Seven Days Exploring the Eastern Caribbean

Celebrity is Royal Caribbean’s better-dressed cousin. It’s premium, and it’s my favorite cruise line for plenty of reasons. Their aesthetic is adult contemporary. Celebrity Xcel had some unique features, like “infinite verandas,” where instead of traditional balcony sliding glass doors, you had ceiling-to-floor glass that opened at the touch of a button, maximizing the space in your cabin. They also have the “magic carpet,” a cantilever area that can be raised or lowered as needed, and top-notch dining options, including Japanese, French, a steakhouse, and the “Bora.”

The “Bora” is a rooftop Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with an elaborate brunch and an unlimited Bloody Mary bar. This ship also featured the fleet’s first speakeasy, referred to only as IYKYK (If You Know You Know!). I can’t give away the location or how to get in, but you’ll know when you arrive by the Roaring 20s theme, live entertainment, and occasional raids by the fuzz!

Day One: Boarding

We left from Fort Lauderdale, which is my old stopping ground. I got to catch up with many old friends before I left. Getting to the terminal itself was a bit stressful, because there was some kind of convention going on, and it took an hour and a half to go less than one-tenth of a mile. However, we made it to the shiny, bright, new terminal, and the check-in process was seamless. We were through it in less than two minutes.

Our bags arrived quickly; we settled in, had lunch, and were on deck for the sailaway. I love that part because it feels ceremonial, and you know that your official vacation is starting. The Celebrity Xcel is not a very big ship, but it has everything you need. The buffet was fresh, with good food, like shrimp and crab legs, and your more standard fare, like hot dogs and hamburgers.

One thing Celebrity does is instead of having one main dining room, they have four themed ones. You can decide between French, Italian, Greek, and Continental. The menus are the same except for one box detailing the specials for that particular restaurant. It’s so clever. There’s a host of reasons why these ships are considered premium experiences, like chilled towels by the pools, convenient lockers on deck, and craft cocktails. I could go on and on.

Day 2: Day at Sea

The next day we spent at sea, which is my favorite kind of day because it’s so relaxing. You get up when you feel like it, have breakfast, and then just head to the pool. My perfect day at sea is finding a shady place to read my book, having a couple of drinks here and there, and then cleaning up and heading to dinner.

A special touch I appreciated is that Celebrity Xcel brought local vendors from our ports of call on board, so you could try different foods. They also brought in local performers to do traditional singing and dancing, and that made the whole experience more immersive. There was even a shop on board that had nothing but local wares. I was impressed by that. The entertainment is outstanding, with an inclusive dance club, amazing shows, and, of course, IYKYK. The crew was very coy about its location, and you’re not allowed to take any pictures inside, but if you find it, you’ll know for sure.

Day 3: Dominican Republic

We sailed into Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic, on day three. I’ve been to the Dominican Republic three or four times in the last two years, but I usually fly into Punta Cana on the East Coast of the island. I was very curious to see the North Coast. My friend read up on what there was to do in port and mentioned that Taino Bay, an attraction near the dock, had a lazy river and an outdoor mall. We spent a few hours doing that and wandering around before heading back to the ship.

You can do shore excursions in Puerto Plata, such as swimming with the dolphins, cigar making, and rum tasting. You could also buy Cuban cigars in port. Celebrity Xcel is very good at accommodating all fitness levels and needs on these excursions, and there’s always something for everyone. There are a bunch of very cool things they offer people. It’s worth taking a look.

Day 4: St. Thomas

The following day we went to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, which is one of the largest ports in the Caribbean and can accommodate up to eleven ships at any given time. As you can imagine, when the ships are in port, Charlotte Amalie is shoulder-to-shoulder. We decided to spend the day in Magens Bay, which was awarded one of the top ten beaches in the world and is, personally, my favorite spot in St. Thomas.

Magan’s Bay is in a cove, and it’s expansive, so you never feel crowded. It has on-site restrooms, and you can relax without worrying about beach vendors bothering you. There’s also food, cabanas, and beach umbrellas available. You can also take a boat to St. John’s, which is a pristine, smaller island that’s mostly national parkland. It’s known for snorkeling and diving.

Day 5: St. Martin

We sailed from St. Thomas to St. Martin, an island famous for Princess Juliana International Airport, where planes fly over the beach. Everyone runs down the beach, puts their hands up, and gets knocked over by the jet wake. I did it years ago. On this visit, we went to Orient Bay, where we enjoyed the use of a chaise, umbrella, and a drink for $10 per person. St. Martin has the most beautiful beaches with crystal-clear, warm water, so it was a lovely day and not a bad deal!

Day 6: Sea Day

The final two days were sea days, and I loved the chance to relax. Celebrity Xcel is truly a ship that understands the devil is in the details. Their breakfast buffet was truly continental, with a full English breakfast and international delicacies like black pudding. My grandmother is from Scotland, and it was such a treat for me to have that.

They take the small touches into account. There’s twice-a-day room service; the food is superb. These are the little things that truly set the ship apart.

Day 7- Sea Day

On the last day, we prepared to end our journey right where we started, in Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Xcel is a fantastic ship, with so much to love and high-class amenities. It’s a good idea to book your cruise early so you can get the cabin you want. Stock up on sundries ahead of time; there are no liquid restrictions on ships, like there are on airplanes, and you can pick them up right in port. Also, if you have a special occasion on board, treat yourself to dinner at a specialty restaurant. It’s always worth it.

Furthermore, if something isn’t to your liking on board, speak up and give them a chance to sort it out for you. People who work on cruise ships are falling all over themselves to make sure you have a nice time, so meet them halfway. Tip generously!