Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Apex
- Cruises
- 54
- From
- $419
Ship comparison
Celebrity Apex vs Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Xcel
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $775
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Celebrity Apex is a large Celebrity Cruises ship carrying 2,910 passengers, in service since 2021. Celebrity Xcel is a large Celebrity Cruises ship carrying 3,260 passengers, in service since 2025.
Choose Celebrity Apex if you want a lower starting fare, a more family-friendly ship or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Celebrity Xcel for family friendly (6.0 vs 5.0) and entertainment (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $419 (vs $775).
Choose Celebrity Xcel if you want better-rated dining: it outscores Celebrity Apex for dining (8.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Celebrity Apex | Celebrity Xcel | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Celebrity Cruises | Celebrity Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2021 | 2025 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 129,500 | 140,597 |
| Passengers | 2,910 | 3,260 |
| Crew | 1,320 | 1,400 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.2 (better) | 2.3 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 44.5 (better) | 43.1 |
| Cabins | 1,467 | — |
| Decks | 14 | 16 |
| Length | 1,004 ft | 1,073 ft |
| Beam | 128 ft | 128 ft |
| Speed | — | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 10 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 54 | 55 |
| Upcoming sailings | 88 | 95 |
| Cruise lengths | 4–14 nights | 6–16 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $419 (better) | $775 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Celebrity Apex leads on 5 of the ten, Celebrity Xcel on 1, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Apex
The 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex, which debuted in June 2021, offers groundbreaking design and cutting-edge spaces unlike anything else at sea along with its nearly identical sister ship Celebrity Edge.
Highlights
- The reimagined Resort Deck has a sophisticated vibe with a pool and bar that resemble a 5-star resort in Miami Beach
- Fun sea day activities like the tabletop maze in the Club, puzzles in Eden and outdoor options in the Rooftop Garden
- The you'll-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it Magic Carpet
- The SEA Thermal Suite offers 8 unique experiences, from the typical sauna or Turkish baths to the exotic waterfall shower, salt room and float room
Sailing now
54 cruises on sale, from $419.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Xcel, the latest Edge Series ship from Celebrity Cruises, debuted in the Caribbean in November 2025.
Sailing now
55 cruises on sale, from $775.
Questions
Celebrity Apex or Celebrity Xcel?
Which is bigger, Celebrity Apex or Celebrity Xcel?
Celebrity Xcel is bigger at 140,597 gross tons, against 129,500 gross tons for Celebrity Apex. Celebrity Apex carries 2,910 passengers and Celebrity Xcel carries 3,260.
Which ship is newer, Celebrity Apex or Celebrity Xcel?
Celebrity Xcel is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2021 for Celebrity Apex.
Which has more space per passenger?
Celebrity Apex, with 44.5 gross tons per passenger against 43.1 on Celebrity Xcel. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Celebrity Apex, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.3 on Celebrity Xcel.
Which is better for families?
Celebrity Apex scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 5.0 for Celebrity Xcel.
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