New routes mean it’s time for new immersive experiences as Celebrity Xcel shifts to a summer season in the Mediterranean. The newest ship from Celebrity Cruises has a foursome of new festivals in its unique onboard Bazaar designed to enhance the sights, sounds and flavors of the ports Xcel will be visiting.
The Bazaar—which replaces the multi-deck space known as Eden on other Celebrity Edge-class ships–features ever-changing celebrations of each region on the itineraries through a curated mix of destination-inspired festivals and entertainment. Markets will feature items from local artisans, hands-on activities and regionally influenced culinary experiences.
No two days in The Bazaar are the same. Its dynamic programming and immersive, three-story LED screens, continually evolves the space in keeping with the destinations the ship visits.
Beginning in May 2026, Celebrity Xcel will sail seven- to 11-night journeys from Barcelona or Athens. Celebrity Xcel’s wide range of excursions explores romantic places in Florence and Palma de Mallorca and the breathtaking scenery of Santorini and Mykonos. An exclusive is an overnight stay in Madeira to allow guests to experience its wines and restaurants by night.
The heart of The Bazaar experience are four Mediterranean-inspired festivals that include local food and beverage offerings, crafting experiences, retail enrichment activations, destination-inspired cooking and dance classes, pop-up entertainment and performances from local musicians. Four new themes for the European season include:
Opa Festival to immerse guests in the traditions and contagious energy of Greece. By day, the celebration of Greek culture will fuse iconic cuisine like baklava and moussaka with hands-on activities like Mati evil eye jewelry crafting. As the sun sets, the energy rises: live musicians will invite guests to join the party as they twirl napkins, dance, laugh and shout Opa! to the rhythm of beloved hits.
La Dolce Vita Festival is centered around the flavors, beauty, and romance of the sweet life in Italy. By day, guests will indulge in limoncello and other authentic delights while enjoying hands-on experiences like the art of making pastas and tiramisu. As night falls, guests will find themselves stepping into an evening of Venetian elegance and enchantment.
Salud Festival is a lively fusion of Spain’s color and rhythm. By day, guests can sip sangria and sample local dishes as they create their own Spanish flair with activities like building custom flamenco roses and Spanish fans. The energy rises in the evening, as events including flamenco dancers and matadors celebrate the Spanish soul.
Silk & Spice Festival invites guests on a sensory journey through the spices, dances, and mesmerizing music inspired by the vibrant cultures of Morocco and Turkey. During the day, guests can sip fragrant teas, enjoy sweet bites of Turkish delight and find hands-on activities. At night, energetic music and whirling dancers will captivate guests in a celebration of rhythm and culture.
For those happiest when connecting to new cultures through food, destination-inspired dining will delight guests’ palates with local cuisines. The open kitchen concept Mosaic will serve reimagined and elevated dishes, inspired by the flavors of cities like Naples, Mykonos and Lisbon. The Bazaar’s casual dining concept, Spice, will offer a daytime selection of rotating bites with special items inspired by the ports visited on each itinerary, along with spectacular views from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the water’s edge.
On sea days, Market at The Bazaar invites guests to take the iconic cities they visit across Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Morocco with them. Guests will find regional delights from local artisans, such as olive oil, Italian scarves, or handmade painted tiles.
Celebrity’s first destination-inspired cooking school, Chef’s Studio at Mosaic, invites guests to learn to prepare new dishes from each port they visit. Throughout the sailing, the cooking school repertoire will change to reflect the destination-inspired festival themes, allowing guests to master local favorites and add to their recipe books alongside creating new memories.
“From morning to night, and from day to day, the Bazaar 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,” says Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge.
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