Celebrity Xcel to debut new dining options specifically designed for couples

Celebrity Cruises has announced that Celebrity Xcel, the next ship in its Edge Series, will introduce a new range of dining and entertainment offerings tailored for couples when it enters service in November 2025. 

The line is positioning the ship as a destination for shared experiences, with the introduction of its first dedicated brunch concept and expanded evening entertainment designed to keep “date night” going all day long.

The ship will debut Bora, a new rooftop restaurant designed for couples, serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes in an al fresco setting. 

During the day, Bora will offer a casual boozy brunch, with dishes such as shakshuka eggs, lemon-scented salmon gravlax croissant benedict, and French toast, accompanied by custom Bloody Marys and live music. In the evening, the venue transitions to a more intimate dining experience featuring shared dishes and chef-led tableside preparations. 

The menu includes items such as seared branzino, fideos negros with razor clams, and lamb tagine with saffron couscous, accompanied by Greek ballads and Italian love songs.

“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.

Beyond dining, the ship will feature Celebrity’s largest entertainment lineup to date, with over 75 resident performers and new productions across multiple venues. 

Three new theatre shows will headline the programme, combining singers, dancers, parkour artists, and visual effects using kinetic lighting, lasers, and immersive LED technology. The Club will debut interactive retro-style shows, and a new series of themed dance parties and musical performances will be introduced each night across the ship.

“Designed to create memorable moments of connection from morning to night, Celebrity Xcel will sail with our most expansive entertainment offering to date,” said Lisa Lehr, Vice President of Entertainment at 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.”

As part of its onboard development process, Celebrity has launched the Dream Makers programme — a global community of guests who will be invited to vote on aspects of the ship’s design and entertainment lineup, including its first headline theatre performer.

Celebrity Xcel will sail seven-night roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale during its inaugural winter 2025/26 Caribbean season, with alternating itineraries that include ports such as the Bahamas, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

The ship will then reposition to Europe in summer 2026, offering 7- to 11-night sailings from Barcelona and Athens, including new overnight calls in Madeira, Portugal.Celebrity Xcel joins the fleet as the fifth Edge Series ship and will offer its first sailing in November 2025.