Celebrity Xcel

The Chic Stateroom Design: Celebrity's innovative design is showcased on all Edge Series vessels, and Xcel's accommodations are similar to those of its siblings. Décor is light and airy with a neutral gray and ivory palette and coral or teal accents. Cabins range from 181 to 202 square-foot Inside Staterooms to 243 square-foot Infinite Veranda Staterooms, which feature a floor-to-ceiling window with push-button technology that opens the top half to let in fresh sea breezes or to create a balcony. Bathrooms across all stateroom categories — Inside, Ocean View, Veranda, Infinite Veranda, Concierge Class (for added amenities and a dedicated concierge), and AquaClass (for unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite and Blu restaurant) — are terrifically well-designed and spacious. 

The Retreat Suites & Amenities: There are 198 butler-serviced suites on Xcel, and guests who book them have exclusive access to The Retreat. Located forward on decks 15, 16, and 17, it includes the indoor/outdoor Retreat Lounge, the Retreat Sundeck with a pool and bar, and Luminae at the Retreat, a restaurant where menus change daily and aren't available anywhere else on the ship. To enjoy The Retreat, guests can book any suite category, from a 397-square-foot Sky Suite to the spectacular 2,581-square-foot Iconic Suite. Royal Suites and above also include perks such as complimentary specialty dining and unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite at The Spa.

Inspired Dining Venues: Xcel has 18 restaurants and 15 bars and lounges. In addition to Celebrity's signature specialty restaurants, which include Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Grand Bistro, Raw on 5, and Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud (also available on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent), Xcel has three new eateries.

The first is Mosaic, which replaces Eden restaurant in The Bazaar space and offers elevated, destination-inspired menus (modern Caribbean-focused cuisine during the winter season and a Mediterranean menu during spring through fall sailings). The second newcomer is Bora. Named for a seasonal Adriatic wind, it is fittingly an al fresco venue located in the Rooftop Garden (it replaces the Rooftop Garden Grill). Bora is bookable for brunch, when Bloody Mary cocktails with all kinds of add-ins and garnishes are available from a "build-your-own" cart (and are included in the cover charge). Once seated, indulgences include loaded avocado toast, shakshuka, and fried chicken and waffles with orange blossom honey. For dinner, the complimentary pre-dinner sips are flavorful spritzes (Aperol, Limoncello, etc.) while the Mediterranean menu includes stuffed eggplant, grilled octopus, lobster medallions, and lamb tagine. Uniquely, the Crusoe Treasure wines served here have been aged beneath the sea. The new Spice Café, a complimentary daytime grab-and-go restaurant in The Bazaar (it replaces Eden Café), has an upscale vibe and a fresh focus on regionally inspired light bites. It also features a new glass-enclosed dining space with sweeping ocean views.

The Secret Space: This venue isn't on Xcel's deck plans — and no crew member will talk about it. You'll therefore need to sleuth it out by asking fellow guests who've already found it. It's free to enter (anything you order, however, is extra), you'll have one hour to soak up the immersive ambience, and you shouldn't miss it.

The Grand Plaza: When it comes to buzzy atriums, the Grand Plaza stands out for both its stunning design and the many enjoyable ways to imbibe and be entertained here. Located on decks 3, 4, and 5, it is topped by a massive LED chandelier that hovers over the popular Martini Bar, where bartenders not only mix a delicious array of martinis but also create cocktail waterfalls and toss, juggle, and balance shakers with ease. Live music, a dance floor, and ample seating lure guests for pre- and post-dinner sips from surrounding dining venues Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, Raw on 5, Le Grand Bistro, and Fine Cut Steakhouse — plus both the World Class Bar and the Casino are nearby.

The Solarium: Not every day at sea is sunny, so when the weather doesn't cooperate — or the main pool's social vibe proves too much — you can retreat to this adults-only, glass-topped oasis featuring a pool, two hot tubs, a bar, comfy loungers, and ample greenery. 

Four Dining Room Concepts: Many cruise ships have multiple dining rooms, but with the Edge Series, the twist is that each of its four complimentary venues has a destination theme that's reflected both in its décor and its signature dishes. They are Cyprus (Mediterranean), Normandie (French), Tuscan (Italian), and Cosmopolitan (American), and each features Celebrity Classics and Celebrity Signatures menu items that are always available, plus regional specialties exclusive to that space. Guests can choose whichever dining room they prefer, or rotate from night to night, and dine anytime they like within opening hours. 

The Magic Carpet: Spotting an Edge Series ship is easy because there's a massive tangerine-hued cantilevered platform that moves up and down the ship's starboard side. It's called the Magic Carpet, and when it's docked on deck 14 adjacent to the Pool Club, it's an open-air bar that's an ideal spot to catch the sunset. At this lofty height, it's also the setting for a dining experience called Dinner on the Edge. When located on deck 5, it becomes an open-air extension of Raw on 5 restaurant. Finally, when lowered to deck 2, the Magic Carpet transforms into a seamless way to board the modern tenders used to ferry guests to ports that lack a cruise dock.

Enhanced Pampering: Celebrity is known for its inviting spa facilities and for AquaClass staterooms offering unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite in The Spa. Now, in addition to the 120 treatments available on Xcel, there are two new thermal suite experiences: the cruise line's first Hydra Room, featuring a pool with massage jets and heated lounge chairs, and the outdoor Vitamin D Deck for serene sunning. 

Couples Seeking a Sophisticated Big-Ship Experience: Celebrity's core demographic is Gen X, tail-end Baby Boom, and leading-edge Millennial couples aged 40-plus. Xcel has lively (but not excessively so) cocktail culture, fine-dining venues, chic accommodations, and innovative entertainment that are both polished and fun.

Girlfriends' Getaway: This ship's sparkling décor, paired with The Bazaar's tempting retail area, makes Xcel a great option for female friends looking to enjoy an elevated Caribbean or Mediterranean escape.

Fares in the Mediterranean Can Get Pricey: As a premium cruise line designed for grown-ups, Celebrity features an upscale ambience and myriad ways to indulge during tempting Mediterranean itineraries. The reality is that while there are some good-value fares for 7-night Caribbean sailings, prices for a voyage that visits Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Malta, or Turkey are often more than double the price. 

Fans of Eden May Be Disappointed by The Bazaar: While the entertainment in Eden is known for being edgy and unexpected, programming in The Bazaar isn't quite as exciting. The space is designed to celebrate local culture, but its design incorporates imposing LED-covered arches and large decorative motifs that change with each theme. The airy, otherworldly feeling of Eden, with its whimsical botanical motifs and artistic acrobatic performances, has been lost.