Departs in 7 days$3,853/person$385/night
View DealShip comparison
Celebrity Xcel vs Mein Schiff 5
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Celebrity Xcel wins 7 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Celebrity Xcel
Mein Schiff 5
Size
140,600 GT
99,436 GT
Passengers
3,260
2,534
Year built
2025
2016
Crew ratio
2.5 guests per crew
2.5 guests per crew
Space ratio
43.1 GT per guest
39.2 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
327 m
316 m
From price
$2,702.69 pp
No data
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Celebrity Xcel is the significantly larger vessel at 140,600 GT, 41% more than Mein Schiff 5's 99,436 GT. Celebrity Xcel offers more personal space with a space ratio of 43.1 GT per passenger versus 39.2. Built in 2025, Celebrity Xcel is 9 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Celebrity Xcel |
| Capacity | Celebrity Xcel |
| Modernity | Celebrity Xcel |
| Service | Celebrity Xcel |
| Spaciousness | Celebrity Xcel |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Celebrity Xcel |
| Fleet Power | Celebrity Xcel |
Bottom line: Celebrity Xcel leads 7–0 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Celebrity Xcel for overall superiority; pick Mein Schiff 5 if its strengths matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Celebrity Xcel if
- You want the newer ship (built 2025, 9 years newer)
- Size matters to you (140,600 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,260 guests)
- More crew per guest (2.5 guests per crew)
Choose Mein Schiff 5 if
- A strong all-round cruise ship
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Celebrity Xcel | Mein Schiff 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $2,702.69 pp | No sailings |
| Per night | $169 pp | No data |
| Departing | Oct 23 | No data |
| Duration | 16 nights | No data |
| View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Celebrity Xcel
Departs in 7 days
Departs in 17 days11 Night Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Celebrity • Celebrity Xcel
Oct 12, 2026 · 11 nights
Iberian Peninsula
$3,467/person$315/night
View Deal
Departs in 28 days$2,703/person$169/night
View DealHotels & Accommodations Near Port of Barcelona
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes, up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
