Not to be dramatic, but I experienced love at first sight with Celebrity Ascent! The ship made an incredible first impression on me, and I was immediately captivated by how different it felt from any other cruise ship. From the moment I stepped onboard, I was in awe of the ship’s thoughtful design, refined atmosphere, and attention to detail.
Truthfully, Celebrity Ascent exceeded my expectations in more ways than I anticipated. The Edge class ship is modern, refined, and luxurious without feeling cold or stuffy. Instead, the ship has a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and truly enjoy the experience.
As one of the newest ships in Celebrity’s fleet, Celebrity Ascent includes many of the features that made the Edge Class so popular. At the same time, the ship has several new and enhanced spaces that give it a personality of its own.
Between the beautiful design, elevated dining, innovative entertainment, and adult-focused experiences, Celebrity Ascent feels more like a boutique resort at sea than a traditional cruise ship.
I found myself wanting more time to explore, relax, and enjoy everything onboard. And for me, that’s a clear sign that Celebrity Cruises created something special!
Here are the 10 things that made me fall in love with Celebrity Ascent, and why I think this ship is so remarkable.
1. The ship feels like a luxury resort at sea
Celebrity Ascent doesn’t feel like a traditional cruise ship. The design reminded me more of a high-end beach resort or boutique hotel than a typical floating vacation destination. After cruising on Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ships, this felt like a totally different vibe (in a good way!).
The ship has plenty of open spaces, comfortable seating, and uninterrupted ocean views everywhere you look. Rather than filling every deck with loud attractions, Celebrity Cruises focused on creating places where guests can relax, socialize, and enjoy the scenery.
Even the busiest areas of the ship feel thoughtfully designed. There are beautiful materials, warm lighting, artwork, and small details around nearly every corner. Celebrity Ascent really feels intentional from the moment you walk onboard!
2. The design is truly impressive
I have sailed on many cruise ships, but I couldn’t help but notice the attention to detail on Celebrity Ascent.
Celebrity Cruises partnered with designers including Nate Berkus and Kelly Hoppen to create a ship that feels stylish without being overwhelming. You can absolutely see that influence throughout the ship, from the marble accents and light woodwork to the carefully selected furniture and artwork.
For instance, the aft-facing Eden venue has a lush, dramatic atmosphere, while the show-stopping Grand Plaza is bright and energetic for gatherings. I love how the Grand Plaza is really the heart and soul of the ship, and it really comes to life each night!
I am not usually someone who spends much time studying cruise ship decor, but I found myself noticing these details everywhere on Celebrity Ascent. The entire ship felt like a work of art!
3. The Sunset Bar is one of the best places onboard
The Sunset Bar quickly became one of my favorite places on the ship. I love how Celebrity expanded this space on the second-generation Edge ships, as the Sunset Bar is smaller on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex.
Located at the back of Celebrity Ascent, the bar has multiple levels of seating, comfortable daybeds, and beautiful views of the ocean. The white arches, green tile, and resort-style decor give it a distinctly European feel.
It is also one of the best places to watch the sunset or look out at the ship’s wake! With live music and plenty of seating, the Sunset Bar can be lively, but it also offers quiet corners where you can relax with a drink. I only wished I had more time to sit there and enjoy it!
4. Celebrity Ascent is perfect for adults
Celebrity Cruises offers a more mature atmosphere than some of the larger family-focused cruise lines, and Celebrity Ascent fully embraces that identity.
You won’t find kid-friendly attractions like waterslides, splash pads, or zip lines on the top deck. Instead, the ship focuses on experiences like cocktail tastings, wine and chocolate pairings, live music, outdoor lounges, and relaxing ocean views.
As someone in my early 30s, I really enjoyed the adult-focused atmosphere with all of the places to eat, drink, and relax.
That’s not to say the ship was formal or boring, though. There are plenty of opportunities to socialize, listen to music, and enjoy the nightlife. However, the energy just feels more relaxed and refined compared to other cruise ships.
5. The Resort Deck has a luxe beach club atmosphere
Celebrity Ascent’s top deck is appropriately called the Resort Deck because it feels much more elevated than a standard cruise ship pool deck. The entire space is very posh and chic!
The space includes comfortable loungers, cabanas, ocean views, and a large pool area. A giant metallic octopus sculpture serves as one of the deck’s most recognizable design features and gives the ship a unique visual identity.
