MEET CELEBRITY XCEL
HELLO
Hello Travelers,
Last month, we talked about what you'll be doing when you step off the ship.
This month, let's talk about where you'll be spending seven nights when you step back on.
MEET CELEBRITY XCEL
Celebrity Xcel is the newest ship in Celebrity's Edge Series, and while you'll find some Celebrity favorites onboard, Xcel introduces several spaces and experiences of its own.
One of the things I find most interesting for your Mediterranean itinerary is how the ship brings some of the destinations you're visiting onboard.
THE BAZAAR
This is one of the spaces I think you'll want to explore more than once.
The Bazaar changes with the destinations you're visiting, bringing some of the food, music, traditions and celebrations of the region back onboard.
During the European season, that includes experiences inspired by Greece, Italy and Spain, from the Opa Festival to La Dolce Vita and Salud.
There are also destination-inspired food experiences, a market and cooking classes through Chef's Studio.
So your time experiencing Europe doesn't necessarily stop when you walk back onto the ship.
Darcy's note: Don't assume you've “seen” The Bazaar after your first visit. Take another look as the cruise goes on and see how the experience changes along with your itinerary.
Alternatives
LET’S TALK ABOUT FOOD
BORA
You will not be hurting for choices.
Celebrity Xcel has 18 restaurants and 15 bars and lounges, ranging from familiar Edge Series favorites to concepts created for Xcel.
One worth putting on your radar is Bora, an outdoor Mediterranean restaurant in the Rooftop Garden.
By day, Bora offers brunch with live music. At night, it becomes an open-air dinner experience under the stars.
MOSAIC
There's also Mosaic in The Bazaar, where the menu takes inspiration from the destinations you're visiting.
We'll talk more about dining, reservations and what's included as you get closer, so you do not need to start studying restaurant menus yet.
For now, just know:
Come hungry.
FIND YOUR SPOT
One of my favorite things about cruising is finding your place on the ship.
The chair you keep returning to.
The bar where everyone somehow ends up before dinner.
The quiet spot you discover on day two.
The pool where you decide you're perfectly content doing absolutely nothing for a while.
Xcel has plenty of contenders.
The Celebrity Pool Club offers shade, cabanas and poolside service, while the Rooftop Garden gives you another open-air place to relax with the ocean around you.
And, of course, there's the Magic Carpet, cantilevered over the side of the ship with some pretty spectacular views.
You have seven nights.
I expect everyone to have a favorite spot by the end.
AFTER DINNER
Celebrity Xcel isn't necessarily a go to the show and then go to bed kind of ship.
There are production shows, live music, themed parties, Silent Disco, Candlelight Concerts and plenty happening around the ship after dinner.
Or maybe your evening looks more like finding a comfortable spot for a cocktail and seeing where the night takes you.
The Martini Bar is a Celebrity favorite, complete with flair bartenders who make preparing the drinks part of the entertainment.
And with this group?
I'm fairly confident you'll provide some entertainment of your own.
DARCY’S PICKS
If I were sailing with you, you already know where you'd probably find me first:
Café al Bacio. Coffee is practically a travel-planning category around here, and Café al Bacio serves espresso, cappuccinos, lattes and other coffee drinks along with teas and pastries. I'd establish my coffee order early.
After that, a few things I think are worth putting on your radar:
The Bazaar. I particularly like this for your itinerary because it brings some of the flavors, music and traditions of the Mediterranean onboard as you travel through the region.
Bora. An outdoor Mediterranean restaurant in the Rooftop Garden, including brunch by day and dinner under the stars at night.
The Martini Bar. Because eventually coffee hour ends and cocktail hour begins. Espresso martini, anyone? Coffee and cocktail in the same glass? Efficient.
WATCH BEFORE YOU GO
Mamma Mia!
If you need an excuse to spend an evening with ABBA, Meryl Streep and an unreasonable amount of Greek-island scenery before this trip, here it is.
Mamma Mia! was filmed in Greece, and while you won't be visiting the exact islands used for most of the movie, it certainly gets you in the mood for blue water, whitewashed buildings and Mediterranean sunshine.
Consider it extremely unofficial pre-cruise homework.
Prefer Hallmark to ABBA?
You have options there, too. The Greek Aisle premiered this summer and takes place on Corfu.
I'm not assigning both.
But I'm also not stopping you.
KEEP EXPLORING
If you haven't looked through the excursion recommendations from last month yet, they're still there for you.
And remember to keep sending me any flights, hotels, transfers, tours or other arrangements you book.
I'll add them to your Honeycomb Hollow Travel Co. itinerary in the Tern App so your trip details stay together in one place.
Until next time,
