Celebrity Cruises shares more details inside the brand-new Xcel ship, with spectacular shows, themed nights and more

The entertainment lineup spans from morning to night, with three brand-new theatre productions, interactive club experiences, live music performances, high-energy dance parties and various activities designed to create connections among passengers.

Celebrity Xcel begins its inaugural season in November, sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Caribbean destinations.

The Theatre will host three spectacular productions created by industry veterans from theatre, film, television and concert tours. Mainstage takes audiences on a journey through the world's most famous music festivals, featuring decades of hits spanning electronic dance to country soul.

Between Takes transports guests to a 1920s Hollywood film set, revealing the chaos between "cut" and "action" as crews attempt to create their next blockbuster. The show combines stunning vocals, aerial stunts and choreography.

Chapters offers a poetic exploration of nature, transformation and self-discovery, inviting audiences to find themselves within the unfolding stories.

The Club presents two interactive experiences: 254 West, an 80s-themed closing night party, and HOTEL, a comedic murder mystery with cabaret flair where guests must solve the crime before checkout.

Live music fills the ship throughout the day, from piano bar sing-alongs to a candlelit concert celebrating classic rock legends. Saddle Up Saloon brings country music to life with a live band, whilst Bora offers Mediterranean vibes with Greek ballads and Italian love songs.

The Bazaar transforms daily with four rotating festivals celebrating Caribbean and Mexican cultures through regional performances and hands-on activities like salt scrub making.

New games include High Stakes, an elimination challenge, Brain Spin's strategic wheel-spinning, and escape room puzzles. Game On at The Club projects interactive floor games where players use their bodies as controllers.

Celebrity Xcel kicks off her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale next month, offering week-long journeys that alternate between The Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

Come summer 2026, the ship heads to Europe for her first Mediterranean season. Passengers can explore the region on week to eleven-night sailings departing from Barcelona and Athens.

The European itineraries include overnight stops in Madeira, Portugal, giving travellers extra time to experience the destination.

The ship's entertainment programme was partly shaped by Celebrity's Dream Makers initiative, which invited travellers to help select everything from theatre costumes to dance party themes.

Vice president of entertainment for Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lehr, said: “Celebrity Xcel will further elevate Celebrity’s award-winning offering to create a world-class entertainment destination our guests are going to love. With over 75 resident performers, guests will find unforgettable experiences and unexpected surprises at every turn.”

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