I’ve only been on Celebrity Xcel less than 24 hours, not even a full day to settle in, unpack my suitcase, or schedule my “this is where I get my morning Cortado” ritual spot (it’s Cafe al Bacio, of course) and yet I already feel like I’ve stepped into a whole new chapter of what cruising can be. I’ve been watching the ads on TV, and I have had a little inside information, so I knew that Celebrity would be raising the bar with their newest Edge-Series ship. What I didn’t expect was how effortlessly they would reinvent the experience while still staying true to everything I love about sailing with them.
Monkeying around – by the pool!!
You know how Celebrity Cruises has always prided itself on being an innovator in the luxury space? Well, the Xcel doesn’t monkey around when it comes to upping the ante. It’s almost as if someone listened to everything you love about modern cruising, turned it inside out, sprinkled a little magic on top, and said, “Okay, now let’s see what happens.” And what happens is pretty spectacular – including that monkeying around 😉
A Ship That Feels Alive in Ways You Haven’t Experienced Before
One of the first things that hits is how alive the new spaces on the ship feel. Not the busy or chaotic kind of alive. The exhilarating alive. Everything is intentional, curated, and somehow both elevated and relaxed at the same time. From the moment I stepped onto the ship, I could feel that it’s designed to surprise at every turn, and in the first 24 hours alone, it absolutely has.
Whether I’m wandering through the new spaces, lounging on the deck, or simply people-watching (which, let’s be honest, is one of my favorite onboard activities), there’s this sense that the ship isn’t just taking me somewhere — it’s part of the destination.
Destination Immersion… Without Ever Leaving the Ship
Let’s talk about the thing I cannot stop raving about: destination-inspired everything.
Celebrity Xcel is doing something next-level with their immersion approach. They’re not waiting until you step off the gangway to surround you with the flavors, vibes, and personality of where you’re traveling. They’re bringing them to you directly onboard in a way that feels organic rather than gimmicky.
Bora (the incredible new Mediterranean restaurant) is the perfect example. Just beyond the Rooftop Garden, you are first met with an extraordinary Bloody Mary bar with next-level garnishes that are interesting and fun before heading into the restaurant (since I wasn’t drinking this week, they’ll make them in a non-alcoholic version and also have a nice mocktail menu). The restaurant is everything you love about dining in places like Greece and the Med. My favorite – it’s a difficult choice between the array of seafood dishes and meats, but personally, I could eat the tagine every night and never get bored. The flavors, the ambiance, the presentation, everything pulls inspiration from the Mediterranean, and it sets the tone for the adventure ahead.
And it’s not just the food.
Shop locally on board.
There are experiences onboard (granted, I’m not even on day 2 and haven’t experienced them all), from art to entertainment that shift with the itinerary. Even the shopping (in the Bazaar) is curated based on where you’re traveling. Imagine browsing finds inspired by your actual route, as if the boutiques themselves packed a suitcase and came along for the ride. It’s immersive in a way that makes every moment feel layered, intentional, and connected to the journey you’re on.
The tunnel & what greets you at the end depends on where you are sailing
The Edge-Series Magic… Dialed Up
When you travel with a brand like Celebrity as often as I do, you wonder, “How are they going to top this?” But somehow they did it. Xcel takes the design-forward, intuitive flow I already love about the Edge Class ships and expands it. The spaces feel more open yet more intimate, more refined yet more relaxed. It’s like Celebrity took guest feedback, elevated their own imagination, and blended the two into something impossibly seamless. WAIT – That’s EXACTLY what they did. They implemented the Dreamakers (customers and even those who hadn’t sailed with Celebrity before) and ASKED them what they wanted on this new ship.
And you can tell this ship was designed by people who listen to travelers, to trends, to the way people actually move and live on vacation. It’s the kind of ship where you instantly find your favorites, but also keep discovering new little corners and details that feel somehow familiar.
As Always With Celebrity, The Service Always Nails It
For all the show-stopping design and innovation happening here, the thing that anchors everything that Celebrity does, the part that makes me feel at home the moment I step onboard, is the service. That famously warm, anticipatory, “we’ve got you” Celebrity service that has kept me coming back time after time.
- It’s still here.
- It’s better than ever.
- And on Xcel, it feels like the perfect balance between luxury and warmth.
Final First-Impression Take? I’m Ready to Book a Longer Trip on This Ship
I know it’s early, we’re barely 24 hours into this sailing, but this ship is something special. It’s the kind of innovation that makes you rethink what cruising can be without feeling forced. It’s immersive, it’s thoughtful, it’s delicious (very delicious), and it’s got that signature Celebrity something that keeps travelers like me booking again and again.
If the first day has been this incredible, I can’t wait to see what the next brings. Stay tuned, there’s so much more to explore, taste, try, and share. And if you want the inside look in real time, you already know to follow along on social.
Because trust me… you’re going to want to see what comes next.
- Book soon because I have the feeling that the Celebrity Xcel sailings are going to fill quickly. Visit Celebrity Cruises.
