Cruise lines have been cutting back in noticeable ways over the last few years. Smaller portions, fewer crew, more charges for things that used to be included, and ships that feel busier while offering less.

After spending a full week onboard Celebrity Xcel, what stood out most was that it didn’t feel like that.

This ship doesn’t feel stripped back. It doesn’t feel rushed. And it doesn’t feel like it’s constantly trying to upsell you at every turn — even though there are still paid extras, which we’ll come to later.

We sailed on a 7-night Caribbean itinerary and used the ship properly: early mornings, sea days, late nights, specialty dining, buffet meals, shows, quiet corners, busy venues, and everything in between. This isn’t a first-impressions piece — it’s a full review of what Celebrity Xcel is actually like to live on.

First Impressions: Calm, Confident, And Genuinely Premium

Celebrity Xcel feels calm from the moment you step onboard.

Not quiet in a dull way, and not muted — but calm in a way that immediately sets it apart from many newer ships. There’s no sensory overload, no blaring music in every space, and no feeling that you’re being funnelled through venues.

The ship flows well. Public areas are generously sized, circulation makes sense, and nothing feels like it’s been shrunk to squeeze in extra cabins. Even on sea days, it was easy to find seating in cafés, bars, and lounges without needing to arrive early or hover awkwardly.

Design-wise, it’s modern and elegant without being cold. There’s a bit of sparkle, a bit of glamour, but it never tips into “try-hard luxury.” It feels like a premium cruise ship designed for adults who want space, good service, and a relaxed atmosphere — not constant stimulation.

Food On Celebrity Xcel: One Of The Strongest At Sea

Food is where Celebrity Xcel really shines, and it’s not just in one or two venues — it’s consistently strong across the ship.

The Buffet

The buffet is outstanding. The variety is excellent, but more importantly, the quality is there.

Everything felt fresh, well stocked, and properly cooked. Yes, it gets busy — but that’s because it’s genuinely good. This is one of the few ships where we actively chose the buffet repeatedly rather than avoiding it.

One thing we really loved is that, for the most part, the crew serve you. It keeps things moving, feels more civilised, and honestly just makes the whole experience better.

Coffee & Casual Bites

Café al Bacio quickly became a daily stop. The paid coffee is excellent — smooth, strong, and consistent — and the pastries are far better than what you’ll find on most mainstream cruise lines.

There are also multiple places to grab something quick without it feeling like an afterthought, which makes the ship easy to live on day-to-day.

Main Dining Rooms

Main dining was reliably strong throughout the cruise. Menus were varied, portions were generous, and service was polished without being stiff. Even on busy evenings, meals felt unhurried.

If you’re sailing in standard cabins, you’re still getting a very solid dining experience here.

Retreat Dining (Brief Overview)

If you’re staying in The Retreat, Luminae continues to be one of the best suite dining rooms at sea. Lighter dishes, thoughtful plating, excellent daytime views, and consistently attentive service.

We’ve covered The Retreat experience in full elsewhere, so we won’t repeat it here — but it remains one of Celebrity’s strongest suite benefits.

Specialty Dining: Bora & Mosaic

Celebrity Xcel has a good selection of specialty restaurants, and on this cruise we tried the two new ones everyone seems to be talking about: Bora and Mosaic.

Bora is a Mediterranean-style restaurant in a really nice space, and the food itself is good. But this is where Celebrity still annoys us a bit. You pay to eat there, then you open the menu and realise some dishes and drinks still cost extra on top. Even if it’s “only a little bit more”, it doesn’t feel great. Once you’ve paid the cover charge, we don’t think you should be asked to keep paying again.

Mosaic, though, is a completely different story.

This was honestly one of the best meals we’ve ever had on a cruise ship. Everything felt thought through — the flavours, the presentation, the pacing of the meal. It didn’t feel like “good for a cruise ship”. It felt like a really good restaurant that just happened to be at sea.

