Celebrity Cruises has unveiled details of its 2026 “President’s Cruise,” offering a Mediterranean vacation onboard its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel. The cruise line revealed on this year’s “President’s Cruise” that it will welcome Captain’s Club members on an eight-night vacation through Greece and Turkey from September 13 to 21, 2026.
Departing from Athens, guests will explore Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, Ephesus and Malta, before wrapping up the party in Barcelona. The sailing will also offer an array of yet-to-be-announced shore excursions, special events and experiences. It is also an opportunity for Celebrity Cruises’ loyalty guests to spend time with the line’s president, Laura Hodges Bethge, and executive team, while mingling with fellow Captain’s Club members.
This year, the line’s inaugural “President’s Cruise” took guests to Norway aboard Celebrity Apex. From May 17 to 25, guests enjoyed an array of onboard experiences, tailored excursions and a sneak peek at what Celebrity guests can experience in the months and years to come. Before sailing, the festivities began with the first-ever “President’s Cruise City Stay” experience in London. Guests enjoyed private tours of the city, including Kensington Palace, and were welcomed to the first-ever President’s Cruise Gala Dinner at the Museum of Natural History. The night included entertainment from West End star Cedric Neal. The energetic week on Celebrity Apex began with an English garden-themed “Sail Away” event on the ship’s Resort Deck. The celebration included entertainment from a Beatles tribute band and performances from the U.K. rhythmic gymnastics team.
(Celebrity Cruises)
Throughout the week, guests enjoyed several surprises onboard. Celebrity’s global culinary ambassador, Chef Daniel Boulud, took to The Theatre stage for an intimate fireside chat, where he discussed his inspiration for becoming a chef and operating his first-ever kitchens at sea on Celebrity Cruises, followed by a book signing for guests. The Michelin-starred chef then helmed the kitchen for a Zenith members lunch. This was followed by a high-energy cooking competition, where guests and Celebrity Cruises’ chefs teamed up to create dishes. Boulud, Hodges Bethge and Celebrity Apex’s hotel director, Arjan Scheepers, crowned the winning dish.
Non-stop entertainment spanned the week, from parties and a surprise performance by West End star Shoshana Bean, to celebrating the best of Belgium with a Chocolate Wonderland pop-up in the Grand Plaza, complete with a chocolate fountain and desserts. Guests also had the opportunity to learn about Norway’s natural wonders with a special talk from naturalist Celia Garland, before getting a front-row seat to the Seven Sisters Waterfall as the ship sailed through the fjords. Celebrity’s guests also enjoyed an exclusive taste of Celebrity’s first-ever brunch venue, Bora, ahead of its debut this fall on Celebrity Xcel.
Exclusive shore experiences included beer blending at Bourgogne Des Flanders in Bruges, a hike to Briksdal Glacier with a wine tasting, a private fishing excursion and a kayaking trip through the fjords in Valldal. A private experience in the Flor og Fjære gardens gave guests exclusive access to a family-owned island. The afternoon was complete with a brass band welcome and a three-course menu of local cuisine made with ingredients grown onsite, paired with local wines and cider.
For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com.
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