Latest news with #CelebrityCruises'
Sydney Morning Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
A Taste of the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is a region that calls to us with iconic scenery, legendary sights and cuisine that require no introduction. If you're the type to consult your taste buds before planning your next adventure, you're in good company. For many, planning a trip to Europe involves pining over a thin, wood-fired Margherita pizza in Naples, looking forward to sharing a variety of tasty small dishes at a tapas bar in Barcelona, or imagining strolling the cobblestone streets of Malta in search of the French- and Sicilian-tinged Mediterranean dishes Maltese cuisine is known for. When it comes to celebrated pairings, food and travel are a perfect match. If the thing you remember most about where you travel is the food, Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, is the answer. When Celebrity set out to add a vessel to its fleet, it didn't just build a ship; it built new ways to explore the world before you even get there — the restaurant you'll never forget, the date night so good it lasts all day long and the holiday you'll always remember. Bringing the flavour from shore to ship Whether it is the smell of freshly baked goods and spices, or the sight of vibrant colours, Europe's markets offer travellers so much more than fresh produce — it's a gastronomic extravaganza. Imagine being able to enjoy this exact experience before you even step off the ship. From Greece, to Morocco, Italy, Spain and more, this will now become a reality when Celebrity Xcel commences her first European season in 2026. The Bazaar is a first-of-its-kind concept that introduces authentic experiences to erase the line between ship and shore, giving guests the chance to further explore the destinations they visit in the most unconventional way. Think local markets, cultural festivals, artisanal goods and one-of-a-kind finds. The experience is so authentic, you won't even know you're not there yet. You can also get a taste of Europe without stepping off the ship with a range of culinary experiences onboard Celebrity Xcel. Spice and Mosaic — two of the ships' new dining venues — offer menus with a selection of rotating offerings inspired by the ports visited on the itinerary. Meanwhile, Celebrity's first destination-inspired cooking school, the Chef's Studio, will have you taking the flavours of the Mediterranean home with you after learning the secrets to dishes made famous by the places you visit.
The Age
13-05-2025
- The Age
Business class at sea: Exclusive, luxury areas on big ships take off
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. For a long time, the only way for cruise passengers to differentiate themselves from the riff-raff was to upgrade their cabin or suite, have dinner in a specialty restaurant, or book themselves onto a more luxurious cruise ship. Then budget cruise lines had a lightbulb moment. If hotels can have executive lounges, sports stadiums have corporate boxes and airlines have business and first class lounges, why can't cruise ships do something similar? And so the oddly named ship-within-a-ship zone was introduced. MSC's Yacht Club and Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven were the pioneers in the 'noughties'. Others are Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Princess Cruises' The Sanctuary, and Loft 19 on Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America and Royal Caribbean don't have such zones, although passengers in certain suites have access to a dedicated lounge and additional services. The ship-within-a-ship is an exclusive, cost-additional area that looks nicer, has more upscale furnishings and offers better amenities and service. It's usually located on a high deck with open views. Think boutique hotel wedged inside a large corporate hotel and you get the picture. What you get in such retreats varies between cruise lines and even between ships of the same line, but you'll probably enjoy a small swimming pool, hot tubs, sundeck with cabanas and a bar. A restaurant will offer upmarket dining, which won't require reservations. Celebrity Cruises' Luminae, for example, has a menu created by French Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Business class at sea: Exclusive, luxury areas on big ships take off
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. For a long time, the only way for cruise passengers to differentiate themselves from the riff-raff was to upgrade their cabin or suite, have dinner in a specialty restaurant, or book themselves onto a more luxurious cruise ship. Then budget cruise lines had a lightbulb moment. If hotels can have executive lounges, sports stadiums have corporate boxes and airlines have business and first class lounges, why can't cruise ships do something similar? And so the oddly named ship-within-a-ship zone was introduced. MSC's Yacht Club and Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven were the pioneers in the 'noughties'. Others are Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Princess Cruises' The Sanctuary, and Loft 19 on Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America and Royal Caribbean don't have such zones, although passengers in certain suites have access to a dedicated lounge and additional services. The ship-within-a-ship is an exclusive, cost-additional area that looks nicer, has more upscale furnishings and offers better amenities and service. It's usually located on a high deck with open views. Think boutique hotel wedged inside a large corporate hotel and you get the picture. What you get in such retreats varies between cruise lines and even between ships of the same line, but you'll probably enjoy a small swimming pool, hot tubs, sundeck with cabanas and a bar. A restaurant will offer upmarket dining, which won't require reservations. Celebrity Cruises' Luminae, for example, has a menu created by French Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DATE NIGHT JUST GOT AN UPGRADE ON CELEBRITY XCEL
