We’ve now sailed on all 5 Edge-class ships, and Movie star Xcel has rapidly turn into our favourite. From the second we stepped aboard throughout our 2-day preview crusing, Movie star Xcel shined. As the most recent ship in Movie star Cruises’ Edge class, Xcel takes every part we already cherished about these ships and elevates it with thrilling new areas, eating venues, and leisure choices that units her aside from her sister ships.
Whether or not you’ve sailed on Movie star Edge, Apex, Past, or Ascent and are questioning what’s totally different, otherwise you’re making an attempt to resolve which Edge-class ship to guide, we’re breaking down all of the Movie star Xcel variations and what impressed us most.
What’s New on Movie star Xcel
When evaluating Movie star Xcel vs. different Edge class ships, there are just a few key variations. Maybe the most important transformation is The Bazaar which replaces Eden on the aft of decks 4, 5, and 6. This reimagined 3-deck area helps to create a stronger connection to the locations visited, with unique meals and drinks, a market, actions, and a wide range of leisure.
Together with the Bazaar, Movie star Xcel additionally debuts some brand-new restaurant ideas, together with Bora, Mosaic, and Spice Cafe. These distinctive culinary choices additional elevate the eating expertise with new choices like a Bloody Mary Bar throughout brunch at Bora and destination-specific dishes on the menu on the specialty restaurant Mosaic and the informal eatery Spice.
The leisure on Movie star Xcel will get an improve too. There are three all-new productions within the theater, two new interactive exhibits in The Membership, 4 new festivals in The Bazaar, and loads of new video games, events, and experiences. To not point out, there’s Attic at The Membership with adult-oriented video games like darts and pool AND there simply could be a brand new speakeasy onboard too, IYKYK!
However the upgrades don’t cease there. Visitors can count on elevated poolside experiences, an enhanced spa, and Movie star Flagship the place retail meets museum.
The Bazaar
Essentially the most dynamic new area on Movie star Xcel, and our absolute favourite, is The Bazaar. This revolutionary venue evolves all through the cruise with three absolutely immersive experiences on a typical 7-day crusing. Offering nonstop exploration even whereas onboard, The Bazaar “blurs the road between ship and shore” by inviting visitors to get swept away within the sights, sounds, and flavors of the locations they go to.
The centerpiece of The Bazaar is the rotating destination-inspired festivals. Throughout Caribbean sailings, there’s Viva Competition (Cozumel), Flora Competition (Dominican Republic), Aqua Competition (sea day), and Carnival Competition (sea day). Every pageant contains native meals and drinks, crafting experiences, The Marketplace for native purchasing, pop-up leisure all through the day, nighttime performances, elaborate decor with nice use of digital screens, and extra.
Relying on the itinerary, visitors can experiece both the Viva or Flora pageant in the course of the ship’s name into Cozumel or Dominican Republic, respectively. These festivals provide a extra chill vibe with destination-inspired video games and actions, native distributors in The Market, and distinctive dishes in Spice Cafe.
On sea days, The Bazaar comes alive with the all-day Aqua and Carnival Festivals. The Aqua Competition celebrates the oceans. Highlights embody unique sips and snacks just like the Aqua Blossom Cocktail and Mango Shrimp Salad. Exercise carts embody watercolor bookmarks, make-your-own salt scrub ($10), and make-your-own shell trinket dish ($10). The pageant additionally incorporates a distinctive present occurring at 4:30 and 10 PM.
Equally, the Carnival Competition celebrates the Caribbean’s greatest celebration of the yr with sips and snacks together with a Calypso Cocktail, tropical bowls, and dulce de leche island brookies. Crafts embody tropical origami, mini maracas ($10), and seashore indicators ($10), There’s a Carnival present at 4:30 and 10 PM as nicely.
When Movie star Xcel repositions to the Mediterranean in Summer season 2026, The Bazaar will utterly remodel to focus on Mediterranean festivals, markets, and culinary experiences.
When in comparison with Eden on different Edge-class ships, this area is next-level.
New Eating & Culinary Improvements
Movie star Xcel introduces just a few brand-new eating venues. Mosaic replaces Eden Restaurant because the specialty restaurant in The Bazaar. That includes an open-kitchen idea, this venue serves dishes impressed by the areas the ship is crusing. Some highlights from the Caribbean menu embody tuna ceviche, salanova salad, croquetas, jerk dumplings, corn ravioli, lobster casserole, spiced lamb lion, and banana fritters.
