Celebrity Cruises’ Highly Anticipated Celebrity Ascent Sets Sail with Elevated Cruise Vacation Experience

Officially Named by Its Co-Godmothers – Bravo Tv’s Captain Sandy Yawn and Her Sister Michelle Dunham

Setting a new standard for modern cruising and elevating the premium travel experience, Celebrity Cruises introduces its newest cruise ship. Celebrity Ascent was officially named by co-Godmothers during a special ceremony yesterday.

Headlining the festivities were her inspiring co-Godmothers. Captain Sandy Yawn is star of Bravo TV’s hit franchise, Below Deck. Her sister Michelle Dunham is the Founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism. These sisters officially named the ship in true maritime tradition with the breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship’s hull.

Greek brothers Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis and Captain Tasos Kafetzis, who will take the helm of the new ship, joined them on deck. With the brothers serving as Co-Captains of Celebrity Ascent, this is a first for the brand and the industry.

The ceremony was fitting for a ship that shatters preconceived notions of cruising with its forward-thinking design, culinary excellence, expansive onboard entertainment, and more. 

Kicking off its inaugural Caribbean season, Ascent will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 3 traveling on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing. It will visit popular destinations like St. 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.  “Her elevated design and new onboard experiences set her apart from competitors and serve as a new benchmark for the travel industry.” 

“Celebrity Ascent has been designed to feed our guests travel wanderlust and provide unique experiences they will covet and love,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, President at Celebrity Cruises. “Captain Sandy and her sister Michelle, co-Godmothering Celebrity Ascent, add another, and more personal dimension, to this already extraordinary ship. Their connection, combined with the brotherly bond of the ship’s captains, exemplifies the sense of welcome and warm hospitality we strive for on every cruise.”

Vacation Experience Highlights

Celebrity Ascent joins a series of ships without comparison and is a sister ship to Celebrity Beyond.  Distinctive ship features and new experiences include:

• The Retreat, an exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, highlighted by a two-story sundeck.
• Accommodations for modern tastes from modern two-story villas with private plunge pools to staterooms with infinite verandas, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.
• An expanded Rooftop Garden and stunning Resort Deck featuring unique cantilevered float pools.
• A multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar at the ship’s aft.
• An expanded onboard entertainment program featuring a transformative nightlife experience on the Resort Deck, six new live productions, interactive gaming experiences, and live music from bow to stern.
• A redesigned casino floor and brand-new games.
• A new outdoor dining terrace at Blu, the brand’s clean cuisine restaurant.
• An exclusive culinary experience in Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud.
• And, the return of the Magic Carpet, cantilevered above the sea and offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner.

Setting Sail on Celebrity Ascent

Following Celebrity Ascent‘s maiden voyage, she will offer a variety of alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations through late April. She then heads to the Mediterranean for sailings from Barcelona and Rome. Vacation sailing options include:

• The 7-Night Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman itinerary or the 7-Night San Juan, Tortola and St. Kitts itinerary from mid-December 2023 to early April 2024.
• The 7-Night Bahamas, Mexico and Grand Cayman Holiday Cruise departing on December 24, 2023.
• The New Year’s cruise departing on December 31, 2023 for 7 nights and visiting San Juan, Tortola and St. Kitts.
• Kicking off the summer with the ultimate Mediterranean getaway on the 9-Night Italian Riviera and France itinerary.
• Or, crossing Rome, Naples, Mykonos, and Santorini off a bucket-list during the 12-Night Best of Greece and Italy.

For more information on all Celebrity Ascent inaugural 2023-2024 season sailings, visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-ships/celebrity-ascent.

SOURCE Celebrity Ascent

Comments

Are you happy to hear that Celebrity Ascent is officially named by her co-Godmothers? Do you have plans to sail on this new Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class ship? Drop us an anchor below to share what you love about Celebrity Cruises.

Stay up to date with the latest cruise news and travel updates!