Cruise Holidays

Writer Deborah Peters was one of the first to set sail on Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, and discovered endless extravagant eating and entertainment options to explore

Imagine you’re on your dream holiday – how many bars and restaurants would be too many? How many different spaces can you explore in a short space of time? To answer these questions, we were lucky enough to join the maiden voyage of the Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship for 2026.

The latest in the Edge Series of ships, the Xcel will have you spoilt for choice; there’s so much on offer that it’s hard to decide what to do first. Luckily, inside your cabin you’re provided with daily planners, and there’s a handy app with information on what’s happening where.

Everything on board the Xcel is sparkly and brand new, you’re surrounded by so much art you won’t know where to look first, and the Magic Carpet platform, suspended above the sea, is seriously impressive. Setting sail from Fort Lauderdale, there was certainly a celebratory atmosphere as we started our Caribbean cruise to Bimini in the Bahamas and Cozumel in Mexico.

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What’s on board the Celebrity Xcel?

The Grand Plaza is the main hub of the ship. Set over three open and airy decks, it’s overlooked by a breathtaking chandelier hanging above the martini bar, where the flamboyant bar staff put on a skilled juggling performance in front of an eye-catching golden horse sculpture. It’s the perfect spot for relaxing, with different entertainment each night and brilliant people- watching opportunities at all times (especially during the silent disco!).

One new area on the Xcel is The Bazaar on deck five. It’s approached through a tunnel of changing lights, and is inspired by the cultures, flavours and sights of the destinations you’re visiting on your cruise. Every time we passed through there was a different delicious smell, and it’s full of interesting little stalls from local artisans. Festivals take place here on sea days where you can experience themed sips and snacks, and crafting activities are also dotted around.

The food on board the Celebrity Xcel

There are so many different dining experiences on board the Xcel, and the food standard is excellent. The four complimentary restaurants – Cosmopolitan, Normandie, Cyprus and Tuscan – are all designed differently and have their own signature dishes.

The Oceanview café is a relaxed space with great views and great food. The choice is huge and as well as the main buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there’s a pizza and pasta bar, an ice-cream parlour, late night snacks… it goes on and on and on.

There are also seven speciality dining restaurants, bookable for an extra charge. We were massively impressed by Mosaic, an open kitchen concept with a spin on your destination’s signature dishes, all presented beautifully. Bora, meanwhile, is a new outdoor restaurant at the top of the ship, serving extravagant brunches and sunset dinners – perfect for date nights.

What can you do on the Celebrity Xcel?

With all that food and drink, you might fancy some light activity. A walking/running track winds its way around the top decks with views of the pool. For the more active, the state-of-the- art gym looking out to sea is fantastic; we’d never had such a great view from a treadmill.

There’s also a gorgeous spa with its own private sundeck called Vitamin D, and a huge choice of saunas, steam rooms and treatments. It’s so relaxing and quiet, it’s hard to remember that you’re at sea at all.

The Celebrity Pool Club is overlooked by a giant mirrored monkey sculpture that provides the perfect spot for selfies. Poolside valets keep you refreshed all day and there’s a programme of volleyball, poolside trivia and aquafun dance classes. After hours the pool club transforms to host the Shine the Night party with DJs. There are so many entertainment areas on board, there’s something for everyone – a casino, a theatre, The Club with activities, retro video games and game shows, an art gallery, and more bars than you can keep track of.

And of course, there are loads of excursions to choose from when you get off at your destinations too; the shark snorkelling at Bimini in particular was a fantastic experience.

One last thing…

Something worth investigating is the whispered rumours of a secret speakeasy bar on board. You won’t find any information about it online (it’s only referred to as ‘IYKYK’ on the website) and staff will deny all knowledge when questioned, but we happened upon it on our last night. It’s all very hush hush with no photos allowed, but if you can find it, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. All we’ll say is look out for the photo booth…

How much does it cost?

Celebrity Cruises’ 7-nights Bahamas, Mexico & Cayman Cruise on board the Celebrity Xcel, sailing from 1-8 March 2026, costs from £879.50 per person based on two adults sharing an Inside Stateroom. This price includes food, with drinks packages, flights and WiFi at extra costs.

