CELEBRITY XCEL
The "Apex of the Edge." The fifth and final refinement of the class, combining the resort-style luxury of Ascent with new propulsion tech.
- Guests
- 3,260
- Tonnage
- 140,600
- Launch
- 2025
- Crew
- 1,400
The Prodigy Verdict
Modern Luxury, Perfected.
Celebrity Xcel is the fifth ship in the Edge Series, and it benefits from every lesson learned on its predecessors. Like the Ascent, it features the stretched hull design, offering significantly more open-air deck space and a redesigned Rooftop Garden. This is not a ship for traditionalists seeking brass rails and teak promenades; it is an outward-facing resort designed to connect you to the ocean through massive glass walls.
- Design aficionados & modern hotel lovers
- Couples seeking "The Retreat" (suite life)
- Travelers who prioritize dining variety
- Infinite Verandas: These are glass sunrooms, not traditional open balconies.
- The pool deck is asymmetrical (unique, but polarizing).
- It lacks a traditional promenade deck.
The Zones
Xcel is designed with distinct "neighborhoods," from the energetic Grand Plaza to the serene Retreat.
Magic Carpet
The cantilevered floating platform. It moves between decks, serving as a tender station, a bar, or a dining extension.
Rooftop Garden
A sprawling landscape of live plants and sculptures. It hosts live music, movies, and the casual Rooftop Grill.
Eden
A massive, three-story glass venue at the aft. It transitions from a chill daytime lounge to a performance-art dinner venue.
Grand Plaza
The 3-story atrium core. Home to the famous Martini Bar where bartenders put on a show under a massive LED chandelier.
The Retreat
A "ship-within-a-ship" for suite guests. Includes a private pool deck, lounge, and restaurant (Luminae) unmatched in the fleet.
Resort Deck
An asymmetrical pool deck with a massive 75-foot lap pool, oversized art installations, and "Martini glass" hot tubs.
Sunset Bar
Located aft with Moroccan-inspired design. It features multi-level terraced seating perfect for watching the wake.
The Theatre
High-tech entertainment with a 20-foot tall 4K screen and a circular stage that immerses the audience in the production.
Dining & Provisions
Celebrity Xcel offers a mix of included global dining and high-end specialty experiences.
Le Voyage
Daniel Boulud
The signature fine dining venue by Chef Daniel Boulud. Intimate, upscale, and global cuisine. Reservations are essential.
The Four MDRs
Main Dining
Normandie (French), Tuscan (Italian), Cyprus (Greek), and Cosmopolitan (American). Each has exclusive dishes plus a shared menu.
Luminae
Private Dining
Exclusive to Suite guests. Features signature dishes from Daniel Boulud that are not available elsewhere on the ship.
Blu
Clean Cuisine
Exclusive to AquaClass. Focuses on "clean," inventive dishes with lighter preparations. Arguably the best included food onboard.
Fine Cut
Steakhouse
The classic American steakhouse experience. Premium cuts, rich sides, and an extensive wine list in a polished setting.
Le Grand Bistro
Le Petit Chef
By day, a French bistro. By night, home to "Le Petit Chef"—an immersive dining show where 3D animations prepare your meal on your plate.
Eden Restaurant
Experimental
Open-kitchen dining with views of the wake. The menu is inventive and sensory-focused, matching the venue's biophilic design.
Café al Bacio
Coffee & Sweets
The European-style coffee house. Specialty coffees cost extra, but the exquisite pastries and small cakes in the glass case are complimentary.
Where It Sails
Celebrity Xcel typically deploys to high-demand regions suited for its resort design.
- Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami)
- Mediterranean (Summer)
Xcel is a "warm weather" ship. Its outward-facing design, Resort Deck, and Magic Carpet are optimized for sunny climates.
Check Availability
See current itineraries and maiden voyage pricing.
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Cost Reality
Celebrity uses an "All Included" pricing model for some fares, but unbundling is common.
- 4 Main Dining Rooms
- Oceanview Cafe (Buffet)
- Mast Grill & Spa Café
- Basic Beverages (Water/Tea/Coffee)
- Specialty Dining (Le Voyage, Eden)
- The Thermal Suite (Unless AquaClass)
- Alcohol (Unless in "All Included" pkg)
- Gratuities
The "AquaClass" upsell is often worth it just for the Thermal Suite pass and access to Blu, which is arguably the best restaurant on the ship.
The Vibe Check
Is this ship for you? It is sophisticated, open, and lacks the "crowded mall" feel of larger mega-ships.
Think W Hotel or chic land-based resort. The "Grand Plaza" with its martini glass chandelier is the energetic heart of the ship.
Skewing slightly younger than Holland America or Princess, but firmly adult-focused. Families are welcome, but the ship is not built *for* children (no water slides).
Ready to explore the edge? Check pricing below.
Cabin Recon
The Edge Series introduced the "Infinite Veranda" – a concept you need to understand before booking.
Infinite Veranda
The balcony is merged into the room. A bi-fold window slides down to open the space. It adds square footage to the room but lacks the separation of a true balcony.
Sky Suite
The entry point into "The Retreat." You get a butler, access to the private Retreat Deck/Lounge, and dining at Luminae.
Iconic Suite
Sitting above the bridge with views better than the Captain's. Massive square footage and absolute privacy.