I just spent 48 hours onboard the brand-new Celebrity Ascent, and I already can’t wait to plan another trip onboard this revolutionary and innovative cruise ship! Although 48 hours was not nearly enough time onboard, I was able to experience so much of what sets Celebrity Ascent apart from others.
I was invited to sail onboard Celebrity Ascent for a two-night media cruise, which was hosted by Celebrity Cruises. As a longtime Royal Caribbean cruiser, I’ve only just started to sail with Celebrity Cruises within the last year.
Celebrity Ascent is the fourth ship built for the Edge Class, which have been some of the top-awarded ships in the cruise industry. With plenty of hype surrounding the launch of Celebrity Ascent, I wondered if she could live up to the hype of her sister, Celebrity Beyond.
Read more: First look: Inside the brand-new Celebrity Ascent
While Celebrity Cruises sails to far-flung destinations around the world, Celebrity Ascent is the destination for those who sail on her.
Celebrity Ascent radiates elegance and luxury thanks to the cruise line’s attention to detail and thoughtful design. Everything onboard Celebrity Ascent feels as though it was carefully curated; every nook and cranny cultivates a warm and inviting environment onboard.
This brand-new cruise ship from Celebrity Cruises is equally beautiful as she is innovative. Celebrity Ascent is an engineering and design marvel with open spaces and thoughtful design touches throughout the ship.
As a newer Celebrity cruiser, I left the ship wanting more. Here are 10 reasons I already want to go back and take a longer sailing onboard Celebrity Ascent.
1. The Retreat is a resort-within-a-resort
For this sailing, I was lucky enough to be assigned an Aqua Class Sky Suite. While I spent only two very short nights in this cabin, it was enough for me to start looking at suites to book in Celebrity Ascent’s Retreat.
To start, I slept so well in the king bed, which is a true king bed, not two twin beds pushed together. I even forgot where I was when I woke up! Our suite also featured an extended balcony, a small living room, and a bathroom covered in marble.
As more cruise ships are moving towards offering a dedicated suites-only experience, Celebrity Ascent redefines what it means to cruise in a suite. The Retreat is home to the largest suite area onboard any Celebrity Cruise, as three decks are dedicated to suite guests.
If you stay in The Retreat, you also receive a Premium Beverage Package, unlimited internet, access to an exclusive sundeck with a pool, and access to a special dining room.
In my fantasy world, I would have enough money to always sail in a suite. Staying in an Aqua Class Sky Suite for only two nights was not enough time. As someone who normally sails in cheap interior cabins, this suite has left me wanting to splurge on more luxurious accommodations in the future. I only wish I had more time to have "Suite Guest" laminated on my SeaPass card.
Read more: Celebrity Cruises Cabin Overview: What you need to know
2. Jaw-dropping Entertainment
Celebrity Cruises is known for having some of the most exciting production shows at sea, and Celebrity Ascent has raised the bar even higher. With three brand-new production shows debuting on Celebrity Ascent, the entertainment experience onboard is unparalleled.
Although I sailed on Celebrity Beyond last year, I did not have time to attend any shows in the main theatre. On Celebrity Ascent, I made it one of my top priorities to see the production shows in The Theater, so I could see what all the excitement was about.
Celebrity Ascent features a uniquely designed and highly innovative stage in its main theatre. This immersive entertainment space first debuted on Celebrity Edge when the Edge Class first launched in 2018.
On Celebrity Ascent, the entertainment venue is appropriately named The Theater. The performance stage actually extends into and above the audience, creating a theatrical experience unlike anything I’ve seen before. Performances are taken to a whole new level with rotating staircases, synchronized projectors, and aerial rigging.
During our sailing, we were able to see two of the three brand-new shows onboard Celebrity Ascent, including Awaken and Bridges. I was in awe of the entertainment venue itself, with technology I had never seen before on a cruise ship. At one point during Awaken, smoke-filled bubbles filled the theater, followed by dancing LED bulbs.
In the future, I will definitely allocate more time to see all of the headliner shows on Celebrity Ascent, including the new shows in The Club.
3. Thoughtful design and attention to detail
From the minute I stepped onboard Celebrity Ascent, I was blown away by her remarkable design. One of the most differentiating features of Celebrity Ascent is her attention to detail compared to other cruise ships.
