celebrity ascent cruise reviews

Review: Celebrity Ascent

Reviewed by Scott Laird

What is the line? Celebrity Cruises

Name of ship? Celebrity Ascent

Passenger occupancy? 3,260 double occupancy, 3,937 with upper berths filled.

Itinerary? Celebrity Ascent rotates between Mediterranean and Caribbean itineraries. Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Celebrity is a premium big-ship cruise brand, focusing on exquisite dining, cutting-edge amenities, Instagram-worthy public spaces chock full of bespoke art pieces, and avant-garde onboard entertainment. All together, these make for glamorous experiences that'll leave passengers feeling like celebrities.

Tell us about the ship in general.

Celebrity Ascent is the fourth ship in Celebrity’s Edge Class since Celebrity Edge was launched in 2018. The ship is a mostly-identical copy to its immediate sister ship Celebrity Beyond , which has an extra deck of staterooms. Also new on Celebrity Ascent are a redesigned casino, expanded Rooftop Garden, a new outdoor dining option for Blu, the ship’s clean cuisine restaurant, and a new private event suite called The Annex, bookable for groups for sports simulations, private parties, sports event or film screenings, or karaoke. Like all Edge-class ships, the most notable feature is the cantilevered deck called the “Magic Carpet” which can be positioned on Deck 14 as a bar and lounge, on Deck 5 to expand the Raw on 5 sushi and raw bar, or at sea level as a tender dock.

Who is onboard?

Celebrity’s guest profile trends toward mature families with older children, adult friend groups, and a significant LGBTQ+ contingent (there are LGTBQ+ social events on every sailing). With the line's emphasis on high-quality art and entertainment, the ship understandably attracts passengers for whom such amenities would be a draw—so expect well-traveled sophisticates among the ship’s company.

Describe the cabins.

It’s really a choose-your-own adventure with cabins, ranging from inside staterooms to Infinite Verandas, which open directly to the outside of the ship with an electronic window that comes down to form the top of the balcony. Passengers who prefer a traditional-style balcony can close off a portion from the rest of the room, but Celebrity developed the Infinite Veranda in response to feedback from customers who said they wanted more flexible use of space in their cabins.

Cabins are also delightfully modern, in muted tones and an impressive number of outlets in a variety of forms (USB or universal electrical for plugs from various countries) with spacious baths with glass-walled showers. Bath amenities are graduated by room category—top-end suites have bath amenities from Le Labo.

Aqua Class is a collection of rooms and suites that includes access to the ship’s Thermal Spa and its own clean-cuisine restaurant Blu. Guests will find enhanced shower amenities, plus yoga mats. The ship's suite guests have their own restaurant, the gastronomic Le Luminae, and access to The Retreat, which offers an indoor lounge with concierge and food and beverage presentations, plus The Retreat Sundeck with a bar and plunge pool with swinging chairs suspended above. For direct access, travelers can book the two-deck Edge Villas, which offer living spaces on the first deck (complete with jetted tub on the veranda) and bedrooms on the second, which offer direct access to The Retreat Sundeck.

Tell us about the crew.

Like other Celebrity ships, the crew onboard is an international troupe, with crew members from around the world. Many of them are transfers from other Edge-Class ships, so they’re already well-familiar with the features onboard Celebrity Ascent . With a crew ratio of 1 for every 2.3 passengers, the service they provide is attentive—particularly in the bars and restaurants, which we found well-staffed for quick service.

What food and drink options are available on board?

There are 18 restaurants available on board. The ship’s four main dining restaurants can be booked for traditional fixed dining or dine anytime—each with a different theme and cuisine, although guests can order items from the other restaurants if they prefer.

Other free dining options include the expansive Oceanview Café Buffet, which sets up separate four sided “tables” instead of a long buffet line which helps reduce crowding, Eden Café for light bites (including outdoor seating), a Café (specialty coffees at a charge, but free pastries), a poolside snack bar, and the Spa Café and Juice Bar in the solarium pool. There are two free-but-exclusive restaurants: clean-eating restaurant Blu, for Aqua Class guests, and Luminae at The Retreat, a single-seating fine dining restaurant for guests in The Retreat suite categories.

For specialty dining, gastronomes will geek out at Chef Daniel Boulud’s signature Le Voyage completely redesigned in a new color palette with a private dining room. Guests here find a five-course tasting menu with delicacies like Tamarind and Peanut-crusted prawns, poached Brazilian Moqueca fish, and cardamom-infused coffee ice cream. Fine Cut Steakhouse serves up premium steaks and seafood (think gigantic lobster tails), and Le Grand Bistro is a faithful reproduction of a French bistro serving Gallic favorites like moules frites and escargots at lunch; at dinner it becomes Le Petit Chef, an animation-meets-French dining experience.

Eden Restaurant is in the multi-story glass fantail of the ship, offering inventive cocktails and global cuisine with playful twists (truffled huitlacoche risotto, anyone?). On Celebrity Ascent , Eden also introduces a large plant-based menu here—including a seven-course tasting menu.Other specialty dining outlets include the Rooftop Garden Grill (steaks and seafood), sushi and raw bar Raw on 5 (which can be expanded to include al fresco dining when the “Magic Carpet” is positioned on Deck 5).

In-room dining offers free continental breakfast–there’s a cover charge plus gratuity for hot items. Drinkers will find no shortage of places to imbibe. Eden serves up mixology masterpieces (some of them come complete with smoke, or might be served out of a treasure chest), while the Martini Bar exudes glamor, in the midst of the multi-deck Grand Plaza, capped by a new chandelier.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

There is a spa onboard, which also includes a Thermal Suite with infrared sauna, Himalayan Salt sauna, steam room, and a crystal room. The Thermal Suite is available to Aqua Class customers or to general passengers for an additional daily or full-voyage fee. There are also regular spa treatments and med-spa treatments ranging from acupuncture to IV therapies. Many of the spa services are tailored to the ship’s destination—think coconut wraps in the Caribbean and body treatments using local botanicals in the Mediterranean and Asia.

What about activities and entertainment?

There’s no shortage of those, and the ship’s almost-circular theatre-in-the-round main entertainment stage is state of the art, with multilevel panels that reveal performers or musicians at set intervals, a mechanical trap door and high gantry for acrobatic suspension work. It’s all backed by a Ultra HD 4K screen. The program consists of everything from flashy Broadway reviews to the sultry, Adults-only show Elyria.

The entertainment team also does shows in Eden (normally after the dinner hours) and The Club, a nightclub space adjacent to The Theatre. New to Celebrity Ascent is The Annex, directly adjacent The Club. It’s a private space for up to ten passengers and can be booked in two-hour blocks to watch televised sports events, host a karaoke party, have a group movie night or party, or gather around a sports simulator. The packages include food and soft drinks from the onboard gastropub Craft Social. While elevated, the ship’s entertainments and activities are largely traditional in style—casino, live theatre, nightclubs, bars, deck games—you won’t find whizbang attractions like roller coasters, skating rinks, or bowling alleys here.

How was the experience for families?

Celebrity is primarily an adult-oriented cruise experience, but still offers Camp at Sea programming for kids aged 3-17, with separate facilities for each age group. Dining rooms also have separate kids’ menus and there are changing facilities available in many restrooms. The facilities are open throughout most of the day, and are complimentary except for some periods, where there’s a nominal babysitting fee. Celebrity has also committed to providing a welcoming, autism-friendly environment on its ships, with sensory-friendly films and toys available. That said, Celebrity’s focus remains on adult cruisers, so families won’t find a lot of kid-centric entertainments beyond the kids’ centers.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

Celebrity Ascent alternates between the Caribbean and Mediterranean. In both, Celebrity’s shore excursions follow set themes. A popular theme is small group excursions rather than large, expansive bus tours—think a Farm-to-Table food tour in Barbados or Wine Tasting in Nice. Celebrity will also customize excursions exclusively for groups large and small upon consultation with travelers.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Outwardly, there aren’t a lot of noticeable sustainability programs onboard—unless guests are really keen on learning about waste disposal and fuel-burn reduction. The most noticeable green efforts are the elimination of plastic straws, and the opt-out for a second full cabin cleaning in the evening (although cabins are still cleaned and sanitized every day for health reasons).

