When Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel sails to Europe this summer, guests will enjoy a first-of-its-kind, transformative venue called The Bazaar. The Bazaar is a multi-level, multi-sensory experience that is the “epicenter of excitement” onboard Celebrity Xcel. The Bazaar allows guests to extend their time “on shore” through a celebration of the sights, sounds, flavors, and traditions of the ports they just visited.
“Since the concept launched on Celebrity Xcel in November, The Bazaar has revolutionized destination immersion, keeping guests enveloped in the culture of destinations well beyond their time in port. Sea days have been transformed with spatial design extending the authentic food, beverage, and entertainment delivered into a cohesive singular experience,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “From morning to night, and from day to day, the one-of-a-kind experience has captivated guests, and we’re excited to transform the experience yet again to bring the heartbeat of the Mediterranean on board throughout every European sailing.”
Offering dynamic and immersive programming, The Bazaar promises that no two days will be the same. With its three-story LED screens, the space changes throughout the sailing, offering hands-on activities, items from local artisans, regional culinary experiences, and more. During the European sailings, The Bazaar will offer four Mediterranean-inspired festivals–Opa Festival, La Dolce Vita Festival, Salud Festival, and Silk & Spice Festival.
The Opa Festival will transport guests to Greece, offering authentic, iconic cuisine like baklava and moussaka, hands-on activities like creating “Mati” evil eye jewelry, and live musicians inviting guests to join the party.
The La Dolce Vita Festival will engage guests through the flavors, beauty, and romance of Italy. The festival will showcase authentic limoncello, the art of making pastas and tiramisu, Venetian magic, elegance, and enchantment.
The Salud Festival offers the unforgettable colors, rhythm, and flair of Spain. By day, guests can sip sangria, sample local cuisine, create flamenco roses or Spanish fans, and by night, they can enjoy flamenco dancers and matadors.
Whether sipping teas, enjoying Turkish delight, and engaging in hands-on activities during the day, or listening to music that captures the rhythm and culture of the region at night, guests will be captivated by the Silk & Spice Festival, which celebrates Morocco and Turkey.
Celebrity Xcel will sail her inaugural European season in May 2026. She will sail 7- to 11-night itineraries from Barcelona and Athens with overnights in Madeira, Portugal.