Celebrity Cruises partnered with world-renowned designers to create an awe-inspiring cruise ship from top to bottom and it shows. The cruise line sought collaborations from famous designers like Nate Berkus and Kelly Hoppen during the construction of Celebrity Ascent.
While most cruise ships have some sort of art gallery onboard, I’d argue that Celebrity Ascent herself is a magnificent piece of artwork. Imagine a blank canvas where modern luxury meets innovation; that’s how it feels to walk onboard Celebrity Ascent.
Personally, I love all of the marble and gold accents around the ship, along with the light woodwork found on Celebrity Ascent. I wish I could transport all of the beautiful pieces of art back to my house. Until that is possible, Target will have to do!
From the European-inspired Sunset Bar to the glimmering chandelier above the Martini Bar in the Grand Plaza, Celebrity Ascent is infused with inspiration around every corner. I’m not normally someone who pays attention to artwork, but I was truly impressed with the obvious attention to detail that was given to Celebrity Ascent.
4. Endless choices for dining
One of the biggest gripes I have with older cruise ships is the lack of complimentary dining options. Most mainstream cruise ships have a main dining room and buffet for guests, with a few select specialty restaurants.
However, Celebrity Ascent is not like the others. Onboard this brand-new ship, you’ll find a multitude of complimentary dining options around the ship. From the signature Cafe al Bacio for your morning latte to the freshly-made salads in Eden, you won’t go hungry onboard.
Celebrity Ascent features four main dining rooms, four complimentary casual dining venues, and 32 distinct dining and beverage experiences.
I was also wildly impressed with the Oceanview Cafe on Celebrity Ascent. This is not your typical cruise ship buffet. Instead, you can find a massive food hall with stations serving worldly cuisine. The tall ceilings, pink velvet booths, and hanging Edison bulbs will have you wondering whether you’re actually on a cruise ship or not.
Finally, you can choose to dine at one of eight specialty restaurants onboard. During our cruise, we were invited to dine at Le Petit Chef. This animated dinner show includes a set menu that follows a storyline during a dining spectacle. The food was great and the animated experience is very unique to Celebrity’s cruise ships.
Read more: Celebrity's Le Petit Chef Review - Worth it or Gimmicky?
5. Adult-focused experiences
In general, Celebrity Cruises’ brand attracts a more upscale demographic of guests from Gen X to retired baby boomers. While I’m still in my 20s, I appreciate Celebrity Ascent’s focus on adult-curated experiences.
The ambiance on Celebrity Ascent feels like a low-key beach resort with cabanas, martinis, and sunset views. You won’t find family scavenger hunts or belly-flop competitions onboard Celebrity Ascent, and I am not complaining. Instead, this cruise ship is designed specifically for adults, which is a newer experience for me.
Where you might find a waterpark on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Ascent features an open-air Rooftop Garden and multi-level Sunset Bar. These spaces encourage adults to connect with the sea and outdoor views rather than chasing around children looking for the latest and greatest onboard thrill. You can find wine and chocolate tastings onboard, along with a new whisky tasting that just debuted on Celebrity Ascent.
Read more: 13 Things Celebrity Cruises does different than Royal Caribbean that I like better
Our two-night sailing was jam-packed, so I’d love to have more time onboard to truly relax and enjoy all of the outdoor spaces on Celebrity Ascent.
6. The ultra-chic Resort Deck
All cruise ships have a pool deck, but Celebrity Ascent’s top deck revels a posh beach club located in a boutique hotel. This amplified space is more than just a pool deck or gathering space for the sailaway party.
The Resort Deck is adorned with a giant, metallic octopus statue at the end of the pool. It’s a signature piece of art that makes Celebrity Ascent unique from other Edge-class ships, and it’s certainly a conversation piece!
As such, the cruise line decided to name the top deck the Resort Deck to reflect how chic the space is. The Resort Deck was designed to be outward-facing with plenty of views of the sea. The plethora of padded loungers and cabanas surrounding the pool make it the perfect place to relax on a sea day.
And the Resort Deck is not just a place to hang out during the day. In the evening, the space lights up with neon colors and it’s certainly a sight to see.
You can also find the adults-only Solarium on the top deck, which is an indoor pool space with more places to relax. Opposite of the pool area on the Resort Deck is the Rooftop Garden. This open-aired garden is home to tons of real plants, greenery, and real-life trees. This was a first that debuted on Celebrity Edge and was extended onboard the new Celebrity Ascent to include even more seating and greenery.
