Measuring 140,600 gross registered tons, Celebrity Ascent isn't a small expedition ship. The vessel can hold 3,260 passengers at double occupancy and has over 1,400 crew members onboard.
As is common in the cruise industry, the ship offers a broad selection of cabin categories, ranging from affordable interior rooms to ultra-luxurious suites within The Retreat. This ensures that all potential cruisers can find a stateroom that fits their needs and budget.
Having sailed on Celebrity's newest ship twice during its inaugural season, I've had the opportunity to spend 14 nights onboard the beautiful Celebrity Ascent. As soon as I laid eyes on the elegant Grand Plaza for the first time, I knew the ship was unlike any other I had previously sailed on.
The lasting first impression continued as I opened the door to my Prime Oceanview Cabin on Deck 3, where I was immediately struck by the spacious and modern stateroom. The thoughtfully curated design and plush bedding created an inviting atmosphere I was happy to settle into for my weeklong cruise to the Caribbean!
A few months later, I reboarded the vessel (albeit this time in Athens, Greece!) for a 7-night cruise to Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Rather than cut corners and try to save money on our cruise fare, my fiancée and I were curious to test out the innovative infinite veranda. Thanks to help from our travel agent, we secured a great deal on a Prime Edge Infinite Veranda on Deck 7.
The staterooms had identical features, including the outlet box on the vanity, a stocked mini-fridge, and a luxurious ensuite bathroom. Of course, what made the infinite veranda unique was the floor-to-ceiling window which transformed the cabin into a balcony with the push of a button, creating an indoor-outdoor experience.
Surprisingly, the veranda stateroom was not more expensive than my solo cruise. However, my fiancée and I booked our Greek Isles cruise roughly nine months in advance, whereas my first sailing on Celebrity Ascent was booked just three weeks before departure.
The Prime Oceanview Cabin on Celebrity Ascent cost $2,879.50 and didn't include drink or Wi-Fi packages. In comparison, we paid $4,990.32, or $2,495 per person, for our infinite veranda. Plus, we bundled the base cruise fare with Celebrity's Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. However, we decided to pay an additional $195.72 to upgrade to the Premium Wi-Fi and Drink Packages to enhance our cruise experience.
While both cabins had pros and cons—and I would not hesitate to book either again—nothing compares to having a personal veranda, even if it differed from a traditional balcony.
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Though I've stayed in my fair share of inside cabins, I prefer staterooms with natural light
Before my cruise onboard Celebrity Ascent, my last three voyages had been with Carnival. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to sail with Celebrity Cruises!
Since the sailing was just a few weeks away, the only available stateroom was an oceanview cabin for nearly $2,900. My love for cruising got the best of me, and I booked without hesitation, despite the price tag.
Upon walking into cabin 3182, I was taken aback by its decor and spaciousness. The tasteful design and high-quality furnishings made the stateroom feel like a boutique hotel, rather than a cruise ship cabin. I was particularly impressed by the number of outlets.
Though I had high expectations for a brand-new ship, I did not expect to find the vanity's outlets in a handy box to help keep up to five cords organized! There were two additional USB ports and a single American outlet beside the bed, making charging my phone at night convenient.
My favorite feature of the cabin was the bathroom. Not only was it incredibly spacious for a standard stateroom, but it also felt remarkably luxurious. Upon opening the door, I immediately noticed the sleek marble surfaces and premium amenities.
Unlike sister brand Royal Caribbean, guests sailing with Celebrity will find a shower stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, as well as hand lotion, a shower cap, and even disposable make-up remover wipes on the counter.
The bathroom's design was functional and stunning, with plenty of storage on both sides of the mirror and below the sink. I appreciated the size of the shower, too. I didn't have to spend the week worrying about hitting my elbows while moving around or dealing with a clingy shower curtain.
Even with all the pros of the cabin (namely its location steps from the aft dining rooms), I was disappointed by the size of the window. On the deck plan, the cabin is categorized as having an obstructed view; however, I did not realize this meant it would be smaller than standard picture windows.
Moreover, I discovered that the Magic Carpet was noticeable when lowered to Deck 5. Thankfully, my 7-night Caribbean itinerary did not have any tender ports, so it was never brought to sea level. The blinds also had issues staying open. If I wanted to glance outside, I'd have to hold them to the side.
While the view was still enjoyable, it didn't match the expansive, panoramic experience I had in my infinite veranda a few months later.
The layout of the infinite veranda was identical to the oceanview cabin
Everything from the position of the bed, couch, vanity lamp, number of outlets, and even the painting was exactly the same in cabin 7224 as 3182. Sailing through the Greek Isles, I appreciated having a more expansive view from the cabin.
While my partner rested in the afternoon, I enjoyed a cocktail on the "balcony" while taking in the scenery. It was especially nice as we sailed through the Messina Strait!
Since this was also a "Prime" stateroom, it was just a few cabins from the aft elevator bank, which made it easy to access the main dining rooms and Martini Bar. Even so, nothing was terribly far apart; Celebrity Ascent's design is easily navigatable.
Measuring 243 square feet, the cabin was more spacious than my first stateroom on Celebrity Ascent. However, had there been a traditional balcony, the interior living space would have most likely been around 200 square feet.
Since we were cruising during a massive heat wave, we appreciated taking in panoramic views from the comfort of our air-conditioned room, rather than a sweltering balcony.
If we wanted to lower the window to create a "balcony," we noticed the stateroom would steam up quickly. The vanity's mirror was essentially useless for a few minutes after we closed it!
Plus, it made an unpleasant, high-pitched noise when lowered the first few times. As such, we didn't lower the infinite veranda as much as I anticipated. Thankfully, the stateroom's layout made it easy to relax without feeling cramped.
The bathroom was exactly the same as my previous cabin, too. This wasn't a huge shock, as both are standard cabins. I would have expected more of a stark contrast if we had booked a suite.
When comparing the two cabins, there weren't many differences, aside from the deck (3 vs 7) and obvious infinite veranda. The storage situation, design elements, and furnishings were the same, and I found the beds equally comfortable!
Both cabins featured one large closet and a dresser with three drawers. For our 10-night trip, we brought three suitcases, agreeing that we definitely overpacked. Even so, there was plenty of space to keep our belongings organized throughout the cruise!
All three suitcases fit comfortably underneath the bed, so we did not have to worry about them until we began packing for disembarkation.
Read more: 17 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a Celebrity ship
In the end, while the cabins were nearly identical, I'd choose the infinite veranda again
Nothing beats having direct access to fresh ocean air. Though not the same as stepping outside onto a private balcony, the accessibility to the ocean in the infinite veranda was a close second.
Celebrity Ascent does have a few porthole balcony cabins that are more akin to the traditional balcony experience; however, we didn't want to be located in the very front or back of the ship, fearing getting seasick.
Plus, infinite verandas are only available on Celebrity's Edge Class, as well as Icon of the Seas. We wanted to get a feel for what these innovative (and controversial) cabins were like.
Regardless of which cabin you choose for your upcoming cruise on Celebrity Ascent (or one of the three other Edge Class ships in service), you're bound to enjoy world-class dining, high-quality dining, and top-tier service onboard one of the most beautiful ships at sea.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
