There’s a certain kind of trip that doesn’t just give you a break — it gives you breathing room. For our 10‑year anniversary, my husband and I finally carved out time for a vacation that was just for us. No schedules, no school drop‑offs, no multitasking. Just sunshine, good food, and the chance to reconnect.

We chose a 7‑night Caribbean sailing on Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship in Celebrity’s Edge‑class fleet. We wanted something elevated, relaxing, and thoughtfully designed — and Xcel delivered exactly that.

Why Celebrity Xcel Was the Right Choice for This Trip

Celebrity has always positioned itself as a premium cruise line, but stepping onboard Xcel made it clear why so many travelers consider it one of the best cruise lines for couples. The ship feels modern and sophisticated without being overly formal. It’s stylish, warm, and intentionally crafted — the kind of environment that makes you slow down in the best way.

We weren’t looking for a party cruise. We wanted great dining, beautiful spaces, and a vibe that felt elevated but still fun. Xcel hit that sweet spot.

First Impressions: A Ship Designed for Ease and Enjoyment

From the moment we stepped onboard, everything felt seamless. The lighting, the art, the architecture — it all works together to create a sense of calm and understated luxury.

A few standout moments:

The Bazaar — a high‑energy entertainment space with incredible performers
Captain Kirk’s Rock Show — unexpectedly fun and surprisingly memorable
Le Petit Chef — the perfect anniversary dinner, complete with a tiny animated chef and a sweet surprise

The service was warm and attentive, the food consistently excellent, and the overall atmosphere ideal for couples who appreciate good design, good music, and good meals.

Stateroom Spotlight: The Infinite Veranda Everyone Loves to Hate

One of the most talked‑about features on Celebrity’s Edge‑class ships is the Infinite Veranda — and I know a lot of people have strong opinions about it. If you’ve spent any time in cruise groups, you’ve seen the debates: “It’s not a real balcony.” “I miss the traditional setup.”

So let’s talk about what it actually is… and why we ended up loving it.

What Is an Infinite Veranda, Really?

Instead of a traditional balcony separated by a sliding door, the entire outer wall of your stateroom becomes a floor‑to‑ceiling window. With the touch of a button, the top half lowers, turning that whole area into an indoor‑outdoor space.

When the window is up, it feels like a bright, extended sitting area that’s part of your room. When it’s down, you get that open‑air “balcony” feel — just without the door, the threshold, or the wind tunnel effect.

It’s one of the most unique stateroom designs at sea, and now we understand why it gets so much attention.

Reasons Why You Should Hate the Infinite Veranda 😉

(…aka all the reasons we loved it.)

Reason 1: You’ll Have Too Much Usable Space The veranda area becomes part of your room, giving you more space to spread out, relax, drink your coffee, or read. If you prefer feeling cramped, this might be a problem.

Reason 2: The Floor‑to‑Ceiling Ocean Views Are Distracting Even with the window closed, you get a full, uninterrupted view of the sea. Terrible if you were planning to get work done or not daydream about extending your trip.

Reason 3: It’s Quiet… Almost Too Quiet No sliding doors slamming, no balcony chairs scraping from neighbors, no gusts of wind. Just calm, peaceful privacy. If you thrive on chaos, you might miss the noise.

Reason 4: You’ll Want to Spend All Your Time There Morning coffee, pre‑dinner drinks, late‑night conversations — we used the space constantly. It stopped being “just a room” and became our own little lounge.

For us, the Infinite Veranda felt modern, smart, and incredibly livable. It became our sanctuary — a place to sit, talk, breathe, and just be together.

If you’re on the fence because of what you’ve heard, here’s our take: if you appreciate clean design, extra space, and a quieter, more seamless stateroom experience, it’s absolutely worth trying.

Exploring the Caribbean: Ports, Highlights, and Little Surprises

🇩🇴 Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

We joined a highlights tour that included Pink Street, Umbrella Street, a chocolate factory, a fort, and a gemstone shop. It wasn’t exactly our personal vibe, but it’s great for first‑timers, and there are more adventurous options available.

🇻🇮 St. Thomas → St. John

Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI
Image by The Suite Stories (C) 2026

We took a ferry to Trunk Bay, and it was one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. Crystal‑clear water, soft sand, and that perfect Caribbean stillness.

🇸🇽 St. Maarten

A last‑minute highlights tour ended up being one of our favorite experiences thanks to a hilarious, knowledgeable guide who slowed the bus every time he spotted an iguana. It was such a simple, joyful detail — the kind that makes a day memorable.

The Moments That Stayed With Us

The magic of this trip wasn’t in the big, flashy moments — it was in the quiet ones:

Sitting together on our Infinite Veranda
Laughing through shows and dinners
Floating in the turquoise water of Trunk Bay
Feeling taken care of instead of doing the caretaking

We noticed people around us finding things to complain about, but honestly, we couldn’t relate. Everything felt like a gift.

We came home lighter, closer, and genuinely recharged.

The Little Surprises That Made the Trip

And then there were the little surprises — the things you don’t plan for but end up remembering long after you’re home. Like realizing Captain Kirk isn’t just the captain… he’s actually a rockstar. Or the way our St. Maarten guide turned a simple highlights tour into a comedy show, slowing the bus every time he spotted an iguana so we could take photos.

There was the tiny animated chef at Le Petit Chef who popped up with a surprise anniversary cupcake. The quiet corners of the ship we kept stumbling into — the kind of spaces that make you pause and breathe. And the Infinite Veranda sunrises that felt like our own private show every morning.

None of these moments were big or dramatic, but together they added this layer of warmth and personality to the entire week. They’re the details that made the trip feel not just beautiful, but personal.

Ten years in, and we still agree on the important things — like ordering Pina Coladas.

Warning: may cause spontaneous relaxation.

Is Celebrity Xcel Worth It? Our Take

If you’re looking for a premium cruise experience that blends modern design, great dining, and a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere, Celebrity Xcel is an incredible choice — especially for couples.

It’s the kind of trip that stays with you long after you’ve unpacked.

Planning Tips for Your Own Celebrity Cruise

Pack chic resort wear — people dress nicely
Expect 2–3 chic nights plus Shine the Night
Book excursions early for the best options
Consider planning 12–18 months ahead for ideal stateroom locations

Celebrity is currently offering promotions on select sailings, so it’s a great time to plan ahead if you’re thinking about a future getaway.

If you want help choosing the right itinerary, stateroom, or sailing date, I’d love to help you plan something unforgettable.

Inside Our Anniversary Getaway on Celebrity Xcel: A Modern Traveler’s Review