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I I think I found the coolest bar on the beach and I just had to smile for a photo. Welcome to “IYKYN” (If You Know You Know) a secret location on the new celebrity excel cruise ship.
celebrity cruises The hidden speakeasy venue was kept a secret until its launch last month and I was one of the first people to experience it while sailing into Miami.
I’ve attended plenty of photobooths at parties, but there were no fun props in this quiet corner of the club venue on deck four. One tap of the cruise card, a flash, and I was inside a 1920s-themed bar, sipping an Old Fashioned and listening to jazz music while jugglers and dancers entertained us.
Photos and video are prohibited in a place this atmospheric, and we were only allowed an hour to drink “before the police arrived”, so you won’t want to waste it on a six-inch screen.
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The location of the speakeasy is not listed on the deck plan and half the fun is finding it, but there is a lot more to shout about on this ship.
celebrity excel The fifth ship in the cruise line’s Edge Class. With a capacity of 3,276 and a gross tonnage of 141,262, it does not rank as a megaship (sister brand Royal Caribbean’s Icon class ships have a gross tonnage of 250,800 and capacity for 5,600 passengers) but it is the largest. celebrity cruises Fleet.
regular celebrity Cruising Guests can enjoy familiar hotspots like the Martini Bar, where I sampled several delicious Banana Foster Martinis as waiters juggled cocktail shakers under a beautiful crystal chandelier.
The “magic carpet” elevated platform, which hung over the side of the ship, also provided unmatched views of the ocean where I could have sat for days.
But the ship also has a number of new features to explore, many of which were chosen by guests known as “Dream Makers.”
Travelers voted for a giant stainless steel monkey statue, which dominates the pool deck and makes a perfect selfie spot, as well as drink recommendations.
Guests can view the artwork while sipping cocktails in new private cabanas that form part of the pool club on the outdoor deck. It has a Miami Beach feel, with bright pastel pink and yellow seating adorned with floral cushions. I think this would be a great location for the cruise line’s “Poolest Day Ever” deck party in the Caribbean.
It’s all part of what Celebrity Cruises describes as blurring the line between ship and shore, helping guests immerse themselves in destinations before they even step off the ship.
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This is best illustrated by the Bazaar, a new space at the rear of the ship that spans three decks and hosts destination-themed festivals with locally inspired food and drinks.
The Caribbean themes are Carnival, Aqua, Viva and Flora, and there will be other concepts as well. excel Will visit the Mediterranean next summer. These include a Greek opa festival, a sweet life Celebration in Italy, A Health Celebrations in Spain and “Silk and Spice” themed offerings in Turkey and Morocco.
Guests enter through an LED-lit tunnel, which was decorated with images of tropical coral reefs for the Aqua Fest. As I emerged into the center of the marketplace, I felt as if I had encountered an underwater palace, surrounded by hanging jellyfish and cool bubbles that bubbled to the surface on the video walls that dominated the space.
The temperature in the tunnel certainly got hotter during the carnival festivities. This time, we were surrounded by colorful rainforest imagery and entertained by flamenco dancers while trying crafts like making maracas and origami parrots.
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The festive theme continues at the exclusive Mosaic Restaurant ($95, or £70, per person) on deck five, where guests can dine on cuisine 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 Dream Makers’ recommendations: a delicious dukkah-spiced lamb that was voted onto the menu.
The ship is also brought ashore on the outer deck. I ate brunch ($35, or £26, per person) at the new Bora Mediterranean restaurant earlier in the day – which included its own Bloody Mary bar – which gave me the chance to experience the traditional napkin waving, which I believe is how it is done in Italy.
For dinner, we ate halloumi, fried snapper and steak ($65 or £49 per person). The biggest challenge was not filling the stomach with fresh bread before the massive main course dishes arrived.
You definitely won’t go hungry on this ship and if dinner hasn’t filled you up, the huge Oceanview Café buffet area is open until 1am.
Special shows are also a must-watch. 80s inspired 254 west It features singers and acrobats, and later turns into an afterparty where you can dance with the artists to the biggest hits of the decade. I surprised even myself during the country music-themed Saddle Up Salon Shows at the club where I line danced to a live band.
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The theater also features traditional sit-down shows, where a giant floor-to-ceiling screen provides a perfect backdrop for shows like The Show. between takesI watched in awe as gymnasts and parkour artists performed modern songs set in a 1920s Hollywood backlot,
Coming back to the pool deck one evening, I found myself dancing with a guy who had a disco ball at a “Shine the Night” party. Guests are encouraged to wear glittery outfits as the area is transformed into a nightclub, with DJs and even an acrobat above the pool. The majority of the playlist was also selected by Dream Makers.
After only two days on this ship, I felt like I had eaten my way through the Med and danced through the Caribbean. Just don’t tell the police about the speakeasy.
how to do it
Seven-night sailing excursion in the Bahamas, Mexico and Cayman celebrity excel, Departing January 4, 2026, from £860 per person. book now,