Celebrity Xcel Replaces Eden With The Bazaar, A Destination-Inspired Experience
Celebrity Xcel is just nine months away from the debut of Celebrity’s fifth Edge Class ship, yet the cruise line hasn’t given us a reason why we should book this ship. They have indicated that it has seven new experiences onboard Xcel compared to its siblings, but they’ve been tight-lipped about the details, even though they’ve been selling cruises for months. Now, we see one of the first big “reveals,” and it might be a bit controversial. They’ll be switching out Eden for a new space called The Bazaar.
What is Eden on Edge Class ships?
When Celebrity first launched the Edge, people were really impressed by the massive three-story space called Eden. Located at the aft of the ship and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space was filled with organic shapes and plants. The venue featured a fast-casual restaurant, Eden Cafe, as well as an upscale specialty dining experience, Eden Restaurant. It also housed performances, which were initially very experimental and interactive but later transitioned to more standard shows with impressive acrobatics.
People loved Eden for the relaxing and quiet atmosphere they could find there during the day.
Introducing “The Bazaar”
On Celebrity Xcel, they’re replacing Eden with a new concept called The Bazaar. It’s technically more of a re-theme than a brand new space as it will be located in the same area as Eden but will be redesigned to represent the cultures visited on board. With this new space, Celebrity hopes to “erase the line between ship and shore.”
The Bazaar Festivals on Celebrity Xcel
When the ship launches in 2025, The Bazaar will feature four destination-themed festivals that will relate to the port where the ship is docked. Each festival will showcase local food and beverage offerings.
When the ship moves to Europe in 2026, the festivals will change to focus on experiences inspired by the Mediterranean ports of call it will be visiting.
Food in The Bazaar
Like Eden, The Bazaar will also have several dining options for guests. All of the venues will be centered around local cuisine from the ship’s ports of call.
Mosaic Restaurant
A new restaurant, Mosaic, will take the place of Eden Restaurant. This open-kitchen restaurant will focus on elevated dishes that reflect local cuisines.
They’re also introducing Chef’s Table at Mosaic. This new concept will be a multi-course tasting menu from around the world. According to Celebrity, each member of their “global culinary leadership team will develop a dish inspired by their native cuisine, plated and presented in an elevated way.”
Chef’s Studio at Mosaic
Celebrity Xcel will also introduce a new cooking class experience. Here, guests will have the chance to prepare dishes representative of the destinations they’re visiting. The classes will change throughout the sailing to match the ports of call.
Spice Restaurant
The new Spice dining concept will replace Eden Cafe. Open during the day, this casual restaurant will feature small bites that rotate throughout the cruise to reflect the current destination. Spice will move the seating area closer to the windows, taking advantage of the impressive floor-to-ceiling views.
Shopping at Market at The Bazaar
Guests will also have a chance to find local goods at the new Market at The Bazaar. It’s an odd name considering that by definition a bazaar is “a market or street of shops and stalls.” It will feature displays from local artisans who will come aboard to showcase their crafts. The selection will depend on the festival theme and include activities like rum and chocolate pairings, hot sauce pairings, and basket-weaving demonstrations.
Celebrity’s Recent Focus on Destinations
It’s interesting that Celebrity’s last two announcements, Celebrity River Cruises and this new venue, both focus on destinations. Sister cruise line Royal Caribbean has moved away from this marketing approach, encouraging guests to stay on the ship or visit Royal Caribbean-curated experiences such as private islands and beach clubs. It’s refreshing to see a cruise line focus on what’s important to many: where the ship is going. Trying local foods and learning about different cultures is one of the biggest benefits of cruising, and it’s nice to see that aspect coming forward.
Still it’s is sad to see a much-loved space like Eden go away. People love the relaxing atmosphere and chill vibe of the Eden space. It’s odd that a place like that would be replaced with something called “The Bazaar,” which conjures visions of loud and bustling marketplaces trying to sell you something. In reality though, we won’t know how the vibe of the space has changed until the ship sets sail. Hopefully, The Bazaar area will still offer some space for quiet and relaxation.
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