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

In a word: the ship makes passengers feel glamorous. Celebrity Ascent ’s sumptuously designed interiors are flooded with natural light, stuffed with beautiful, interesting art objects, and evoke an air of playful sophistication that make a week on board an escape worth cherishing. Passengers may find themselves longing to return to for just one more succulent crab claw at Raw on 5, one more martini poured by bottle-spinning bartenders in the Martini Bar, or one more dazzling, acrobatic stage show, in the days following their farewells to this beautiful ship.

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Celebrity Ascent Deck Plans & Reviews

Celebrity Ascent

Activities & entertainment

• The Basement - Teens Club
• Magic Carpet
• Destination Gateway
• Guest Relations
• Private Lounge
• The Grand Plaza
• Camp At Sea - Kids Club
• The Casino *
• The Celebrity Shops *
• Photo Gallery *
• Photo Studio *
• Art Gallery *
• Future Cruise Vacations *
• Shore Excursions *
• Captain's Club
• The Meeting Place
• Whirlpools (6)
• Thermal Suite *
• Fitness Center
• Jogging Track
• The Retreat Lounge - Suite Guests
• The Retreat Sundeck - Suite Guests
• Rooftop Garden
• Medical Center
• The Theatre
• Production Shows
• Enrichment Lectures
• In-Room Entertainment
• Normandie Restaurant - Main
• Tuscan Restaurant - Main
• Cosmopolitan Restaurant - Main
• Cyprus Restaurant - Main
• The Martini Bar - Martini Bar *
• Eden Restaurant - Dinner Theater *
• Eden Cafe - Light Fare
• Eden Bar - Craft Cocktails *
• Craft Social Bar - Craft Beer Bar *
• Le Grand Bistro - Interactive French *
• Le Voyage - Daniel Boulud Restaurant *
• Cafe Al Bacio - Coffee Bar *
• Blu - Aqua Class Restaurant
• Fine Cut Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• World Class Bar - Craft Cocktails *
• Raw On 5 - Japanese *
• Luminae at The Retreat - Suite Class Restaurant
• Oceanview Cafe - Buffet
• Il Secondo Bacio - Coffee Bar *
• Pool Bar - Pool Bar *
• Mast Grill - Pool Grill
• Spa Cafe & Juice Bar - Healthy Fare
• Rooftop Garden Grill - Al Fresco Dining *
• Sunset Bar - Aft Bar *
• The Retreat Pool Bar - Suite Class Bar
• Room Service
• Excellent 4
• Very Good 2
• All languages ( 10 )
• English ( 10 )

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First look at Celebrity Ascent: This elegant new cruise ship is perfect for entertainment buffs and solo travelers

I'm just back from Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Cruises ' newest ship and the fourth in its Edge Class of vessels . It's exactly what passengers have come to expect from the line, which offers a modern, edgy take on everything from food to entertainment.

The latter is truly what shines on board. The new ship stands out for its buzzworthy new theater shows, a private entertainment room and a lively after-dark deck party.

Another unrelated highlight is that the ship features twice as many cabins for solo travelers as the line's first Edge-class ship, Celebrity Edge.

Below is an outline of what's new, along with my commentary on the handful of offerings I was able to actually test out during my quick two-day voyage.

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New to the Celebrity fleet and exclusive to Celebrity Apex, The Annex is a small space on Deck 5 that offers a private area for groups of up to 15 people to sing karaoke, watch movies or sporting events, or play virtual sports like golf and dodgeball.

The room can be rented in two-and-a-half-hour increments at a cost of $150 to $375 for 10 people, depending on the package booked and whether it's a port day or a sea day. (Each additional person up to 15 people is $35.) The price includes food and drinks (including bottled water and soda) from Craft Social, the ship's pub, brought to you by a dedicated waiter. Choose from items including burgers, fries and chicken wings. (Note that alcohol is included with some packages. Otherwise, alcohol will cost extra for passengers who don't have drink packages.)

A built-in sound system allows you to play music, either from your own device or preset playlists.

When I tried my luck on the virtual golf driving range, I found that it was difficult to put the ball in a position that made sense. (Hitting from the designated spot on the green was tough. Tees were available, but because they didn't push far enough into the turf, the balls were suspended awkwardly far off the ground.)

The space is comfortable and inviting, with sports-themed seating and pillows facing a giant screen where you can either watch your game or movie of choice or select from a list of 1,000 movie titles. Overall, it's a great concept, particularly if you're traveling with a large family or a group of friends. It would also make for a fun date night activity or a celebration of a special occasion on board.

Entertainment is phenomenal on the Edge Class vessels, which strive to be funkier than the average cruise ship. When you're talking about song-and-dance performances that incorporate popular tunes throughout the ages, it's easy for the results to be cheesy.

Fortunately, that's not the case on Celebrity Ascent. Two sets of performers — the theater cast and the Eden cast — bring the productions to life with aplomb, hitting an impressive vocal range and mastering pop-and-lock routines that would make Paula Abdul jealous.

And, of course, no Celebrity show would be complete without jaw-dropping feats of contortion and acrobatics. They're offered in spades during shows that include "Awaken" and "Bridges," both hosted in the ship's main theater and "Shimmerbox," which takes place in Eden, an earthy lounge that also houses a restaurant, bar, cafe and performance space.

"Awaken" focuses on a series of fever dream-style numbers, and incorporates creative costumes and "Oh, wow!" dance steps with well-known songs. My particular favorites included one that evoked the '80s with some Bruno Mars tunes and "Stranger Things" vibes and another that's what I imagine you'd get if Janet Jackson were a character in "The Matrix." In my opinion, this is the show not to miss.

Then there's "Bridges," which takes you, through song and dance, to some of the world's most iconic bridges, including Tower Bridge in London and the Brooklyn and Golden Gate Bridges in the U.S. Numbers include slower dances and breakdancing interspersed with aerialist performances that elicit cheers from the stunned audience.

"Shimmerbox" is a more intimate, interactive experience, where the singers and dancers draw audience members onto the dancefloor to cut a rug or sing karaoke. It's fun, but I'm more of a sit-and-watch type. Worried I'd have to become a joiner, I vacated my front-row seat about 20 minutes into the performance, when the man sitting next to me was chosen to participate.

Nightclub fun

The Club, Celebrity Ascent's nightclub, is a cozy two-deck venue that's home to dance parties, as you might expect. However, it's also where you'll find daytime sporting events like street curling and "Game On," interactive gaming with an '80s theme where passengers use their bodies as controllers to manipulate projections on the floor. There are six games total, each lasting for just a few minutes. They require players to dodge enemies and defend goals.

At night, head there for "Smoke & Ivories," a new high-energy show featuring singing, dancing and acrobatics from the Eden cast.

I'll be blunt: The Club is way too small to host the show. If you don't arrive super early, not only will you not get a seat, but you won't even be able to get into the venue — on either deck. I tried standing at the back but left after five minutes because I couldn't see much. What I did catch appeared to be impressive, evoking a steamy jazz club in New Orleans.

On my voyage, "Smoke & Ivories" was on the schedule for only one performance. On a standard weeklong sailing, the show will be offered on one night at two different times, so there will be one additional chance to see it.

Shimmer party

Ain't no party like a pool deck party — especially if it's at night and involves glitter and glow wands. Celebrity Ascent's "Shine the Night" themed outdoor soiree encourages passengers to wear something sparkly in preparation for a night of dancing with a DJ set against a giant glowing light sculpture that pulsates and changes color with the music. No sparkles, no problem: Crew members hand out LED batons akin to mini-pool noodles to attendees.

The pool didn't seem to be closed during the party on my sailing, so it's unclear whether swimming will be allowed during the event.

Although clubbing isn't something I normally do, I had a good time, despite the humid Bahamas weather. It was definitely one of the most lively pool parties I've attended on a ship.

Solo cabins galore

Like many of the industry's most popular cruise lines, Celebrity has had solo cabins on its newest vessels for several years. Given their popularity, the line more than doubled the number of solo accommodations from Celebrity Edge's 16 rooms to 36 on Celebrity Ascent.

This is notable because it's the only thing different about the cabin categories on the newest ship. Rooms for one are notoriously in demand; by doubling the number available, the line has allowed more opportunity for cruisers traveling alone to sail without having to pay a single supplement for a room designed for two or more people.

Ascent's solo cabins are available as Infinite Verandas, which, instead of standard balconies, feature large glass windows that can be opened or closed with the push of a button to allow fresh air inside.