The Resort Deck transforms at night for Shine the Night, which is a colorful party under the stars that you won’t want to miss. Guests are encouraged to wear something sparkly, while glowing lights, music, and floating pool decorations create a completely different atmosphere.
6. The dining options go beyond a typical buffet
Oceanview Cafe was one of the biggest surprises for me during our cruise on Celebrity Ascent! Most cruise ship buffets are very functional, but not necessarily memorable.
However, Oceanview Cafe rivals a stylish food hall than a classic buffet. The space features tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, warm Edison bulbs, and comfortable seating, including pink velvet booths (which I loved!).
The food selection is equally as impressive. You can find international dishes, fresh salads, Spanish paella, Indian cuisine, seafood, sandwiches, and an entire display of beautifully prepared desserts. Every day, there was something new and exciting to try, so it never felt repetitive.
Celebrity Ascent also has several casual venues, including Cafe al Bacio and Eden Cafe, along with specialty restaurants and four main dining rooms.
One of the most memorable specialty experiences is Le Petit Chef, which combines animated projections with a multi-course dinner. The experience is very creative and unique, making for a fun evening.
7. I loved the innovative entertainment
Celebrity Ascent’s Theatre is one of the most innovative entertainment spaces onboard.
The stage extends into the audience and includes moving staircases, curved screens, synchronized projections, and aerial rigging. The performances are very immersive, with technology and staging used to blur the line between the audience and the performers.
The ship also offers entertainment in venues other than the main theater. Eden transforms into an evening performance space, while The Club hosts additional shows and nightlife. These spaces are smaller though, so make sure to arrive early if you want to secure seats.
There is a lot to see onboard, so guests who want to experience everything should plan their schedule in advance. The entertainment is one area where it would be easy to miss something simply because there are so many options!
8. The Magic Carpet is more impressive in person
Like all Edge class ships, the Magic Carpet is one of Celebrity Ascent’s most recognizable features. The bright orange platform extends over the side of the ship and can move between different decks. It’s truly one of a kind!
What’s even cooler is how functional it is. The Magic Carpet can serve as a tender platform, an outdoor space, a dining venue, and a bar with incredible views. When the Magic Carpet is positioned high above the ocean, it offers a perspective that is difficult to find anywhere else onboard!
There is something special about sitting on a platform extending over the side of the ship with a drink in hand. It is both a design statement and a memorable cruise experience. You can’t miss the Magic Carpet if you’re sailing on Celebrity Ascent!
9. The Retreat takes luxury to another level
I do not usually book suites, so staying in one of Celebrity Ascent’s suites gave me a new appreciation for the experience. We stayed in an Aqua Sky Suite, and the entire experience was fabulous!
Our suite had a true king bed, a sitting area, a private veranda, and a spacious marble bathroom. Guests staying in The Retreat also receive access to an exclusive sundeck, private dining, a lounge, and additional included perks.
The Retreat is meant to feel like a private resort within the larger ship, and it absolutely does. The sundeck has a peaceful, upscale atmosphere, and Luminae provides an intimate dining experience for suite guests. We really enjoyed dining in Luminae during our short cruise – I only wished we had more time.
Of course, a suite comes with a higher price, so it won’t be the right choice for everyone. However, for travelers who value extra space, privacy, and added convenience, The Retreat is worth considering!
10. The small details make the biggest difference
Ultimately, it wasn’t just one feature that made me fall in love with Celebrity Ascent. It was the way every detail came together to create such a special ship.
Celebrity Ascent has beautiful bars, inventive entertainment, excellent dining, and impressive outdoor spaces. However, I really appreciated the thought and intention behind each venue.
For instance, the Grand Plaza feels warm and welcoming, while Eden is more intimate and dramatic. Similarly, the Rooftop Garden is peaceful and filled with greenery, and the Sunset Bar feels like a chic European retreat. Even the Oceanview Cafe feels elevated and carefully designed, especially for a cruise ship buffet!
Celebrity Ascent isn’t trying to be the biggest or loudest ship at sea. Instead, the ship focuses on creating a beautiful, comfortable, and memorable experience for guests. And this thoughtful approach is what made me fall in love with Celebrity Ascent!
