Celebrity Xcel
Edge class · Mediterranean, Caribbean & Bahamas
Launched in November 2025, Celebrity Xcel is the newest ship in the Edge series and advances the series' design further. It retains features such as the Magic Carpet movable platform extending from the ship's side and the Infinite Veranda, where lowering the window turns the room into a balcony, while refreshing its dining areas and adding multilayered dining spaces connecting indoors and outdoors. Although it is a large ship of about 140,000 tons with capacity for 3,260 guests, its atmosphere is oriented toward relaxed adults, and children's facilities are present but not the main focus. In its debut year, it is scheduled to alternate between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean; it is scheduled to depart from Miami in winter 2026 and return to Europe in summer 2027.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9884136)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Japanese-speaking staff and menus
Payment in yen not accepted
Smoking in designated areas only
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholIncluded
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiIncluded
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
The basic fare includes only meals such as main dining and buffet. Selecting the Always Included fare adds a Classic drinks package and Basic Wi-Fi at no additional charge. Crew gratuities (tips) are charged automatically. Specialty restaurants and shore excursions are charged separately.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$8-$14
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$4.75
- Extra chargeDrink packageAbout $65/day for the Classic Drinks Package; advance online purchase is $54.99/day, with a separate 20% service charge.
- Extra chargeWi‑FiFor 7 nights: approximately $140.
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$19.50 per day (Interior, Ocean View, Veranda), $20.50 per day (Concierge, AquaClass), $24.50 per day (The Retreat). Applies to new bookings made on or after July 31, 2026
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)$129+
- Extra chargeLaundryNo self-service laundry. Individual items cost about $3–$19; fixed-price packages such as a $59.99 unlimited-fill Wash & Fold bag are also available.
- Shore excursionsShore excursions cost extra depending on the content and port.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Fort Lauderdale (Florida, United States; home port for winter Caribbean cruises), Barcelona (Spain; home port for summer Mediterranean cruises), Rome/Civitavecchia (Italy; home port for summer Mediterranean cruises)
- Departure ports: Fort Lauderdale, Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Athens (Piraeus)
- All ages
- Modern, stylish interiors befitting the newest ship of the Edge class (entered service in 2025), centered on signature experiential features such as the Magic Carpet and Eden. A refined atmosphere geared toward adults.
- Mainly attracts couples and adults, although a certain number of families also sail; child-oriented facilities are kept to a minimum. It attracts a broad clientele on both Caribbean cruises from North America and Mediterranean cruises from Europe.
Celebrity Xcel improves fuel efficiency with an efficient hull design featuring a bulbous bow and ABB Azipod electric propulsion. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are substantially removed. It also supports shore-power connections.
Ship character
- • Travelers wanting to sail on the newest ship
- • Couples prioritizing design and dining
- • Adults seeking a quiet atmosphere
- • Travelers with small children prioritizing slides and similar attractions
- • Travelers requiring Japanese-language support
- • Travelers seeking the intimacy of a small ship
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogEnglishGirls Trip on Celebrity Xcel: A Review - Welcome to Ellen's Empty Nesters
ellensemptynesters.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishCelebrity Xcel: Is it Excellent? Our Experience in a Nutshell.
aloftandaway.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishCelebrity Xcel Review: Our Honest 7-Night Experience - Cruise with Ben & David
benanddavid.cruises · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishCelebrity Xcel
zachthetravelingman.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishCelebrity Xcel - Revealing Preview Cruise Embarkation and a Blissful Day at Sea - x-Perienced Travel
xperiencedtravel.com · Sailed Nov 9, 2025 · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
Sources
- Officialcelebritycruises.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org (2)
- Secondary sourcevesselfinder.com
- Secondary sourcebairdmaritime.com
- Secondary sourcecelebritycruises.jp
- Officialcelebritycruises.com (2)
Source: Wikipedia “Celebrity Xcel”, “Edge-class cruise ship” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Inside Stateroom The cheapest category on the ship. It has no window or balcony, but the basic amenities are well equipped, including a king bed (premium bedding), a mini-fridge and an interactive HDTV. Decks 3 and 6-12, mainly on the lower to mid levels | 17–19 m² (183–205 ft²) | 2-4 people King bed (can be split into twins). Some rooms accommodate up to 4 guests with an added sofa bed. | Celebrity Xcel cabin overview | |
Oceanview Stateroom A no-balcony cabin with large ocean-view windows. Accessible cabins are also available. Decks 3, 6, and 8-9 | 19–22 m² (205–237 ft²) | 2-4 people King bed (convertible to twins) + sofa bed. | Window | Celebrity Xcel cabin overview |
Infinite Veranda / Balcony Stateroom Standard balcony category, including rooms with the Infinite Veranda, the motorized movable glass window that is a hallmark of the Edge class. Higher categories such as Deluxe and Sunset (corner cabins) are also available. Decks 6-12; largest category, with balcony staterooms comprising about 81% of the total | 19–27 m² (205–291 ft²) | 2-4 people King bed (convertible to twins) + sofa bed. | BalconyConnecting | Celebrity Xcel cabin overview |
Sky Suite / Celebrity Suite / Royal Suite (The Retreat) Entry- to mid-level categories of The Retreat (suite class). Suite benefits shared across them include a dedicated butler, the private restaurant Luminae, and a private sundeck. Decks 6-12; upper-tier Royal Suite/Celebrity Suite concentrated on Deck 12 | 24–64 m² (258–689 ft²) | 2-4 people King bed + sofa bed. Upper categories include an oval hot tub shower | BalconyConcierge | Check on The Retreat page |
Iconic Suite / Penthouse Suite The top suite of Xcel (the newest Edge-class ship). It has a large balcony with a hot tub and a living room, and is located at the bow on Deck 12. Deck 12 forward (The Retreat top level) | 111–240 m² (1,195–2,583 ft²) | 6 people 2 king beds (convertible to twins). Multiple-bedroom configuration | BalconyConcierge | Check on The Retreat page |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Camp at Sea — Free kids program for ages 3–12, divided into Shipmates, Cadets, and Captains.