'Date Night, All Day Long' with Celebrity Cruises' first ever brunch concept at al fresco venue, Bora, and enhanced all-day entertainment and nightlife offerings. MIAMI, April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to couples' escapes, Celebrity Cruises has it covered. Celebrity Xcel®, the cruise line's newest elevated vacation experience, will give date night an upgrade by offering more variety than ever before to make couples getaways even more unforgettable. From Celebrity's first ever brunch offering at new al fresco restaurant, Bora; to the most expansive entertainment offering across Celebrity's fleet including new theatre and club shows, dance parties, and endless activities in between; guests can look forward to endless ways to keep date night going all day long on Celebrity Xcel. "Reconnecting with loved ones over new experiences is important to Celebrity guests. Celebrity Xcel will be their happy place with new dining options and all-new entertainment and activities creating endless opportunities to 'Date Night, All Day Long'," said Michael Scheiner, chief marketing and product officer of Celebrity Cruises. "These elevated new experiences will invite guests to discover something new while creating shared memories." The hardest part of a day on Celebrity Xcel will be choosing where to dine together, as 32 globally inspired food and beverage choices create endless options for the perfect date. Celebrity Xcel will introduce a lively new al fresco restaurant, Bora. With panoramic ocean views and a vibrant setting, Bora will transport guests to the Mediterranean coast with a seafood-forward menu. The rooftop restaurant will transition from day to night, offering the perfect setting for guests to enjoy a lively brunch or an intimate dinner. By day, Bora's upbeat, boozy brunch will serve Mediterranean-inspired classics, like shakshuka eggs with coriander, avocado and sourdough toast, and a flavorful croissant eggs benedict with lemon-scented salmon gravlax, ricotta spread and hollandaise sauce, alongside brunch favorites like French toast, all with photo-worthy presentations. Customizable Bloody Mary's with over-the-top garnishes at the best Bloody Mary bar at sea and refreshing cocktails will hero the space and keep the vibes high, as roving musicians play energetic hits. At night, Bora's chef-led tableside dining preparations and dishes designed to share set an intimate mood for dinner. Guests will savor fresh seafood like seared branzino and garlic aioli, fideos negros tostados with razor clams, carabinero prawns, and elevated spins on Mediterranean favorites like lamb tagine with saffron couscous, while they dine under the stars. A backdrop of Greek ballads and Italian love songs will round out an unforgettable evening. Keep the good vibes going all day long with endless entertainment options as Celebrity Xcel sails with more variety and more entertainers than ever before. Guests love Celebrity's award-winning entertainment, which is why Celebrity Xcel will set sail with the cruise line's most expansive and all-new entertainment offering including three new theatre shows developed by creative visionaries, inspired by their credentials spanning theater, films, television and world-renowned artist's concert tours and all the bright lights in between. Guests will be amazed by Celebrity's largest Theatre cast with breathtaking performances by world-class singers, dancers, parkour artists, and specialty performers enhanced by state-of-the-art technology, including kinetic lighting, lasers, and a larger-than-life LED screen, designed to create a more immersive experience. "Designed to create memorable moments of connection from morning to night, Celebrity Xcel will sail with our most expansive entertainment offering to date with over 75 resident performers – the most of any Celebrity ship," shared Lisa Lehr, vice president of entertainment of Celebrity Cruises. "The offering is brand-new at every turn, from unforgettable new Theatre shows, new interactive shows in The Club and a variety of immersive parties and live music options; the choice is endless for guests to find their perfect match each and every night." After dinner, date night continues with options to match every mood. Guests can sing along to all their favorites with Celebrity's Piano Bar entertainer. Meanwhile, in The Club, two new interactive shows transport guests to another era. For couples ready to groove the night away together, multiple new dance parties beckon them to the dance floor from destination inspired festivals, to 80's glitz and glam parties, an elevated country music night, and a romantic candlelit concert experience thrown in for good measure. Plus, an even more electric Shine the Night party returns, enticing guests to end the perfect date dancing under the stars. Couples can decide how their perfect "date night" will come to life onboard Celebrity Xcel by joining Xcel 'Dream Makers'. Open to all who wish to join, Dream Makers is a global community of vacationers who will test, try and vote on new experiences they would like to see onboard Xcel to finalize the cruise line's newest ship. Dream Makers will make key decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment including deciding the first headline performer in the Theatre, as well as determining the finishing touches on new dance parties and shows. To become a Dream Maker, visit Celebrity Xcel is sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale in November 