As someone who lives in Florida, there’s nothing I love more than theme parks and cruising. A few months back, I went on Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas and had a blast so when I heard Celebrity Xcel was making trips out of Florida. I knew I had to get onboard. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Celebrity’s world-class entertainment and hospitality and this ship exceeded my expectations from the moment I stepped inside.
Whether you’ve been on a Celebrity cruise before or this is your first one, here’s what you want to know before embarking on Celebrity Xcel.
The writer was hosted.
Pros:
- Spacious staterooms and friendly crew
- Numerous entertainment offerings throughout the day and at night
- Versatile dining options
Cons:
- Limited daytime dining options outside of mealtimes
- Limited activities for children
SheBuysTravelTip: Before booking your cruise aboard Celebrity Xcel you’ll want to make sure you know the route, as that will impact some of the different themed entertainment offerings on board.
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Staterooms on Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Xcel has 1,646 staterooms and more than 80 percent of them have balconies. I stayed in an ocean view room while on the Celebrity Xcel. This studio room had a large ocean window with chairs, a sofa, a king bed, a smart TV, a closet and a bathroom.
I was pleasantly surprised with how spacious the bathroom was, especially the shower. It wasn’t a tiny shower like other cruise ships I’ve been on in the past. I had room to actually move around and the shower head had four different settings, which was a first for me on a ship.
The bed was very comfortable and it had really solid motion isolation — I could not feel my sleeping partner toss and turn at all. My only qualm was that the air conditioner would intermittently shut off in the middle of the night and I’d wake up hot.
Onboard Dining on Celebrity Xcel
There are four main dining rooms on the Celebrity Xcel — Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie and Tuscan. I didn’t have the chance to eat at any of these since my sailing was only two nights; however, I did try three of the eight speciality “for-fee” restaurants, including Raw on 5 Le Voyage and Bora.
They are pricey; however, the food quality is top-notch and the service is a step above the rest. Bora is a great place to go for brunch if you want to enjoy some al fresco dining and live entertainment — you’ll want to order the French toast, trust me.
For breakfast and lunch, I went to Oceanview Cafe. There were so many options at mealtime and I appreciated that versatility. I was able to get an omelet, muffin, waffle and oatmeal at breakfast, and during the afternoon hours they had scones and finger sandwiches that were surprisingly good.
You don’t want to miss out on the dessert selection at Oceanview Cafe if you have a sweet tooth — there was everything you could possibly think of, from brownies and cookies to a chocolate fountain and cake pops.
If you’re looking for something in a jiffy, then you’ll want to head to Spice, located in The Bazaar, for grab-and-go options that slightly vary throughout the course of your cruise — think rice bowls, meat and desserts. More dining options throughout the ship, such as Mast Grill, Eden Cafe and Rooftop Garden Grill.
Last but not least, if you want to grab a drink, there are 12 bars and lounges across the ship with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. The only one I went to is a new hidden 1920s speakeasy onboard — I don’t want to give too much away, however, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for a photo booth as you peruse the ship — IYKYK.
SheBuysTravelTip: As a heads up to help with pre-trip budgeting, gratuity is included for Celebrity Xcel at a rate between $18 to $23 per guest, per day, depending on the type of stateroom you’re in. Also, 20% gratuity is automatically added in for speciality dining, bar and spa services while onboard.
Onboard Entertainment on Celebrity Xcel
The Celebrity Xcel did not disappoint in regards to entertainment and there was always something going on whether in The Theatre, The Club or The Bazaar.
At The Theatre, there is Mainstage, Between Takes and Chapters. I had the chance to see Chapters and it took my breath away. The mix between the vocalists, dancers, aerialists and parkour artists created a visually stimulating show that had me hooked for 45 minutes. Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early to secure a good spot for the show.
At The Club, there are two shows you can catch — 254 West and HOTEL. The first is a show that celebrates 80s music and the latter is a murder mystery style show where guests are the detectives. There’s also a Saddle Up Saloon that takes place in The Club, where you can wear your country best and learn some line dancing.
If you head over to The Bazaar, you’ll be able to catch live entertainment intermittently throughout the day and then watch the shows in the evening that change based on the destinations in the itinerary. The same goes for the decor in The Bazaar; you’ll notice that the decor and displays change too. I loved the Carnival and Aqua themes that I experienced during my sailing.
SheBuysTravelTip: Make sure to arrive early to see the shows at The Bazaar as seating is limited and there are some pillars in the structure that can provide an obstructed view.
Onboard Amenities on Celebrity Xcel
There is no shortage of onboard amenities on Celebrity Xcel for guests to enjoy. For starters, you’ll want to head over to the new Celebrity Pool Club, where you’ll find a large main pool, lounge chairs and a pool valet. The pool valet is new to the ship and they offer amenities such as sunscreen, chilled towels, card games and storage for your personal belongings.
When you’re finished relaxing by the pool, you can head on over to the casino to try to win big or The Attic at The Club, where you’ll find free games to play, such as darts and Pac-Man. This is new to the Celebrity Xcel so you’ll want to check it out while on board.
When you’re spending a day at sea, you’ll want to book an appointment at the expanded spa. You can find over 120 different treatments from massages to facials and gain access to spots such as the Hydra Room, which is perfect for relaxing and soaking in the sun.
Ports of Call on Celebrity Xcel
The ports of call for the Celebrity Xcel will vary depending on the itinerary. Here are some of the current sailings listed:
- Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten
- Spain, Portugal and Morocco
- Italy, Spain and French Riviera
- Spain & Bermuda transatlantic
- Greece, Malta, Turkey
- Spain and Portugal transatlantic
The trip lengths vary from seven to 15 nights, so you’ll want to find an itinerary that best suits your preferences.
Getting to The Port
I sailed out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and it was actually pretty easy to get to. I took the Brightline from MCO to Fort Lauderdale and it left me about 15 minutes away from the port. If you’re coming directly into the Fort Lauderdale airport, it’s less than a 10-minute drive so it’s really doable.
SheBuysTravelTip: Try to arrive in Fort Lauderdale a day early to make the process less stressful. Spend some time at the beach, eat at TASTE Restaurant and Bar inside Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale and then get ready for the next day.
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