What’s onboard Celebrity Ascent? New Celebrity Cruises ship delivered

Celebrity Cruises this week marked a milestone as company officials took delivery of the latest ship Celebrity Ascent at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Celebrity Ascent – the fourth vessel in the innovative Edge Series – boasts groundbreaking design by leading architects and interior designers, culinary excellence from Michelin-starred chefs, a wellness-centric experience, and a plethora of onboard entertainment.

The ship is set to make its debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 3, embarking on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean journey that includes stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic.

The welcoming committee for Celebrity Ascent included Captains Dimitrios Kafetzis and Tasos Kafetzis, the first brother captains to be honoured with the task of delivering a new ship from the shipyard, were also present for the celebration, joined by 1,400 crew members of Celebrity Ascent and brand leaders.

The occasion was marked by maritime traditions such as the signing ceremony, the changing of flags onboard the ship, and a celebratory toast in the ship’s breathtaking three-story Grand Plaza.

So, what can we expect onboard the new Celebrity Cruises ship, from dining to entertainment, and where will Celebrity Ascent sail?

Brand new for Celebrity Ascent is the introduction of an exciting nightlife experience called Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night. The ship’s Resort Deck undergoes a high-octane transformation into a vibrant centre stage, featuring high-energy live performances, a prism light show, and a pulsating dance floor set to an illuminating playlist. Guests are encouraged to don their best metallic attire for this open-air celebration beneath the stars.

Celebrity Ascent also raises the bar with new technological marvels in the theatre. Three production shows – Awaken, Residency and Bridges – showcase state-of-the-art technology, including kinetic lighting, lasers and IMAG to display real-time live performances on a larger-than-life LED screen.

These shows, accompanied by world-class singers, dancers and speciality artists, promise to blur the boundaries between digital and reality, offering an unparalleled theatrical experience.

The entertainment extravaganza extends beyond the main theatre stage to immersive and intimate performances throughout the ship. Eden, the architectural masterpiece at the ship’s rear, hosts awe-inspiring performances, including Allure, Shimmerbox and Dreams, featuring mind-blowing acrobatics, incredible vocals and world-class choreography.

Ascent’s entertainment portfolio also introduces Smoke & Ivories, a new immersive show in The Club, transporting audiences back to an old Hollywood club with a modern twist. The electrifying set comes to life through projection technology, dance performances, tapping and sultry vocal acts.

What’s more, holidaymakers can experience a plethora of gaming and interactive activities on Celebrity Ascent, from the augmented multiplayer experience Game On to the singalong extravaganza Guilty Pleasures party. Engage in the Sands of Time, a tabletop escape-style game, and explore your artistic side with Sketch Art Classes led by Celebrity’s resident visual artist.

Live music takes centre stage on Celebrity Ascent, with new concerts Funkified and Discoteque celebrating the evolution of funk and the Disco Era, respectively. Jazz at The Club and a piano bar entertainer add to the ship’s lively musical ambience.

The ship also reintroduces Edge Series favourites, offering a nostalgic 80s Flashback at The Club, Silent Disco, Tune to Table Live Band Karaoke, Ritmo Latin party, ABBA sing-along party, and Bingo.

Guests can also enjoy Pub Games Night, Pickleball at Sea, Camp at Sea for kids, and the dazzling Grand Plaza Chandelier Light Shows, featuring 13 different choreographed displays set to music and showcasing the brand’s flair bartenders.

– READ MORE: What do we know about the next new Celebrity Cruises ship? –

Celebrity Ascent promises an array of culinary delights that will elevate the onboard experience.

World-renowned chef Daniel Boulud, Celebrity’s Global Culinary Ambassador, will bring highly acclaimed fine dining venue Le Voyage to the new ship with a revamped design—a visual feast featuring a new chandelier, plush banquet seating, and captivating neutrals with gold tones.

Chef Boulud crafts a global menu inspired by his personal travels, offering guests an unparalleled dining experience. Groups seeking the epitome of culinary indulgence can reserve the Chef’s Table, a private six-seat dining room, treating diners to a multi-course tasting dinner with exceptional wine pairings, topped off with Boulud’s signature homemade madeleines.

Eden, one of the ship’s captivating venues, offers a fusion of music, libations and performances at night. Ascent introduces a seven-course plant-based tasting menu, showcasing ingredients in their purest form sourced from their original locations. Menu highlights include Golden Beet-Tomato Ceviche, Ajoblanco Panna Cotta, Roasted and Glazed Celeriac Steak, and Dry Rose Petals Masala Curry.

The four main dining restaurants — Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie, and Tuscan — present an array of culinary options, offering travellers more than 84 different dishes to choose from. What’s more, Cosmopolitan has received a makeover inspired by the culture of champagne, boasting a new layout and seating throughout.

Specialty dining experiences have undergone a facelift on Ascent. Le Petit Chef offers an all-new four-course dining show with a fairytale twist, as a tiny chef encounters a magical cookbook with whimsical recipes. Fine Cut Steakhouse adds the Lemon Poached Lobster Tail to its impressive menu while Aqua Class guests can now dine al fresco on Blu’s new outdoor terrace.

Beverage enthusiasts are in for a treat with an exclusive partnership with WhistlePig Whiskey, offering hand-selected barrels exclusively for Celebrity Cruises. The Craft Social introduces Special Bespoke Barrel Aged 12 Years and Special Single Barrel Aged 10 Years as part of a tasting flight.

Wine lovers can indulge in Ascent’s extensive wine lists, curated by expert-certified sommeliers, and enjoy signature wine-tasting seminars and world tour experiences.

The heart of the ship, The Grand Plaza, features an expanded Martini Bar menu on Ascent, offering classic martinis, fruit-infused creations, and delectable dessert martinis. The iconic Flair Bartender Shows, set beneath The Chandelier, add a touch of high-energy spectacle to the evenings.

Celebrity Ascent will be home to transformational accommodations including legendary two-story Edge Villa staterooms with direct access to the exclusive suite-only The Retreat Sun Deck as well as Infinite Veranda staterooms that transform into open-air verandas, among the largest at sea.

Celebrity Ascent: Destinations

Following its maiden voyage, Celebrity Ascent will offer alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean holidays until late April 2024.

The inaugural Caribbean season will feature seven-night itineraries rotating between such popular Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations as the Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman; and San Juan, Tortola and St. Kitts, respectively.

It will then embark on Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona and Rome, including a nine-night Italian Riviera and France itinerary; and the 12-night Best of Greece and Italy itinerary.