As a self-proclaimed “Island girl”, the Caribbean has been at the top of my dream-holiday list.

So when I was invited to join Celebrity Cruises for the launch of its newest and most advanced ship yet, Celebrity Xcel, on a maiden voyage to the Bahamas and Mexico, the stars were clearly aligned. 

Even the 22-hour journey from Sydney to Fort Lauderdale couldn’t dull my excitement. What I didn’t realise, however, as this was my first cruise ever – quite possibly it’s now the reason no future sailing will ever top it.

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A five-star Hotel (that just happens to float)

Walking onboard Celebrity Xcel was like checking into a luxury resort, not a cruise ship. As the fifth vessel in Celebrity’s revolutionary Edge Series, Xcel takes the brand’s outward facing design to new heights – literally.

It’s longer, taller, sleeker, and filled with more outdoor space than any of its predecessors.

There are 179 additional suites and staterooms, a 40 per cent larger sundeck and even an entirely new deck.

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I stayed in an Infinite Veranda Stateroom, where the entire outer wall transforms into a floor-to-ceiling glass balcony at the touch of a button.

Waking up to uninterrupted ocean views each morning never got old. 

Dining that rivals anything on land

Food is a massive part of cruising, and Celebrity Xcel takes that responsibility seriously. With more restaurants, bars, and lounges than ever before, choosing where to eat each night became a surprisingly delightful dilemma.

Bora, the ship’s brand new rooftop restaurant, instantly became one of the highlights of my trip.

Perched at the very top of the ship with panoramic ocean views, this open air Mediterranean inspired restaurant transitions from daytime brunch spot to romantic evening escape.

We ordered the pear and prosciutto salad, garlic and butter-flayed sea bass, lobster, and a perfectly tender rib eye – each dish better than the last.

Complimentary dining

Of all the included restaurants, Cyprus stole my heart. The space is inspired by flavours of the Greek Islands, and the menu reads like a love letter to Santorini.

We shared grilled octopus, a tapas platter, braised beef cheek, cod with silky cauliflower mash, and an array of fresh, rustic homemade pastas. It was the kind of meal that lingers in your memory for days.

The service alone made the dinner feel like a special occasion. The staff greeted us by our first names, and checked in often without ever feeling intrusive.

Cyprus quickly became the heart of our evenings onboard, and the standard to compare every dinner too.

The breakfast buffet

One of the parts of cruise life I didn’t expect to love as much as I did was the Oceanview Café’s marketplace-style buffet. It became my morning ritual.

The sheer variety was almost overwhelming in the best way including made to order omelettes, pancakes and waffles, tropical fruits, pastries still warm from the oven, and stations serving everything from Asian noodles to classic American breakfast plates.

It was the kind of breakfast that made you linger longer than planned, slowly working your way through plates “just to try” while the Caribbean sun poured through the windows.

Bimini, Bahamas

On Day 2 we docked in Bimini, a place that felt instantly like the Caribbean postcard of my dreams. The water was so clear I could see the ocean floor from the pier.

We joined the Island Kayak Adventure Tour, which was the perfect way to get up close to marine life while paddling through impossibly blue waters.

Afterwards, we headed to Resorts World Bimini with our beach pass – where we swam, lounged on white sand, and soaked in every ray of Bahamian sunshine. It was one of those rare travel moments where you stop and realise: I’m really here.

Cozumel, Mexico

Day 4 brought us to Cozumel, Mexico, where the vibe is completely different – lush, tropical, energetic, and alive with Mayan culture.

We booked an ATV ride through the forest, weaving through jungle trails as lemurs, iguanas, and other wildlife appeared around us. It was muddy, thrilling, and such a fun contrast to our peaceful day in Bimini.

A wellness sanctuary at Sea

The ship’s focus on wellness surprised me in the best way. I spent a day with a pass to the SEA Thermal Suite, which offers eight therapeutic rooms, including a steam room, float room, salt room, heated loungers, and the incredible new Hydra Room – a bubbling spa experience designed to melt away every trace of tension.

There’s also the open-air Vitamin D Deck, which became one of my favourite quiet corners of the ship, offering fresh sea breeze and sweeping ocean views.

Sunset cocktails, live music and a brand-new party space

Every evening became ritualistic: heading to the Sunset Bar for cocktails as the sky melted from orange to pink to purple.

With acoustic pop and folk music playing and the horizon stretching endlessly ahead, it was one of the most serene settings on the ship.

But when we wanted something livelier, we headed to The Bazaar, Xcel’s new three-storey immersive entertainment hub.

Each day it transforms into a festival celebrating the cultures of the regions Celebrity sails to.

We experienced the Viva Festival Show, where the space morphed into a Mexican fiesta, complete with mariachi music and dancers. It was truly electric and the perfect way to end our time in Mexico. 

The verdict

Celebrity Xcel didn’t just meet my expectations of a Caribbean holiday – it completely transformed what I thought cruising could be.

From the wellness spaces to the restaurants, from the ports to the parties, every moment felt curated, luxurious, and elevated.

As a first-time cruiser, I’m now officially spoiled. I’m not sure anything else will ever compare… but I’m certainly excited to try.

The writer travelled as a guest of Celebrity Cruises.