The ship's other cabins include inside cabins with no windows, outside cabins with windows that don't open and balcony rooms (regular balconies and Infinite Verandas). The vessel also boasts a selection of elevated accommodations, such as AquaClass cabins, which focus on wellness and have their own private restaurant; Concierge Class that gives access to concierge services; and The Retreat, the line's exclusive suite area, which offers seven different types of lavish cabins and gives passengers access to a private dining room, sun deck and lounge.

New dining offerings

Celebrity Ascent does not have any completely new restaurants, but there are tweaks and new additions to some dining venues.

Leading off is Le Petit Chef, a for-fee ($60 per person) dinner experience held in French restaurant Le Grand Bistro each night. Several of Celebrity's other ships have had Le Petit Chef, but now he's back with a brand-new show, "Le Petit Chef and the Magical Cooking Book."

In this one, with the help of artificial intelligence, he stumbles upon a fairy who grants him three wishes. The story plays out through projections that show up on each diner's place setting. The chef prepares each dish virtually before servers bring out the real thing for your meal.

Reservations are essential; I was unable to snag one but heard mixed reviews about both the food and the show's plot.

The next-largest culinary development on board is at Eden Restaurant, which focuses on delicious Mediterranean cuisine for $85 per person or $120 for tasting menus. It now offers a vegan tasting menu in addition to its standard one. Unfortunately, it wasn't available during my sailing when I asked, so I wasn't able to try it. However, I absolutely adored the bazaar bowl with chilled labneh, beets, cucumber, almonds and naan bread and the sheep's milk gnocchi I ordered off the standard menu.

Finally, Blu — the main restaurant for cruisers booked in the ship's AquaClass wellness-themed cabins — is now open for lunch and has outdoor seating with lovely sea views. When I asked about the alfresco dining area, I was told it wasn't available.

The ship also has four main dining rooms. The menus are the same in all four, with the exception of a small section that's exclusive to each one, based on its theme: Tuscan (Italian), Normandie (French), Cyprus (Mediterranean) and Cosmopolitan (new American with global influences). Anyone familiar with Cosmopolitan will notice that it has been redesigned with a slightly new look that features more ornate decor on Celebrity Ascent.

Other complimentary eateries include Eden Cafe for sandwiches and salads; the Oceanview Cafe buffet, offering stations with a variety of cuisines in a casual atmosphere; Mast Grill, serving hot dogs and burgers; and Luminae, the main dining room that's exclusive to passengers booked in The Retreat.

Additionally, the vessel has welcomed returning added-fee favorites: Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud, which features international fare and has been slightly redesigned from its first iteration on Celebrity Beyond; Fine Cut steakhouse; The Spa Cafe, which offers health-conscious dining options and smoothies; Craft Social for bar bites; Raw on 5, serving up fresh seafood; and the Rooftop Garden Grill, where you can dine alfresco on upscale grill fare and pizza.

In general, it was difficult to get a feel for what the restaurants would be like on a full-length voyage because my cruise was so short, and many of the specialty dining venues were offering abridged menus or family-style sharing plates not normally found on the regular menus.

Brothers as co-captains

Name one other ship helmed by siblings who will drop anchor and take passengers out for lifeboat races. I bet you can't. But that's what happened on Celebrity Ascent.

Brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis are both captains for Celebrity Cruises and with the debut of the new ship, they're trading off responsibilities every three months. The pair brings decades of maritime experience, as well as a combination of chemistry and wit that would also be well suited to a career in standup comedy.

"And now, I'm going to do something called ... a doughnut!" Captain D said while steering one of two lifeboats being used to take cruisers on my preview sailing out for a look at the ship from the water. It wasn't an idle promise, either. Soon, we found ourselves spinning in circles. (I'll admit I was briefly sorry I hadn't popped a Dramamine prior to the experience.)

After that, we lost in a race against his brother, who was driving a second lifeboat nearby. "Captain Tasos is 30 pounds lighter than me!" Captain D shouted, maneuvering us across the waves in a way that guaranteed a delightful Seaworld-like spray of water dampened everyone inside the boat through its open hatches.

Bottom line

Celebrity Ascent is a nearly identical quadruplet to its Edge Class siblings but with some minor adjustments that make it even better than previous iterations.

Although there are no major changes in cabins or dining, The Annex and all of the vessel's new productions represent an evolution of the class' entertainment offerings.

Above all, Celebrity Ascent is sure to provide a terrific vacation for everyone from fun-loving but refined couples, families, friend groups and solos, all of whom will appreciate the premium, upscale vibe and cutting-edge onboard amenities.

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Celebrity Ascent First Look: Review, Tour, & Should You Sail?

Note: Cruzely was invited for a complimentary inaugural cruise aboard the new Celebrity Ascent. Below are our thoughts about the new ship from Celebrity.

For those that have sailed across multiple cruise lines, you know that each line — and each ship — has its own unique personality. In other words, no matter how many different cruises you take, there’s always something that’s new to experience. We were reminded of this on our recent inaugural cruise aboard Celebrity Ascent.

Celebrity Ascent marks the fourth in the cruise line’s ground-breaking Edge class of ships (or “Edge series” as Celebrity calls them). And while we’ve sailed on nearly every major cruise line (including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, NCL, Virgin, Princess), one major line we had yet to experience was Celebrity. Turns out that their newest ship makes us feel like we’ve made a big mistake waiting this long to sail.

Meet: Celebrity Ascent

For those not yet familiar with Celebrity, it’s part of Royal Caribbean Group’s portfolio of cruise lines. Aimed at a more upscale experience, you can think of it in car terms to get an idea of its positioning in the market.

Just like Toyota has the upscale Lexus brand, Royal Caribbean offers the elevated Celebrity brand. But this is much different than just a “nicer” Royal Caribbean cruise ship. It’s something completely different with a different atmosphere, feel, and philosophy. It’s much more geared toward adults (though kids are welcomed!) instead of focused on everyone.

Celebrity went a new direction with its Edge class of ships, beginning with Celebrity Edge that first sailed in late 2018. Now the cruise line introduces Celebrity Ascent, the latest in the class (along with Edge, Apex, and Beyond).

If you have sailed these sister ships before, then you have a good idea of what Ascent can offer passengers. If you haven’t, or haven’t sailed Celebrity at all, then you don’t know what you’re missing.

First Impressions of the Ship

Boarding at Terminal 25 in Fort Lauderdale, Ascent makes a strong first impression. You enter near the Grand Plaza — a multi-story atrium centered around The Martini Bar. This is definitely a hotspot for the ship and during the evenings it gets busy. But it’s also a great initial introduction to the style and atmosphere of the ship.

You’ll notice the distinct asymmetrical shape of the space and bar. There are no wood tones or heavy chrome accents. The spot oozes with contemporary style. It’s wide, open, and airy. This isn’t meant to be a nice cruise ship… it’s built to be a nice resort.

In fact, walking around the ship when boarding, our first thought was if you took a spa and used that as inspiration for a ship’s design. The colors are calming. The lighting is always perfect. Even the music is a relaxing mix that provides some white noise to the ship without being intrusive.

But what really caught our attention is the space around the ship. First, it should be noted that the inaugural sailing we attended was only about two-thirds full. Even imagining most spaces with a full capacity ship still left plenty of space for everyone (the one exception is The Martini Bar area in the Grand Plaza that got very busy during the evenings).

This makes sense as based on tonnage versus passengers carried, Ascent has a space ratio of 43.1 at 100% occupancy . Anything above 40 should be considered reasonably spacious.

More than that, however, there was obviously a lot of thought put into building a ship that feels spacious everywhere. Hallways around the ship are wider, from the cabin hallways to those around the interior areas of the ship. There are also lots of spots from the Solarium to the Grand Plaza to the ship’s theater that cover multiple decks. The result makes for long sightlines and an airy feeling.

This trend even goes to the cabin doorways, which seem the width of a regular door at home instead of the relatively narrow cabin doors found on most ships.

In other words, if your biggest complaint about cruising is that it’s too crowded, this is the ship for you.

A Look Onboard

It’s hard to overstate just how nice Celebrity Ascent is unless you’ve sailed it or one of its sister ships (which are said to be similar). While pictures don’t do it justice, we have highlighted some spots with details about what to expect and some images to give you an idea.

Grand Plaza The spot to be in the evening, the Grand Plaza is a center atrium on the ship. There’s seating around the edge, bartenders that do fancy acrobatics while they mix drinks, restaurants lining the decks on both sides, and a massive light fixture in the middle.