- • The Casino — Casino with slot machines and table games; for guests aged 21 and over; non-smoking.
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Charged automatically: the gratuity is added to your SeaPass (onboard payment card) account for each night. Prepayment is also possible, and after boarding you can adjust or remove the amount at Guest Relations. Importantly, since the revision of October 4, 2023, choosing an All Included fare (formerly Always Included) no longer includes the daily gratuities for stateroom attendants and dining staff, which are charged automatically on top (the only thing included is a service charge equivalent to 20% on drink costs within the drinks package).
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Both 110V (North American style) and 220V (European style) are available in the cabin.
- Formal nights
- The number of "Evening Chic" nights varies with cruise length: about 1 for cruises under 7 nights, 2 for 7 to 11 nights, and 3 for 12 nights or more (participation is optional, and it is not a mandatory formal night).
- Medical facilities
- Each ship has a medical center staffed by doctors and nurses. Consultations are charged: a general consultation during office hours is reported to cost around $100, while after-hours visits and cabin visits cost more ($165 to $205 or so). Nurse visits generally cost about half the doctor's fee, and charges are billed to your SeaPass account.
- Bringing items onboard
- On embarkation day only, each adult may bring up to 1 bottle of wine/champagne (750 ml) (boxed wine and the like are not allowed). If it is opened and drunk in restaurants, bars and the like, a corkage fee of about $35 per bottle applies, but this is waived for holders of the Classic/Premium drinks package and when drinking in your cabin. Other alcohol purchased at ports of call is held by staff at boarding and returned near the final day of the cruise.
- Mobile and connectivity
- Mobile phone roaming at sea (Cellular at Sea) follows each person's own carrier's maritime roaming rate plan and is not a Celebrity charge. Messaging and calls via a Wi-Fi package are priced under a separate system, so to avoid roaming charges, airplane mode plus onboard Wi-Fi is generally recommended.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
One of the main dining venues included in the fare. A course menu based on modern American cuisine.
Hours: Breakfast and dinner focused. Choose flexible dining (Celebrity Select Dining) or fixed seating
A main dining room whose concept is simple, clean cuisine that makes the most of Mediterranean ingredients.
Hours: Breakfast and dinner centered
A main dining room serving modern French cuisine reminiscent of a Parisian summer.
Hours: Breakfast and dinner centered
A main dining room with an interior inspired by Italian cinema and fashion.
Hours: Breakfast and dinner centered
A large buffet with sea views, where guests choose what they like from multiple stations.
Hours: Breakfast and lunch use made-to-order stations; dinner features an international rotating menu
A free light-meal cafe inside Eden, a glass-enclosed three-level atrium space.
Hours: Focused on morning to midday
A modern dining venue in a glass-enclosed, three-level atrium space, surrounded by a lively wall of plants, where you can enjoy dishes from around the world without borders.
- A la carte and set menus$60
- 7-course tasting menu (vegetarian options available for all courses)$120
A course menu inspired by journeys around the world, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. A high-priced specialty restaurant.
- Sea bass with citrus emulsion
- Braised beef cheek
A steakhouse centered on classic steaks and meat dishes. A standard paid restaurant on Edge-class ships.
- Steak, ribs, and chicken (choice of sides)
- Lemon-poached lobster tail
An immersive dining experience with 3D animations projected on the table, where chef characters appear to cook while real dishes are served.
- 3-course set menu$60
A seafood specialty restaurant where guests order sushi, sashimi, lobster rolls, and more a la carte.
- Assorted nigiri sushi and sashimi$4 to $18 (a la carte)
- Lobster roll$4 to $18 (a la carte)
Facilities and activities
A movable glass-walled platform that rises and falls along the ship's side to a height of 13 decks above the sea. Its use changes day by day, serving as a bar, restaurant, observation deck, and more; it is the ship's biggest signature attraction.
A multi-sensory space with a three-story atrium, surrounded by plant walls and full-height glass windows. By day it functions as a cafe and cocktail bar, and at night it also becomes a stage for a specialty restaurant and performances.
Rooftop garden with two glass-enclosed plunge pools extending over the sea; expanded on Celebrity Xcel.
Main theater offering free original production shows using the latest video technology.
Casino with slot machines and table games; for guests aged 21 and over; non-smoking.
Wellness center offering massages, facials, and beauty treatments.
Free kids program for ages 3–12, divided into Shipmates, Cadets, and Captains.
Large gym with a hot yoga room, advanced cycling equipment for RYDE, and boxing classes.