2025, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests will immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven-to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal. To book a sailing with Celebrity Cruises, visit call Celebrity Cruises on 1-800-CELEBRITY, or contact a trusted travel advisor. Media Contact: Global press office: pr@ Media contact: TeamCEL@ Editor's Note: Media can stay current on all Celebrity Cruises news at About Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Cruises delivers an elevated premium vacation experience across their fleet of ships traveling to nearly 300 destinations across more than 70 countries spanning all seven continents. Uniquely offering the intimate feel and thoughtful service of small ships, with the variety and excitement of bigger ones – guests can explore the world or get away from it for a little while. With every detail elevated beyond expectations, guests will never want to vacation any other way. An industry pioneer for more than 35 years, each Celebrity vacation offers experiences you won't find anywhere else aboard ships which continue to shatter industry expectations with the highly anticipated Celebrity Xcel® arriving Fall 2025. Celebrity Cruises is headquartered in Miami and is one of five cruise brands owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). Visit for more information, and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Celebrity Cruises Sign in to access your portfolio
USA Today
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
10 reasons we're fans of Celebrity Cruises' ship-within-a-ship concept
Advertisement I wrote this article on the veranda of our Sky Suite on Celebrity Millennium – Photo courtesy of Lois Alter Mark When my husband and I decided to reenact our first-ever cruise — we cruised to Alaska with Celebrity Cruises — we decided to upgrade the experience and book The Retreat, Celebrity Cruises' answer to the "hotels within hotels" concept. Offering exclusive accommodations and VIP perks, Celebrity Cruises' ship-within-a-ship concept transforms a massive ocean liner into an intimate experience. Out of a capacity sailing of 2,218 passengers, only about 100 are guests of The Retreat. This concept didn't exist when my husband and I cruised on the Celebrity Millennium 20 years ago. Celebrity Cruises first introduced The Retreat in 2018 with the launch of Celebrity Edge. The experience is now available on all of the cruise line's ships. Here are 10 features we loved about The Retreat — all of which are included in the price. All suites The Penthouse Suite is like a luxury apartment at sea – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises The Retreat consists of 50 suites, starting at a roomy 254 square feet and going up to a whopping 1,432 square feet. We opted for a Sky Suite, which was so well-appointed, featuring a king-sized bed topped with a luxurious Cashmere Mattress, plenty of storage space, top bath products, and comfy robes and slippers. The suite even had a high-quality pair of binoculars we used to focus in on glaciers calving and bald eagles hiding in trees. Advertisement As grand as these interior spaces are, it's the outdoor spaces that make the suites even more coveted. With verandas ranging from a generous 57 square feet to a jaw-dropping 1,098 square feet, you can "ooh" and "ah" over the scenery while having breakfast delivered right to your table. Also, guests staying in Royal Suites and above have access to: complimentary extended stay (the flexibility of staying onboard longer on disembarkation day in selected ports) complimentary access to the SEA Thermal Suite on Edge Series ships and the Persian Garden on Millennium and Solstice Series ships complimentary unlimited specialty dining, including lunch and dinner ability to customize your in-suite minibar before sailing two complimentary bottles of wine or spirits throughout your sailing complimentary sleepwear The Retreat Sundeck The Retreat Sundeck is a private space to take in the view – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Located one level above the pool, The Retreat Sundeck is the ideal place to get away from the crowd and relax. Here, you'll find cushy daybeds, cabanas, couches, and loungers, as well as a host of amenities, like sunscreen, lip balm, even sunglasses! Advertisement Dedicated staff will ensure you're never without water, cocktails, or anything else you need. There's also a hot tub and outdoor shower for warming up or cooling down. Best of all, because the sundeck boasts prime real estate at the front of the ship, you're guaranteed stunning views as you sail to incredible destinations. The Retreat Lounge The Retreat Lounge is a great place to relax 24/7 – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Guests of The Retreat are given access to a private lounge, where they can stop by for drinks, small bites, and even afternoon tea. We often dropped in for snacks and made ourselves at home when we passed by on our way to somewhere else. The lounge is also where you'll find The Retreat concierges. Whether you want to make reservations onboard or off, plan a special occasion or a private excursion, consider it done. As a guest of The Retreat, you also have access to a dedicated shore excursions expert. These experts can assist with planning activities at each destination and arranging all transfers so your shore excursions are stress-free. Speaking of which, the lounge is a great place to relax prior to excursions. Advertisement Luminae Luminae is the private restaurant for guests of The Retreat – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises This private restaurant, just for guests of The Retreat, is intimate and lovely — and the food is superb, thanks to an eclectic, ever-changing