Celebrity Xcel Sets Sail: A Fresh Take on the Edge Series

There is always something thrilling about an inaugural sailing. The energy, the celebrations, the sense of something new and exciting in the air. On Celebrity Xcel, that sense of occasion was triple the fun. From the Naming Ceremony to the ship tours and the special events scattered throughout those first two days, this journey felt alive with energy, exploration, and pure fun.

Celebrity Xcel is a stunning new addition to the Celebrity Cruises Edge Series. If you have grown to love the modern elegance and innovative spaces of its sister ships, you will find Xcel familiar yet delightfully reimagined. In our experience, this ship brings fresh concepts, vibrant design, and memorable moments to every guest on board.

Here is our take on what to expect when you step aboard Celebrity Xcel.

From the moment we arrived at the port, the tone was set. Check-in was seamless and stylish, and the atmosphere felt peaceful and refined. There wasn’t any port chaos. It just felt relaxed and elevated in a way that immediately set the tone for the rest of the trip.

Onboard, the ship exudes a quiet elegance. Natural light floods each space, and every corner is filled with warm woods, soft textiles, and curated artwork. There are no towering atriums or overwhelming crowds. Just intimate lounges, quiet reading nooks, and sleek modern spaces designed for serenity.

What made the ship feel more like a boutique hotel at sea to us was how intentionally everything was designed. The quiet lounges, the curated art, the soft lighting. It was elegant, intimate, and incredibly relaxing.

For guests who love a refined, adult experience, Celebrity Xcel offers thoughtful spaces to relax and unwind.

The Retreat Sundeck feels larger and more open than other sundeck spaces in the fleet. With comfortable loungers, plenty of space, and TVs playing sporting events, it creates a social atmosphere that still feels exclusive and elevated. The art around the Retreat Pool is stunning and adds to the sophisticated ambiance.

For everyone, Sunset Bar is an outdoor favorite. Redesigned with a lovely Mediterranean tone, it becomes an ideal spot for sail away. The setting sun, warm breezes, and elegant décor made this one of our favorite places to start or end the day.

We stayed in a Concierge Class Infinite Balcony cabin. This category offers more interior space with multiple seating areas, and the innovative balcony system allows you to enjoy ocean views even if the weather is not ideal.

While we usually enjoy fresh air from a traditional balcony, the Infinite Balcony provides a great alternative by combining comfort and space with an uninterrupted view. It protects you from the elements while you enjoy the scenery in a controlled, climate-comfortable space.

For guests looking to balance luxury and value, this cabin type is an excellent choice. It offers standout comfort without stretching to the highest suite categories.

With 32 culinary venues onboard, Celebrity Xcel gives you every reason to eat adventurously. Since it was only a two-day sailing, we didn’t get to experience everything, but the ship’s culinary offerings are among our favorite parts of sailing with Celebrity.

Returning guests will appreciate the four main dining rooms Cyprus, Normandie, Tuscan, and Cosmopolitan as well as beloved specialty options like Fine Cut Steakhouse and Le Voyage.

One new venue to prioritize is Bora, a bright, open-air spot that truly shines at brunch. The Bloody Mary cart alone is worth the reservation. If you enjoy laid-back al fresco dining, this is one experience you should not miss.

Celebrity has long impressed with its entertainment, and Xcel continues that trend with thoughtfully curated spaces.

Stepping into The Bazaar gives you a sense of how entertainment can be deeply woven into the experience. This space feels purposeful and alive with activity. It does not feel like a venue just because it exists. Instead, it enhances the cruise experience from start to finish.

We also discovered something truly unique: a hidden speakeasy in The Club. Keep an eye out for the photo booth. It’s the gateway to a hidden bar that feels completely exclusive. The cocktails inside? Totally worth the effort.

These moments of discovery make Xcel feel like more than just a cruise ship. They make it feel like a floating experience you want to keep exploring.

One of the most memorable parts of cruising is the people we meet along the way. On Celebrity Xcel, the service and crew interactions truly stood out.

One of our favorite parts of cruising is interacting with the staff and crew. These are the best of the best from Celebrity. With over 1,400 crew members of 66 nationalities, the ship feels both international and deeply personal.

The vibe among passengers was lively and celebratory throughout our inaugural sailing, especially because of the Naming Ceremony and related events. The energy was fun, social, and engaging.

Celebrity Xcel is redefining what it means to sail in style, comfort, and contemporary elegance. With destination-inspired venues like The Bazaar, innovative hidden experiences like the Speakeasy, and some of the warmest service at sea, this ship invites you to explore with an open heart and curious mind. This ship is a perfect evolution of the Edge Series. It is so different, yet very familiar.

Whether you are traveling with family, a partner, or flying solo, Celebrity Xcel offers something memorable. From design-forward spaces to carefully curated dining, it strikes a balance between modern luxury and heartfelt hospitality.

And while it’s easy to talk about the hardware, the ship, the venues, the tech - the real highlight is the human connection. Looking back at our photos, we’re reminded that the people are what truly drive the experience.

If the Edge Series captured your heart, Celebrity Xcel will feel like a homecoming - familiar, yet delightfully reimagined.

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