Celebrity Xcel Malta: Stunning Arrival, Excursion Letdown
A stunning Grand Harbour sail-in, a disappointing shore excursion, and how we turned our Celebrity Xcel Malta port day around in Valletta.
Celebrity Xcel Mediterranean Embarkation Day — From Barcelona to Fine Cut Steakhouse
A full look at Celebrity Xcel Mediterranean embarkation day — from checking out of our Barcelona hotel and boarding in under an hour, to our first Luminae lunch, Fine Cut Steakhouse dinner, and a speakeasy we’ll definitely be back to.
A Memorable Barcelona Day Trip Itinerary: Cathedral, Boqueria & Seafood in El Born
A memorable Barcelona day trip itinerary before boarding a Mediterranean cruise — from the Gothic Quarter and Barcelona Cathedral to La Boqueria market and seafood in El Born.
We’re Boarding a Celebrity Xcel Mediterranean Cruise in 2026 — 5 Stunning Ports, the Retreat & Everything We Can’t Wait to Experience
Our Celebrity Xcel Mediterranean cruise is finally here — 7 nights from Barcelona to Athens, 5 stunning ports, and our first time in the Retreat booked outright rather than via Move Up. Here’s what we’re most looking forward to, what we’re nervous about, and why this sailing feels like a big step up from our November preview cruise.
Celebrity Apex Dining Review – Best Bites Onboard, in Spain, Portugal, & London
In this Celebrity Apex dining review, we reflect on our favorite dining during the 11 days spent in Barcelona, Lisbon, Porto, London and aboard the Celebrity Apex going from one place to another.
Exhausted in Brilliant London – Day 2
Our final, breakneck day in London, with visits to the Tower of London, the British Museum, the West End and more.
Fascinating London – Day 1
With our Spain and Portugal cruise ending in Southampton, we were excited for our first visit to the U.K. and spending the first of two days in London.
La Coruña and the Best Meal at Sea
After an amazing two days in Porto and Guimarães, we were back on the Celebrity Apex, ready for a beautiful sail-away, and looking forward to dinner at one of the ship’s unique speciality restaurants, called Eden. Tomorrow would be our final port day, this time in La Coruña, a city in Spain’s Northwestern Galicia region.
Porto and Guimarães – Awesome Time Traveling in Portugal
With the Celebrity Apex docked overnight at the Porto Leixões cruise terminal, we were able to try two very different experiences in port.
Lisbon – Charming and Tasty
After passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, we arrived in Lisbon for a day of sightseeing and, of course, eating.