During the evening live music is played and there’s no better spot to enjoy a fun evening out with your traveling partner.

The Theater The Theater on Ascent is a massive circular room with a stage in the middle. Five movable video boards provide backdrops while parts of the stage can raise and lower. A center section in the ceiling allows performers to drop from the roof while the lighting and sound features are world class.

The result are visually stunning shows that have to be seen to be believed.

The Retreat Like some other lines, Celebrity has their own “resort within a resort” that features higher-end rooms. Along with nice rooms is a lounge area and outdoor pool/sundeck that is only available to these guests. There is also a private restaurant for passengers in The Retreat.

Pool Area/Solarium If you want to be by the pool, you have two main options. First is the general pool deck that features a large pool, some great artwork (we love the chrome octopus), and twin hot tubs that sit up over the deck like flower blooms.

The Solarium is an amazing space that spans multiple decks with a domed ceiling. The atmosphere is calm and serene with lots of seating, its own pool and twin hot tubs.

Rooftop Garden One feature of the Edge series ships and continued on Ascent is the Rooftop Garden. This is an open space on the top deck that features seating and open space in a park-like atmosphere. There are pools nearby, but it’s more of just a relaxing spot where you can enjoy the company of who you’re traveling with. There is also a large screen that features sporting events, yoga classes during the day, and more.

Eden Another signature space in the class that’s aboard Ascent is Eden. It’s hard to describe the area as it’s somewhere to be entertained, to grab a bite to eat, or to just lounge. It’s multiple stories with lots of natural light and located aft of the ship with great outdoor views. During the day it’s relaxed and a great place to unwind. During the evening the crew puts on performances, and there’s also a high-end restaurant.

Cabins on Ascent

No matter how you want to travel, there’s a cabin that will fit. And one nice thing is that they are all nicely appointed and comfortable. The theme of space continues throughout the available staterooms. If you’re used to cramped cabins, that’s not the case here.

We mentioned more space in the doorways, but there’s simply more space everywhere. Even interior cabins feel comfy (though certainly not large, but larger than many we’ve seen).

One feature that’s different on Celebrity is the use of “infinite” balconies, although the cruise line calls them “infinite verandas.” Typically, balcony rooms have a door that leads out to a balcony that juts out the side of the ship.

With these infinite balconies, instead the far wall of the cabin is one large window. Press a button and the top half of the window slides down, essentially making the entire room a balcony. There are still bi-fold doors that can be opened and closed to separate a balcony area and a blackout shade that closes the area for sleeping.

The Retreat should also be mentioned. This is a section of suites aboard Ascent that feature access to a private restaurant, a private lounge, and sundeck. As well, you have more dedicated services, and the rooms also come with premium drinks and wi-fi.

Entertainment on the Ship

Perhaps one of the biggest misnomers when it comes to cruising is the idea that you have “hokey” entertainment with performers that couldn’t cut it anywhere else. Anyone who thinks that obviously hasn’t sailed a modern cruise ship, much less on Celebrity Ascent.

There are a number of entertainment options around the ship with everything from live music to performances in Eden. But two spots stand out as unique to this class.

First is a spot called The Club . It’s a multi-story spot, that like Eden, serves a lot of different roles. During the day, it’s a place to hang out and play games. This includes some video games, and what Celebrity calls “augmented” games that are essentially video games projected on the floor that you play with your body.

At night, it changes into more of a lounge with live music and shows, including “Smoke and Ivories” — a cabaret-style show that’s above and beyond. No matter the time of day, there will be something to do here.

But the star of the entertainment lineup is The Theater . We’ve been at sea across dozens of ships and never seen anything like it.

Instead of a traditional theater setup, Ascent features a round room with a circular stage in the middle. That alone provides more dynamic and visually interesting views, but it’s just the start. Around the back of the stage are five floor-to-ceiling screens that can also move and slide around the stage. During the shows, the visual backdrops are simply stunning, providing an amazing backdrop that just can’t be replicated with a traditional set.

In addition there are stage segments that rise and fall, a spot in the center of the ceiling where acrobats drop and swing, lights extraordinaire and so much more. Of course, all this speaks nothing of the talent of the performers themselves, who are world class.

We watched two shows (Bridges and Awaken) during our time on the ship and would not hesitate to watch them again. If you sail, consider the theater shows a “can’t-miss.”

Food Options Aboard Celebrity Ascent

Food is a major part of any cruise and that stays true for Celebrity Ascent. All told there are more than a dozen restaurants around the ship. In general, the food and restaurants tend to be more elevated. If you’re really into high-end food, you’re in luck. We will say that those with simpler tastes do have options, but you will need to look around a little more.

Free spots to eat include the Oceanview  Café , which is the ship’s large buffet with more space than we’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. It serves everything from pizza to lobster tails on the last day of the cruise. There is a small café in Eden with salad and sandwiches and light fare at the Spa  Café . You can grab a burger or sandwich at the Mast Grill if you just want something easy.

For dinner there are four main dining restaurants that are included in the fare. Each one of these ( Cyprus, Tuscan, Normandie, and Cosmopolitan ) has the same menu but has a special section of appetizers and entrees section that’s unique from the other restaurants for more variety.

You could definitely eat during your cruise without spending extra, but it will limit your options on Ascent. There are a large number of specialty restaurants and most focus on an elevated experience. This includes:

• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud
• Rooftop Garden Grill
• Le Grand Bistro
• Le Petit Chef
• Fine Cut Steakhouse

In addition, there are two restaurants Blu and Luminae that are exclusive to passengers staying in AquaClass cabins and The Retreat, respectively.

What We Liked

Overall we were extremely impressed from bow to stern with Celebrity. It is definitely a different experience if you’ve sailed larger mass market lines including sister line Royal Caribbean. Overall, it simply feels more stylish, classy, and sophisticated. You feel much more that you are at a resort than a cruise ship.

We were big fans of the décor and style of the ship. It simply felt modern, with lots of nice touches like calm music and great art pieces around the ship.

But honestly we’ve been on nicely appointed cruise ships before. So what really stood out was how the ship’s design felt so open and spacious. This is mentioned above, but from small touches like wider cabin doorways to big open rooms like the Solarium and theater, you never get that cramped feeling like on most ships.

We also have to give special mention to the large production shows. The ship’s theater is simply a technological marvel that you have to see. The shows that are on board also take full advantage of the technology to offer something to see that’s stunning.

What We Didn’t Like

We found it hard to find fault with much of anything aboard Celebrity Ascent. But if we had to find something, we will mention that a late-night party on the pool deck could be heard in our cabin on deck 10 until close to 1 a.m. If you are a light sleeper, it could keep you up. Surprisingly, we asked some other passengers staying on our deck if they heard it and they did not. It could have just been our specific location on the ship.

And while we know that a cruise line like Celebrity is going to have some fancier dining, our personal tastes are fairly basic. We like to try new dishes, but not every meal. Having a few more “comfort food” items easily available would have been nice, but this was far from a deal breaker.

Should You Sail Celebrity Ascent?

So what’s the final takeaway? Let’s say that if you have an upcoming cruise on Ascent then we’re not just confident that you’ll enjoy the ship, we are jealous that you’re getting to sail . This was our first-ever cruise aboard Celebrity and it definitely left us impressed.

Now, we will say it won’t be for everyone. If you are a family sailing with kids, it might not be the right ship. Kids are welcome and there is a kids area for them to play while parents enjoy. Outside of that, however, there isn’t a ton — especially on the pool deck. Kids won’t have a bad time, but other lines and ships would be better.

However, those wanting a more sophisticated cruise — think a honeymoon, anniversary, or simply a cruise passenger who appreciates luxury — will find Ascent to be a perfect fit. And while the price tag is generally higher than other mass market lines, in our opinion it would be worth it.

More Photos of Celebrity Ascent

While we discussed a lot about the ship, there are some spots that we think are worth seeing that we didn’t get a chance to mention.

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I also sailed this weekend. You have written an excellent truthful review! You didn’t mention the SUNSET BAR designed by Nate Berkus of HGTV. I thought the multi leveled bar was great to watch the sunset and meet fellow cruisers. The Moroccan/Mediterranean design made you think in Spain!

You’re right. I passed through there but with so little time, I didn’t get a chance to sit and relax/enjoy it! I could have happily spend another week onboard.

