Celebrity Ascent

Former name: STX FRANCE M34

Celebrity Ascent current position

The current location of Celebrity Ascent is in West Mediterranean (coordinates 42.36432 N / 6.47825 E) cruising at speed of 12.4 kn (23 km/h | 14 mph) en route to Palma de Mallorca. The AIS position was last reported 44 seconds ago.

All Itineraries Current Position

Current itinerary of Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent current cruise is а 7 days, round-trip Italy, Spain French Riviera. Prices start from USD 1743 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary begins on June 28, 2025 and ends on July 5, 2025.

Date / TimePort
28 Jun 17:00    Departing from Barcelona, Spain hotels
29 Jun 10:00 - 20:00    Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France Riviera
30 Jun 07:00 - 19:00    La Spezia, Italy Riviera
01 Jul 07:00 - 19:00    Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy
02 Jul 07:00 - 18:00    Portofino, Italy Riviera
04 Jul 08:00 - 18:00    Palma de Mallorca, Majorca Island Balearic Spain
05 Jul 05:00    Arriving in Barcelona, Spain hotels

Specifications of Celebrity Ascent

Year of build2023  /  Age: 2
Flag state Malta
BuilderChantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, France)
ClassCelebrity EDGE
Building costEUR 770 million (USD 900 million)
Engines (power)Wartsila (55 MW / 73756 hp)
Speed22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph
Length (LOA)327 m / 1073 ft
Beam (width)39 m / 128 ft
Gross Tonnage140600 gt
Passengers3276 - 3950
Crew1400
Passengers-to-space ratio36
Decks16
Cabins1646
Decks with cabins10
Sister-shipsCelebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Xcel
Former namesSTX FRANCE M34
Christened byCaptain Sandy Yawn and Michelle Dunham
OwnerRCG-Royal Caribbean Group (via RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd)
OperatorCelebrity Cruises

Celebrity Ascent Itineraries

DateItineraryDeparture PortPrice from
2025 Jun 28 7 days, round-trip Italy, Spain French Riviera Barcelona $1743
2025 Jul 05 7 days, one-way from Barcelona to Piraeus-Athens Barcelona $1634
2025 Jul 12 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona Piraeus-Athens $1662
2025 Jul 19 7 days, one-way from Barcelona to Piraeus-Athens Barcelona $1199
2025 Jul 26 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona Piraeus-Athens $1380
2025 Aug 02 7 days, one-way from Barcelona to Piraeus-Athens Barcelona $1782
2025 Aug 09 7 days, one-way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona Piraeus-Athens $1405
2025 Aug 16 7 days, round-trip Italy, Spain French Riviera Barcelona $1549
2025 Aug 23 7 days, round-trip Italy French Riviera Barcelona $1542
2025 Aug 30 9 days, one-way from Barcelona to Civitavecchia-Rome Barcelona $1702
2025 Sep 08 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $2396
2025 Sep 19 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $2040
2025 Sep 29 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $2180
2025 Oct 10 10 days, round-trip Greece, Italy Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $1841
2025 Oct 20 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $1780
2025 Oct 31 13 days, one-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Fort Lauderdale Civitavecchia-Rome $1315
2025 Nov 13 8 days, round-trip Aruba, Curacao Cayman Fort Lauderdale $1549
2025 Nov 21 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1506
2025 Dec 01 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2079
2025 Dec 12 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1647
2025 Dec 22 11 days, round-trip Panama Canal Perfect Day Holiday Fort Lauderdale $2889
2026 Jan 02 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1574
2026 Jan 12 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2070
2026 Jan 23 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1675
2026 Feb 02 11 days, round-trip Panama Canal Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2587
2026 Feb 13 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2390
2026 Feb 23 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2163
2026 Mar 06 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1750
2026 Mar 16 11 days, round-trip Panama Canal Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2450
2026 Mar 27 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1835
2026 Apr 06 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1872
2026 Apr 17 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Getaway Fort Lauderdale $707
2026 Apr 20 14 days, one-way from Fort Lauderdale to Civitavecchia-Rome Fort Lauderdale $1187
2026 May 04 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $2137
2026 May 15 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $1978
2026 May 25 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $1970
2026 Jun 05 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $1968
2026 Jun 15 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $1814
2026 Jun 26 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $2036
2026 Jul 06 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $1994
2026 Jul 17 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $2964
2026 Jul 27 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $1804
2026 Aug 07 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $2199
2026 Aug 17 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $1812
2026 Aug 28 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $2220
2026 Sep 07 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $2549
2026 Sep 18 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $2679
2026 Sep 28 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $2417
2026 Oct 09 10 days, round-trip Italy, Greece Croatia Civitavecchia-Rome $2682
2026 Oct 19 11 days, round-trip Greece, Turkey Italy Civitavecchia-Rome $2835
2026 Oct 30 14 days, one-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Fort Lauderdale Civitavecchia-Rome $1204
2026 Nov 13 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1324
2026 Nov 23 11 days, round-trip Panama Canal Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1907
2026 Dec 04 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1256
2026 Dec 14 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1137
2026 Dec 24 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2161
2027 Jan 04 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1919
2027 Jan 15 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1864
2027 Jan 25 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1919
2027 Feb 05 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1699
2027 Feb 15 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1919
2027 Feb 26 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1625
2027 Mar 08 11 days, round-trip Panama Canal Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2337
2027 Mar 19 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1779
2027 Mar 29 11 days, round-trip Best of Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $2019
2027 Apr 09 10 days, round-trip Ultimate Southern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale $1575

Celebrity Ascent Review

Review of Celebrity Ascent

The 2023-built Celebrity Ascent cruise ship is the fourth in a series of five EDGE-class passenger liners, alongside sisterships Celebrity Edge (2018), Celebrity Apex (2021), Celebrity Beyond (2022), and Celebrity Xcel (2025). 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.

Celebrity Ascent cruise ship

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.

Celebrity Ascent ship (Rooftop Garden)

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.

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Celebrity Ascent ship related cruise news

Celebrity Ascent Wiki

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).

Celebrity Cruises EDGE-class ship

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)

Date / TimePort
03 Dec 15:30Departing from Fort Lauderdale
06 Dec 08:00 - 18:00Philipsburg, St Maarten Island, Netherlands Antilles
07 Dec 07:00 - 16:00Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas Island USVI
08 Dec 11:00 - 18:00Puerto Plata, Dominicana
10 Dec 07:00Arriving in Fort Lauderdale

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

Date / TimePort
10 Dec 15:30Departing from Fort Lauderdale
11 Dec 07:00 - 17:00Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas
13 Dec 08:00 - 19:00Cozumel, Mexico
15 Dec 07:00 - 19:00George Town, Grand Cayman Island
17 Dec 07:00Arriving in Fort Lauderdale

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

Date / TimePort
17 Dec 15:30Departing from Fort Lauderdale
19 Dec 15:30 - 23:30San Juan, Puerto Rico USA
20 Dec 08:00 - 18:00Road Town, Tortola Island BVI
21 Dec 07:00 - 18:00Port Zante/Basseterre, St Kitts
24 Dec 07:00Arriving in Fort Lauderdale

Godspeed!