10 things Celebrity got right with Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent has been hyped to be the best ship in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet. Just as her name suggests, Celebrity Ascent was designed to be a cut above the rest. I set sail on Celebrity Ascent for one of the ship’s first sailings after a much-awaited debut.

Last year, I sailed on sister-ship Celebrity Beyond for my first cruise with Celebrity Cruises. I fell in love with the Celebrity cruising experience, including the ship’s sensational design, cutting-edge technology, and emphasis on accessible luxury. While I had cruised extensively with Royal Caribbean, everything about the onboard experience wowed me, and I have been a loyal Celebrity cruiser ever since.

In fact, two of Celebrity’s Edge-class ships were awarded top honors from Forbes Travel Guide, the first-ever cruise line to receive the highest honor. As such, I had high hopes for Celebrity Ascent, and this fantastic new cruise ship did not disappoint. Similar to Celebrity Beyond, I was blown away by the newest Edge-class ship from Celebrity Cruises.

I boarded Celebrity Ascent last week after receiving a media invite for a 2-night cruise to see all of the bells and whistles that this newest ship has to offer. I left Celebrity Ascent wishing that I had more time onboard, as the 2-night cruise was only enough time to scratch the surface of this revolutionary cruise ship.

With so much attention to detail, Celebrity Cruises has done it again with Celebrity Ascent! The ship is dazzling with luxury around every corner, creating a truly unique approach to cruising. 

Here are the 10 things that Celebrity Cruises got right with Celebrity Ascent.

1. The Annex

While Celebrity Ascent is nearly identical to Celebrity Beyond, something entirely new to the Edge-class is The Annex. Found only onboard Celebrity Ascent, The Annex is a versatile space that guests can rent for private events. Inside The Annex, you can host your own private karaoke party, play a virtual sports game, watch a movie, or even stream the big game.

Slots can be reserved for two and a half hours at a time in The Annex. According to the cruise line, The Annex can hold around 15 guests for private events. Guests will spend anywhere from $200 to $350 to rent The Annex onboard Celebrity Ascent, which seems surprisingly reasonable.

The Annex also includes food and drinks from Craft Social Bar. Guests with a drink package can even have special cocktails delivered to The Annex for their event. Activities in the Annex include a movie night, game day streaming, sports simulator (baseball, football, golf, or soccer), or karaoke party.

I had never seen anything like The Annex before on a cruise ship. The space was intended specifically for guests to gather in a personal space rather than renting a public venue for personal use. I think this will be a hit with Celebrity’s guests, especially given the affordable price point.

2. Shine the Night Party on the Resort Deck

Everyone loves a party on the pool deck - it's a quintessential cruise experience, after all. On Celebrity Ascent, the cruise line has created a brand-new party under the stars that takes place on its lido deck, which is named the Resort Deck.

The outdoor party takes place at night, and everyone is encouraged to wear their sparkliest outfit. I missed the memo that I should pack sparkle, but plenty of others onboard did. 

The Resort Deck decked out with glowing lights, including some glow-up bulbs floating on the pool, and everyone was dancing to the DJ's party tunes. Above the pool bar, a giant light-up screen illuminated the deck, even changing colors and rhythms to match the songs.

Crew members were passing around giant glow sticks for guests to get into the spirit even more.

I love a themed party, and this Shine the Night party felt like it could easily become a signature event on Celebrity Ascent. In a way, Shine the Night reminded me of a toned-down version of Virgin Voyages’ famous Scarlet Night that takes place on their ships’ pool decks. Shine the Night is sure to be a hit with guests looking to let loose under the stars.

3. Captain Brothers

Aligning with the attentive service found on Celebrity Ascent, something unique to the newest Edge-class ship can be found at the ship’s helm. Brothers Tacos and Dimitrios Kafetzis are the co-captains of the ship, which isn’t something you see every day!

The brothers not only bring to the table years of experience in maritime commanding, but the two have an undeniable brotherly relationship. Between cracking jokes and answering questions, the brothers made me feel very welcomed and comfortable onboard Celebrity Ascent.

I was lucky enough to not only meet the two captain brothers during our media cruise, but I even went on an unexpected tender race under the command of Captain Tasos Kafetzis! Seeing Captain Tasos at the command of our tender, I thought to myself, “Is he supposed to be driving the tender?” Quickly, I realized how silly that thought was considering he can command a massive cruise ship.

Between whipping donuts and racing around the anchored Celebrity Ascent, it was so fun to see the captains let loose with us. I am sure that’s not an everyday occurrence for either the captains or us passengers, so I enjoyed every minute.