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Celebrity Ascent Deck Plans & Reviews

Celebrity Ascent

Activities & entertainment

• The Basement - Teens Club
• Magic Carpet
• Destination Gateway
• Guest Relations
• Private Lounge
• The Grand Plaza
• Camp At Sea - Kids Club
• The Casino *
• The Celebrity Shops *
• Photo Gallery *
• Photo Studio *
• Art Gallery *
• Future Cruise Vacations *
• Shore Excursions *
• Captain's Club
• The Meeting Place
• Whirlpools (6)
• Thermal Suite *
• Fitness Center
• Jogging Track
• The Retreat Lounge - Suite Guests
• The Retreat Sundeck - Suite Guests
• Rooftop Garden
• Medical Center
• The Theatre
• Production Shows
• Enrichment Lectures
• In-Room Entertainment
• Normandie Restaurant - Main
• Tuscan Restaurant - Main
• Cosmopolitan Restaurant - Main
• Cyprus Restaurant - Main
• The Martini Bar - Martini Bar *
• Eden Restaurant - Dinner Theater *
• Eden Cafe - Light Fare
• Eden Bar - Craft Cocktails *
• Craft Social Bar - Craft Beer Bar *
• Le Grand Bistro - Interactive French *
• Le Voyage - Daniel Boulud Restaurant *
• Cafe Al Bacio - Coffee Bar *
• Blu - Aqua Class Restaurant
• Fine Cut Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• World Class Bar - Craft Cocktails *
• Raw On 5 - Japanese *
• Luminae at The Retreat - Suite Class Restaurant
• Oceanview Cafe - Buffet
• Il Secondo Bacio - Coffee Bar *
• Pool Bar - Pool Bar *
• Mast Grill - Pool Grill
• Spa Cafe & Juice Bar - Healthy Fare
• Rooftop Garden Grill - Al Fresco Dining *
• Sunset Bar - Aft Bar *
• The Retreat Pool Bar - Suite Class Bar
• Room Service
• Excellent 4
• Very Good 2
• All languages ( 10 )
• English ( 10 )

Upcoming itineraries

Celebrity Ascent

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises |

Find a Cruise on Celebrity Ascent

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Celebrity Ascent is the fourth ship of Celebrity Cruises' Edge series; it makes its maiden voyage in November 2023. The 3,260-passenger, 1,400-crew member boat features an outward-facing design that emphasizes ocean views and outdoor public spaces.

The ship features a wide array of cabin options, ranging from 181 to 1,892 square feet. Edge Single staterooms with Infinite Verandas are perfect for solo travelers, while wellness-focused AquaClass staterooms may appeal to cruisers looking for some extra rest and relaxation. Suites in The Retreat add numerous perks, including more spacious accommodations; a private dining option at Luminae at The Retreat (with a menu created by a Michelin-starred chef); an exclusive lounge and a sun deck.

Cruisers have over 30 restaurants, bars and lounges to choose from while on board. Dine on globally inspired fare at Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, enjoy a 3D animation dining experience at Le Petit Chef or sample from Eden Restaurant's plant-based menu.

There are plenty of activities on this ship, as well. Take a walk and observe sculptures at the Rooftop Garden, enjoy ocean views from The Magic Carpet – a movable deck that can raise cruisers up to 13 stories above sea level – or spend the day at the adults-only Solarium. At night, catch one of the three new shows at The Theatre, play games at the casino or enjoy live entertainment at The Club.

Celebrity Ascent sails to ports in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Pros & Cons

Massive amount of outdoor space on ship

Specialty restaurants cost extra

Celebrity Ascent offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Celebrity Ascent contains 15 decks. Find out which features are available on each Celebrity Ascent deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 55 guests have reviewed Celebrity Ascent , giving it a rating of 4.5 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Celebrity Ascent Deck Plans & Reviews

Celebrity Ascent

Activities & entertainment

• The Basement - Teens Club
• Magic Carpet
• Destination Gateway
• Guest Relations
• Private Lounge
• The Grand Plaza
• Camp At Sea - Kids Club
• The Casino *
• The Celebrity Shops *
• Photo Gallery *
• Photo Studio *
• Art Gallery *
• Future Cruise Vacations *
• Shore Excursions *
• Captain's Club
• The Meeting Place
• Whirlpools (6)
• Thermal Suite *
• Fitness Center
• Jogging Track
• The Retreat Lounge - Suite Guests
• The Retreat Sundeck - Suite Guests
• Rooftop Garden
• Medical Center
• The Theatre
• Production Shows
• Enrichment Lectures
• In-Room Entertainment
• Normandie Restaurant - Main
• Tuscan Restaurant - Main
• Cosmopolitan Restaurant - Main
• Cyprus Restaurant - Main
• The Martini Bar - Martini Bar *
• Eden Restaurant - Dinner Theater *
• Eden Cafe - Light Fare
• Eden Bar - Craft Cocktails *
• Craft Social Bar - Craft Beer Bar *
• Le Grand Bistro - Interactive French *
• Le Voyage - Daniel Boulud Restaurant *
• Cafe Al Bacio - Coffee Bar *
• Blu - Aqua Class Restaurant
• Fine Cut Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
• World Class Bar - Craft Cocktails *
• Raw On 5 - Japanese *
• Luminae at The Retreat - Suite Class Restaurant
• Oceanview Cafe - Buffet
• Il Secondo Bacio - Coffee Bar *
• Pool Bar - Pool Bar *
• Mast Grill - Pool Grill
• Spa Cafe & Juice Bar - Healthy Fare
• Rooftop Garden Grill - Al Fresco Dining *
• Sunset Bar - Aft Bar *
• The Retreat Pool Bar - Suite Class Bar
• Room Service

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

• Excellent 4
• Very Good 2
• All languages ( 10 )
• English ( 10 )

Upcoming itineraries

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Celebrity Ascent

Former name: stx france m34.

Cruise line Celebrity Cruises

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• Barcelona (Spain)
• Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy)

Celebrity Ascent current position

Celebrity Ascent current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 19.73074 N / -67.80329 W) cruising at speed of 19.5 kn (36 km/h | 22 mph) en route to San Juan. The AIS position was reported 1 hour ago.

Current itinerary of Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent current cruise is 7 days, round-trip San Juan, Tortola St.Kitts . The itinerary starts on 07 Apr, 2024 and ends on 14 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Celebrity Ascent

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Celebrity Ascent Itineraries

Celebrity ascent review, review of celebrity ascent.

The 2023-built Celebrity Ascent cruise ship is the fourth in a series of five EDGE-class passenger liners - with sisterships Celebrity Edge (2018), Celebrity Apex (2021), Celebrity Beyond (2022) and Celebrity Xcel (2025). All these large vessels (GT tonnage 140K) are by the shipbuilding company Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France .

The vessel (IMO number 9838400) is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 256191000) and registered in Valletta .

History - construction and ownership

Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1988 as the Greece-based Chandris Line (cruise shipping operations between 1974-1996). In 1997, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to become "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL). The "X" on ship funnels is the Greek letter chi (standing for "Chandris").

Common features of Celebrity Cruises ships include aft-located glass-walled dining rooms, signature alternate dining venues, bars and lounges, spacious Atrium lobby areas, a large number of balcony staterooms, large sundecks with swimming pools, The Retreat (adults-only sundeck with full-size swimming pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas, poolside full bar service), Rooftop Terrace (top-deck outdoor lounge-restaurant-cinema), large Spa (with Thermal Suites), premium retail shops selling top-brand merchandise.

The 3300-passenger ship Celebrity Ascent is the 4th newbuild by "Project Edge" (ship class). These new ships are bigger than Millennium-class but smaller than Solstice-class. The company advertised "small-ship itineraries with large-ship amenities", destination-rich experiences, iconic maritime architecture.

New features (Edge-Class ship design changes)

In comparison to the Edge-class sisterships Apex and Edge, Ascent is longer (20 m / 66 ft), taller (1 deck), with bigger capacity (179 more staterooms), and ~12% larger (GT 140600 tons). Celebrity Ascent also features significant design changes, with added new venues and expanded public spaces.

