Celebrity Cruises Xcel Sets Sail With the Ultimate All-Day Date Experience

Celebrity Cruises has devised a new couple’s escape, elevating a standard vacation experience to an all-day date with its newest ship, the Xcel.

Per a press release, Celebrity Cruises has debuted its newest elevated couple’s experience on the Celebrity Xcel. The cruise line promises to give “date night” an upgrade by giving couples more unforgettable and romantic experiences than ever before.

It reads, “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 getaway boasts 32 globally inspired food and beverage choices, including its newest al fresco restaurant, Bora. This new Celebrity Cruises rooftop eatery offers panoramic ocean views and promises to transport guests to the Mediterranean coast with a seafood-forward menu.

After dinner, Celebrity Xcel continues an immersive couple’s experience. These include entertainment choices such as sing-alongs with Celebrity’s Piano Bar entertainer and The Club for two all-new interactive shows that take cruisers on a nostalgic journey through time.

Those looking for a lively evening out can dance the night away, choosing from themed parties and a romantic candlelit concert. The cruise’s Shine the Night event has romantic dancing beneath the stars.

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel will debut her first season from Fort Lauderdale in November 2025, offering seven-night voyages that rotate between the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Come summer 2026, the ship will head to Europe for her inaugural Mediterranean season, featuring seven- to 11-night sailings from Barcelona and Athens — with exciting new overnight stops in Madeira, Portugal.

All About the New Celebrity Xcel From Celebrity Cruises

Per a Celebrity Cruises press release from late 2023 announcing the ship, there are plenty of adventures to be had upon the Celebrity Xcel. The ship offers various experiences and dining options that cater to romance. 

These elevated experiences include:

• Contemporary two-level villas with private plunge pools and staterooms featuring infinite verandas that seamlessly merge indoor comfort with outdoor views.
• A larger Rooftop Garden and a breathtaking Resort Deck, now with eye-catching cantilevered floating pools.
• A reimagined Sunset Bar at the ship’s aft, now spanning multiple levels and terraces for an elevated social experience.
• An exclusive fine-dining venue at sea curated by world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud.
• Dynamic live entertainment and onboard experiences designed to create unforgettable days and romantic evenings at sea.
• The Grand Plaza returns, completely redesigned to span three decks, offering a light-filled and spacious indoor retreat.
• The iconic Magic Carpet makes its return — a remarkable cantilevered platform hovering above the ocean, ideal for cocktails or open-air dining with endless sea views.

Celebrity Cruise Line was recognized in Forbes Travel Guide’s inaugural ratings for restaurants on cruise ships. Fine Cut Steakhouse on the Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Apex were among only six restaurants by Star-Rated cruise lines that met the criteria for service excellence and culinary distinction. Celebrity Cruises was the only cruise line to have two restaurants awarded.

Forbes Travel Guide is an authority on excellence in hospitality and is the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises.