The Retreat on Celebrity Xcel: First Look & Inside Scoop
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
The food is fantastic here, but also the ambiance is stellar.
We are in a Sky Suite on the 9th deck, room 203.
The retreat as well as our aqua customers will get to enjoy the new spa amenities.
Creator's Tips & Advice
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
Step inside The Retreat on Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class, as we take you through the suite-only experience during the ship’s exclusive preview sailing. This episode gives you a clear look at what sets Xcel’s version of The Retreat apart, from refreshed spaces to thoughtful service touches. You’ll hear impressions of The Retreat Lounge, the subtle layout changes from earlier Edge-class ships, and why it becomes the perfect small-ship-within-a-big-ship home base. Listen to our interview with Celebrity Cruises’ Vice President of Product Development, Jeanette Coto Dou, who shares how the Celebrity Way culture shapes guest experiences and why new venues like The Bazaar feel so immersive and destination-inspired. Our conversation continues in Luminae, The Retreat’s private restaurant, where we highlight the updated layout, how many menus rotate, and standout dishes influenced by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. We finish inside our Sky Suite, discussing thoughtful design details, functionality, and how it compares to other suites we toured. If you're deciding between suite classes or exploring the Edge-class experience, this episode offers a concise, firsthand look at what The Retreat on Xcel delivers. During this episode, we mention our in-depth guide comparing The Retreat, AquaClass, and Concierge for anyone weighing the differences: https://sometimessailing.com/aquaclass-vs-the-retreat-concierge-celebrity-cruises-classes-explained/ You can also learn more about this premium ship-within-a-ship offering in our related episode, Inside Celebrity Cruises’ The Retreat Suites-Only Experience: https://youtu.be/YPyWh_-csus Read our thoughts about how the 7 new spaces and experiences on Celebrity Xcel elevate the Edge class: https://sometimessailing.com/celebrity-xcel-7-new-spaces-elevate-your-cruise/ CHAPTERS 00:35 Tour The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises' Newest Ship: Xcel 00:55 Visual Experience Around the Ship 01:55 Views & Menus at Luminae Restaurant on Xcel 3:26 Is The Retreat Lounge on Xcel Different from Other Ships? 6:13: Unexpected Insights with the Vice President of Product Development 11:34 Exclusive Dining at Luminae for Guests of The Retreat 13:53 Our Sky Suite & Additional Impressive Xcel Options