New venues and spaces on Celebrity Ascent include "Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud" (50-seat specialty restaurant by Daniel Boulud/celebrity chef and restaurant chain owner), redesigned Luminae (Suite-only restaurant designed by Kelly Elaine Hoppen/ South Africa-born British interior designer), redesigned Pool Deck, expanded Rooftop Garden (deck 15/with larger shaded seating areas, 2x infinity pools, bigger Rooftop Grill Bar), twice-larger Sunset Bar (aft on deck 15), larger Retreat (Suite-only bar lounge forward on deck 15).

• The Resort Deck (deck 14) was also redesigned, having a 23-m / 75-ft long lap pool (swimming pool with in-pool chaise loungers) surrounded by a terraced sundeck, The pool deck also features 2-deck high Jacuzzies (martini glass-shaped whirlpool hot tubs), sunken seating areas, a real-size Elephant statue.
• Sunset Bar (decks 15-16) is a 2-deck, Casablanca Morocco -themed outdoor bar lounge (designed by Nate Berkus and Tom Wright/WKK) with a pergola-covered entrance, cascading terraces, covered enclaves, conversation niches.
• The Retreat is a 3-deck-high exclusive (Suites-only) forward-midship located complex with The Retreat Lounge (on deck 15), Lower Sundeck (deck 16, with a glass-roof cover over The Solarium's pool/on deck 14) and The Retreat Sundeck (on deck 17). The Retreat Sundeck is an outdoor area served by The Retreat Bar and offers as amenities cabanas (available for rent), premium furniture (deckchairs, padded loungers, cushioned sofas, daybeds), a round-shaped swimming pool, two plunge pools (cantilevered hot tubs), outdoor showers, restrooms. The Retreat's Edge Villas (2-deck accommodations) were also redesigned.
• Le Voyage Restaurant (capacity 50 seats) is via partnership with Daniel Boulud - Chef-Owner of 7x NYC restaurants plus 6x in other cities. The food menu (developed by the Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud) is complemented by a premium wine selection menu and top-quality service by professional sommeliers. Le Voyage Restaurant was designed by Jouin Manku and features Intimate seating cocoons and designer lighting.
• World Class Bar (fleet's first) is via partnership with Diageo plc (1997-founded, London-based beverage alcohol company) which by annual alcohol production volumes was the world's largest distiller until 2017 (when was surpassed by China's Kweichow Moutai Co). World Class Bar is a premium wine bar and cocktail venue served by expert mixologists.

WKK Architects' Tom Wright redesigned and expanded most of the ship's outdoor spaces - including Resort Deck, The Retreat, Rooftop Garden.

Resort Deck is ~40% larger than on the ships Apex and Edge. The space also houses the "Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night" experience featuring a prism light show and live DJ music.

The 3-deck-high Grand Plaza (open-floor designed midship area) is larger which allowed the Martini Bar to be moved to the venue's center (on Lobby level/deck 2) as a full-circle bar. Grand Plaza's chandelier features a new shape and hundreds of LED lights.

New to the Celebrity cruise ship Ascent are the AquaClass SkySuites, featuring floor-ceiling views, large private terraces, premium bedding and wellness amenities. With the new ship is also introduced a new partnership with Gwyneth Kate Paltrow (1972-born American actress, model, entrepreneur, businesswoman) serving as Celebrity Cruises' "Well-Being Advisor".

Since 2022, all Celebrity AquaClass passengers (fleetwide but excluding the Galapagos boats) enjoy complimentary wellness amenities (including fitness kits from Paltrow's goop brand) and custom wellness programming part of the Celebrity's new initiative "Women in Wellness".

Decks and Cabins

Most Celebrity Ascent staterooms are Balcony rooms. Of all the 1646 staterooms, 918 are Edge Staterooms (with Infinite Verandas) and 176 are Suites. All staterooms are fitted with keyless cabin entry technology that uses digital keys (on smartphones), as well as standard keycards and RFID bands.

The boat has 16 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 10 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Celebrity Ascent ship offers 32 food and beverage serving venues, including 4 main dining rooms/MDRs and 6 new-to-Celebrity Cruises specialty restaurants. In total, the Ascent cruise ship has 15 restaurants, 5 cafes, 12 bars and lounges.

Ascent's MDR restaurants are named Cosmopolitan (contemporary American cuisine), Cyprus (Mediterranean), Normandie (French) and Tuscan (Italian). MDRs' combined menus have 84 different items/dishes listed.

Passengers in AquaClass staterooms or Suites eat at Blu Restaurant, offering lighter "spa-inspired" cuisine. The Luminae Restaurant is named "Luminae at The Retreat" and (along with Blu) is part of the private, Suite Class passengers exclusive complex "The Retreat". Suite passengers have also the option to eat in the Main Dining Rooms / MDRs (Normandie Restaurant, Tuscan Restaurant, Cosmopolitan Restaurant, Cyprus Restaurant). These 4 complimentary restaurants serve menus inspired by the itinerary/destinations visited. Each restaurant offers regional wines and themed cocktails, dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients, also a rotating menu of Signature dishes for dinner (changing every evening) and a Classic dinner menu. The ship's main restaurants are served by dedicated to each table wait staff (sommelier, assistant waiter, head waiter). Passengers are assigned to one of the 4 MDRs but still have the option (upon request) to dine in the other 3.

Celebrity Ascent offers the company's traditional "Celebrity Select Dining" (your-time dining for dinners) option, which is renamed to "Celebrity Select Dining Plus". Passengers can make reservations in any of the 4 MDRs if they know they want to eat at a specific restaurant and dinner time, or they can simply show up and enjoy dinner on their own time.

In addition to the 4 MDR restaurants, there are plenty of complimentary dining venues, such as Oceanview Cafe (live cooking stations, bakery), Mast Grill (poolside), Spa Cafe & Juice Bar (healthy food and beverages), Eden Cafe (wide variety of breakfast and lunch items). The ship also has two outdoor alfresco seating venues.

The ship has a total of 11 bars and lounges, including Eden, Cafe al Bacio, The Club, Sunset Bar, Theatre Bar, Casino Bar, Martini Bar (at Grand Plaza), Pool Bar, Il Secondo Bacio, The Retreat Bar, The Retreat Lounge.

The ship has a number of for-fee restaurants (at surcharge per person), including Qsine (USD 45 pp), Tuscan Grill (Italian steakhouse, USD 45 pp), Murano (French, USD 45 pp), Lawn Club Grill (DIY steaks, USD 40 pp), Bistro on 5 (creperie, USD 10 pp), The Porch (USD 5 pp, panini restaurant open for breakfast and lunch). At Qsine, passengers can order on iPads, then waiters bring the food in the order of choosing.

Chef's Table is a VIP/private dining room available for rent. Chef's Table's capacity is 6 seats and offers a multi-course dinner with premium wine pairings.

Craft Social Bar (debuted on Celebrity Apex) features large selections of premium wines (sold by the glass), craft cocktails and craft beers (50+ brands, including several of the world's rarest). Craft Social Bar is served by certified beer sommeliers. Unlike the sisterships, Ascent's Craft Social has two barrels of hand-selected WhistlePig whiskey - "Special Single Barrel Aged 10 Years" and "Special Bespoke Barrel Aged 12 Years". WhistlePig whiskeys can be ordered a la carte or as part of a whiskey-tasting flight. Flights also feature WhistlePig PiggyBack 100 Proof Bourbon Whiskey (Aged 6 Years), WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Rye and WhistlePig 12-Year-Old Rye whiskeys.

Unlike the other EDGE-class Celebrity ships, Ascent has redesigned restaurants and expanded menus (food and drinks).

The exclusive Blu Restaurant on Ascent has an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining (breakfast and dinner)..

The Eden Restaurant offers a new plant-based tasting menu (7-course dinner) with all dishes being prepared with ingredients sourced from their native place of origin and presented naturally. The menu items include Golden Beet-Tomato Ceviche, Ajoblanco Panna Cotta (aka Ajo Blanco, Spanish Almond Soup), Celeriac Steak, Rose Masala Chai (aka Rose Petal Masala Curry). The tasting menu is at fee (per person) or a-la-carte. The Eden Restaurant also offers organic and vegan food with wine pairings.

