Celebrity Ascent

Has Celebrity Cruises finally ascended to godhood?

Let me say one thing straight up: Celebrity Ascent is one of the best cruise ships in the world… if you’re not traveling with children. This is a top-tier ship that’s brand new, with amazing entertainment, fantastic decor, and excellent dining options. It feels luxurious without breaking the bank and offers an incredibly romantic experience if you’re planning a trip with the love of your life.

Celebrity Ascent launched in 2023 and feels like a true evolution of the Edge-class ships that began with Celebrity Edge back in 2018. It still features iconic spaces like Eden and the Magic Carpet - also found on the Edge - but comes with a few tricks up its sleeve as well. Everything feels even more elegant and refined, as if Celebrity made smart, subtle upgrades to elevate Ascent to brand-new heights. It’s easily one of the most impressive cruise ships in the world, and gets Famvia’s official seal of approval.

What we like about Celebrity Ascent

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Celebrity Ascent is absolutely gorgeous, and easily one of the most beautiful cruise ships in the world. The Rooftop Garden is just as impressive as it was on the Edge, and the venues throughout the ship feel modern and classy. 

There's a lot of purple in some areas, giving the impression of walking through neon-lit tunnels, but in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. The Grand Plaza was inspired by Italy’s charming piazzas, while Eden - a stunning three-story venue blending gardens, restaurants, and bars - looks even more spectacular aboard Celebrity Ascent.

The entertainment onboard Celebrity Ascent is top-notch, and in fact, many guests online say it offers some of the best adult-focused shows at sea. Ascent currently features three main productions: Residency, Awaken, and Bridges, with Awaken considered the ship’s blockbuster show. It’s a theatrical experience centered on singing and dancing, enhanced by special effects that simulate dreams and surreal visions. It’s a must watch, yep.

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Food is also great onboard Celebrity Ascent, and that includes complimentary dining venues as well, like the Oceanview Cafe buffet and the four Main Dining Rooms. Some great options include the Eden Restaurant (with huge floor to ceiling windows), Le Grand Bistro, Le Voyage and Fine Cut Steakhouse. There are in total 32 different dining options onboard the ship, including cafes, kiosks, complementary and specialty restaurants, and they are all at least above average when compared to similar cruise lines.

Staterooms on Celebrity Ascent are solid, especially the showers, which are larger than average (thank God). For those looking to upgrade their experience, Ascent features an exclusive area called The Retreat. This suite experience includes access to a personal butler, the private Luminae restaurant, a dedicated sundeck, an exclusive lounge, Premium Drinks, Premium Wi-Fi, and more.

It’s easily one of the most luxurious and enjoyable areas on any cruise ship, but it doesn’t come cheap. A standard inside room for a 3-night Caribbean cruise might cost around $770, while a Retreat suite can run you about $1,770. So yes, it’s roughly a thousand dollars more per person to stay here.

What we don’t like about Celebrity Ascent

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The drawbacks of Celebrity Ascent don’t really lie in the ship itself, but in the type of guest it’s best suited for. Families planning to cruise with children may want to look elsewhere. While Ascent does have a Kids Club, it’s small and not particularly impressive, and there’s no waterpark or even a waterslide onboard. That’s just the nature of the ship: it’s designed more for adults looking for a refined experience. Families with young ones will likely have a better time sailing with Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, or Norwegian.

The other issue is pricing. Celebrity Ascent is one of the most expensive ships in the Celebrity fleet, which makes sense, since it’s also one of the newest. A 3-night Bahamas cruise starts at $773 per guest. In comparison, a 7-night Key West, Bahamas & Grand Turk cruise on Celebrity Apex (another awesome ship) starts at $880. Meanwhile, a 10-night Ultimate Southern Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Ascent costs $2,039 per guest, which can feel steep. Still, you’re cruising on one of the best ships in the world.

All in all, this is an amazing cruise that focuses on the Caribbean and Europe, and it’s a top-tier recommendation for an adults-only trip. It has great entertainment, amazing food, and a touch of luxury. I mean, what else can you ask for on a cruise ship?

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