Retro arcade, VIP pool club & line’s biggest spa: What else is on Celebrity Xcel?

Celebrity Xcel has officially arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for its inaugural season, sailing seven-night Caribbean itineraries to the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

The newest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel offers seven new experiences, including the line’s first-ever flagship store, an adults-only games lounge, a reimagined pool club with cabanas and Caribbean takeover days and the brand’s largest spa to date.

After spending its inaugural season in the Caribbean, the 3,248-passenger vessel will head over to the Mediterranean for spring/summer 2026.

– READ MORE: Full list of new ships setting sail in 2025 –

Celebrity Xcel has rolled out seven new spaces onboard. Among these are:

Celebrity Pool Club

The Celebrity Pool Club is the new go-to venue for all-day, all-night poolside fun.  Here, you’ll find shaded cabanas, a pool valet delivering cold towels, sunscreen and card games (yes, really), and a funky rooftop vibe that’s hard to leave. On the final sea day of each Caribbean sailing, the space transforms into the ‘Poolest Day Ever’ – in other words a fully-fledged Caribbean-themed party with live music, DJs, pop-up shows, and tasty cocktails in the sun. As the sun sets, the space switches gears into a ‘Shine the Night’ pool party.

Attic at The Club

Neon lights, retro arcade games, and 24/7 access are set to make Attic at The Club a haven for adults in search of nostalgic fun. Throwback games like Pac-Man, Golden Tee, table football and shuffleboard are all on offer, to the backdrop of a buzzing lounge designed for late-night hangs and casual competition.

For a more private feel, you can now also book out an exclusive event space for a range of fun group activities such as karaoke and golf simulators.

Celebrity flagship store

Celebrity’s first-ever flagship store is part retail, part interactive exhibition! Guests can browse historic artefacts, test their Celebrity trivia, and craft up personalised keepsakes like embossed water bottles, caps or embroidered dressing gowns.

– READ MORE: What we know so far about Celebrity’s sixth Edge Class ship –

Guests can unwind in more ways than ever before as Celebrity Xcel is home to Celebrity Cruises’ most expansive spa yet. The Spa will offer more than 120 treatments and therapies, plus an interactive shopping experience where guests can trial a wide range of products before they buy. There’s even an advanced skin lab analysis with tailored, science-backed recommendations to ensure a skin-care regime that gives you a long-term post-holiday glow.

A major new first for the spa is a ‘Hydra Room’, one of eight therapeutic experiences in the Thermal Suite, where guests can reach their full zen potential in a water-focused wellness experience. A warm, bubbling pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs will be a blissful tonic for muscle relaxation.

Spa goers can also soak up their daily dose of sunshine at The Spa’s new outdoor Vitamin D Deck, exclusive to guests of the Thermal Suite, with sweeping views from the front of the ship and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

– READ MORE: How to stay in shape on a cruise – and become even healthier! –

Where will Celebrity Xcel cruise?

Debuting in November 2025 in the Caribbean, Celebrity Xcel has embarked on its inaugural winter season from Fort Lauderdale.

Seven-night itineraries will alternate between the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Bookings for these Celebrity Cruises voyages are now open.

What else is onboard Celebrity Xcel?

Similar to the highly anticipated Celebrity Ascent, which debuted at the end of 2023, Celebrity Xcel aims to immerse guests in the surrounding world like never before.

The ship boasts distinctive features, including The Retreat, a resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests with a two-story sundeck, modern accommodations ranging from two-story villas to staterooms with infinite verandas, and an expanded Rooftop Garden and Resort Deck with unique cantilevered float pools.

Other highlights include a multi-level Sunset Bar, a Daniel Boulud fine-dining restaurant at sea, live entertainment including three new theatre shows and interactive performances, a redesigned Grand Plaza spanning three decks, and the return of the Magic Carpet — an engineering marvel providing uninterrupted vistas above the sea for guests enjoying cocktails or dinner.

A transformational experience that’s said to “erase the line between ship and shore” where destinations will be brought to life onboard at The Bazaar is another first for Celebrity – as is the trendy al fresco Mediterranean restaurant, Bora.

– READ MORE: Boozy brunches & dance parties? New fun to be had on Celebrity Xcel –