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.

Decks and Cabins

Most Celebrity Ascent staterooms are Balcony cabins. Of the 1,646 total staterooms, 918 are Edge Staterooms with Infinite Verandas, and 176 are Suites. All cabins feature keyless entry using smartphone digital keys, in addition to standard keycards and RFID bands.

The ship has 16 decks, including 15 passenger-accessible decks and 10 with cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

Celebrity Ascent offers 32 food and beverage venues, including 4 main dining rooms and 6 specialty restaurants new to the Celebrity brand. The ship features a total of 15 restaurants, 5 cafes, and 12 bars and lounges.

Passengers in AquaClass staterooms or Suites dine at Blu Restaurant, which offers lighter, "spa-inspired" cuisine. The Luminae Restaurant, named "Luminae at The Retreat," along with Blu, is part of the private, exclusive Suite Class complex called "The Retreat." Suite guests also have the option to dine in the Main Dining Rooms (MDRs): Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, and Cyprus Restaurants. These four complimentary venues serve menus inspired by the destinations visited, featuring regional wines, themed cocktails, locally-sourced ingredients, a rotating dinner menu of Signature dishes (changing nightly), and a Classic dinner menu. Each table in the main restaurants is served by a dedicated wait staff team, including a sommelier, assistant waiter, and head waiter. Guests are assigned to one of the MDRs but may request to dine in any of the other three.

Celebrity Ascent offers the line’s traditional "Celebrity Select Dining" (your-time dining for dinners), now rebranded as "Celebrity Select Dining Plus." Guests can make reservations at any of the four MDRs in advance or simply arrive at their preferred time and restaurant.

In addition to the MDRs, there are several complimentary dining venues, including Oceanview Cafe (with live cooking stations and a bakery), Mast Grill (poolside), Spa Cafe & Juice Bar (healthy food and drinks), and Eden Cafe (offering a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items). The ship also features two outdoor alfresco dining venues.

There are 11 bars and lounges onboard, including Eden, Cafe al Bacio, The Club, Sunset Bar, Theatre Bar, Casino Bar, Martini Bar (at Grand Plaza), Pool Bar, Il Secondo Bacio, The Retreat Bar, and The Retreat Lounge.

For-fee specialty restaurants include Qsine (USD 45 pp), Tuscan Grill (Italian steakhouse, USD 45 pp), Murano (French, USD 45 pp), Lawn Club Grill (DIY steaks, USD 40 pp), Bistro on 5 (creperie, USD 10 pp), and The Porch (USD 5 pp, serving paninis for breakfast and lunch). At Qsine, guests place orders via iPads, and waiters serve the food in the selected order.

Craft Social Bar (introduced on Celebrity Apex) offers an extensive selection of premium wines (by the glass), craft cocktails, and over 50 craft beer brands, including some of the world’s rarest. It is staffed by certified beer sommeliers.

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

The Lawn Deck features real grass and more deck chairs than other ships, providing a relaxing atmosphere. The Celebrity iLounge offers computer tutorials and serves as an Apple-authorized reseller with duty-free Mac products. AquaSpa Cafe is ideal for a light lunch post-spa visit.

Sky Observation Lounge hosts live music at sunset. Fortune's Casino provides gaming options, ensuring there's always something to enjoy onboard.

The Virtual Concierge app allows guests to book dining and spa appointments, order drinks, request room service, and more. Smartphone sensors track guests’ locations to enhance onboard service.

Edge-Class ships feature Celebrity’s most technologically advanced Theater Lounge, spanning three decks and hosting the fleet’s largest number of production shows with the most extensive performance crew among premium cruise lines.

The Theater has seven stage areas (three large, four smaller), a main stage that extends into the audience, two rotating platforms that rise over 2 meters, rotating spiral staircases, 10 synchronized projection screens, 16 laser projectors for video mapping, and aerial performance rigging. The venue features seven new full-scale productions, including “A Hot Summer Night’s Dream” (Shakespeare-inspired with acrobatics), “The Jewelry Box” (tech-focused), “Kaleidoscope” (high-energy music and dance), “Arte” (acrobatics), “Elements” (based on the five natural elements), “Stage Door” (recorded at The London Palladium), and two Headline Residency shows: “Get Up” (pop concert by Black Skull Creative) and “The Purpose” (a celebration of the inner self).

