We’ve now sailed on all 5 Edge-class ships, and Movie star Xcel has rapidly turn into our favourite. From the second we stepped aboard throughout our 2-day preview crusing, Movie star Xcel shined. As the latest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge class, Xcel takes every little thing we already liked about these ships and elevates it with thrilling new areas, eating venues, and leisure choices that units her aside from her sister ships.
Whether or not you’ve sailed on Movie star Edge, Apex, Past, or Ascent and are questioning what’s completely different, otherwise you’re making an attempt to resolve which Edge-class ship to guide, we’re breaking down all of the Movie star Xcel variations and what impressed us most.
What’s New on Movie star Xcel
When evaluating Movie star Xcel vs. different Edge class ships, there are a number of key variations. Maybe the largest transformation is The Bazaar which replaces Eden on the aft of decks 4, 5, and 6. This reimagined 3-deck house helps to create a stronger connection to the locations visited, with unique meals and drinks, a market, actions, and a wide range of leisure.
Together with the Bazaar, Movie star Xcel additionally debuts some brand-new restaurant ideas, together with Bora, Mosaic, and Spice Cafe. These distinctive culinary choices additional elevate the eating expertise with new choices like a Bloody Mary Bar throughout brunch at Bora and destination-specific dishes on the menu on the specialty restaurant Mosaic and the informal eatery Spice.
The leisure on Movie star Xcel will get an improve too. There are three all-new productions within the theater, two new interactive reveals in The Membership, 4 new festivals in The Bazaar, and loads of new video games, events, and experiences. To not point out, there’s Attic at The Membership with adult-oriented video games like darts and pool AND there simply could be a brand new speakeasy onboard too, IYKYK!
However the upgrades don’t cease there. Visitors can count on elevated poolside experiences, an enhanced spa, and Movie star Flagship the place retail meets museum.
The Bazaar
Essentially the most dynamic new house on Movie star Xcel, and our absolute favourite, is The Bazaar. This revolutionary venue evolves all through the cruise with three absolutely immersive experiences on a typical 7-day crusing. Offering nonstop exploration even whereas onboard, The Bazaar “blurs the road between ship and shore” by inviting friends to get swept away within the sights, sounds, and flavors of the locations they go to.
The centerpiece of The Bazaar is the rotating destination-inspired festivals. Throughout Caribbean sailings, there’s Viva Pageant (Cozumel), Flora Pageant (Dominican Republic), Aqua Pageant (sea day), and Carnival Pageant (sea day). Every competition consists of native meals and drinks, crafting experiences, The Marketplace for native purchasing, pop-up leisure all through the day, nighttime performances, elaborate decor with nice use of digital screens, and extra.
Relying on the itinerary, friends can experiece both the Viva or Flora competition throughout the ship’s name into Cozumel or Dominican Republic, respectively. These festivals provide a extra chill vibe with destination-inspired video games and actions, native distributors in The Market, and distinctive dishes in Spice Cafe.
On sea days, The Bazaar comes alive with the all-day Aqua and Carnival Festivals. The Aqua Pageant celebrates the oceans. Highlights embody unique sips and snacks just like the Aqua Blossom Cocktail and Mango Shrimp Salad. Exercise carts embody watercolor bookmarks, make-your-own salt scrub ($10), and make-your-own shell trinket dish ($10). The competition additionally incorporates a distinctive present occurring at 4:30 and 10 PM.
Equally, the Carnival Pageant celebrates the Caribbean’s greatest celebration of the yr with sips and snacks together with a Calypso Cocktail, tropical bowls, and dulce de leche island brookies. Crafts embody tropical origami, mini maracas ($10), and seashore indicators ($10), There’s a Carnival present at 4:30 and 10 PM as properly.
When Movie star Xcel repositions to the Mediterranean in Summer time 2026, The Bazaar will fully remodel to spotlight Mediterranean festivals, markets, and culinary experiences.
When in comparison with Eden on different Edge-class ships, this house is next-level.
New Eating & Culinary Improvements
Movie star Xcel introduces a number of brand-new eating venues. Mosaic replaces Eden Restaurant because the specialty restaurant in The Bazaar. That includes an open-kitchen idea, this venue serves dishes impressed by the areas the ship is crusing. Some highlights from the Caribbean menu embody tuna ceviche, salanova salad, croquetas, jerk dumplings, corn ravioli, lobster casserole, spiced lamb lion, and banana fritters.