Yes, it’s expensive. There’s no getting around that. But unlike Bora, Mosaic actually justified the price. We walked out full, impressed, and talking about the food — which says a lot.

The Bazaar: A Smart Evolution From Eden

The Bazaar replaces Eden, and it’s one of the best changes Celebrity has made.

Where Eden often felt underused during the day, the Bazaar is alive. It changes throughout the cruise with:

Live music and performances
Dance classes
Pop-up shows, stores and crafting
Rotating themes and visual elements

It feels flexible and dynamic, rather than static. There’s always something happening, and it gives the aft of the ship real energy during daytime hours — something Eden never quite achieved.

This space alone makes Xcel feel meaningfully different from earlier Edge-class ships.

Entertainment: High Quality Without Feeling Forced

Entertainment on Celebrity Xcel is strong, varied, and well paced.

Production shows are polished and professionally staged, with excellent performers. Live music is everywhere — from relaxed acoustic sets to lively evening performances. Evening deck parties have a festival-style atmosphere without feeling chaotic.

If we were ranking entertainment across cruise lines:

Royal Caribbean
Disney Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity sits comfortably in third place — not quite as spectacular as the top two, but far better than many competitors.

What works especially well is that entertainment feels optional, not compulsory. You can have a lively night out or a quiet evening without feeling like you’re missing something important.

Entertainment score: 9/10

Daytime Activities & Sea Days: The Main Weakness

This is where Celebrity Xcel falls down slightly.

On sea days, free daytime activities are limited. There is trivia and some programming, but a large portion of the daily schedule is taken up by:

Paid “ship excursions”
Shopping events
Sales-driven activities
Casino promotions

If you enjoy structured daytime entertainment — talks, quizzes, workshops — you may find this lacking compared to other cruise lines.

That said, if your idea of a sea day is relaxing, reading, enjoying the view, people-watching, or hopping between cafés and bars, the ship supports that style beautifully.

It’s not a dealbreaker, but it is noticeable.

Cabins & Suites

Cabins across Celebrity Xcel feel modern, comfortable, and well designed. Storage is good, beds are excellent, and bathrooms are practical.

We stayed in the Magic Carpet Suite, which we’ve reviewed in detail separately. It’s one of the most unusual suite experiences at sea — and surprisingly, the cheapest suite category on the ship.

Technology, App & Wi-Fi

Celebrity’s app is among the best at sea. It’s intuitive, reliable, and genuinely useful for planning your day.

Wi-Fi performance was excellent throughout the cruise. Streaming, uploading, and working onboard were all smooth and reliable.

Service: Consistently Strong Across The Ship

Service onboard Celebrity Xcel was excellent from start to finish.

Crew were friendly, professional, and genuinely engaged. Requests were handled quickly, and service felt consistent across all venues — from casual cafés to specialty dining.

This is where Celebrity continues to justify its premium positioning.

Who Celebrity Xcel Is Best For

Celebrity Xcel is ideal for:

Couples
Adult travellers
Food-focused cruisers
Those who value calm, space, and design
Multi-generational groups without young children

It’s less suited to:

Families with young kids
Travellers wanting waterslides, climbing walls, and constant activities
Anyone who dislikes paid add-ons on principle

Final Verdict: Is Celebrity Xcel Worth It?

For us, Celebrity Xcel is the most well-rounded mainstream cruise ship we’ve experienced in 2025.

The food is outstanding. The ship feels calm and spacious. Entertainment is strong without being overwhelming. Service is consistently excellent. And the overall experience genuinely feels premium.

It’s not perfect. Sea day programming could be better, and some upcharges feel unnecessary. But taken as a whole, Celebrity Xcel delivers far more than it takes away — which is increasingly rare in cruising.

If you’re looking for a grown-up cruise with exceptional food, strong entertainment, and a relaxed premium atmosphere, Celebrity Xcel is absolutely worth considering.

Celebrity Xcel Ship Review: Our Honest Experience After 7 Nights Onboard