Celebrity Ascent, the fourth ship in the innovative Edge Series, officially joined Celebrity Cruises’ fleet as company officials took delivery at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.
The day before, Celebrity revealed the name of its next Edge Series ship - Celebrity Xcel, the fifth vessel in the series. Execs from both Royal Caribbean Group and the shipyard cut the first piece of steel for the new ship, which will launch Winter 2025.
Celebrity Ascent will make her official debut in Fort Lauderdale on December 3, with a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing visiting St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Dominican Republic.
Welcoming the ship to the Celebrity Cruises family were Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
Captains Dimitrios Kafetzis and Tasos Kafetzis, the first brother captains honoured with taking a new ship from the shipyard, were also on-hand for the celebration, along with 1,400 Celebrity Ascent crew members.
“Celebrity Ascent is yet another example of innovation driving our mission to provide the best vacations responsibly,” said Liberty. “The ship continues Celebrity’s ambition to redefine premium travel and take it to new heights.”
“Celebrity Ascent features all the innovative and award-winning Edge Series signature experiences that launched a new era in cruise ship design, plus a few new enhancements, and I can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard,” said Hodges-Bethge.
The latest in Celebrity’s Edge Series, Celebrity Ascent. Rendering courtesy of Celebrity Cruises. (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises.)
Celebrity Ascent is a sister ship to Celebrity Beyond, which debuted last year. Distinctive ship features and new experiences include:
· The Retreat, an exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, highlighted by a two-story sundeck.
· Accommodations for modern tastes from modern two-story villas with private plunge pools to staterooms with infinite verandas, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.
· An expanded Rooftop Garden and stunning Resort Deck featuring unique cantilevered float pools.
· A multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar at the ship’s aft.
· An expanded onboard entertainment program featuring a transformative nightlife experience on the Resort Deck, six new live productions, interactive gaming experiences, and more.
· A redesigned casino floor and brand-new games.
· A new outdoor dining terrace at Blu, the brand’s clean cuisine restaurant for Aqua Class guests, available for al fresco daytime dining.
· A newly designed Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud.
· The return of the Magic Carpet, an engineering feat soaring cantilevered above the sea, offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner.
The redesigned Art Gallery onboard the Celebrity Ascent will provide a dedicated space for art lovers. (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises)
Setting Sail on Celebrity Ascent
Following Celebrity Ascent’s maiden voyage, she will offer a variety of alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations through late April, when she then heads to the Mediterranean for sailings from Barcelona and Rome.
For more information on all Celebrity Ascent inaugural 2023-2024 season sailings, click here.
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