This elevated eating expertise is $95 per individual. We have been capable of take a look at out the menu throughout our preview crusing, and whereas we loved every little thing we sampled, we nonetheless desire Le Voyage and Effective Lower Steakhouse over Mosaic.
Adjoining to Mosaic is the Chef’s Studio, Movie star’s first-ever destination-inspired cooking college the place friends can be taught to organize regional dishes.
Additionally in The Bazaar, Spice Cafe replaces Eden Café. This venue affords grab-and-go meals and bites impressed by the itinerary as properly. As a complimentary cafe, we actually loved the brand new choices in Spice Cafe. Visitors can construct their very own bowls for breakfast and lunch or pattern different rotating gadgets like pineapple ginger turkey and a Carnival breakfast sandwich with guava jam.
Bora is the showstopper that replaces Rooftop Backyard Grill. This al fresco eating venue incorporates a Mediterranean seafood-centric menu, stay music, and countless ocean views. It’s excellent for a full of life brunch with bottomless Bloody Marys or an intimate dinner with complimentary spritzes and dishes ready tableside. Visitors can take pleasure in menu gadgets like French toast or rooster & waffles “the Bora method” at brunch ($35 per individual) and sea bream a la espalda, lobster medallions, and lamb tagine for dinner ($65 per individual). Whereas we didn’t get to dine right here, some associates on the preview crusing stated they loved their meals at Bora.
Visitors also needs to search for the Dream Makers image on different menus for unique new meals and beverage choices across the ship.
New Leisure & Actions
Movie star Xcel amps up the onboard leisure as properly with brand-new reveals within the Theater, The Membership, and The Bazaar. Whereas we have been solely onboard for 2 days, we tried to expertise as a lot of the brand new leisure as we may. And we actually loved what we noticed. Having simply come off Princess Cruises’ new ship, Star Princess, Movie star Xcel’s leisure is actually a step above.
This ship debuts three unique productions within the modern theater. These reveals pair Movie star’s largest forged of singers, dancers, and aerial artists with interactive LED screens and cutting-edge know-how for immersive experiences.
Mainstage is a stay music live performance that spans all genres and cultures. Between Takes transports friends to a Twenties Hollywood film set to showcase what actually occurs between “lower” and “motion”, and Chapters journeys by transformation and self-discovery with visually-stunning storytelling.
Throughout our crusing, we watched Between Takes and Chapters. Each have been good, however we personally loved Chapters extra. In our opinion, the manufacturing high quality, transformational stage and set items, and digital imagery mixed seamlessly for one in every of Movie star Cruises’ finest stage reveals but.
Moreover, The Membership debuts two new interactive reveals. HOTEL is a comedic homicide thriller and 254 West transports friends to the 80s on the closing night time for the “254 West” membership. To not point out, the second degree of this house, Attic on the Membership, is an adult-oriented recreation room with retro video games like pac-man, together with pool, darts, and shuffleboard.
Throughout our 2-day cruise, we noticed 254 West. The proficient singers carried out hits spanning Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, Madonna, and extra, together with interludes from a violinist, guitarist, and aerial artists. With restricted seating choices, you’ll want to arrive early in case you don’t need to stand for the complete interactive efficiency.
As beforehand talked about, The Bazaar is one other nice leisure house on Movie star Xcel that options 4 distinctive festivals that really remodel the house, celebrating every little thing from the tradition and traditions of Mexico and Dominican Republic to Caribbean carnivals and the ocean.
If that’s not sufficient, friends can take pleasure in a wide range of new video games and recreation reveals, new dance events just like the nation music celebration Saddle Up Saloon in The Membership, stay music across the ship, and the favored Shine the Night time celebration on the pool deck.
Elevated Movie star Pool Membership
Whereas we’ve all the time thought the pool decks on Edge-class ships have been upscale, Movie star Xcel elevates the pool deck expertise even additional. The Movie star Pool Membership makes friends really feel like they’re stress-free at an unique seashore membership with sunbeds and pool valets providing chilled towels, sunscreen, and complimentary storage for private gadgets. The realm additionally options personal cabanas for lease and elevated shaded areas. In fact, you may’t miss taking photographs with the enduring statue whereas monkeying round poolside both.
And now on all Caribbean sailings, one of many sea days turns into the Poolest Day Ever. This all-day celebration options stay music, pop-up reveals, video games, and extra. There’s even unique poolside drinks served solely at this occasion.
