Celebrity Cruises unveiled its newest cruise ship, the Celebrity Ascent , on December 1st in a special christening ceremony.
Leading the celebrations were her co-godmothers, Captain Sandy Yawn, star of Bravo TV's hit franchise, Below Deck, and her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism, who officially christened the ship following maritime tradition by breaking a champagne bottle on the ship's hull.
They were joined by the Greek brothers, Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis and Captain Tasos Kafetzis, who will take the helm of the new ship, after having been appointed co-captains of the Celebrity Ascent.
The ceremony was worthy of a ship that breaks with preconceived notions of cruises due to its design by the world's leading architects and interior designers, the culinary excellence of Michelin-starred chefs, onboard entertainment, and much more.
In its inaugural season in the Caribbean, the Ascent will depart from Fort Lauderdale on December 3 and embark on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, visiting destinations such as St. Maarten, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic.
Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Dominican Republic. “With each new ship, our ambition is to debut the ultimate vacation experience, and Celebrity Ascent achieves this by raising the bar for premium travel,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Its elevated design and new onboard experiences set it apart from its competitors and serve as a new benchmark for the travel industry.”
“Celebrity Ascent has been designed to fuel our guests’ wanderlust and provide them with unique experiences they will covet and love,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises. “Captain Sandy and her sister Michelle, co-godmothers of Celebrity Ascent, add another, more personal dimension to this already extraordinary ship. Their connection, combined with the sisterly bond of the ship’s captains, exemplifies the welcoming and warm hospitality we strive for on every cruise.”
Vacation Highlights on the Ascent
The Celebrity Ascent is a sister ship to the Celebrity Beyond, which debuted to great success last year. The ship's distinctive features and new experiences include:
- The Retreat, a complex within a complex for suite guests, with a two-story solarium;
- Accommodations range from modern two-story villas with private pools to cabins with infinity terraces;
- An expanded rooftop garden and a complex deck with unique cantilevered floating pools;
- A multi-level Sunset Bar with terraces at the stern of the ship;
- An expanded onboard entertainment program: six new live productions, interactive gaming experiences and live music from bow to stern;
- A redesigned casino floor with new games;
- A new outdoor terrace at Blu;
- An exclusive culinary experience at Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud;
Following the Celebrity Ascent's inaugural voyage, a variety of alternative itineraries will be offered around the Eastern and Western Caribbean until the end of April, when it heads to the Mediterranean to sail from Barcelona and Rome.
Navigation options include:
- The 7-night itinerary through the Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman or the 7-night itinerary through San Juan, Tortola and St. Kitts from mid-December 2023 to early April 2024;
- Start the summer with a Mediterranean getaway on the 9-night itinerary through the Italian Riviera and France;
- Rome, Naples, Mykonos and Santorini on the 12-night itinerary “The Best of Greece and Italy”.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