Read more: Take a look inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters

4. Onboard dining options

During my first cruise on Celebrity Beyond, I was stunned by the dining options available. Perhaps this is in combination with sailing repeatedly with Royal Caribbean; however, I found the dining options on Celebrity Ascent to be equally as impressive as Celebrity Beyond’s.

To start, Oceanview Cafe is by far the best buffet that you will find on a mainstream cruise line. The expansive space on Celebrity Ascent is decorated with large Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, pink velvet booths, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Some cruise ship buffets feel cramped and crowded, but the Oceanview Cafe’s tall ceilings and spread-out floor plan create an open space.

Design aside, the Oceanview Cafe also serves up dishes like ceviche in a coconut, lamb tagine, and Spanish paella. The dessert section looks like a local patisserie with treats that are equally beautiful as they are delicious. On all of my Celebrity Cruises, I have been impressed by the layered cake selection in the Oceanview Cafe, and Celebrity Ascent was no exception.

Another favorite onboard is Cafe Al Bacio, which is a coffee shop lover’s dream. The cozy space has excellent coffee available and a wide assortment of complimentary treats. We also sampled some of the food from Craft Social Bar and Eden Cafe, which was delicious as well.

You won’t find any brand-new restaurants on Celebrity Ascent, but there are a few new additions. Le Petit Chef, for instance, has a brand-new storyline. 

Previously, I had attended two Le Petit Chef shows on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Silhouette; both of these ships had the same show and menu.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a brand-new show on Celebrity Ascent called “Le Petit Chef and the Magical Cooking Book” which centers around the tiny chef entering a world of artificial intelligence. During our cruise, the creator of this specific show from France joined the dinner!

Le Petit Chef has an additional cost of $60, but it is a fun dining experience if you’ve never done it before. I specifically appreciated a new storyline and menu onboard Celebrity Ascent.

Read more: 16 hidden cruise ship extra charges you should know about (2024)

5. Bigger Sunset Bar

Located at the ship’s aft, Celebrity Ascent’s Sunset Bar is one place you won’t want to miss onboard. This bar is designed with a Spanish flair, featuring white arches and resort-style decorations throughout. Compared to earlier ships in Celebrity’s Edge-class, the Sunset Bar on Celebrity Ascent is the biggest yet.

Spanning over multiple decks at the back of Celebrity Ascent, the Sunset Bar is the perfect place to relax onboard with a cocktail in hand. You can often find live music played here as well. The Sunset Bar on Celebrity Ascent was very similar to Celebrity Beyond, which focused on more design-forward thinking; this was apparently lacking on earlier Edge-class ships.

The Sunset Bar has tons of seating options, which is important given how popular the bar is. As you enter the Sunset Bar, you will see plush daybeds lining the walkway to the bar. There are multiple booths with ocean views around the bar as well.

From the moment you enter the space, you’ll be whisked away to Europe thanks to design choices from famed designer Nate Berkus. Onboard Celebrity Ascent, this was one of my favorite places. I only wished I had more time to actually relax and enjoy a cocktail here during our cruise. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset, exactly as it was intended!

Read more: 25 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package

6. Innovative Magic Carpet

Another signature feature of the Edge-class ships is the Magic Carpet. Looking at Celebrity Ascent, your eyes will be immediately drawn to the protruding orange structure that hangs above the ship and over the side.

The Magic Carpet is not new on Celebrity Ascent, but it continues to be one of the coolest spaces onboard. I am continuously fascinated by the innovation of the Magic Carpet, which is a cantilevered platform that can transform from a bar into a tendering launch pad.

During our two nights onboard, we were able to have a happy hour mojito at the Magic Carpet Bar. One of my favorite drinks is the Vanilla Mojito offered here! 

The following morning, we were able to embark on a tendering experience from Destination Gateway, in which the Magic Carpet serves as a launching pad for Celebrity Ascent’s luxury tenders. By moving up and down the side of the ship, the Magic Carpet is an experience that you won’t find elsewhere.

7. Grand Plaza

When boarding Celebrity Ascent, you’ll be welcomed by the stunning Grand Plaza. You will quickly learn that the Grand Plaza is the heart and soul of Celebrity Ascent. I immediately felt a warm welcome when I boarded the ship. It’s hard not to be speechless seeing the giant, LED chandelier brightening the space.

The Grand Plaza is located across three decks, starting on Deck 3 with the Martini Bar. The open atrium is surrounded by the onboard shops, Cafe al Bacio, and other specialty restaurants. The Grand Plaza was significantly expanded on Celebrity Ascent compared to earlier Edge-class ships, although the space still feels warm and intimate.

In the evening, you can find live music and martini spectacles on the bottom level of the Grand Plaza. You can’t sail on Celebrity Ascent without grabbing a martini at The Martini Bar, which has a dedicated menu of specialty martinis. The space is one that you will naturally gravitate towards as you maneuver around Celebrity Ascent, so be sure to sit down, have a martini, and enjoy the liveliness!

