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. 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.Read our thoughts about how the 7 new spaces and experiences on Celebrity Xcel elevate the Edge class. Send us a textThank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice. Support the show👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday. ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise. 💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook. 💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest. 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice. 📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2025 Small Ship Cruise Talk. All rights reserved. May contain affiliate links. Some trips and experiences have been hosted. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own.

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