Hi Sarah! Last month, you attended the naming ceremony of Celebrity Ascent in Miami. Can you tell us what the ship is like?
As soon as I saw Celebrity Ascent I thought, “That’s one stylish vessel!” Seeing a brand new ship is always a very special experience, but Celebrity Ascent has so much to offer and many new innovations that I’m confident guests will love.
Celebrity Cruises ships are modern and elegant but Celebrity Ascent offers more public areas which have been designed with a great deal of thought. In total, Celebrity Ascent boasts 32 distinctive restaurants, bars and lounges, including the multi-deck Sunset Bar and the open Rooftop Garden, which I think are key highlights.
What was the atmosphere like onboard?
The Grand Plaza which features The Martini Bar and Café Al Bacio and is situated on Decks 3, 4 and 5, really is the hub of Celebrity Ascent. Numerous bars, shops and restaurants are located in the area, which produces a real buzz.
There’s so much to see, even the walk from one area of the ship to another is special - no matter where I was, there was lots of excitement over where to go next.
I think the fact the ship was beautifully decorated for Christmas added to the atmosphere, too.
The ships in Celebrity Cruises Edge Series are well known for their innovative design. What was your favourite feature on Celebrity Ascent?
The Aurora installation (a digital inspiration of the aurora borealis featuring 1,600 lights) of Celebrity Ascent is a totally mesmerising space.
I particularly like Eden, which is an incredible open space across the aft of the ship. It enables you to view the ocean and the wake as the ship is sailing. It boasts quite possibly the most relaxing view.
The Magic Carpet, which is the stylish bar located on the side of the ship, is unique to the Edge Series. It can move from one deck to another - luckily not when you’re on it, though! As a key design feature, it makes the ship instantly recognisable.
And tell us about the food! Did you have a favourite restaurant onboard?
When you step foot in a restaurant aboard any ship, you’re instantly reminded of how incredible the food and service are.
I had the opportunity to dine in a couple of the speciality restaurants onboard Celebrity Ascent and I also went to the Oceanview Café which I was really impressed with. The quality of the food, service and cleanliness was remarkable
Lastly, what was the highlight of your trip?
Whilst onboard, I was lucky enough to experience Celebrity Ascent’s remarkable naming ceremony.
We all stood on the top deck listening to speeches and live music and watching performances. The atmosphere was incredible! Everybody was so excited to watch as, for the first time in the industry, the co-godmothers, Captain Sandy Yawn and her sister Michelle Dunham, named Celebrity Ascent.
It was a privilege to witness such an important moment in Celebrity Cruises history.
Celebrity Ascent will begin her debut season sailing out of Florida to the Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean and Mexico, before relocating to the Mediterranean for a programme of voyages around the coasts of France, Italy, Greece and Turkey in summer 2024.
