Celebrity Cruises is getting closer to introducing its newest ship, the Celebrity Ascent to its fleet, this November.
Today, June 13th 2023, Celebrity Cruises has unveiled for the first time details about its newest vessel. Some of these details include information about what guests can experience on board what Celebrity is calling its “newest resort at sea.”
The Celebrity Cruises brand is brimming with excitement over this latest update saying, “touted as one of the best new U.S. cruises of 2023 by Conde Nast Traveler, Celebrity Ascent will be the newest ship based in South Florida for the 2023-2024 Caribbean season.”
From this December 2023 to April 2024, the new Celebrity Ascent ship will be sailing and transporting guests to some wonderful Caribbean destinations. During the Caribbean season, passengers of the Celebrity Ascent can expect to visit places such as the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
After the Caribbean season, from December to April, the Celebrity Ascent will cross the Atlantic and begin its sailings in Europe for the summer of 2024, specifically in the Mediterranean region. While in Europe for the summer of 2024, Celebrity Ascent will visit countries such as Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain, and France.
“I am so excited to introduce the world to Celebrity Ascent and continue the legacy of Celebrity’s Edge Series,” states Celebrity Cruises’ President, Laura Hodges Bethge. “First launched in 2018, the Edge Series transformed what cruising could be and its ships like the Edge, Apex, and Beyond quickly became consumer favorites. Continuously striving to offer travelers a better way to enjoy travel and reach the world around them, we are so proud of what we have built and look forward to welcoming both seasoned and new cruisers alike.”
Onboard the new Celebrity Ascent ship, guests will be able to enjoy experiences classic to Celebrity’s Edge Series of ships. “Including its industry-first outward facing design that maximizes views and outdoor areas allowing guests to connect with the world around them, a robust food and beverage program with 30 plus choices from casual to fine dining to satisfy all palates, plus spacious and sleek staterooms in a breadth of accommodation options catering to all travelers from solo adventures and couples, to multi-generational family groups,” says Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity Cruises will be bringing back many of its Edge Series favorites onboard its newest ship, as well as some new and exciting features. Some of these fan favorites include venues and spaces such as The Theater, The Rooftop Garden, The Spa, the sprawling Resort Deck, The Sunset Bar, The Grand Plaza, Martini Bar, and the world renowned Magic Carpet. All of these Edge Series favorites will be featured on the Celebrity Ascent.
New Food and Beverage Experiences
On Celebrity’s newest ship they will be introducing some new food and beverage experiences onboard the Celebrity Ascent. With the introduction of these new experiences Celebrity Cruises hopes to treat its guests to a culinary journey.
One of the new culinary spaces onboard the Celebrity Ascent will be the redesigned Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud Restaurant. “First featured on Celebrity Beyond, the brand will continue its partnership with Boulud and introduce his second restaurant at sea. The reimagined space, created by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, will offer an intimate fine dining experience inspired by the Chef’s travels. Plant-based tasting menu at Eden Restaurant - bringing guests closer to the earth through culinary journey rooted in untouched, fresh seasonal ingredients,” states Celebrity Cruises about this reimagined yet classic restaurant.
(Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud Resturant, reimagined onboard Celebrity Ascent)
A new, and never-before-seen Le Petit Chef dinner will be making its debut on the Celebrity Ascent. The crowd favorite dinner will feature an all new animation and menu to match.
There will be bourbon offerings and tastings onboard the Celebrity Ascent. “Expanding on existing whiskey tastings, Craft Social will now offer high-end bourbons and new tasting seminars,” says Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity Ascent will also introduce more martinis at the Martini Bar onboard. “Aligning with the trend of low-sugar cocktails and fresh, crisp ingredients, the Martini Bar will feature brand-new creations and an expanded menu including lychee and passion fruit martinis,” states Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity Ascent will introduce a revitalized main dining experience onboard. As with the previous Edge Series ships, the Ascent will feature four complimentary main dining options. Each of these main dining venues will have a signature menu and rotating nightly dishes. Specifically the Celebrity Ascent will feature a redesigned Cosmopolitan restaurant inspired by the culture of champagne.
Celebrity Ascent will also have a space specially designed for AquaClass guests. The Outdoor Terrace at Blu will feature an outdoor space with 24-person seating that will be available for daytime dining, from al fresco brunches to lunches.
New Entertainment, Art, and Retail
In addition to new food and beverage offerings on Celebrity Cruises newest ship, there will also be new entertainment, art, and retail experiences offered onboard the Celebrity Ascent.
Some of the nighttime entertainment will consist of the following, says Celebrity Cruises, “as the sun sets the Resort Deck will become the center stage for the ultimate nightlife experience treating guests to an open-air celebration with live performances, live music, and a DJ creating a pulsating dance floor.”
The Celebrity Ascent will have new production shows onboard sure to thrill guests. The Celebrity Cruises brand has won awards in the past for its entertainment, and the Celebrity Ascent hopes to continue the precedent of excellence for the cruise brand. Celebrity Cruises is “partnering with industry-leading creatives to introduce three spectacular new production shows in The Theater, new interactive digital experiences and shows in The Club, and new engaging immersive shows in the Eden Bar and restaurant, all featuring world class dances, vocalists, musicians and specialty artists,” says Celebrity Cruises.
Onboard the Ascent, Celebrity Cruises will introduce a redesigned casino floor as well as brand new games. A first for the Edge Series, Celebrity Ascent will feature an all new gaming floor complete with a new layout, new design featuring deep red and gold colors, as well as all-new slot machines with the very latest technology.
In addition to a redesigned casino, the Celebrity Ascent will have a redesigned Art Gallery. “The new space is thoughtfully reimagined, allowing guests to better experience priceless art pieces, and enjoy exclusive auctions and art events.” Along with new art, guests of the Celebrity Ascent will also be able to experience some new shopping onboard as well. The Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus will be available, “a collection of chic travel and home accessories available exclusively onboard the Celebrity Ascent,” states Celebrity Cruises.
Sailings This Year
The Celebrity Ascent is sure to wow and surprise guests when it makes its debut this fall in November 2023. The Celebrity Ascent will offer a wide array of cruise itineraries, for every kind of traveler. Already the Ascent is set to have an exciting Caribbean season this winter and a great European summer in 2024.
Guests looking at being some of the first to sail on this new ship should consider the very first cruises scheduled to depart on November 22, 2023 and November 26, 2023. These initial cruises will be 3- and 4-night sailings.
To participate in the monumental celebrations, prospective Celebrity guests should consider the Maiden Voyage sailing on December 3, 2023. This cruise will be a 7-night Caribbean itinerary taking guests to locations such as Mexico, The Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and more. During its initial winter Caribbean season, the Celebrity Ascent will be conducting mostly 7-night sailings.
Once the Ascent makes its way to Europe for the summer cruising season in 2024, guests can expect longer sailings onboard such as 9-night and 12-night cruises.
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