"The Club" is a multifunctional venue featuring a large dance floor, performance stage, LED screen, and two bars. Daytime activities include the Funovation Laser Maze Challenge, Drone Hunting, laser obstacle courses, dance classes, and trivia games. At night, it transforms into “The Jazz Joint at The Club” and later into the 1920s-themed nightclub “Undercover at The Club,” offering Prohibition-era cocktails and aerial saxophone performances. Features include the Andromeda body scanner and Hypno Cam Experience (a dance party with shared Ultra HD photos).

The Kids Club offers over 500 complimentary activities under the “Camp at Sea” program, with two newly designed areas for children and teens called “The Basement.”

The Rooftop Garden (top-deck bar/lounge) offers expanded dining and entertainment programming, including the Rooftop Concert Series, Garden Cinema Series, and the Taste of Film experience, featuring five new live musical performances.

In 2023, Celebrity introduced fleetwide pickleball courts. Complimentary equipment is provided, and playing times are scheduled for adults and families (children 6+). On Edge-Class ships, pickleball is played at the Rooftop Garden.

Grand Plaza

Located midship and spanning three decks, the Grand Plaza is inspired by the golden era of Transatlantic ocean liners. Designed by Jouin Manku Studio, the open-floor venue blends modern elegance with timeless charm.

A standout feature is The Chandelier—a five-level installation with 765 LED-illuminated blades that shift colors throughout the day. Weighing 7 tons, it rises above the Martini Bar on the Lobby level.

Grand Plaza houses specialty restaurants like Fine Cut Steakhouse and Raw on 5 (Deck 5), Le Grand Bistro and Cafe al Bacio (Deck 4), and Grand Plaza Cafe (Deck 3). Deck 3 also features the Martini Bar. Decorative mesh screens on the plaza’s perimeter incorporate over 13,500 art elements made of leather, fabric, and metal.

Grand Plaza’s cafes are ideal for coffee, tea, and pre-dinner cocktails, accompanied by live entertainment. In the evening, the venue becomes the ship’s social center.

During the day, Le Grand Bistro (Atrium on Deck 4) serves as a patisserie and French cafeteria. In the evening, it transforms into “Le Petite Chef,” an immersive dining experience using animated 3D characters projected on the table. This concept is a collaboration with TableMation Studios and Skullmapping. Dining costs are USD 25 pp (Le Grand Bistro) and USD 55 pp (Le Petite Chef).

Eden Lounge

Eden is a three-deck aft lounge-bar-restaurant venue located on decks 4, 5, and 6, featuring live music and evolving show programming. It spans 10,439 m³ (368,640 ft³) and 1,175 m² (12,650 ft²).

With outward-facing design and alfresco dining, Eden offers a unique experience combining light lunches, five-course dinners, wine tastings, live performances, daily lectures, and promotional events. In the evening, it becomes “Eve at Eden”—a provocative blend of performance art, dining, and nightlife.

The Eden Restaurant and Eden Bar serve food and handcrafted drinks. A 90-m (295-ft) ramp encircles the lounge, offering panoramic views. Interior design by Patricia Urquiola includes the "Library of Plants" and hanging plant pillars. The venue was designed by Scott Butler (Wilson Butler Architects, Boston MA), and programming is by Variety Worldwide (New York City).

"The Meeting Place" is the ship’s 183 m² (1,970 ft²) Conference Center, offering AV equipment, versatile seating, a private office, mobile bars, and a fully equipped pantry. Designed by Wilson Butler Architects.

Magic Carpet ("Outdoor Elevator Lounge")

One of the ship’s signature features is the "Magic Carpet"—a glass-roofed, cantilevered platform the size of a tennis court that moves vertically along the starboard side between Decks 2 and 16.

Offering ocean views, lounge seating, a full bar, and a performance stage, the Magic Carpet transforms based on its deck position. Guests can only board once the platform is locked in place.

• Deck 16: becomes a specialty restaurant for “Dinner on the Edge” (al fresco dining).
• Deck 14 (Resort Deck): functions as a pool deck extension with live music.
• Deck 5: becomes an alfresco dining extension of the main dining room.
• Deck 2: connects to the Destination Gateway for tendering operations, serving the luxurious "Edge Launches" for seamless embarkation/disembarkation. This space includes LCD displays, air-conditioning, and 130 seats.

When at Deck 2, Magic Carpet serves the dedicated "Destination Gateway" embarkation point.

The repositioning schedule for the Magic Carpet is published daily.