8. New headliner entertainment

Celebrity Cruises is known for its brilliant entertainment, and I was excited to discover that Celebrity Ascent has six brand-new production shows. Of course, we only had two nights onboard to see the headliner shows, which was not enough time to see all of the shows.

Unique to the Edge-class ships, The Theatre features a circular stage that protrudes into the audience. The Theatre also features curved screens and multiple stages to create a truly immersive entertainment experience for audiences. With a nearly 360-degree view of the stage, the production shows in The Theatre blur the lines between audience and performer.

The ending result is anything but your typical cheesy singing-and-dancing cruise ship performance. During our two nights onboard, we were able to see the new visual and musical show called Bridges, which is centered around the celebration of human connection and unity. The second evening, we attended the Awaken show with acrobatics, aerial performances, and sensory experiences.

Additionally, the versatile venue of Eden also has a new headliner show called Wonder at Eden: The Shimmerbox. This was a slightly interactive performance that was both risqué and amusing with more singing and acrobatics.

Even more production shows can be found in The Club, which is the nightclub onboard Celebrity Ascent. While we were able to visit The Club on Celebrity Beyond, we did not have enough time to see the new Smoke & Ivories production show that takes place here.

9. Thoughtful design and attention to detail

When I first sailed on Celebrity Beyond, I was speechless by the level of design that was apparent onboard. The entire ship felt like a work of art with thoughtful design elements and so much attention to detail.

Stepping foot on Celebrity Ascent gave me the same feeling - almost like falling in love at first sight. I was so taken aback by the beauty of Celebrity Ascent that it was easy to forget we were actually on a cruise ship and not a boutique resort in Europe. 

From the earthy tones of Eden to the open spaces of the Rooftop Garden and Resort Deck, Celebrity Ascent is a masterpiece.

Even the tiny details on Celebrity Ascent did not go unnoticed. I loved all of the ship’s marble accents, from the elevators to the stateroom lamps. I marveled at how much intention was given to designing Celebrity Ascent, which makes sense given the cruise ship cost one billion dollars.

Read more: How much does it cost to build a cruise ship?

10. Luxurious suites in The Retreat

During our 2-night media cruise, I was fortunate to be assigned an Aqua Sky Suite, which provided a slew of amenities in The Retreat. As someone who does not typically splurge on a suite, I was captivated by the suite experience on Celebrity Ascent.

Our Aqua Sky Suite was incredible. The suite was spacious with a true-sized king bed, private veranda, sitting area, and expanded bathroom with jacuzzi tub. 

We were greeted with a bottle of Veuve champagne upon arrival, which was such a nice touch from the cruise line. The marble-tiled bathroom was easily the biggest bathroom that I’ve ever had in a cruise ship stateroom. The toilet even had its own entrance and door!

Read more: I cruised in my first suite on the new Celebrity Ascent: See the spacious cruise cabin

Since our sailing was jam-packed, I simply did not have enough time to soak in all of the amenities provided with staying in a suite. We were able to dine at the suites-only restaurant, Luminae, for dinner and breakfast. Both of the meals were divine with attentive service.

Staying in a suite also provides guests with exclusive access to the suites-only area on Celebrity Ascent called The Retreat. Guests of The Retreat receive a premium drink and internet package, along with access to a private lounge, restaurant, and sundeck. The Retreat feels like a beach club in St. Tropez, and I can only dream of returning someday!

Read more: Take a look inside this $60,000 suite on the new Celebrity Ascent cruise ship

Honorable mention: Adult-centered onboard experiences

Celebrity Cruises is the older, more mature sister to Royal Caribbean. This means you won’t be finding waterslides, splash pads, miniature golf, or zip lines toppling over the ship’s top deck. Instead, you’ll find an onboard experience geared almost entirely towards adults with a more elevated ambiance.

Cruising on a ship designed with adults in mind has been a newer experience for me after years of cruising with Royal Caribbean. Although Royal Caribbean has a little something for everyone onboard, Celebrity Cruises is more sophisticated, luxurious, and elevated in comparison.

Read more: 13 Things Celebrity Cruises does different than Royal Caribbean that I like better

You’ll find experiences like bourbon tastings in the World Class Bar when cruising on Celebrity Ascent. Outside of Eden, you can partake in a wine and chocolate pairing event. In addition, you can enjoy open-aired spaces like the Sunset Bar and Rooftop Garden, featuring real greenery and grass.

As someone in my late 20s without any kids, the adult-centered experiences of Celebrity Ascent were very appealing. Not having to dodge toddlers and teenagers around the ship was a huge bonus.