Janaína Torres pushed a button that launched a bottle of champagne towards the brand new Superstar Xcel’s hull and shared the normal ship launching prayer.
“Could God bless her and all who sail on her,” mentioned Torres, chosen as godmother for Superstar Xcel whose slogan is “We didn’t discover your completely satisfied place. We constructed it.”
Named Finest Feminine Chef within the World in 2024, Torres was requested to be ship godmother as a result of “she shares our ardour for celebrating tradition by delicacies and our dedication to culinary excellence,” mentioned Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Superstar Cruises.
Invited aboard for the two-day cruise for the ship’s official naming ceremony this week, I used to be impressed by the excellent consideration to element and new areas and experiences on the fifth ship in Superstar Cruises’ Edge Class.
Actually, Superstar Xcel has seven distinct new areas and experiences mentioned Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. A premium cruise line, Superstar Cruises is a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group.
“With every new ship, we elevate the bar for the final word trip expertise,” Liberty mentioned. “And Superstar Xcel stands in a category of her personal.”
Two-Day Cruise
Departing from Fort Lauderdale, our two-day cruise headed out to sea with no vacation spot or shore excursions. We had been simply cruising the gorgeous blue ocean to find what the shocking Xcel provides.
And, consider me, there have been many surprises and such an enormous ship that I’m certain there have been locations I didn’t see. The 16-deck Superstar Xcel can accommodate 3,276 friends throughout a wide selection of stateroom classes. The ship additionally has 1,400 crew members.
And the ship’s captain has a well-known nickname – Captain Kirk. “My Greek title is just too troublesome for individuals to pronounce,” Captain Kyriakos Matragkas defined.
Born in Piraeus, Greece, Matragkas has been with Superstar Cruises for 25 years and got here from a seafaring household. His father was a ship captain who typically took his younger son on crusing journeys.
My Stateroom
Situated on Deck 12, my Concierge Class stateroom 12169 was great, particularly that stunning Infinite Balcony. Contact a button on the wall and the floor-to-ceiling window for the balcony drops down. One other button strikes down some heavy blinds that block out all gentle.
When that giant window was open, it virtually felt like my entire stateroom was a balcony.
Lavatory was fairly giant with a glass-enclosed bathe and Bigelow toiletries. Fluffy gown within the closet. Loads of storage areas and charging choices. Six-page Superstar In the present day e-newsletter left on my turn-downed mattress every evening was additionally obtainable on the ship app. Good to have as a result of so many actions had been occurring across the ship and it was helpful to know what, when and the place.
Eating Selections
The locations I dined had been glorious. However what number of eating spots are you able to go to in two days? I had breakfast and lunch within the Oceanview Café, far superior to buffets on many ships. Much less time-consuming and undoubtedly scrumptious. So many decisions that I most likely might have eaten each meal there.
First evening, I dined at Uncooked on 5 with it contemporary seafood. Delicious. Second evening, I dined at Luminae which was my favourite – not just for the meals but additionally for the place I used to be seated by the hostess. A pleasant window seat at a solo desk. New York strip steak was grilled good as had been the greens which weren’t cooked to mush. Crème brulee dessert was a becoming finale.
Theater Productions
Superstar Xcel appeared to have music occurring a lot of the day and evening, together with three new theatre productions, two interactive reveals at The Membership and different pop-up musical experiences across the ship.
Vocalist in Chapters in The Theatre
The primary evening, I noticed a little bit of the 254 West present at The Membership. Second evening noticed Chapters within the ship theatre. Performers had been all glorious however I used to be significantly dazzled by the acrobats and trapeze artists. Unbelievable a few of the strikes they made.
By the way in which, 254 West pays homage to the wild Seventies disco Studio 54 in New York. The celebrity-infused Studio 54 was a favourite playground for individuals like pop artist Andy Warhol and author Truman Capote.
Chapters in The Theatre
Present in The Membership
Seven New Areas
As Jason Liberty mentioned, Superstar Xcel has seven new areas that make any Xcel cruise one to recollect.
The Bazaar was one of the well-liked. The idea, Hodges Bethge says, was “to blur the road between ship and shore, to convey the vacation spot on board.”