For additional options for Caribbean cruises, have a browse of TUI’s and MSC’s offerings.

Travel expert Megan duBois has spent more than 15 years sailing the seas on different cruise lines – and she says there are some things she will ‘never buy’ as they aren’t worth the price

A seasoned cruiser who has embarked on more than 50 voyages has revealed the items she would “never buy” whilst aboard a ship. Travel guru Megan duBois has clocked up over 15 years exploring the oceans on various cruise lines.

However, Megan insists there are certain “experiences and extras” she simply refuses to pay for, as she believes they “aren’t worth the price”. From lavish spa treatments to basic keepsakes, Megan reckons there are numerous ways to pocket some savings during your getaway.

One expense Megan says she won’t fork out for is a drinks package. Most leading cruise operators provide drinks packages with costs typically ranging from approximately £50 to £75 per person daily.

Additionally, many cruise companies mandate that all passengers sharing a cabin must purchase the same package, according to Megan. As somebody who rarely drinks alcohol, Megan maintains the package simply doesn’t justify the expense.

Writing in BusinessInsider, she explained: “I stick to ordering my beverages à la carte. It saves me money and makes me really think about what I’m ordering.”

Whilst numerous cruise-goers might be tempted to indulge in pampering aboard their vessel, Megan reveals she bypasses the salon and arranges her preferred beauty treatments before boarding day. She notes that ships frequently charge “premium, much higher” rates compared to those on land.

She also relishes the sensation of stepping onto the ship “looking and feeling great”. The experienced voyager now steers clear of room service as well, unless it comes complimentary, naturally.

In recent times, she’s observed a surge in the number of trips that charge for food delivery. As a result, Megan now prefers to venture out to the buffet or dining halls.

She elaborates: “If I really want to eat in my cabin because I need some downtime or want to watch a movie, I ask the staff if there are any take-out options available.”

Another money-saving trick Megan employs is bypassing the souvenir lanyard. Many cruisers often find themselves shelling out for a lanyard to keep their crucial room key within easy reach.

These typically also serve as your ID and payment card on board the ship. However, instead of buying one, Megan has taken to storing her key card in her phone case so it’s always at hand.

Lastly, Megan reveals she steers clear of booking excursions through her cruise line. She does concede that booking via the cruise line ensures the ship will usually wait if you’re running behind schedule.

This implies that if you’re considering booking your excursions through a third-party, then you need to ensure you return with ample time to spare.

Megan said: “I like to explore the ports on my own or with a third-party excursion company. These excursions are typically more affordable and offer comparable experiences, and I always read a lot of reviews before booking.

Villa Vie Residences has announced plans for a new residential cruise ship where people can buy cabins and live at sea permanently – with prices starting lower than average London property

Ever reached the end of a cruise and wished you could just keep on sailing? Well, your dreams might soon become reality. A US firm has unveiled plans for a residential cruise ship that lets you live permanently at sea. However, prospective passengers will need to dig deep into their pockets to secure a spot.

Villa Vie Residences already operates one residential cruise ship, the Odyssey, which has been embarking on a continuous global cruise since October 2024. Despite being delayed by technical issues and leaving Belfast several months late, it’s currently navigating its way through a 15-year planned itinerary.

The current cruise is set to circumnavigate the globe multiple times, with each journey lasting three and a half years, reports the Express.

The company has now announced plans, dubbed Project Lumina, to acquire a luxury cruise ship for residents to live on either full or part-time. They suggest these all-inclusive cruises could even prove cheaper than living on dry land.

Those seeking a permanent home on the ship can bag an oceanview room from $539,999 (around £404,000) or upgrade to a suite with a balcony for $899,999 (roughly £637,000). Monthly fees will apply for residents.

However, more affordable options such as five-year ownerships and rentals are available for those not planning to make the sea their long-term home.

The average cost of a flat in London, rather dishearteningly, typically ranges between £530,000 and £610,000, making the new cruise ship a potentially more affordable option. Those who purchase these rooms aren’t required to live in them permanently.

