Celebrity Cruises Reveals Four New European-Inspired Festivals On Celebrity Xcel

Experience the Mediterranean like never before in Summer 2026, as Celebrity Xcel erases the line between ship and shore with The Bazaar, a first-of-its-kind destination immersion experience.

Key Highlights
- Venue: The festivals will take place at The Bazaar, a transformative onboard space designed to blur the line between ship and shore.
- Concept: Guests can continue immersing themselves in Mediterranean culture even after leaving port, with dynamic programming, artisan markets, destination-inspired dining, and entertainment.
- Launch: Starting May 2026, Celebrity Xcel will sail her inaugural European season with itineraries from Barcelona and Athens, including overnight stays in Madeira.

The Four Festivals
1. Opa Festival (Greece)
- Daytime: Greek cuisine (baklava, moussaka), crafts like “Mati” evil eye jewelry.
- Night: Live musicians, dancing, and the joyful shout of Opa!.

2. La Dolce Vita Festival (Italy)
- Daytime: Limoncello tastings, pasta and tiramisu-making workshops.
- Night: Venetian-inspired elegance and romance.

3. Salud Festival (Spain)
- Daytime: Sangria, Spanish dishes, crafts like flamenco roses and fans.
- Night: Flamenco dancers and matador-inspired performances.

4. Silk & Spice Festival (Morocco & Turkey)
- Daytime: Fragrant teas, Turkish delight, cultural crafts.
- Night: Whirling dancers and vibrant music.

Culinary & Cultural Experiences
- Mosaic (open kitchen): Elevated dishes inspired by Naples, Mykonos, Lisbon.
- Spice (casual dining): Rotating bites reflecting ports visited.
- Chef’s Studio: Celebrity’s first destination-inspired cooking school, teaching regional delicacies.
- Market at The Bazaar: Artisan goods like olive oil, scarves, painted tiles from Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Morocco.

Strategic Significance
- Reinforces Celebrity Cruises’ reputation for destination immersion and premium cultural experiences.
- Offers guests a way to connect deeply with Mediterranean traditions both onboard and ashore.
- Differentiates Celebrity Xcel as a ship where no two days are the same, thanks to evolving festival programming.

This is a bold move by Celebrity Cruises—turning sea days into cultural festivals makes the ship itself a destination.