This elevated eating expertise is $95 per particular person. We had been capable of check out the menu throughout our preview crusing, and whereas we loved every part we sampled, we nonetheless want Le Voyage and Superb Minimize Steakhouse over Mosaic.
Adjoining to Mosaic is the Chef’s Studio, Movie star’s first-ever destination-inspired cooking faculty the place visitors can study to arrange regional dishes.
Additionally in The Bazaar, Spice Cafe replaces Eden Café. This venue provides grab-and-go meals and bites impressed by the itinerary as nicely. As a complimentary cafe, we actually loved the brand new choices in Spice Cafe. Visitors can construct their very own bowls for breakfast and lunch or pattern different rotating objects like pineapple ginger turkey and a Carnival breakfast sandwich with guava jam.
Bora is the showstopper that replaces Rooftop Backyard Grill. This al fresco eating venue incorporates a Mediterranean seafood-centric menu, reside music, and infinite ocean views. It’s excellent for a vigorous brunch with bottomless Bloody Marys or an intimate dinner with complimentary spritzes and dishes ready tableside. Visitors can take pleasure in menu objects like French toast or rooster & waffles “the Bora approach” at brunch ($35 per particular person) and sea bream a la espalda, lobster medallions, and lamb tagine for dinner ($65 per particular person). Whereas we didn’t get to dine right here, some buddies on the preview crusing stated they loved their meals at Bora.
Visitors also needs to search for the Dream Makers image on different menus for unique new meals and beverage choices across the ship.
New Leisure & Actions
Movie star Xcel amps up the onboard leisure as nicely with brand-new exhibits within the Theater, The Membership, and The Bazaar. Whereas we had been solely onboard for 2 days, we tried to expertise as a lot of the brand new leisure as we may. And we actually loved what we noticed. Having simply come off Princess Cruises’ new ship, Star Princess, Movie star Xcel’s leisure is definitely a step above.
This ship debuts three unique productions within the modern theater. These exhibits pair Movie star’s largest forged of singers, dancers, and aerial artists with interactive LED screens and cutting-edge expertise for immersive experiences.
Mainstage is a reside music live performance that spans all genres and cultures. Between Takes transports visitors to a Twenties Hollywood film set to showcase what actually occurs between “lower” and “motion”, and Chapters journeys by transformation and self-discovery with visually-stunning storytelling.
Throughout our crusing, we watched Between Takes and Chapters. Each had been good, however we personally loved Chapters extra. In our opinion, the manufacturing high quality, transformational stage and set items, and digital imagery mixed seamlessly for one among Movie star Cruises’ finest stage exhibits but.
Moreover, The Membership debuts two new interactive exhibits. HOTEL is a comedic homicide thriller and 254 West transports visitors to the 80s on the closing evening for the “254 West” membership. To not point out, the second degree of this area, Attic on the Membership, is an adult-oriented recreation room with retro video games like pac-man, together with pool, darts, and shuffleboard.
Throughout our 2-day cruise, we noticed 254 West. The gifted singers carried out hits spanning Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, Madonna, and extra, together with interludes from a violinist, guitarist, and aerial artists. With restricted seating choices, remember to arrive early if you happen to don’t wish to stand for your entire interactive efficiency.
As beforehand talked about, The Bazaar is one other nice leisure area on Movie star Xcel that options 4 distinctive festivals that really remodel the area, celebrating every part from the tradition and traditions of Mexico and Dominican Republic to Caribbean carnivals and the ocean.
If that’s not sufficient, visitors can take pleasure in a wide range of new video games and recreation exhibits, new dance events just like the nation music celebration Saddle Up Saloon in The Membership, reside music across the ship, and the favored Shine the Evening celebration on the pool deck.
Elevated Movie star Pool Membership
Whereas we’ve all the time thought the pool decks on Edge-class ships had been upscale, Movie star Xcel elevates the pool deck expertise even additional. The Movie star Pool Membership makes visitors really feel like they’re stress-free at an unique seashore membership with sunbeds and pool valets providing chilled towels, sunscreen, and complimentary storage for private objects. The world additionally options non-public cabanas for lease and elevated shaded areas. After all, you may’t miss taking photographs with the enduring statue whereas monkeying round poolside both.
And now on all Caribbean sailings, one of many sea days turns into the Poolest Day Ever. This all-day celebration options reside music, pop-up exhibits, video games, and extra. There’s even unique poolside drinks served solely at this occasion.
The Spa Enhancements
Even the spa on Movie star Xcel will get an improve. As probably the most expansive spa but within the Movie star Cruises’ fleet, it options the primary Hydra Room. Considered one of eight thermal suite experiences, this revitalizing area has a heat, effervescent pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs. Although, it’s nonetheless on the small aspect when in comparison with the hydrotherapy swimming pools from different cruise traces like NCL.
Additionally new on Movie star Xcel, visitors can absorb some sunshine on the outside Vitamin D Deck, unique to thermal suite visitors. The Vitamin D Deck provides panoramic views from the entrance of the ship, now making good use of this forward-facing outside area that was principally neglected on earlier Edge-class vessels.
Thermal Suite pricing on Movie star Xcel is $399 for a week-long move or $119 for a day move.
Moreover, the salon has been expanded and now incorporates a new bubbles bar. Eliminating the Spa Cafe within the close by Solarium, this area now has a small champagne bar for visitors to take pleasure in throughout salon providers. It makes for an ideal “women’ day” expertise.
IYKYK – An Unique New House
Lastly, visitors should uncover probably the most unique new area on Movie star Xcel for themselves. This intimate speakeasy incorporates a bar with signature cocktails just like the Cotton Membership, reside jazz music, and a roaming magician.
Discover the photograph sales space onboard, then step inside to journey again in time to 1920 on your hour-long expertise. At present, it’s complimentary, however no photographs or movies are allowed!
Different Returning Favorites
Apart from all the brand new additions, there are a number of returning favorites on Movie star Xcel. The ship options 32 complete culinary choices. Loyal visitors will know and love the 4 returning principal eating rooms: Cyprus, Normandie, Tuscan, and Cosmopolitan. There’s additionally eight specialty eating places together with a few of our private favorites like Superb Minimize Steakhouse and Le Voyage.
Cafe al Bacio nonetheless serves up scrumptious treats and specialty espresso-based drinks all through the day. The Grand Plaza and vigorous Martini Bar stay widespread gathering spots for excellent drinks and dialog, and the Rooftop Backyard stays a traquil outside area. The World Class Bar, Sundown Bar, and Craft Social all provide distinct vibes and signature drinks with newly refreshed menus.
Movie star Xcel options a wide range of lodging as nicely. Identical to the opposite Edge-class vessels, the ship provides staterooms starting from inside and oceanview to the favored (or not so widespread) infinite verandas. AquaClass rooms have entry to the thermal suite and an unique restaurant, Blu. Suite visitors in The Retreat obtain a variety of perks together with a premium drink package deal, entry to a personal restaurant (Luminae), and an unique sundeck, amongst different perks.
Nothing Comes Shut
Whereas we already cherished the upscale and fashionable design of earlier Edge-class vessels, Movie star Xcel perfects it. The ship takes the innovation that made Edge, Apex, Past, and Ascent so widespread and refines it with considerate enhancements.
Our favourite onboard area, The Bazaar replaces Eden’s extra summary idea with one thing that feels vibrant, participating, and linked to your cruise itinerary. The place Eden generally felt like a fantastic however underutilized area, The Bazaar pulses with power and provides you causes to return all through the crusing.
The brand new eating venues like Bora, Mosaic, and Spice Cafe add selection and vacation spot taste. Mixed with elevated leisure, enhanced pool experiences, and considerate spa additions, Movie star Xcel delivers a extra immersive cruise trip.
Should you’ve sailed Edge-class ships earlier than and cherished them, you’ll doubtless discover Movie star Xcel acquainted but totally different (in a great way). Should you’re selecting between Edge-class ships on your first crusing, Movie star Xcel does simply that– excels! It’s not simply the most recent, it’s now our private favourite within the Movie star fleet.
Nevertheless, there’s a draw back. Movie star Xcel does include a premium price ticket. When researching Caribbean sailings on Movie star Xcel vs. Princess Cruises’ latest ship, Star Princess, charges vary from 40% increased to nearly double in worth for comparable balcony stateroooms.
If we’ve satisfied you to hop onboard Movie star Xcel on your subsequent cruise trip, you may both sail the Caribbean or go to the Mediterranean. Movie star Xcel is presently providing two roundtrip itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. The Japanese Caribbean itinerary visits Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten; and the Western Caribbean itinerary visits Bimini, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. She is going to then sail the Mediterranean in Summer season 2026 visiting iconic ports in Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and past. Then, she’ll return to Miami in Fall 2026 to renew Caribbean sailings.
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