There are alternatives available, such as renting them out when not in use. Passengers also have the option to invite guests on board for a stay, at a fee.

While the exact details of the ship remain confidential, the company confirmed in a statement that the cruise will offer ‘ultra-luxury’ and operate alongside their existing Odyssey service.

On Villa Vie’s current residential cruise, the amenities are akin to those found on a standard cruise ship, with some bespoke extras for those embarking on longer-term journeys. There’s gourmet dining, entertainment, a swimming pool, optional excursions, and regular housekeeping.

Residents also benefit from a fortnightly laundry service and include medical visits. A social club and regular events for passengers ensure no one feels isolated during this extended voyage.

Although many current passengers on the Odyssey are retirees, the cruise is also targeting remote workers and digital nomads who can work from anywhere in the world. There’s a business centre on board and high-speed WiFi provided by Starlink, enabling people to make video calls on the go.

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In a statement released to PR Newswire, the newly-appointed President Chris Cox expressed: “I’m thrilled to join Villa Vie at such a defining moment for the brand and for the category. There is incredible demand for authentic, residential oceangoing lifestyles-from attainable world-travel homes to ultra-luxury villa experiences.

“Project Lumina will be about listening carefully to that demand and translating it into beautifully designed, high-value products that feel both elevated and deeply personal.”

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

This year has seen a raft of items banned from cruise ships, and if you’re planning on sailing away in 2026, make sure you don’t have any of these items in your luggage or you could risk having your possessions confiscated

While a cruise can be an excellent way to see the world, stepping on-board one of these giant floating resorts is very different to checking into a hotel. There are cruise etiquette rules to observe, and due to safety regulations and the close proximity to other guests, strict guidelines that passengers will need to follow.

In 2025, many cruise lines announced bans on common travel items, citing either safety concerns or antisocial behaviour. If you haven’t been on a cruise for a while, it’s worth double-checking with your cruise line what is and isn’t allowed in your bag.

Here are some of the items that have been banned in recent months and could end up being confiscated if you bring them on board.

1. Satellite internet

Onboard WiFi can be a big expense on top of the price of your cruise, especially for longer journeys or if you plan to use multiple devices. Some tech-savvy passengers have tried to avoid the cost by bringing devices such as Starlink Mini onboard, which provides internet via a satellite, but cruise companies have not been impressed by this ingenious hack.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are among the cruise lines which banned passenger-owned Starlink devices, although some of their ships use the system to provide WiFi at a cost. Cruise lines have claimed that satellites could cause interference to the ship’s systems and problems with its own WiFi.

2. Travel routers

Many cruise WiFi packages can only be used on one device, leading some passengers to bring routers to use in their cabins, which allows them to connect multiple devices to a single connection. However, some cruise lines are cracking down on what was once a popular money-saving hack. There have been claims that these routers could cause cybersecurity issues on cruises, and many cruise groups on social media are full of passengers complaining that their devices were confiscated when trying to bring them in their luggage.

3. Clack fans

This rather strange ban was implemented by Carnival Cruises in the USA in response to a dance craze. The 2024 song Boots on the Ground by 803Fresh spawned a popular TikTok dance that became a staple on cruises, and involves using a paper clack fan to accompany the beat. However, the American cruise line banned them from nightclubs and indoor dance floors over safety concerns, although they can still be used in spaces such as decks.

4. Bluetooth speakers

If you’re dreaming of sitting out on your balcony blasting your favourite tunes, then you may be disappointed. Many cruise lines have now banned Bluetooth speakers, citing noise levels, annoyance to other passengers, and the possibility of blocking important safety announcements. Celebrity, Carnival and MSC all have speaker bans.

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5. Upside down pineapple stickers

According to Australian news outlet Cruise Passenger, upside-down pineapples, often used as a symbol that couples are interested in swinging, will no longer be allowed on cruises run by Carnival. When asked about the stickers, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald wrote: “Thank you for mentioning that, those are definitely no longer allowed on the ships and they will be removed from any cabin door.”

Their guidelines for passengers wanting to decorate their stateroom door also state: “Items displayed during the cruise should not contain any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendos/suggestions.”

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com