, four unique festivals will showcase Mediterranean cultures in a variety of ways, including local food and beverage offerings, crafting experiences, retail enrichment activations, destination-inspired cooking and dance classes, pop-up entertainment, and performances from local musicians.
Opa Festival — a vibrant celebration of Greek culture. By day, passengers can enjoy iconic cuisine like baklava and moussaka and hands-on activities like “Mati” evil eye jewelry crafts. In the evening, live musicians will invite passengers to join the party as they twirl napkins, dance, laugh, and shout Opa! to the rhythm of beloved hits.
La Dolce Vita Festival — an ode to the flavors, beauty, and romance of Italy. By day, passengers can indulge in authentic delights like limoncello and enjoy hands-on experiences like the art of making pastas and tiramisu. At night, the festival will immerse passengers in the elegance and enchantment of Venice.
Salud Festival — a bold, lively fusion of Spain’s color, rhythm, and flair. By day, passengers can sip sangria and sample local dishes as they create custom flamenco roses and Spanish fans. At night, flamenco dancers and matadors will increase the energy in a celebration of passion and Spanish soul.
Silk & Spice Festival — a sensory journey through the spices, dances, and mesmerizing music of Morocco and Turkey. During the day, passengers can sip fragrant teas, enjoy sweet bites of Turkish delight, and participate in hands-on activities. At night, the festival will celebrate rhythm and culture with energetic music and whirling dancers.
Related: 3 things we missed on Celebrity Xcel
Destination-inspired dining will add to The Bazaar experience
In addition to regional bites available as part of each festival experience, The Bazaar’s restaurants, Mosaic and Spice, will showcase local cuisines. Mosaic, an open kitchen concept, will serve reimagined and elevated dishes inspired by the flavors of cities like Naples, Mykonos, and Lisbon. Spice, The Bazaar’s casual dining concept, will offer a daytime selection of rotating bites with special items inspired by the ports visited on each itinerary.
Passengers can also learn to prepare regional dishes from each destination they visit at Chef’s Studio at Mosaic, Celebrity’s first-ever destination-inspired cooking school.
Related: 3 Celebrity Cruises dining mistakes you want to avoid
On sea days, passengers will have the opportunity to shop like they’re in ports across Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Morocco at the Market at The Bazaar featuring products from local artisans, such as olive oil, Italian scarves, and handmade painted tiles.
Celebrity Xcel’s inaugural season in the Mediterranean begins in May 2026, offering seven- to 11-night voyages from Barcelona and Athens featuring new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dining and Cooking