For Ascent, Celebrity Cruises signed an exclusive partnership with the WhistlePig whiskey distillery (2007-founded company based in Shoreham, Vermont USA/the WhistlePig brand was launched in 2010). WhistlePig produces ultra-premium rye whiskey and on Ascent there are two barrels of whiskey (served at Craft Social Bar) made exclusively for Celebrity Cruises.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Ship's Lawn Deck is equipped with real grass and the vessel has more deck chairs than others, offering a calm atmosphere under the sun. The Celebrity iLounge gives guests computer tutorial classes and is also a representative of Apple, providing access to the most affordable Mac products available at duty-free prices. Another feature of Celebrity Ascent is the AquaSpa Cafe, ideal for a quick lunch after the spa.

Sky Observation Lounge offers live music at sunset, or you can test your luck at Fortune's Casino - there's something to do onboard at any time.

Virtual Concierge app allows booking dinner and spa reservations, drinks ordering, room service, and other services. Smartphone sensors are used to track passengers on the ship in order to improve services based on their location.

EDGE-Class ships also have Celebrity fleet's most technologically advanced Theater Lounge - spanning 3 floors/decks. Here are held fleet's largest number of production shows, with the largest number of performing crew on any premium-brand ship.

Theatre Lounge is the fleet's largest and has all 7 stage areas - 3x large and 4x smaller. The Theater's main stage extends (into the audience) and is flanked by 2x directional rotating platforms raising over 2 m (7 ft) above the main stage. Lounge's design and technology also feature 2x rotating spiral staircases, 10x synchronized (mobile) projection screens, 16x video mapping laser projectors, and rigging for aerial performances. The Theatre offers 7x new full shows, including Shakespeare-based "A Hot Summer Night's Dream" (with acrobatics), "The Jewelry Box" (technological), "Kaleidoscope" (high-energy music and dance), "Arte" (acrobatics), "Elements" (themed on the five elements/air-water-earth-fire-ether, with "air sculptures" and acrobatic performances), "Stage Door" (musical pre-recorded in The London Palladium Theatre), plus two "Headline Residency" program-based new shows - "Get Up" (pop concert by Black Skull Creative) and "The Purpose" (celebrating the inner self).

Exclusively for the Celebrity ship ascent were developed three new shows titled "Awaken" (dreams-themed), "Residency" (Las Vegas-themed) and "Bridges" (exploring human emotions/connections against the backdrop of the world's most famous bridges).

"The Club" is another new (dual-purpose) venue with a large dance floor, a stage for live performances, a giant LED screen, and served by its own 2 bars. During the day, The Club offers fun activities and games (including Funovation Laser Maze Challenge, Drone Hunting, laser obstacle course, dance classes, trivia). At night, it transforms into "The Jazz Joint at The Club" (live performances by vocalists, dancers, comedians) and later into the disco nightclub "Undercover at The Club". The nightly program is themed on the US Prohibition era, with a menu offering signature 1920s craft cocktails and aerial saxophonist performances. Andromeda body scanner allows passengers to become someone else for the entire evening. Hypno Cam Experience is a dance party, in which an Ultra HD camera is passed around and all photos are instantly displayed on the LED screen.

Ship's Kids Club offers by the "Camp at Sea" program over 500 complimentary activities for children of all ages. The facility features two (new for the fleet) separate spaces (for kids and teens) called "The Basement".

Celebrity's signature Rooftop Garden (top-deck dining-entertainment bar lounge) offers expanded facilities and show programming (Rooftop Concert Series, Garden Cinema Series, Taste of Film experience under-the-stars, with 5 new live musical performances).

In 2023, Celebrity introduced pickleball playing courts fleetwide. The sports facilities are complimentary, including the pickleball equipment (net, paddles, balls) but operated with separate scheduled playing times for adults and families (with kids older than 6). While on older vessels the pickleball courts are either on the Sports Deck or at the Multi-Sports Court, on the EGDE ships pickleball is played at the Rooftop Garden.

Shipboard group gaming activities include "Game On: Augmented Multiplayer Experience" (interactive competitions), "Guilty Pleasures" (singalong party), "Sands of Time" (escape room-type team playing/puzzles and clues), and "Sketch Art Classes" (step-by-step art lessons).

Grand Plaza

The Grand Plaza serves as the ship's epicenter (midship location) and spans 3 decks. The open-floor designed venue mixes modernity and simplicity and was inspired by the charming era of Transatlantic ocean liners. The concept was designed by Jouin Manku Studio.

The unique space has a striking lighting feature - The Chandelier, an art installation rising over the Grand Plaza Martini Bar (in the Lobby level's center) to the ceiling 3 decks above. It is composed of 5 levels and a total of 765 blades illuminated via dynamic LED strips changing their colors from day to night, The Chandelier weighs 7 tons.

The Grand Plaza houses many of the liner's new specialty restaurants, including Fine Cut Steakhouse and Raw on 5 (Deck 5) Le Grand Bistro and Cafe al Bacio (Deck 4), Grand Plaza Cafe (Deck 3), Italian piazzas. Midship-Deck 3 is the Martini Bar (also popular for its Flair Bartender Shows). Adorning the edges of Grand Plaza are hand-stitched mesh screens that combine over 13,500 art pieces made of leather, fabric, and metal.

Grand Plaza's cafes are the perfect choice for "coffee breaks" - from morning cappuccino to afternoon tea and pre-dinner cocktails - while enjoying live entertainment. In the evenings, Grand Plaza transforms into the ship's social hub with live music performances.

During the day, "Le Grand Bistro" (in the Atrium on Deck 4) operates as a patisserie and cafeteria serving French cuisine. In the evenings, Le Grand Bistro transforms into "Le Petit Chef" - a new dining-entertainment concept via an exclusive partnership with TableMation Studios (US multimedia company) and Skullmapping (a 2010-founded collective of filmmakers and visual artists). The dinner experience includes visual mapping technology with animated 3D characters projected (from above) onto tables and on plates. The VIP dining is at a fixed surcharge. It costs USD 25 pp (Le Grand Bistro) and USD 55 pp (Le Petit Chef). Ascent ship's Le Petit Chef features a new 4-course show (fairytale-style storytelling by the tiny chef who finds a magical cookbook with fanciful recipes.

Eden Lounge

Eden is a 3-deck high (aft-location on decks 4, 5, 6) lounge-bar-restaurant venue with live music and shows programming changing throughout the day. Eden Lounge measures 10439 m3 (368640 ft3) and covers a total area of 1175 m2 (12650 ft2).

The lounge has an outward-facing design and combines a signature gastronomic experience (light lunch, 5-course dinner, wine tastings) with live performances, daily lectures, promo events. The lounge has alfresco dining areas on both sides. In the evening, the lounge transforms into "Eve at Eden", with more provocative entertainment (fusion of performance art, dining, and nightlife.

An exclusive for Celebrity's Ascent ship show presented at the Eden Lounge is "Smoke & Ivories" (themed on Hollywood's old-time clubs).

The Eden Restaurant is part of the lounge. The Eden Bar serves food and drinks including hand-crafted cocktails.

The lounge's 90-m / 295 ft long ramp envelops the entire space and provides panoramic views. The lounge's unconventional furniture and interiors are designed by Patricia Urquiola (Spain). She also designed the lounge's "Library of Plants" (living garden) and the hanging plant pillars. Lounge's designer is Scott Butler (Wilson Butler Architects, Boston MA). The evening show programming is by Variety Worldwide (NYC New York).

"The Meeting Place" is named the ship's Conference Center (sized 183 m2 / 1970 ft2). This large meeting room is designed by Wilson Butler Architects (Boston MA) and provides advanced audio-visual equipment, varied seating arrangements, private office (event planning space), as well as mobile bars (for food and beverages) and a fully equipped pantry.

Magic Carpet ("outdoor elevator lounge")

A unique feature of the Celebrity Cruises EDGE-class ships is the "Magic Carpet" - a glass structure (glass-roofed, cantilevered platform) the size of a tennis court, able to traverse 14 stories, like a large elevator.

Mounted on the ship's starboard side, the open-air Magic Carpet offers stunning ocean views, comfortable seating, full bar, a stage for live music performances, This "traveling venue" changes its theme, function, and location by extending from Deck 2 up to Deck 16.

Passengers can't simply ride on the Magic Carpet (using it as an elevator). In each location, the "moving lounge" is safely locked, then guests are allowed to step onboard. While repositioning, the venue is without any passengers. Some of its furniture is fixed.

The structure repositions and transforms into a new venue depending on which deck is locked.

