A brand new billion-dollar cruise ship is making waves on the high seas, with Celebrity Xcel now officially the flagship of Celebrity Cruises’ fleet. The vessel boasts amenities that rival the world’s best resorts, including heated tile lounges where “40 minutes on these heated tile lounges is equivalent to eight hours sleep for muscle relaxation,” along with what’s described as “the iconic suite.”
Laura Hodges Bethge from Celebrity Cruises explained what sets this ship apart from the rest of the fleet. “Celebrity Cruises’ elevated hospitality is through and through throughout our fleet, but Celebrity Xcel is now the flagship of that, and it’s got seven new places and spaces that I can’t wait for folks to try,” she said.
When pressed to choose her favourite feature, Laura highlighted the bazaar as her standout pick. “It is this real integration of all of the teams on board, bringing the authenticity of the destination onto the ship through food, drink, retail experiences, entertainment, music,” she explained. “It’s just such a beautiful, authentic way to keep the destination going with you while you’re on board.”
The ship offers unique cultural experiences, including tropical origami classes where passengers can create hummingbirds - Jamaica’s national bird — as a way to connect with the destinations they visit. For one first-time cruiser, a highlight was simply watching the sunset over the water after a busy day exploring the ship’s endless activities and amenities.