While I packed a swimsuit in my suitcase for this cruise, I didn’t get a chance to take a dip in Celebrity Ascent’s pool or relax in the loungers. With more time onboard, I would have definitely found a place to relax for an afternoon in the sun.
7. Destination-focused itineraries
Even though Celebrity Ascent is a destination in and of itself, I still prefer to book cruises with more interesting itineraries. Most cruise lines send their older and smaller ships to sail in Europe, especially for longer itineraries that feature more unique destinations.
Looking at Celebrity Ascent’s deployment schedule, the ship is set to sail around Europe starting in April 2024. Most of her itineraries look fantastic with a variety of sailings throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Being able to spend the days exploring historic cities with rich cultures around Europe and returning to Celebrity Ascent as a moving boutique hotel sounds like a dream. Some of her itineraries include stops in Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, France and Malta.
Even better, her itineraries feature some more unique destinations like Sardinia, Gibraltar, and Corsica. All of these are on my bucket list and I can’t imagine a better ship to take me there than Celebrity Ascent.
8. Captains and brothers
On Celebrity Ascent, you’ll find not just one, but two captains appointed to be in charge of the ship. Greek brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis are at the helm of Celebrity Ascent, and you can feel their vibrant, loving presence across the ship.
I was able to meet with the captains during our time on Celebrity Ascent when visiting the bridge. Being able to hear the brothers banter together - similar to my sister and me - warmed my heart. Both were so approachable and made me feel welcomed and safe onboard Celebrity Ascent. I truly believe the top of the organization chart sets the tone for the entire operation, and I can only imagine that crew members working under the Kafetzis brothers feel the same warmth that I did.
9. Eccentric bars and lounges
Even though many things onboard Celebrity Ascent impressed me, I was really blown away by all of her uniquely-themed bars and lounges onboard. This was something that also impressed me last year onboard Celebrity Beyond, and it did not disappoint on Celebrity Ascent either.
For example, Eden is a versatile, multi-level space at the aft of the ship surrounded by lush greenery. The venue is home to a bar, restaurant, and cafe during the day and is home to saucy performances in the evening. Eden also features floor-to-ceiling windows with transformational views of the sea. She is truly an engineering masterpiece.
Speaking of engineering, Celebrity Ascent is also home to the revolutionary Magic Carpet, which offers some of the best top-deck views of any cruise ship I’ve been on. This outward-facing platform allows you to soar over the edge of the ship with a cocktail in hand. Celebrity Ascent, along with her sister ships, is home to the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that can reach heights of 13 stories above sea level.
On the second day, our tender experience launched from the Magic Carpet at Destination Gateway. Later that evening, the Magic Carpet was lifted back to the top deck where we sipped on a Vanilla Mojito while watching the sunset. There is truly no other cruise experience like the Magic Carpet, and I can only imagine seeing new places around the world from this bar.
Finally, you can’t sail with Celebrity Cruises and not visit the famous Martini Bar. Once the sun goes down, you can expect to find the Martini Bar packed with people until the night ends - and for good reason! On Celebrity Ascent, the bar is bigger than ever in the Grand Plaza. Here, you can see the bartenders serve martinis from a long bar menu while performing all sorts of tricks.
10. The Annex
One space onboard Celebrity Ascent that was entirely unique to this brand-new ship was The Annex. When I saw The Annex listed as a venue onboard, I was confused. In fact, I couldn’t find anything online about this new space onboard Celebrity Ascent.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that The Annex is a private room that you can rent out for your family or travel group to enjoy. The space is multi-purpose and allows for customized entertainment depending on your group’s needs. Some activities in The Annex include a golf simulator, karaoke party, movie night, football simulator, game day streaming, and more.
The Annex would be the perfect place for you to rent if you were looking for a private space to gather, celebrate, retreat, or party. Renting The Annex only costs $200-$300 depending on whether you book during a sea day or port day and you’ll have the space for 2.5 hours.
You can also cater food from Craft Social Bar to your party in The Annex, along with a bartender who will bring you any drink you want. For those traveling as a group, renting out The Annex would be the perfect cruising experience that you can only find on Celebrity Ascent.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