• When positioned on Deck 16 (above pool deck), it becomes a specialty restaurant offering the unique "Dinner on the Edge" alfresco dining under the stars.
• When positioned on Resort Deck 14 (in front of the cabanas), it becomes an extension of the pool deck area, also offering live music performances.
• When positioned on Dining Deck 5, it becomes a specialty restaurant - alfresco dining appendix to the ship's main dining room restaurant.
• When positioned on Tendering Deck 2, it becomes an extension of the Destination Gateway (embarkation station serving the ship's tender operations). Destination Gateway boarding area is dedicated to the so-called "Edge Launches" - luxurious passenger tendering ashore, providing seamless embarkation and disembarkation in all ports of call along the cruise itinerary. This spacious area is fitted with large LCD screens (displaying destination, itinerary and port highlights), comfortable seating (capacity 130 seats), air-conditioning.

"Destination Getaway" is a dedicated embarkation point when the platform is positioned at its lowest level (Tendering Deck 2).

Magic Carpet's repositioning schedule is published daily.

Itineraries

Celebrity Ascent ship's inaugural cruise itinerary program (deployment, homeports, destinations) was announced in February 2022. The official Maiden Voyage is currently scheduled for December 3, 2023. The 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary leaving roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades (Florida USA) visits Philipsburg (St Maarten) , Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas USVI) , Puerto Plata (Dominicana) .

However, unofficially, Celebrity Cruises started with Ascent revenue operations on November 22nd (4day Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Cozumel Mexico). Another "pre-inaugural" sailing was the 3-day "Bahamas Getaway" (Nov 26th, visiting Nassau).

Eastern Caribbean itineraries visit Puerto Rico (San Juan), BVI (Tortola) and St Kitts (Basseterre). Western Caribbean itineraries visit Bahamas (Nassau), Mexico (Cozumel) and Grand Cayman (George Town).

Actually, Celebrity Ascent starts passenger shipping operations in November 2023. In mid-March 2023 were added two "preview cruises" (both roundtrips from Port Everglades) scheduled to depart on Nov 22nd (4-night Western Caribbean/to Cozumel) and on Nov 26th (3-night Bahamas/to Nassau).

Celebrity Ascent - user reviews and comments

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Other Celebrity Cruises cruise ships

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Celebrity Ascent Wiki

EDGE-Class ships were designed via an exclusive partnership with Nate Berkus - US interior designer establishing his own company at the age of 24.

On November 17, 2021, officially started the vessel's construction (STX France yard number/hull M34) with the steel-cutting ceremony held at Chantiers de l'Atlantique Shipyard (fka STX France) in St Nazaire France . The ceremony was attended by Richard Fain (RCG-Royal Caribbean Group's/shipowner's Chairman and CEO), Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (Celebrity Cruises' President and CEO), Laurent Castaing (Shipyard's General Manager).

The vessel's physical construction started on August 24, 2022, with the keel-laying ceremony held at Chantiers de l'Atlantique. The special event was attended by Jason Liberty (RCG's new President and CEO), Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, and Laurent Castaing (STX France's President).

On April 11, 2019, the shipowner RCG signed an MoU agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for a 5th EDGE-class unit ( Xcel ) which is currently scheduled for delivery in 2025-Q4.

The Celebrity ship Ascent was launched/floated out from drydock on January 21, 2023. The ceremony was attended by Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Laurent Castaing. On January 25th, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced that the Ascent ship's Masters will be two Piraeus-born brothers - Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis (with Celebrity since 1990) and Captain Tasos Kafetzis (with Celebrity since 1998) - alternating their time on the liner in a 3-months rotation.

In August 2023 were announced the names of the ship's godparents/two godmothers - Captain Sandy Yawn, and her sister Michelle Dunham, who, curiously, are the wives of the ship's brother captains Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis. Captain Sandra "Sandy" Yawn (1965 -born) was among the cast members of Bravo TV's reality series "Below Deck Mediterranean" (released in 2016) and participated in seasons 2-Sirocco, 3-Talisman Maiton, 4-Sirocco, 5-The Wellington, 6-Lady Michelle, and 7-Home. Michelle Dunham (1970-born) is the co-founder of JSA/Jacksonville School for Autism (2005-established in Jacksonville, Florida USA not-for-profit private school).

The 4-day sea trials (in the Bay of Biscay) were conducted in the period September 27-30, 2023. The vessel was officially delivered on November 8th. The delivery documents were signed by Jason Liberty (RCG/shipowner), Laura Hodges Bethge (Celebrity Cruises' new President/operator) and Laurent Castaing (shipbuilder).

Celebrity Ascent's christening ceremony was on December 1st (2023), held at Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale . The naming event was led by both godmothers and attended by Laura Hodges Bethge.

Inaugural itineraries 2023

Celebrity opened Ascent ship's cruises for booking in February 2022, all based on homeporting in Port Everglades (Florida USA) .

In mid-March 2023, Celebrity added two new "preview cruises" on Ascent scheduled for November 2023 (both roundtrips from Port Everglades) - 4-night Western Caribbean (Nov 22nd, to Cozumel) and 3-night Bahamas getaway (Nov 26th/to Nassau).

The next tables show the Maiden Voyage and the inaugural cruise itineraries by region/destination.

( MAIDEN VOYAGE 2023 ) 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" itinerary (prices from USD 1400 pp)

inaugural 7-day "Bahamas, Mexico and, Grand Cayman" itinerary

inaugural 7-day "San Juan, Tortola, and St Kitts" itinerary

Celebrity spotting: A new ship that fits my vacation style

Hello, I'm Anika and I'm relatively new to cruising. With the cruise industry putting up impressive numbers lately — including record-shattering booking numbers — there's a fair amount of newbies like me boarding ships. And as easy-going as cruising is, figuring out which line is right for you can be quite the process. I've gone down the Google rabbit hole and taken all the "which cruise line is right for you" quizzes, but there's no research quite like actually getting on board.

And, after my 2-night jaunt on the inaugural cruise of Celebrity's newest ship, I can say that this cruise line offers an experience that fits me well. It's comfortable without being cliche. It's approachable instead of stuffy. Best of all, you don't have to be a lifetime cruiser to feel at home on board. Here are my takeaways from my short trip on the Ascent . 

Your favorite neighborhood, just floating

One of the things that stood out to me while on board Ascent was the fact that it felt more like one of my favorite city neighborhoods, instead of what you'd picture a stereotypical cruise ship.

Come to find out, that’s because Celebrity hired land-based architects to design the ship. This was especially evident in the bars and dining venues. It felt like they copied a cocktail bar from the streets of Manhattan and pasted it onto Deck 4, or took inspiration from your favorite date-night sushi spot and gave it top billing on the ship.

Everywhere I turned, it was as if I was surrounded by a bunch of "special occasion" spots that I couldn’t wait to try. As a self-proclaimed city-slicker, I love having so many different options at my fingertips, be that a romantic French Bistro or a casual late-night spot, and as any city-dweller knows, the key to a great neighborhood is to have all of these within a few blocks of one another and the Ascent achieves just that.

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Celebrity Constellation

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Experience our distinctive accommodations, including our unrivaled suites, our spa-inspired AquaClass, and our meticulously thought-out Concierge Class.

Experience a culinary adventure and satisfy your appetite every night with sumptuous dining every moment of your vacation. From Chef’s Table by Chef Daniel Boulud to Tuscan Grille, Le Petite Chef, and so much more.

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Experience the gold standard of healthful living and wellness at The Spa. Rejuvenate your senses with leading-edge fitness equipment and classes, as well as spa and beauty services.

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For those with mobility issues and other disabilities, our attentive crew is always on hand to take the hassle out of getting on and off the ship.

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Discover a vacation like no other aboard Celebrity Constellation®. Set sail and experience luxury at every turn. Enjoy unforgettable spaces, world-class amenities, and all of the distinct features that make our cruises so incredible. Relax and unwind in stylish accommodations that include Concierge Class and our spa-inspired AquaClass® with exclusive clean cuisine dining at Blu. Our luxurious suite experience, The Retreat®, features private restaurant dining and 24/7 lounge. Enjoy dining options that include distinctive restaurants with menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs and an award-winning wine collection. Surrender your senses and feel rejuvenated with soothing spa treatments and therapies at The Spa. And that’s not all. Enjoy shopping at the finest boutiques and family-fun activities, including cooking classes, recreational games, such as archery, Silent Disco, STEM, and theatrical events. Set sail and come back rejuvenated with a whole new level of vacation relaxation.

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