Aboard the newest Edge-class ship with hidden speakeasy

January 1, 2026 — 4:00

Ship: Famous Xcel

journey Four daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Miami
launched November 2025
passengers 3276
Crew 1400
passenger decks A total of 16 units, 10 of which have passenger cabins.
Length 327 meters

Celebrity Xcel is the newest Edge class ship.

Celebrity

As the brand states, Celebrity Cruises likes to bring big names together. The line has worked with American interior designers such as Kelly Hoppen and Nate Berkus, and in 2022 with Gwyneth Paltrow on wellness. Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai also appears as Edge’s godmother.

Pool Club.

Xcel takes entertainment to the next level with the help of powerhouses like British directors and choreographers. Rocket Man Film) Adam Murray and Canada’s Lukas McFarlane, past UK winners I must dance. At their disposal is what must be among the (if not the best) live entertainment venue at sea: a two-storey auditorium with a large stage supported by a 33.5-meter-long, six-meter-high curved LED wall and can be used as a light show screen and cinema.

Celebrity Edge also sought input from its loyal guests when creating Xcel; More than 140,000 “Dream Makers” (read: past passengers) answered a series of surveys about what they would like to see on board. Nearly everyone who attended the four-day soft launch agreed that Xcel is the best ship in the Edge class.

So what’s new on this ship?

Pure nostalgia… The Attic, the neon-lit arcade at The Club.

There are more suites and staterooms than other Edge ships, and many of the outdoor public areas have been expanded; for example, the sun deck at the private-access Retreat is 40 percent larger.

Xcel leans more into the party vibe that Celebrity Edge is well known for. The most exciting addition is a secret speaking style that sounds like something out of a Woody Allen movie. It’s deliberately difficult to locate but worth it, as the interiors and atmosphere effortlessly translate the 1920s.

Yes! At “Saddle Up Saloon” parties, everyone dances.

Owned by Royal Caribbean since 1997, Celebrity Edge was founded in 1988 by the Greek Chandris Group, and some guests still like to party like they’re in Mykonos.

Entertainment enthusiasts will warmly welcome The Club’s new 24/7 space, The Attic, modeled on a retro arcade. Think of Thunderbirds as Go while playing Pac-Man. Meanwhile, everyone is dancing at the country and western “Saddle Up Saloon” parties.

boarding

Celebrity Edge hosted media gathered at the Marriott AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach the night before. We meet in the lobby at 9.30am for the 40-minute bus ride to the port, where porters collect large suitcases and take them directly to our cabins, before boarding the plane with only carry-on luggage.

My cabin key card is next to the door to my Sky Suite when I board the plane and I can get into the room immediately. (Note that on any cruise ship you may not have access to your room right away. On most ships it is usually around 1pm for rooms to be fully ready.) Celebrity Edge’s “Join the tool” FAQ tab on the website.

Design

Have brunch at new al fresco dining venue Bora.

The original vision set by Celebrity Edge’s lead interior designer, Kelly Hoppen, continues at Xcel. The new restaurant offerings, especially Mosaic and Bora, are beautifully equipped with great attention to detail.

Look out for the LED-lit arches on deck 5, located next to the new Bazaar area, where local producers and artisans host pop-up stalls to bring more from each destination on board.

gaps

The ship can be large and a bit noisy at times; Not to mention it’s time consuming to navigate. But the benefit is variety: Catch the latest big football match at the Rooftop Garden or the cozy Craft Social Bar. Then head over to Raw on Five for a health-boosting meal with the ship’s gym friends.

Join the party crowd gathering at the Martini Bar, the heart of the ship, from 17:00, before dinner and the show. Lose them; But you can find them again on the Magic Carpet, or by the pool for late-night Shine the Night parties, or to boogie under the stars.

If you choose to be in bed by 11pm (why is everyone looking at me?), that’s okay too.

Late revelers and early risers gather from 6 a.m. onwards to find the best coffee at Cafe Al Bacio on the 3rd floor of the Grand Plaza.

room

Sky Suite cabin on Celebrity Xcel.

I’m in a Sky Suite on Deck 10, amidships, near the stairs and elevators; Handy for getting around. Most Sky Suites have an interior area of approximately 29.6 square metres, with large balconies beyond the sliding glass door. The décor consists of soothing “gray meets beige” tones; bold artwork, red pillows and a patterned rug for visual accents. Spacious relaxation and work areas add a comfortable feel, as do a king-size bed with a cashmere mattress, plush towels and bathrobes.

But the real wow factor is in the large marble bathroom with sliding panels above the double sink; so you can open it and look out. You don’t have to miss the view while brushing your teeth or taking a shower, which functions as a small jetted tub.

Sky Suite guests have access to The Retreat, a VIP-style area spread across decks 15, 16 and 17 that is for suite guests only. It features a 24-hour lounge as well as a sun deck, splash pool, heated whirlpools and the signature Luminae, the highest-rated restaurant in the fleet.

Which room type is most suitable for me?

Sky Suites include butler service and access to The Retreat.

From entry-level Inside Cabins (without windows) to opulent Iconic and Penthouse Suites and two-story Edge Villas, Celebrity Edge offers many options.

Xcel has 1,640 cabins, including 228 suites. There are approximately nine suite categories and six stateroom categories and classes to choose from. Purchasing Concierge Class enhances the cabin experience by offering benefits like priority check-in and dining reservations.

Seniors vote Sky Suite as the best place for discerning and price-sensitive travelers. The room is longer and wider than the Infinite Veranda Cabin and features an actual veranda. You also get access to The Retreat.

Larger, one-bedroom suites begin with the ship’s 16 Celebrity Suites and progress to the rather impressive Royal Suites. Once you reach Royal and above, all special dining venues are included; worth considering for longer travel plans.

Food

Create your own Bloody Mary.

In summary, there are 32 restaurants, bars and lounges, ranging from casual options to premium fine dining restaurants with extra charges, such as Le Petit Chef and Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, which operates several Michelin-starred restaurants.

Bora is the most notable new food offering at Xcel, a gorgeous open-air rooftop restaurant serving Mediterranean flavors on deck 15, just before the Sunset Bar. A flashy car that you can assemble your own Bloody Mary car adds an extra touch of fun. Bora is perfect for date night or a raucous meal with new friends on board.

Mosaic Restaurant.

It’s also worth writing about Mosaic, which replaced the Eden restaurant in the back of other Edge-class ships. Adjacent to the multi-story Mosaic is a charming new “Spice Cafe” with healthy poke bowls.

Many specialty restaurants, such as Le Voyage, incur additional charges and may be difficult to get a reservation due to popularity. But the ship’s all-access Main Restaurant, Oceanview Cafe, and a few other restaurants included in base pricing will keep you well fed. Considering that only soft drinks are included and a good glass of wine starts at around US$10 ($15.30), a drinks package is worth exploring.

Health

Hydra Pool.Michel Verdure

Celebrity’s SEA Thermal Suite at the Spa is the stuff of maritime legend. Day passes are expensive; For unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite and complimentary fitness classes, book an AquaClass stateroom or purchase a separate SEA Thermal Suite ticket. Xcel’s spa includes a new Hydra Room and an outdoor “Vitamin D” relaxation area so you can soak up a safe amount of sun with your SPF applied.

Entertainment

Acrobatic performance in the theater.

The theater auditorium is state-of-the-art, and renowned directors and producers are employed to create shows you can expect to see on Broadway. Light lasers, aerial performers and casts of up to 75 singers, dancers and musicians create unforgettable evenings.