Date Night is a Big Focus on the New Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship
Couples planning their next cruise getaway will have more options to spend time together on Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, the 141,420-gross-ton Celebrity Xcel.
The cruise line announced that the ship, launching in November 2025, will feature the brand’s first-ever brunch restaurant concept and an expanded entertainment lineup that will offer what it calls “date night, all day long.”
“Reconnecting with loved ones over new experiences is important to Celebrity guests,” said Michael Scheiner, chief marketing and product officer of Celebrity Cruises.
“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,’” he added.
The centerpiece of the new dining options is Bora, a new al-fresco restaurant serving a Mediterranean-inspired menu.
During the day, Bora will offer a lively brunch experience, while evenings will shift to intimate, seafood-forward dinners.
In the morning, guests can expect dishes like shakshuka eggs, croissant eggs benedict with lemon-scented salmon gravlax, and French toast.
Of course, the boozy brunch will be accompanied by cocktails from what Celebrity Cruises calls the “best Bloody Mary bar at sea,” and roving musicians will add a lively atmosphere.
In the evenings, Bora will transition to a chef-led dinner experience with dishes such as seared branzino, fideos negros tostados with razor clams and prawns, and lamb tagine with saffron couscous.
The setting will include live Greek and Italian ballads to enhance the atmosphere. Bora will be just one of 32 food and beverage spots aboard the new ship.
Celebrity Xcel will also introduce the line’s most extensive entertainment program, with three new theater shows, live music, interactive experiences, and themed dance parties.
The shows will feature Celebrity Cruises’ largest-ever cast, including singers, dancers, parkour artists, and specialty performers.
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State-of-the-art effects, such as kinetic lighting, lasers, and large LED screens, will be used to create more immersive shows.
“Designed to create memorable moments of connection from morning to night, Celebrity Xcel will sail with our most expansive entertainment offerings to date with over 75 resident performers,” said 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,” she continued.
Date Nights Sooner Than Expected
Currently under construction at the Chantiers d’Atlantique shipyard in France, Celebrity Xcel will be Celebrity Cruises’ fifth Edge Class vessel, following Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent.
Floated out from the shipyard in late January, the 3,260-guest ship is scheduled to undergo her sea trials in September 2025.
Already set to be delivered from the shipyard earlier than expected, Celebrity Xcel will set off on a 4-night preview cruise on November 9, 2025. Her inaugural cruise will follow on November 18, 2025.
Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Celebrity Xcel will alternate 7-night itineraries to destinations in the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, the US Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten during her inaugural Caribbean season.
In Summer 2026, the ship will move to Europe, offering 7- to 11-night Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Athens.
New features, like overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal, will also be part of the itinerary.
Date Night is a Big Focus on the New Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship