GET READY FOR ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT ON CELEBRITY XCEL, AS CELEBRITY CRUISES' MOST EXPANSIVE OFFERING EVER SETS SAIL

Rhea-AI Summary

Celebrity Xcel (NYSE:RCL) debuts in November 2025 with Celebrity Cruises' largest-ever resident entertainment lineup, featuring 75+ performers and three new The Theatre productions: Mainstage, Between Takes, and Chapters. The ship adds two interactive club shows, expanded live-music programming, multiple themed dance parties, four rotating destination festivals at The Bazaar, new family games and an industry-first Xcel Dream Makers program that let guests influence onboard entertainment.

The inaugural season sails seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale starting November and moves to Europe summer 2026 with seven- to 11-night Mediterranean voyages.

With unforgettable new shows in The Theatre, immersive new dance parties, interactive activities, live music and unexpected surprises throughout the day, guests will find entertainment options to match every mood. 

MIAMI, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When Celebrity Xcel sets sail in November, guests will be immersed in all-new entertainment experiences, featuring the most resident performers delivering the greatest variety ever offered by the vacation brand. With three brand-new theatre productions, two interactive club shows, music experiences, elevated high-energy dance parties, interactive activities and endless surprises in between, every moment onboard is designed to spark connection and delight from morning to night.

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

At the heart of the all-new entertainment lineup are three spectacular production shows in The Theatre – custom developed by industry-leading creative visionaries with credentials spanning theater, film, television, and concert tours for world-renowned artists. Featuring Celebrity's largest cast, these shows combine world-class singers, dancers, parkour artists, and specialty aerial performers with cutting-edge technology – including kinetic lighting, laser video etching, projection mapping, pyrotechnics, and a 110-foot curved kinetic LED screen – to deliver fully immersive entertainment.

• Mainstage is a high-energy live music concert that transports audiences to the world's most iconic music festivals, featuring hits from top artists across the decades. Guests will sing along as they are immersed in festivals that span electrifying dance vibes to country soul, and everything in between — Mainstage is a celebration of music and culture.
• Between Takes transports guests to a 1920s Hollywood backlot straight into the mayhem that ensues between CUT and ACTION, as a crew endeavors to create the next blockbuster. This spectacle juxtaposes the glamour of the screen with the reality of life on set using dynamic, color-changing set design. Guests will witness jaw-dropping Hollywood scenes, incredible vocals, high-flying stunts, and mind-blowing choreography.
• Chapters is a poetic and visually stunning journey through nature, transformation, and self-discovery. The journey through each chapter reflects growth, change, and connection — inviting guests to see themselves in the stories unfolding on stage.

In The Club, two new interactive shows invite guests to lose themselves in an earlier time and place:

• 254 West guests find themselves in the 80s at the closing night for the iconic "254 West" club. But the party isn't over yet, as guests are invited to join in the high-energy celebration, where groovy vibes await. After closing time, guests are invited to stay for the 254 West After Party.
• HOTEL brings a scandal, a spectacle, and a crime that needs solving – this comedic "whodunit" performance features cabaret flair, razor-sharp wit, and keeps audiences guessing from check-in to checkout. Featuring bold musical numbers, eccentric characters, and twists at every turn, the only question is: will guests solve the mystery before it's time to pack their bags?

Live music and multiple new dance parties beckon guests to the dance floor:

• Piano bar entertainment will have guests singing along to their favorite hits.
• Guests can throw on their boots and grab their cowboy hats for an elevated country music party – Saddle Up Saloon. Dance along as a live band plays classic country favorites and fresh hits.
• A candlelit concert experience will celebrate Classic Rock's most iconic artists. Guests will be swept up and energized by electrifying anthems, classic hits, and thunderous guitar riffs – all illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight.
• The magic of the Mediterranean awaits at Bora. By day, roaming musicians play energetic hits to keep the brunch vibes high, while at night, a backdrop of Greek ballads and Italian love songs will round out an unforgettable evening.
• Plus, an even more electric Shine the Night party returns, enticing guests to end the perfect date dancing under the stars in their shiniest outfits.

At The Bazaar, authentic entertainment extends guests' time in the destinations they visit even after the ship pulls away from port. Four unique festivals - Carnival, Aqua, Viva and Flora – celebrate the cultures of destinations the ship visits. From the costumes to the music, guests will find regional entertainment that brings the beauty of The Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic to life. At The Bazaar, guests will never step into the same space twice, as performances and activities evolve between days and throughout days – from hands-on activities like salt scrub making, to roving live musicians.

For guests seeking friendly competition that's sure to create lasting memories, new games on Celebrity Xcel offer fun for all ages:

• High Stakes is a high-energy, mass participatory elimination game show driven by instinct, luck, and suspense. By choosing between "Celebrity Blue" and "Tangerine", players will be eliminated until one winner emerges from a crowd of participants.
• Brain Spin is a fast-paced game show that combines the thrill of spinning the wheel with strategic thinking, challenging guests to collect all eight sections of their "mind map." The first contestant to complete all eight wins the game.
• Guests will bring a robot to life in an escape room-style game that challenges guests to build a unique circuit board using clues and props hidden in locked boxes.
• In a destination-themed mystery game, guests must assemble a world map to eliminate destinations and find hidden treasure.
• Game On at The Club is back and better than ever. Offering the most games in Celebrity Cruises' fleet, this new spin on a retro arcade experience projects crowd-favorite games onto the floor, inviting players to compete in interactive competitions using their own body as a controller.
• For guests under 18, a new, interactive digital game wall will level-up the gaming experience at our award-winning youth program, Camp at Sea, with more than 50 new games that span sports to education.

An industry-first program that invited travelers to dream up their perfect vacation, Celebrity Cruises' Xcel Dream Makers program involved guests in finalizing the entertainment on board Celebrity Xcel. For The Theatre production shows, Dream Makers chose a featured costume for "Chapters." Some other entertainment decisions they've made include deciding the first headline performer in the Theatre, picking the programming themes for Xcel's "Saddle Up Saloon" dance party and "Viva" festival in The Bazaar, plus choosing props for the crowd-favorite, signature "Shine the Night" party and more.

From November, Celebrity Xcel will sail her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven- to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all-new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

For more information and to book a sailing with Celebrity Cruises, visit www.celebrity.com, call Celebrity Cruises at 1-800-CELEBRITY or contact a trusted travel advisor. 

About Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises delivers an elevated premium vacation experience across their fleet of ocean and river ships traveling to over 300 destinations across more than 70 countries spanning all seven continents. Uniquely offering the intimate feel and thoughtful service of small ships, with the variety and excitement of bigger ones – guests can explore the world or get away from it for a little while. With every detail elevated beyond expectations, guests will never want to vacation any other way. An industry pioneer for more than 35 years, each Celebrity vacation offers experiences you won't find anywhere else.

Celebrity Cruises is headquartered in Miami and is a part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). Visit www.celebritycruises.com for more information, and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/get-ready-for-endless-entertainment-on-celebrity-xcel-as-celebrity-cruises-most-expansive-offering-ever-sets-sail-302584834.html

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises

FAQ

When does Celebrity Xcel (RCL) begin sailing its inaugural season?

Celebrity Xcel begins sailing in November 2025 with seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.

What entertainment shows will debut on Celebrity Xcel (RCL)?

Celebrity Xcel debuts three Theatre productions: Mainstage, Between Takes, and Chapters, plus two interactive club shows.

How many resident performers are on Celebrity Xcel (RCL)?

The ship features over 75 resident performers across theatre productions, club shows, and live music.

What itineraries will Celebrity Xcel (RCL) sail in summer 2026?

In summer 2026 Celebrity Xcel will sail an inaugural European season with seven- to 11-night Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Athens.

What is the Xcel Dream Makers program on Celebrity Xcel (RCL)?

Xcel Dream Makers invited travelers to help finalize onboard entertainment, including costume choices, headline performers, and party themes.

How can I book a Celebrity Xcel (RCL) sailing?

To book, visit www.celebrity.com, call Celebrity Cruises at 1-800-CELEBRITY, or contact a trusted travel advisor.