This new 2026 cruise ship guarantees each evening is a celebration however the actual rush is the one hidden nook that turns strangers into co-conspirators
The ship units sail in Europe this summer time (Picture: Celbrity Cruises)
Movie star Cruises has lengthy attracted a youthful crowd to its designer ships, however there’s a complicated occasion environment to its latest arrival, Movie star Xcel.
The ship retains Kelly Hoppen’s designer interiors and Tom Wright’s progressive out of doors areas such because the Magic Carpet bar, which strikes up and down the aspect of the ship.
However there’s an explosion of color and intrigue in a few of its seven new spots, notably The Bazaar lounge and “secret” IYKYK (If You Know You Know) bar.
And the excellent news is that this summer time it will likely be crusing the Mediterranean, with departures from Barcelona and Athens, after a season within the Caribbean following its December 2025 naming ceremony in Fort Lauderdale.
Movie star Xcel was named in Miami in 2025 (Picture: Movie star Xcel)
What’s it like on board?
Cool, calm and complex but with an more and more occasion environment – cocktail moderately than riotous. Movie star Xcel has beautiful spots that personal the outside and are excellent for summer time within the Mediterranean and Caribbean winters.
The beautiful new Bora conservatory-like restaurant with a bar and out of doors seating has made the urban-feel Rooftop Backyard much more enticing. The Sundown Bar, curving across the ship’s stern, is a casually good al fresco spot with cozy chairs the place you may discover a singer taking part in an acoustic guitar when you watch the solar set.
The out of doors pool, now often called The Pool Membership, has pool valets who present chilled towels and sunscreen – or you may pay for a VIP cabana service – and the Solarium, a glass-roofed pool with scorching tubs, is a quiet lounging space. Then there’s the Poolest Day At Sea – a once-a-cruise celebration with dwell music, DJs, pop-up exhibits and pool video games that carries on lengthy after the solar goes down.
The WOW issue
The carnival-themed Bazaar – a brand new bar, lounge and cultural expertise – is the large information on Xcel, ramping up the “something goes” vibe with music, dancing, meals, leisure and craft stalls that replicate the tradition of the area you’ve simply spent the day exploring. It replaces Eden Lounge however nonetheless has the great sea views from the again of the ship, and on sea days it turns into a pageant vacation spot with a dwell music present and occasion till late at evening. In between are ‘Sips and Snack Carts’ treats, arts and crafts for all ages, and roaming performances by singers and outrageously dressed dancers. Caribbean cruises function metal bands, with a extra subtle vibe within the Mediterranean.
The Spa can also be one of many new wonders. It’s greater than ever, with a SEA Thermal Suite which has big views over the entrance of the ship, whereas the brand new Hydra Rocelebritycruises.comom is sort of a pool-sized scorching tub. A 24-hour Thermal Suite move is $119.
The ship has an incredible theatre (Picture: Movie star Xcel)
Staterooms
Xcel’s staterooms begin with Inside cabins, by way of Ocean View rooms, Veranda or Infinite Veranda cabins, better-equipped Concierge Class staterooms, Aqua Class cabins with spa advantages, and a wide range of suites, which have entry to a non-public lounge, solar deck, and restaurant.
Most have kingsize beds with cashmere mattresses and a satisfying pale and woody décor, with televisions that provide movies, information channels, sports activities and details about the ship’s each day programme. For households, there are connecting rooms and plenty of staterooms have a settee mattress.
However of the 1,640 staterooms, 608 are Veranda or Infinite Veranda cabins, the latter that includes a balcony area inside the cabin and an exterior glass wall that drops to waist top on the contact of a button to let in sea breezes and views.
AquaClass has spa-style services inside the staterooms and limitless entry to the SEA Thermal Suite, preferential charges on spa packages, free health passes and a clean-cuisine non-public restaurant, Blu.
As for Suites, there are a number of sizes and all include a butler, complimentary minibar, entry to The Retreat – a stunning non-public lounge bar and sundeck with pool – and limitless use of the Luminae non-public restaurant.
Eating
Certainly one of Xcel’s new additions is Bora, a splendid Mediterranean restaurant – half conservatory-style, half al fresco – set among the many Rooftop Backyard’s greenery. On supply (each additional cost) are brunch, with an extravagant Bloody Mary trolley doing the rounds, and dinner (when sundown and twilight make it magical). Dinner is $65.
The Bazaar, one other new arrival, not solely serves little treats (savoury and candy) in the course of the day however can also be residence to Mosaic, a specialty restaurant ($95) which within the Caribbean focuses on island delicacies however in Europe could have a Mediterranean flavour.
In all, there are eight specialty eating places. Patisserie Le Grand Bistro is informal by day and turns into Le Petit Chef within the night for French delicacies. Uncooked on 5 has sushi, in addition to different Asian dishes (fried calamari, truffled tuna), chargeable by merchandise. There’s additionally the Spice espresso and snack bar in The Bazaar, whereas Superb Minimize has a prolonged steak, fish and seafood menu ($65).
The ship’s connoisseur coronary heart is Le Voyage By Daniel Boulud, a showcase for the Michelin-starred French chef’s creations, however it’s $129 for the meal (virtually £100) and, like all specialty eating places, incurs a 20 per cent service cost.
The 4 primary complimentary eating places are all elegant with décor to match their delicacies: Cosmopolitan with a world menu, Tuscan (Italian), Normandie (French) and Cyprus (Mediterranean).
The buffet, Oceanview Café, provides a world of choices, from curry to roast turkey and trimmings, and each night it has a particular focus comparable to Mexican or different cuisines. Additionally accessible – and free – in the course of the day are burgers and scorching canine from the Mast Grill close to the pool.
Movie star Xcel’s has a critical buffet sport (Picture: Movie star Xcel)
Leisure
The Theatre is a putting, state-of-the-art venue with an interactive backdrop and a stage entice door that permits performers to seem from nowhere. Exhibits are dramatic occasions comparable to Between Takes, an eye-opening recreation of Twenties Hollywood with high-flying stunts, and Insurgent: A Basic Rock Expertise, which is a pot-pourri of huge rock numbers.
The Membership, a hangar-like area, has extra musical occasions comparable to 254 West, which recreates an imagined, riotous closing occasion of New York’s Studio 54 nightclub, and Saddle Up Saloon – all Stetsons, line-dancing and nation music. A DJ places every evening to mattress.
New arrival is The Attic At The Membership, a 24-hour grown-ups’ playroom on a balcony overlooking the venue area with desk soccer, darts and a golf simulator in a room that may be employed for karaoke.
Elsewhere, there are musicians within the Grand Plaza at assorted occasions, day and evening, with the Martini Bar at its centre for dwell bands and dancing. Across the Pool Membership there are afternoon DJs and sailaway events with early-evening singer-guitarists on the on-deck Sundown Bar. Open-air films are screened within the Rooftop Backyard.
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Yet one more factor (and new on Xcel) is a secret area that’s found by phrase of mouth or accident. It’s known as IYKYK (If You Know You Know), and as soon as you recognize you’ll be there each night. You should definitely take a selfie!
Guide it
Movie star Xcel is crusing Caribbean itineraries from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale till April 2026, then crusing to Europe (returning for summer time 2027) for cruises from Barcelona and Athens (Piraeus) across the Med. Its 11-night Spain, Portugal & Morocco cruise is on the market on various dates from April to October, and prices from £1,709pp, two sharing, calling at Cadiz (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Funchal (Madeira), Tangier (Morocco) and Palma (Mallorca).
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