What to Expect on Celebrity Xcel: Family Highlights

Having worked as a theme park employee and as a cruise ship crew member, I have seen my share of family vacations. I’ve witnessed precious trips in the making, as well as family vacations gone horribly wrong. I’m now a childless woman and a traveler, but when I explore travel destinations as a travel writer, I can usually tell if a place has the right recipe for family fun (and that means fun for adults too, not just kids).

On my recent trip to the naming ceremony for the new Celebrity Xcel, I saw elements of the recipe in action. The ship’s design and features are built around multi-generational needs. And this attention to a diversity of age groups and interests comes as no surprise, as the ship’s features are based on real feedback and data provided by Celebrity Cruisers, an incentive called the “Dreammakers Campaign.”

Here’s how Xcel excels at creating an environment that’s fun without seeming kitschy, and family-friendly without looking like another theme park at sea.

The Bazaar

For years as a cruise ship crew member, I saw passengers go on entire cruises without ever really connecting with the destination or its people. This is a missed opportunity for children to learn about and interact with other cultures. Cruise passengers often move from ship to shuttle and never encounter locals. As a sort of antidote to this, and based on feedback from users wanting more locally integrated programming, Xcel created The Market at The Bazaar. It stocks 80% locally made products from the ship’s destinations, such as chocolate, jewelry and coconut soap while sailing the Caribbean. In the Mediterranean, olive oil, Italian scarves or hand-painted Portuguese tiles.

Instead of walking ashore and buying souvenir magnets made in China, the bazaar market aims to bring the destinations’ best products and exports on board, a huge bonus for busy families who can’t fit this kind of commitment into their day after returning to the ship from a full-day excursion. The Bazaar also uses local artisans themselves when the ship is docked in port. All money sold at these port experiences goes directly into the creators’ pockets, benefiting the local economy and providing guests with memorable moments to meet artisans.

Outside of the market, the bazaar is an area of ​​the ship that hosts “festivals”, which also reflect the ship’s itinerary. You’ll know you’re in the bazaar when you come across the tunnel of LED lights which makes for a dizzying photo op and dangerous post-cocktail stroll.

Culinary Highlights

Large ships are not praised for their galleys. I understand; it is difficult to produce excellence on a large scale. I missed some Xcel meals, but others were a pleasant surprise. The restaurant that stood out to me was Mosaic, located in the back. Its menu evolves with the ship’s itinerary, reflecting the cuisine based on where the ship is sailing – a welcome change from a ship’s typical steakhouse or grill.

Xcel’s dining options cover all desires, tastes and diets; perfect for multi-generational groups balancing a wide variety of preferences. In total, there are 18 restaurants on board: four are free with your cruise fare, and the others are complementary specialty dining experiences that require a reservation. My favorite free place was Spice Cafe, a healthy mini-mart that I frequented for acai bowls, smoothies, fresh espressos, and make-your-own veggie bowls.

Space for a date

Celebrity describes the Xcel as “an all-day date night.” But its modern arcade is not just for couples. The Attic at the Club is more of a contemporary sports pub offering games like pool, darts, racing games, air hockey, golf swing simulation and even nostalgic arcade classics like Pac Man. Lined with big-screen TVs showing games and matches from around the world, this is where you bring together the family that relishes friendly sporting rivalry: parents versus children, brothers versus sisters. On some evenings at sea, this space transforms into a line dancing room with live dancers and country music. “Game nights” in my childhood usually meant rounds of Yahtzee and Uno, but this new venue truly redefines the definition of “family game night.”

If you’re craving a true date night with your one true love, take them to the photo booth at The Attic at The Club. After creating a tangible photo souvenir, guests have access to the ship’s speakeasy, with its own live entertainment and exclusive cocktail menu. If a night at the theater is your definition of a date night, the main theater offers contemporary Las Vegas-style shows with aerial arts, live singers and professional dancers.

Spa for calm

Every successful family vacation includes time for rest and recovery, especially for hard-working parents. With over 120 treatments on board, the spa is a part of the ship that merits several repeat visits. Treatments provide access to the uncrowded Vitamin D salon terrace, which maintains a feeling of serenity thanks to its exclusive access to the spa. Another onboard escape is “The Retreat,” Xcel’s small-ship-within-a-big-ship concept that has its own deck, lounge and signature restaurant, Luminae. Guests can access The Retreat by reserving a special suite.

While adults and grandparents enjoy some peace and quiet at the spa, kids can be entertained (and even learn a thing or two) at the Kid’s Club, which offers STEM programs such as coding workshops.

Final Thoughts

The Xcel vessel would be best suited to families sailing with children aged around seven and up. The Attic games room and on-board entertainment are not suitable for toddlers who may find it all too stimulating. Retired cruisers may find the size of the ship intimidating, but there are corners of the ship to find peace and quiet if you know where to look. Couples looking to take a cruise on the Xcel will enjoy it if they also enjoy vacations in Las Vegas and Club Med resorts. Celebrity is not an all-inclusive line, and most high-end experiences and restaurants are paid on top of your base rate.

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