Celebrity Ascent

The 2023-built cruise ship Celebrity Ascent is the fourth in the EDGE-class series, with sisterships Celebrity Edge (2018), Celebrity Apex (2021), Celebrity Beyond (2022), Celebrity Xcel (2025), and Celebrity Xcite (2028). All these large vessels (GT ~140,000) were constructed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The vessel (IMO number 9838400) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 256191000) and registered in Valletta.

History - Construction and Ownership

Celebrity Cruises was established in 1988 by the Greece-based Chandris Line (which operated cruises from 1974 to 1996). In 1997, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to form "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL). The “X” on ship funnels represents the Greek letter chi, a nod to "Chandris."

Key features of Celebrity Cruises ships include aft-facing glass-walled dining rooms, multiple signature specialty restaurants, elegant bars and lounges, spacious atrium lobbies, a high percentage of balcony staterooms, expansive sundecks with pools, The Retreat (an adults-only sundeck with pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas, and bar service), Rooftop Terrace (a top-deck dining/entertainment venue), large spas (with thermal suites), and premium retail shops offering top-brand merchandise.

The 3,300-passenger Celebrity Ascent is the fourth newbuild under "Project Edge." These vessels are larger than the Millennium-class but smaller than the Solstice-class, marketed as offering “small-ship itineraries with large-ship amenities,” destination-rich experiences, and iconic modern maritime architecture.

New Features (Edge-Class Ship Design Changes)

Compared to her EDGE-class sisters Apex and Edge, Ascent is 20 meters (66 ft) longer, one deck taller, accommodates 179 more staterooms, and is approximately 12% larger in volume (GT 140,600). She introduces new venues and expanded public spaces.

New highlights on Celebrity Ascent include “Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud” (a 50-seat specialty restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud), a redesigned Luminae (the suite-exclusive restaurant by designer Kelly Elaine Hoppen), a revamped Pool Deck, an expanded Rooftop Garden (Deck 15, featuring more shaded seating, two infinity pools, a larger Rooftop Grill Bar), a Sunset Bar that is double in size (aft on Deck 15), and a larger Retreat complex (the suite-exclusive lounge located forward on Deck 15).

• The Resort Deck (Deck 14) now features a 23-meter (75-ft) lap pool with in-pool chaise loungers, surrounded by a terraced sundeck, two-deck-high Jacuzzis, sunken seating areas, and a life-sized elephant statue.
• The Sunset Bar (Decks 15–16) is a two-deck, Casablanca, Morocco-themed venue, designed by Nate Berkus and Tom Wright/WKK, with cascading terraces, covered enclaves, and cozy conversation areas.
• The Retreat spans three decks (15–17) and includes The Retreat Lounge, Lower Sundeck (with glass-roof above The Solarium’s pool), and The Retreat Sundeck. Amenities include a bar, cabanas (available for rent), upscale furniture (loungers, sofas, daybeds), a circular pool, two cantilevered plunge pools, outdoor showers, and restrooms. The Retreat’s Edge Villas (two-deck suites) were also redesigned.
• Le Voyage Restaurant was designed by Jouin Manku and offers gourmet cuisine by Daniel Boulud, paired with a curated wine list and professional sommelier service.
• The fleet-first World Class Bar, in partnership with Diageo plc, serves premium wines and cocktails crafted by expert mixologists.

WKK Architects’ Tom Wright redesigned and expanded many of Ascent’s outdoor venues, including the Resort Deck, The Retreat, and Rooftop Garden. The Resort Deck is ~40% larger than on Edge and Apex and features “Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night” light shows with DJ music.

The three-deck-high Grand Plaza (midship) is larger, enabling the Martini Bar to be centrally positioned on Lobby Deck 2 as a circular bar. The venue’s chandelier includes hundreds of LED-lit blades that change color throughout the day and night.

Celebrity Ascent debuts AquaClass SkySuites, which offer floor-to-ceiling views, large private terraces, premium bedding, and wellness-focused amenities. The launch also marks the beginning of a partnership with Gwyneth Paltrow, Celebrity Cruises’ “Well-Being Advisor.”

Since 2022, all AquaClass passengers (fleetwide, excluding Galapagos ships) have access to complimentary wellness amenities from Paltrow’s goop brand and participate in curated wellness programs under the “Women in Wellness” initiative.

The vessel (Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard/hull number M34) has a volume of 130,818 GT, a DWT of 9,000 tons, and a maximum draught of 8.2 meters. Its powerplant is based on Wartsila marine diesel engines (models 8L46F, 12V46F, 12V32E) with a combined output of 55 MW. The registered shipowner is CELEBRITY ASCENT INC, and the ship is managed by CELEBRITY CRUISES INC.

EDGE-Class ships were designed through an exclusive partnership with Nate Berkus, a US interior designer who founded his own firm at the age of 24.

Construction of the vessel officially began on November 17, 2021, with a steel-cutting ceremony at Chantiers de l'Atlantique Shipyard (formerly STX France) in St. Nazaire, France. The event was attended by Richard Fain (Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO), Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (Celebrity Cruises President and CEO), and Laurent Castaing (Shipyard General Manager).

Physical construction commenced on August 24, 2022, marked by the keel-laying ceremony at Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Attendees included Jason Liberty (RCG President and CEO), Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, and Laurent Castaing (President of STX France).

On April 11, 2019, RCG signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for a fifth EDGE-class vessel—Celebrity Xcel—scheduled for delivery in Q4 2025.

Celebrity Ascent was floated out from drydock on January 21, 2023. The ceremony was attended by Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Laurent Castaing. On January 25, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced that the ship's Masters would be two Piraeus-born brothers—Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis (with Celebrity since 1990) and Captain Tasos Kafetzis (with Celebrity since 1998)—alternating in three-month rotations.

In August 2023, the ship's godmothers were announced: Captain Sandy Yawn and her sister Michelle Dunham, both of whom are married to the ship's brother captains. Captain Sandra "Sandy" Yawn (born 1965) is known from Bravo TV’s reality series "Below Deck Mediterranean," where she appeared in seasons 2 (Sirocco), 3 (Talisman Maiton), 4 (Sirocco), 5 (The Wellington), 6 (Lady Michelle), and 7 (Home). Michelle Dunham (born 1970) co-founded the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), a nonprofit private school established in Jacksonville, Florida, USA in 2005.

Sea trials were conducted over four days in the Bay of Biscay (September 27–30, 2023). The vessel was officially delivered on November 8. Delivery documents were signed by Jason Liberty (RCG), Laura Hodges Bethge (Celebrity Cruises President), and Laurent Castaing (shipbuilder).

Celebrity Ascent's christening ceremony took place on December 1, 2023, at Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale. The event was led by both godmothers and attended by Laura Hodges Bethge.

Inaugural Itineraries 2023

Celebrity opened bookings for Ascent cruises in February 2022, with all voyages homeporting in Port Everglades (Florida, USA).

In mid-March 2023, Celebrity added two preview cruises on Ascent for November 2023, both roundtrips from Port Everglades: a 4-night Western Caribbean voyage (departing November 22, to Cozumel) and a 3-night Bahamas getaway (departing November 26, to Nassau).

The following tables present the Maiden Voyage and inaugural itineraries by region and destination.

MAIDEN VOYAGE 2023: 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" itinerary (prices starting from USD 1,400 per person)

inaugural 7-day "Bahamas, Mexico and, Grand Cayman" itinerary

inaugural 7-day "San Juan, Tortola, and St Kitts" itinerary

Godspeed!