Celebrity Cruises’ forthcoming Celebrity Xcel turns an ordinary day in a deck-chair into a mini-resort holiday. Before we dive into the details, know this: the re-imagined Pool Club is more than a spot to swim. It’s an all-day, all-night stage for island rhythms, VIP cabanas and cocktails served in mini-Patrón bottles.
A Contemporary Deck Built for Shade & Service
Celebrity Cruises Pool Club’s upper canopy now stretches further over the water, so you can linger longer without retreating from the midday sun. Roving pool valets deliver chilled towels, card decks for impromptu games and secure storage boxes—simple touches that mean you never have to sprint back to your stateroom for sunscreen or sunnies.
VIP Cabanas with a Crew of Their Own
Travellers chasing “first-class from breakfast to sunset” can book a private cabana for the day. Each hut includes an attendant who’ll fetch mesquite-grilled sliders, mist your face with cooling sprays and top up iced carafes of fruit water (or Aperol if you prefer). USB points and lockable drawers keep gadgets safe while you swim.
The Poolest Day Ever: From Steel Pans to Shine the Night
One sea day on every Caribbean itinerary morphs into the Poolest Day Ever℠. Island bands strike up during lunch, water volleyball tournaments erupt, and a new frozen Paloma Fresca keeps vibes tropical. When dusk hits, LED lighting flips the deck from coconut-casual to champagne-chic for Shine the Night—a party fuelled by tapas-style plates and DJ mash-ups.
Neon Nights & Retro Games in Attic at The Club
Every sailing needs a late-night playground, and Celebrity Xcel has delivered. Attic at The Club is open 24/7, drenched in neon, and crammed with vintage favourites like Pac-Man, NBA Showtime and Golden Tee.
90s Arcade Meets Modern Mixology
Rows of glowing arcade cabinets line the walls while bartenders shake espresso martinis in the centre lounge. The soundtrack? A curated throwback playlist that drifts from grunge to hip-hop as night folds into dawn.
Social Games & Private Karaoke Pods
Dartboards, shuffleboard and foosball tables encourage friendly rivalries. For mates who prefer the spotlight, a bookable annex converts into a karaoke pod or golf-simulator suite—perfect for big-number birthdays or hens’ trips.
Adults-Only Vibe, All Ages Welcome by Day
Until 9 p.m., teens can join parents for a nostalgic button-bashing session. After the watershed, the bar tilts upscale: whisky flights arrive, the lighting drops, and nostalgic fun turns sophisticated.
The Spa: Hydra Pools, Vitamin D Deck & 120 Ways to Unwind
When the high-energy buzz crescendos, head forward to the fleet’s most expansive spa. Celebrity has long defined wellness at sea, yet their newest innovations push boundaries again.
The Hydra Room: Jets, Bubbles & Muscle Relief
Debuting exclusively on Xcel, the Hydra Room℠ combines a warm, bubbling pool with massaging wall jets and heated stone loungers. Therapists say 20 minutes equals a full-body warm-up, priming you for deep-tissue work or simply banishing jet lag.
Vitamin D Deck: Sun Therapy Without the Crowds
Tucked away on the bow, this open-air enclave is accessible only to Thermal Suite guests. Plush daybeds overlook the wake while stewards pass chilled cucumber water and factor-50 spritzes. On wind-free days, sunrise yoga sessions sell out fast.
Skincare Labs & the Bubbles Bar
Inside, interactive counters let you test serums under guided Skin Lab cameras. Next door, the new Bubbles Bar pops corks on zero-alcohol sparkling teas, perfect post-facial hydration.
Celebrity Flagship: Retail Meets Storytelling
Cruise boutiques often feel interchangeable, but the line’s first flagship shop is half museum, half atelier.
Interactive Walls Trace 35 Years of Innovation
Touch-screens reveal archival blueprints, early menus and trivia that even seasoned cruisers may not know—like which Solstice-class ship first introduced the Lawn Club.
Bespoke Souvenirs, Engraved While You Wait
Pick a stainless-steel water bottle, have your initials laser-etched beside the silhouette of Celebrity Xcel, and walk out with a memory no land-based gift shop can replicate.
Limited-Edition Collabs Only on Xcel
Expect capsule ranges from emerging Bahamian artists, fleet-exclusive gins and robes embroidered with your sailing date—collectibles designed to make eBay jealous.
Beyond the New Venues: Food, Fun & Future Voyages
Xcel adds al-fresco Mediterranean bites at Bora, a re-imagined shopping bazaar and the largest cast of entertainers in Celebrity’s history. From November she alternates seven-night eastern and western Caribbean loops ex Ft Lauderdale; from mid-2026 she pivots to Barcelona and Athens, featuring the brand’s first overnight calls in Madeira.
Before you log off and start plotting sea-days versus shore-days, remember each itinerary is loaded into our Cruise Finder. Take a peek at deck plans, compare sailing dates and secure early-bird bonuses here.
Already picturing yourself ordering a Paloma Fresca under the Florida sunshine? Cruise Finder shows live fares, suite availability and on-board credit promos—no email sign-up required.
Secure Your Place on Celebrity Xcel Today
Spaces in those new VIP cabanas and the Hydra Room’s maiden season will vanish fast. Tap our team of cruise specialists and we’ll tailor flights, pre-cruise hotels and shore excursions that marry Miami’s nightlife with Santorini sunsets. Reach out to one of our cruise experts and we’ll hold the perfect stateroom while you gather the crew.
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