menu that includes signature dishes and desserts by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud, a Celebrity Cruises' global culinary brand ambassador. Luminae is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and, trust me, you'll enjoy every meal. Can't decide between the filet mignon and the salmon? Be like my husband and order both. Don't skip the juicy Signature Burger with its adorable little basket of fries. It's on the lunch menu every day because it's so beloved the guests would probably revolt if it weren't. Personal service Impeccable service is a keystone of The Retreat – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Because Celebrity Cruises understands that the real foundation of luxury is service, guests of The Retreat have a team of dedicated attendants, concierges, and your Personal Retreat Host ready to fulfill any request. Although standard gratuities are included as part of The Retreat, you'll probably want to hand each one an additional tip at the end of the cruise for taking such good care of you. Advertisement To ensure guests don't have to lift a finger, all suites at The Retreat come with a dedicated butler, who's only a message away with Butler Chat, allowing easy communication from anywhere on board or onshore. The mini fridge in our suite was always stocked with our favorite beverages. Because these pros don't miss a thing (including my husband's sweet tooth and our penchant for afternoon snacks), we always came back to fresh appetizers and desserts waiting for us at various times of the day. Special invitations and gifts The view from the ship's helipad as we sailed into Endicott Arm, Alaska – Photo courtesy of Lois Alter Mark The unexpected goodies that show up in your suite throughout your cruise are a delightful perk of being a guest of The Retreat. Every night, we received a little box of chocolates along with a small gift, to include a tote bag, Alaska baseball caps, and a keepsake photo of the breathtaking Dawes Glacier. Advertisement We also received invitations to exclusive events, such as a Balinese jewelry-making demonstration and — a highlight of the cruise — front-row seats for a special Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier viewing on the ship's helipad. Warmed by woolen blankets and steaming hot chocolate, we had the best seats in the house when we pulled into this beautiful part of Alaska — nothing but spectacular, head-on views one can't experience from any of the ship's public areas. Onboard credit The Persian Garden is a lovely place to relax – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Every guest of The Retreat gets a credit, and you'll definitely want to apply it to the amazing specialty restaurants and the spa aboard the ship. Whether you treat yourself to a massage or facial, the spa is a perfect place to spend a day at sea. If you reserve a treatment, you get access to the good-for-what-ails-you Persian Garden, featuring a variety of aqua therapy environments, from aromatic steam to tropical rain showers. The specialty restaurants are all worth trying. Sushi on Five serves up authentic, made-to-order Japanese rolls and nigiri, along with wontons, ramen, and so much more. Tuscan Grille is Italian food at its best, and when your server says they'll bring you a little of each item that looks good to you (which is dangerous because everything will look good to you), don't be fooled. The portions are generous, and you would be wise to wear stretchy pants. Le Petit Chef is a must-experience, combining innovative animation with an equally innovative menu for a truly one-of-a-kind dinner. Advertisement Premium Beverage Package Cheers to the Premium Beverage Package that's included in The Retreat – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Although the Premium Beverage Package is available to all guests for an extra cost, it's an included perk for guests of The Retreat. That means you can enjoy unlimited specialty coffees and teas, craft and artisan beers, spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks, Coca-Cola products, premium bottled water, and wines by the glass up to $15 per serving. You'll also get 20% off bottles of wine. Unlimited Wi-Fi Thanks to unlimited Wi-Fi, you can share live video with your friends – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Ship Wi-Fi can be expensive, but guests of The Retreat get unlimited Wi-Fi, making it easy to post photos from your vacation and invite friends and family to join you on your next cruise. Because we didn't have to worry about using data, I was able to work from our veranda, surrounded by stunning scenery and occasionally joined by a humpback whale or a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the ship. Priority embarkation and disembarkation The Retreat guests get priority embarkation so they can start their vacation fast – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises When you're eager to get on board, being a guest of The Retreat will ensure you're whisked in and settled on a lounge chair in no time. And when it's time to disembark, you'll be personally escorted to the gangway, where you'll be shown to the special section cordoned off for The Retreat guests to pick up your luggage. This saves time and makes you feel like you've been visiting with people who really care about you. Know before you go Celebrity Edge gets up close and personal with Alaska's majestic beauty – Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Edge also now sails from Alaska, offering guests all of these benefits, plus the option to book an Edge Villa. With its signature outward-facing design, Celebrity Edge brings guests even closer to Alaska's jaw-dropping landscapes. Check Celebrity Cruises' website to explore available cruises.
