i I think I found the most interesting bar in the sea and all I had to do was smile for a photo. Welcome to “IYKYN” (if you know you know), a new secret space Celebrity Xcel cruise ship
Celebrity Cruises kept Spepeasy’s secret location a secret until its launch last month, and I was one of the first to experience it on a sailing in Miami.
I’ve come across plenty of photo booths at parties, but there were no funny props in this quiet corner of the club venue on deck four. A tap on the cruise card, flash, and I was inside a 1920s themed bar, sipping an Old Fashioned and listening to jazz while we were entertained by magicians and dancers.
Photos and videos are prohibited in this atmospheric place, and we were only allowed an hour to drink “before the cops come,” so you don’t want to waste it on a six-inch screen.
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Spepeasy’s location isn’t listed on the deck map, and that’s half the fun of finding it, but there’s a lot more to shout about about this ship.
Celebrity Xcel The fifth ship in the Edge class is the cruise line. With a gross tonnage of 3,276 and a gross tonnage of 141,262, this ship does not rank as a large ship (Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class sister ships have a gross tonnage of 250,800 and a capacity of 5,600 passengers), but it is the largest fleet in the Celisee.
Regular Celebrity Cruises guests can enjoy familiar hot spots like the Martini Bar, where I tried several delicious Banana Foster martinis, while bartenders spin cocktails under a beautiful crystal chandelier.
The raised “magic carpet” platform that hangs over the side of the ship provided incredible views of the sea that I could sit on for days.
But the ship has many new features to explore, many of which have been chosen by guests known as “Dreamers.”
Travelers voted for the giant stainless steel monkey sculpture that dominates the pool deck and makes for a great selfie spot, plus suggested drink recommendations.
Guests can view the artwork while sipping cocktails in the new private cabanas that are part of the Pool Club on the outside deck. It has a Miami Beach feel to it, with floral cushions adorning the bright pastel pink and yellow chairs. I imagine it would be a great venue for a cruise line’s “Poolest Day Ever” deck party in the Caribbean.
It’s all part of what Celebrity Cruises has described as blurring the line between ship and shore, helping guests immerse themselves in the destination before disembarking.
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This is best exemplified by the Bazaar, a new aft venue spanning three decks that hosts destination-themed festivals with locally inspired food and drink.
The Caribbean themes are Carnival, Blue, Viva and Flora, and there will be other concepts that Xcel He will visit the Mediterranean Sea next summer. It contains a Greek Opa Festival, a La Dolce Vita Feast in Italy, a hello Festival in Spain and a proposal with the theme of “Silk and Spice” in Turkey and Morocco.
Guests enter through an LED-lit tunnel that was decorated with images of tropical coral reefs for the Aqua Festival. When I arrived at the center of the market, I felt like I had stepped into an underwater palace, surrounded by hanging jellyfish and soothing bubbles that rose to the surface on video walls that dominated the space.
The temperature in the tunnel definitely got hotter during the carnival. This time we were surrounded by colorful images of the rainforest and entertained by flamenco dancers, while we tried crafts such as maraca making and origami parrots.
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The festival theme continues at the specialty restaurant Mosaic ($95 or £70 per person) on deck five, where guests can dine inspired by the ship’s route. It’s an open kitchen, so you can even watch your food being cooked. It was also a chance to try one of the dreamers’ recommendations: a delicious dukkah-spiced lamb that was featured on the menu.
The beach is also brought to the ship on the outer decks. I had brunch ($35 or £26 per person) on the day at Bora’s new Mediterranean restaurant – complete with its own Bloody Mary bar – which gave me a chance to experience the traditional napkin waving that I’m sure is done in Italy.
For dinner, we had a tapas of halloumi, fried snapper and steak ($65 or £49 per person). The biggest challenge was not filling up on fresh bread before the main courses arrived.
You certainly won’t go hungry on this ship, and if dinner hasn’t filled you up, the large OceanView Cafe buffet is open until 1am.
Exclusive shows are also a must see. Inspired by the 80s 254 West It features singers and acrobats, and later turns into an after-party where you can dance along to the best hits of the decade. I even surprised myself during country music saddle to hall I performed at a club where I danced with a live band.
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There are also traditional sit-down shows in the theater, where a giant floor-to-ceiling screen is the perfect backdrop for shows like takes between. I watched in awe as gymnasts and parkour artists performed today’s songs that were performed backstage in 1920s Hollywood.
Back on the pool deck one afternoon, I found myself dancing with someone who had a disco ball at the Night Shine party. Guests are encouraged to dress brightly as the area has been transformed into a nightclub, with a DJ and even an acrobat balancing on top of the pool. Many of the playlists are also handpicked by Dream Makers.
After only two days on this ship, I felt like I’d worked my way through fashion and danced my way through the Caribbean. Just don’t tell the cops about the speaker.
how to do it
Seven nights sailing the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands Famous Xcel, Departing on 4 January 2026, from £860 per person. Book now.
