Celebrity Cruises has unveiled 4 novel venues aboard the Celebrity Xcel, designed to enrich the voyage with opportunities to both explore and restore the spirit aboard its newest ship. As part of 7 elevated experiences, the enhancements include an upgraded poolside retreat, a neon-lit arcade lounge, expanded spa offerings, and the cruise line’s inaugural Celebrity Flagship store.
The poolside sanctuary, now known as the Celebrity Pool Club, has been refined to facilitate seamless leisure. A valet service ensures chilled towels, deck games, sunscreen and secure personal storage. The rooftop design features additional shade, and private VIP cabanas—complete with dedicated service—are now available for guests seeking a more exclusive experience. On the final sea day of each Caribbean itinerary, the Pool Club transitions into “Poolest Day EverSM,” boasting Caribbean-inspired live music, DJs, pop‑up encounters, and pool games. Specialty beverages—such as Paloma Fresca served in mini Patron bottles and fresh coconuts with optional rum—accompany the transformation, culminating in “Shine the Night,” a poolside evening celebration with elevated refreshments.
A new entertainment hub, Attic at The Club, operates around the clock and is suffused with neon light. Tailored for adults, the lounge invites guests to enjoy classic arcade games like Pac‑Man, NBA Showtime and Golden Tee, along with traditional bar games such as pool, darts, foosball, and shuffleboard. Private-event bookings are available for activities including karaoke and golf‑simulator sessions.
Wellness received fresh attention as the ship’s spa now includes the Hydra RoomSM. As the latest addition to the Thermal Suite’s 8 therapeutic offerings, this hydrotherapy space features a warm bubbling pool with massaging jets and heated loungers intended to soothe muscle tension. Adjacent to this is an outdoor Vitamin D DeckSM, which provides ocean views, gentle breezes, and complimentary non‑alcoholic refreshments for Thermal Suite guests. Overall, the spa offers over 120 treatments, an expanded salon with a bubbles bar, and an interactive shopping salon where guests may test and purchase products. A Skin Lab provides personalized skincare analysis and recommendations.
Also new to the ship is the Celebrity Flagship store, the cruise line’s first. This hybrid retail-exhibit space traces Celebrity’s history and innovation through interactive screens and curated artifacts. Guests may personalize keepsakes—including water bottles, cocktail kits, keychains, caps, and robes—or choose exclusive products available only aboard Celebrity Xcel.
These 4 venues are integral components of the 7 new spaces aboard Celebrity Xcel. Among the others are The Bazaar, which blurs the line between ship and shore, and Bora, an al fresco Mediterranean‑inspired restaurant.
Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, observed that Celebrity Xcel will embark with seven elevated experiences designed to allow guests to free themselves from routine and forge lasting memories, and noted that with innovation at every turn, the journey of the voyage would rival the appeal of its destinations.
Celebrity Xcel is scheduled to begin sailing from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) in November 2025, operating 7‑night Caribbean voyages. In summer 2026, the ship will shift to European deployment, offering 7‑ to 11‑night Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Athens (Piraeus), including new overnight calls in Madeira, Portugal.