Strolling by the lighted archway entrance to the Bazaar gave me a touch of the vacation spot being celebrated with considered one of 4 festivals – Carnival, Aqua, Viva and Flora. Every day, that modified relying on the place the ship was cruising.
The Market on the Bazaar supplied merchandise from native artisans, a few of whom come on board to showcase their creations. On my cruise, the second-day Aqua competition within the Bazaar had a do-it-yourself exercise craft making a scallop shell trinket dish.
Ejona explains the island salt within the Market on the Bazaar.
Passenger making a sea shell for her son
The complimentary “sip” was an Aqua Blossom Cocktail. Whereas I used to be sipping, a pop-up present began with singers and dancers. At first look, I puzzled why a lady was carrying a elaborate night robe in the course of the day when she got here in and sat down at a desk close by.
Pop-up musical efficiency within the Bazaar
Then she began singing and was quickly joined by the opposite performers. An immersive musical expertise. The Bazaar additionally has two eating places – the informal Spice Cafe and the tremendous eating Mosaic.
Bora is the brand new alfresco restaurant on the prime of the ship with wonderful sea views and dishes ready tableside.
Attic on the Membership is an adults-oriented lounge open around the clock. Video games embrace shuffleboard, darts, pool and foosball in addition to retro video video games like Pac-Man.
Superstar Pool Membership is a part of the ship’s new expanded adults-only pool. An enormous playful monkey sculpture designed by artist Todd Lyndon Stuart is a favourite picture spot by the pool.
Superstar Flagship Retailer is a singular combo museum and retailer the place passengers can find out about Superstar historical past whereas shopping for Superstar merchandise solely obtainable on Superstar Excel.
The Spa options Superstar’s first-ever Hydra Room the place friends can take pleasure in a rejuvenating expertise in a heat effervescent pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs. A brand new out of doors Vitamin D Deck provides sweeping views from the entrance of the ship for friends to take pleasure in restorative ocean breezes.
IYKYK stands for the phrases “If you realize you realize.” I do know since I used to be on Superstar Xcel. To not indulge an excessive amount of in regards to the secret, I’ll say that I discovered it and found a treasure which definitely provides to Superstar Xcel’s many charms.
Once I advised a fellow author in regards to the hidden web site and methods to get there, he disappeared and I by no means noticed him the remainder of the night. Subsequent day, he advised me it was unbelievable. I agree.
Inaugural cruises
Superstar Xcel is now crusing her inaugural season with seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
In summer season 2026, Superstar Xcel will launch her European cruise season with seven to 11-night Mediterranean journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, together with all-new in a single day stays in Madeira, Portugal.
Xcel Dream Makers
To assist create such a implausible new ship, Superstar known as on hundreds of vacationers worldwide who contributed concepts on all the pieces from eating and design to leisure and enjoyable touches just like the monkey statue.
“Superstar Xcel has been designed with our friends as our north star. We even concerned them within the design course of by the Xcel Dream Makers program, so we all know she would be the completely satisfied place of vacationers globally,” Hodges Bethge mentioned.
Known as the Xcel Dream Makers, the revolutionary program used the suggestions from greater than 140,000 volunteers to assist form a dream vessel.
The Dream Makers concept got here from an organization assembly the place the Superstar group was kicking round ideas for a top-notch ship. A group member mentioned Superstar ought to simply ask cruise friends. So that’s what Superstar did.
Actually, the day by day schedule of actions includes a Dream Makers Alternative image to let passengers learn about some Dream Makers favorites like Nation Night time on the Saddle Up Saloon at The Membership and the 11 p.m. Shine the Night time celebration on the Pool Membership the place passengers are invited to put on their shiniest metallic outfit for a shimmering night of enjoyable and shock performances.
Disembarking
Appeared like I had simply walked onboard when it was time to depart the ship. Straightforward course of. I carried my very own suitcase – how a lot do you want for a two-night cruise – and confirmed my passport and room key. No line. No problem.
Scheduled an Uber and headed to the airport. When my Uber driver requested if I’d advocate the ship, I didn’t hesitate. For certain, I advised him.
Terrific ship and really caring skilled crew. I’m certain my two days supplied solely a glimpse into what reminiscences will be made on the superb Superstar Xcel, a really welcome addition for cruise lovers.
Pictures by Jackie Sheckler Finch
Cowl picture courtesy of Superstar Cruises
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