Call it gilding the lily: When Celebrity Ascent debuts in November 2023, the newest ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet will offer all of the sophisticated décor and inviting social spaces of its three Edge-class predecessors — Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond — and more. There will be redesigned dining spaces, refreshed entertainment experiences, and plenty more opportunities to sip martinis and clink flutes of Champagne. As with its predecessors, the 3,260-guest ship is designed to appeal primarily to couples, groups of friends, and multi-generational families. We got a sneak peek at what everyone can expect.
Ascent begins her inaugural season sailing the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale and then spends summer 2024 in the Mediterranean.
1. There are More Martinis on the Menu.
Celebrity’s Martini Bar, which on Edge-class ships is located in the Grand Plaza with its gleaming LED chandelier, is always a popular gathering spot — and on Ascent, the bar’s talented “flair” bartenders will have several new martinis to shake, stir, and pour as they dazzle guests with their showmanship. Expect low-sugar options and fresh ingredients on the expanded menu.
2. Vegetarians Can Enjoy a New Tasting Menu in Eden.
Herbivores rejoice: When Ascent sets sail, guests who opt to dine at Eden — the three-level, multipurpose space that debuted on 2018’s Celebrity Edge and has evolved with each new ship in this class — will be able to select from multiple menus, including a new plant-based tasting menu offering a culinary journey rooted in fresh and seasonal ingredients.
3. Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud Has a Bolder Look.
Renowned New York-based Chef Daniel Boulud debuted Le Voyage, his first restaurant at sea, aboard 2022’s Celebrity Beyond, and the fine-dining venue will return on Ascent with a totally new look. Reimagined by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, the restaurant’s main dining area features elegant metallic details and motifs inspired by Chef Boulud’s travels.
4. The Resort Deck Will Also be a Nighttime Entertainment Venue.
With its inviting pools, chic cabanas, and whimsical champagne-glass-shaped hot tubs, the Resort Deck on Edge-class ships is a proven daytime haven, but on Ascent it will also become an inviting open-air evening venue featuring live music, performances, and a DJ.
5. The Cosmopolitan Restaurant Has a Bubbly New Design.
We’ll sip to that! One of the four main dining venues on Ascent, the Cosmopolitan restaurant, has been reimagined to reflect the refined culture of a favorite celebratory beverage: Champagne. The décor takes its inspiration from golden hues and bubble shapes, accented by touches of purple. Each of the four complimentary main dining options — the others are Normandie, Cyprus, and Tuscan — offers a signature menu inspired by its theme along with rotating nightly dishes.
6. Craft Social Will Add Bourbon Tastings.
Craft Social, the casual bar known primarily for its selection of craft beers, also offers a great selection of whiskeys and special tastings. On Ascent, guests with a preference for another classic spirit can now enjoy high-end bourbons and tasting seminars as well.
7. Ascent Will Feature a Redesigned Casino.
Feeling lucky? If so, you can roll the dice or play your hand on an all-new gaming floor that features a redesigned layout, deep red-and-gold decor, and all-new slot machines with the latest technology.
8. Edge-Class Favorites Return.
When Beyond launched in 2022, one of its most stylish new features was the expansion of Celebrity’s signature aft Sunset Bar into a two-level space designed by Nate Berkus with an international beach club vibe. Now, guests aboard Ascent can enjoy sunset cocktails there as well. Also featured on this new ship: The Magic Carpet, a tangerine-hued, cantilevered lounge and dining venue; Le Petit Chef, an immersive and fully animated dining experience (with a new menu and storyline); and performance spaces The Theatre, The Club, and Eden, each with fresh new production shows and immersive and digitally enhanced performances.