The Spa Enhancements
Even the spa on Movie star Xcel will get an improve. As essentially the most expansive spa but within the Movie star Cruises’ fleet, it options the primary Hydra Room. One in every of eight thermal suite experiences, this revitalizing house has a heat, effervescent pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs. Although, it’s nonetheless on the small facet when in comparison with the hydrotherapy swimming pools from different cruise strains like NCL.
Additionally new on Movie star Xcel, friends can take in some sunshine on the outside Vitamin D Deck, unique to thermal suite friends. The Vitamin D Deck affords panoramic views from the entrance of the ship, now making good use of this forward-facing outside house that was principally missed on earlier Edge-class vessels.
Thermal Suite pricing on Movie star Xcel is $399 for a week-long cross or $119 for a day cross.
Moreover, the salon has been expanded and now incorporates a new bubbles bar. Eliminating the Spa Cafe within the close by Solarium, this house now has a small champagne bar for friends to take pleasure in throughout salon providers. It makes for an ideal “women’ day” expertise.
IYKYK – An Unique New Area
Lastly, friends should uncover essentially the most unique new house on Movie star Xcel for themselves. This intimate speakeasy incorporates a bar with signature cocktails just like the Cotton Membership, stay jazz music, and a roaming magician.
Discover the photograph sales space onboard, then step inside to journey again in time to 1920 on your hour-long expertise. At the moment, it’s complimentary, however no photographs or movies are allowed!
Different Returning Favorites
Apart from all the brand new additions, there are a number of returning favorites on Movie star Xcel. The ship options 32 whole culinary choices. Loyal friends will know and love the 4 returning most important eating rooms: Cyprus, Normandie, Tuscan, and Cosmopolitan. There’s additionally eight specialty eating places together with a few of our private favorites like Effective Lower Steakhouse and Le Voyage.
Cafe al Bacio nonetheless serves up scrumptious treats and specialty espresso-based drinks all through the day. The Grand Plaza and full of life Martini Bar stay widespread gathering spots for nice drinks and dialog, and the Rooftop Backyard stays a traquil outside house. The World Class Bar, Sundown Bar, and Craft Social all provide distinct vibes and signature drinks with newly refreshed menus.
Movie star Xcel options a wide range of lodging as properly. Similar to the opposite Edge-class vessels, the ship affords staterooms starting from inside and oceanview to the popular (or not so popular) infinite verandas. AquaClass rooms have entry to the thermal suite and an unique restaurant, Blu. Suite friends in The Retreat obtain a variety of perks together with a premium drink bundle, entry to a personal restaurant (Luminae), and an unique sundeck, amongst different perks.
Nothing Comes Shut
Whereas we already liked the upscale and fashionable design of earlier Edge-class vessels, Movie star Xcel perfects it. The ship takes the innovation that made Edge, Apex, Past, and Ascent so widespread and refines it with considerate enhancements.
Our favourite onboard house, The Bazaar replaces Eden’s extra summary idea with one thing that feels vibrant, partaking, and related to your cruise itinerary. The place Eden generally felt like a good looking however underutilized house, The Bazaar pulses with power and provides you causes to return all through the crusing.
The brand new eating venues like Bora, Mosaic, and Spice Cafe add selection and vacation spot taste. Mixed with elevated leisure, enhanced pool experiences, and considerate spa additions, Movie star Xcel delivers a extra immersive cruise trip.
When you’ve sailed Edge-class ships earlier than and liked them, you’ll doubtless discover Movie star Xcel acquainted but completely different (in a great way). When you’re selecting between Edge-class ships on your first crusing, Movie star Xcel does simply that– excels! It’s not simply the latest, it’s now our private favourite within the Movie star fleet.
Nonetheless, there’s a draw back. Movie star Xcel does include a premium price ticket. When researching Caribbean sailings on Movie star Xcel vs. Princess Cruises’ latest ship, Star Princess, charges vary from 40% greater to nearly double in value for comparable balcony stateroooms.
If we’ve satisfied you to hop onboard Movie star Xcel on your subsequent cruise trip, you may both sail the Caribbean or go to the Mediterranean. Movie star Xcel is presently providing two roundtrip itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. The Japanese Caribbean itinerary visits Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten; and the Western Caribbean itinerary visits Bimini, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. She is going to then sail the Mediterranean in Summer time 2026 visiting iconic ports in Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and past. Then, she’ll return to Miami in Fall 2026 to renew Caribbean sailings.
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The put up We’ve Sailed on All Five Edge-Class Ships and Here Are the Celebrity Xcel Differences That We Loved appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.
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