Welcome aboard Celebrity Xcel, where elegance meets innovation to create an unparalleled cruise experience! The Xcel redefines luxury on the high seas with its impressive features and amenities. Be dazzled by the extraordinary facilities, from the elegant restaurants to the relaxing Spas. Immerse yourself in exciting onboard activities, such as shows and thrilling water sports. Here, every moment is an extraordinary experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Created by a massive volcanic eruption that is believed to have inspired the legend of Atlantis, Santorini is the most visually stunning island in the Aegean Sea. The island is essentially the outer edge of a submerged volcano, with its entire eastern coast consisting of a series of small towns situated on tall hills. Fira, the island's dramatically located capital, is perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Fira, along with the Parthenon, is one of the most recognized images of Greece. Its narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, charming boutiques, and numerous jewelry stores. It is home to two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, as well as a small local museum. Fira also boasts a vibrant nightlife, with excellent restaurants and bars, and a few nightclubs. The city itself is a spectacle, especially at sunset. Another great spot to watch the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village perched on the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are unique compared to other Greek beaches due to their distinctive geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles cover the shores of Santorini's beaches, and steep cliffs create a scenic atmosphere. The most famous of these beaches is the Red beach, while Perissa, Kamari, and Perivolos are also very popular. Santorini is a truly magnificent destination. The placement of some of its main towns along the cliff-top edge of the caldera is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity as they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like a pile of sugar cubes. The sandy, multicolored beaches are just the cherry on top.
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Day 3
mykonos, greece
Arrival: 07:00
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Departure: 19:00
Mykonos is a favored vacation spot located in the Cyclades group of Greek islands, nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea. In the 1960s, Mykonos emerged as a bohemian hotspot and has since evolved into one of the most glamorous holiday resorts in the country, proudly showcasing its vibrant style and reputation. For many years, this central Cyclade was the top Mediterranean destination for gay travelers, although recently Mykonos has been working to attract a more diverse crowd. Despite this, the nightlife remains very gay-friendly and the island is a haven for any party-goer with its loud and lengthy nights. The main town on the island is Chora, or Mykonos town, which is filled with narrow, winding streets, buildings painted white with blue accents, delightful restaurants, clothing and jewelry stores, a fish market, and a vegetable market. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and bustling towns in the Aegean. Apart from Chora, there is only one other town on the island, Ano Mera, which is quieter and less frequented by tourists. While visiting, be sure to see the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, a traditional Greek Orthodox Church featuring a beautiful iconostasis. The island itself is arid and barren, but it boasts some excellent sandy beaches, the most famous of which are Paradise and Super Paradise. However, there are many other beaches to explore around the island. From the quaint port, you can take a boat to the beaches or to Delos, transitioning from the present to the ancient past, from one set of myths to another.
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Day 4
ephesus (kusadasi), turkey
Arrival: 07:00
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Departure: 18:00
Kusadasi is a seaside resort town located in the Aydin Province of Aegean Turkey. It's a favored destination for tourists, known for its numerous beaches and as Turkey's most active cruise port. Many cruise ship passengers visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most significant and well-preserved Greco-Roman sites in Turkey.
There are several appealing beaches both to the south and north of Kusadasi. All these beaches are commercialized with hotels surrounding them. To the south of Kusadasi, you'll find the Ladies Beach, Lost Paradise Beach, and the Long Beach.
Kusadasi serves as the entry point to Ephesus, an intriguing ancient city that features baths, gyms, an acoustic theater, temples, arches, and much more. The Roman Ruins at Ephesus are truly breathtaking. Within the town, you can visit the City Walls, Kaleiçi Camii, the Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai, and the Guvercin Adası peninsula.
Kusadasi is one of Turkey's more cosmopolitan and vibrant resorts.
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Day 6
valletta, malta
Arrival: 08:00
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Departure: 17:00
The small capital of Malta, Valletta, is less than 1 square kilometer in size but offers a wealth of experiences for tourists. Known as one of the most densely packed historical sites in the world, Valletta boasts 7,000 years of history. It's no surprise that the city was officially designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.
Constructed by the Knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for military and strategic purposes, Valletta was later transformed into a stunning example of baroque decorative art, particularly evident in the beautiful interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the city center. The city's narrow, shady alleyways connect grand squares, and magnificent palaces coexist with bars and shops.
Recently, Valletta has undergone significant changes to enhance its urban appeal, including the renovation of the main City Gate, the construction of a new parliament building, and the restoration of the bombed-out Opera House.
Valletta's natural deep-water port, the Grand Harbour, is the largest and most impressive in the Mediterranean. For thousands of years, it has been the hub of Malta’s maritime activity. Evidence of this includes the 19 historical warehouses that still stand, dating back 250 years, and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants once unloaded their goods.
The Valletta Waterfront serves as the entrance to Malta’s capital city. As one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes over half a million cruise passengers into this open-air museum each year. The waterfront has recently been revitalized into a lively hub of shops, bars, and restaurants, and is especially romantic when lit up at night.
The city’s moderate climate allows for a variety of outdoor activities, from diving and sailing to cycling and rock climbing, providing plenty of options for adventure-seeking tourists. However, don't expect Valletta to be bustling all night - its tranquility is a significant part of its allure.
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Day 8
barcelona, spain
Arrival: 05:00
Barcelona is a coastal city in northeastern Spain. It's the capital and biggest city of the autonomous region of Catalonia, and the second most populated municipality in Spain. The city has a population of 1.6 million within its limits, but its urban area, which extends to many neighboring municipalities within the Province of Barcelona, is home to approximately 4.8 million people. This makes it the fifth most populated urban area in the European Union, following Paris, the Ruhr area, Madrid, and Milan. Barcelona is one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea, situated on the coast between the mouths of the Llobregat and Besòs rivers. It's bordered to the west by the Serra de Collserola mountain range, the highest peak of which is 512 meters (1,680 feet) tall.
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What you should know:
Itinerary
The order of the ports may vary depending on the date of departure.
Check your itinerary for exact departure and arrival times. The hours correspond to the local time of the port.
Itineraries can change at any time without prior notice.
Boarding and landing
For safety reasons, all passengers must board 2 hours before departure on day 1 of the cruise.
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking on the last day of the cruise.
Choose a datePrice per passenger in double occupancy / Taxes included
NOTE: If you are interested in more than one cabin, you must do as many bookings as the number of cabins you want . * In case of having received any type of promotion or advantage for Newlyweds Travel, an official document will be required that proves the recent marriage of the couple.
Categories of Celebrity Xcel
Balcony
Inside
Outside
Suite
Image is representative only; size, layout and furnishings may vary (within the same stateroom category).