Latest news with #CelebrityXcel
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.
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
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Erase the line' between ship and shore: This cruise will offer a local-focused Bazaar
'Erase the line' between ship and shore: This cruise will offer a local-focused Bazaar Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Celebrity Cruises' new ship will take guests from port to port, but also bring destinations to them. Celebrity Xcel will feature The Bazaar, a three-story space where rotating programming will mirror the on-shore experience, when it launches in November. Michael Scheiner, the line's chief marketing and product officer, said Celebrity wanted to 'erase the line' between the ship and land-based exploration. 'You know, when you when you visit a destination, it's impossible to get to see everything,' he told USA TODAY. 'And so, this is just a very unique way for our guests to be able to experience a lot more of what our destinations have to offer.' The Bazaar will hold festivals inspired by stops in the Caribbean, for example, with local food and drinks, performances by area musicians and more. The Market at The Bazaar will also host local artisans on sea days to present their crafts and share their knowledge with passengers. 'Depending on the festival theme, guests can expand their palate with activities including rum and chocolate pairings and local hot sauce tastings, dive deep into the destination's culture with experiences like live basket weaving demos, and find one-of-a-kind keepsakes from local vendors such as an authentic Caribbean mask shop, traditional Mexican leather hats, embroidery stations, and more,' the cruise line said in a news release. Passengers will find regional dishes at Mosaic, an open-kitchen dining concept. The Chef's Table experience at Mosaic will also feature a tasting menu drawing on the native cuisine Celebrity's global global culinary leadership team, while guests can try their hand at 'regional delicacies' at the Chef's Studio at Mosaic cooking school. Celebrity will launch river cruises: Here's where they will sail starting in 2027 There will also be a fast-casual eatery, Spice, with floor-to-ceiling windows. Scheiner said the Bazaar will immerse guests in the experience through a combination of technology and props while aiming for authenticity. He noted that sourcing local talent from the ports the ship visits will be a 'big focus' for the line's entertainment team. 'You know, anyone could listen to music from a location sung by anybody,' he said. 'We really want to make sure that we are bringing that local feel.' Some activities will come at an extra cost, including Mosaic and its Chef's Table, though Spice is included with the cruise fare. Additional specifics on pricing are still being finalized. Participants in Celebrity's recently announced Xcel 'Dream Makers' initiative – who will test and vote on new features – will also get to weigh in. They will give input on a range of elements, from what makes the menu at Mosaic to the entertainment. 'Regardless of what you're interested in doing, if you just want to have a good time or if you really are someone who's very interested in learning more about a destination – or anything in between – this really is what that will create for you,' said Scheiner. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Business
- USA Today
This popular line is launching river cruises in 2027. Here's where it will sail.
This popular line is launching river cruises in 2027. Here's where it will sail. Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Celebrity Cruises will launch river cruises in 2027 with bookings opening this year. The cruise line has ordered 10 ships for its new river cruise offering. The news comes after Celebrity Cruises announced it had ordered a sixth Edge Series ocean ship. Celebrity Cruises is expanding to new waterways. The cruise line will launch river cruises in 2027, with bookings opening this year, the company announced Tuesday. "Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe," Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity's president, said in a news release. "We've redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. We are thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other." The cruise line has placed an initial 10-ship order for its river offering. European river cruise guide: 'You're not fighting the crowds' Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Celebrity's parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, noted that roughly half of its guests have been on or intend to take a river cruise. 'By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings,' he said in the release. The company said passengers will visit 'culturally and historically significant cities' but has not yet shared specifics on the itineraries. Travelers can sign up for updates on Celebrity's website. The news comes after the cruise line announced earlier this month that it had ordered a sixth Edge Series ocean ship, slated for delivery in 2028. The line's fifth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel, will set sail in November. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
