Celebrity Ascent

Staterooms aboard Ascent are sophisticated with an innovative design that maximizes space. Catering to a variety of preferences, accommodations range from the smallest, budget-friendly interior staterooms to expansive Edge Villas with private terraces.

All cabins come with a flat screen TV, closet, safe, mini fridge, desk with chair and sofa. Like most cruise lines, raised beds create space to tuck away luggage underneath. There are two twin beds that can be combined to form a king, bedside tables with lights and a USB port on one side of the bed. There are also multiple power sockets and USB ports on the desk. Bathrooms are modern, spacious, and luxurious, featuring a larger-than-usual standup rain shower and plenty of shelving in all the cabins. All cabins have hairdryers, as well as bathrobes and slippers. Upper-level cabins have bathtubs and twin sink basins.

The most unique cabin feature aboard Celebrity’s Edge class ships is the infinite veranda. Instead of a regular step-out balcony, Celebrity’s Edge class ships have an electronic floor-to-ceiling window that can be opened halfway, with the touch of a button, to give the feel of a balcony. A set of sliding glass doors can be electronically closed to give this space more privacy. Reviews of the infinite veranda, however, are mixed. Some love the unique design that maximizes cabin space. Some prefer traditional balconies. When opened fully, the window rests above eye level when sitting in the two provided chairs, which can compromise the feeling of actually sitting outside. Overall, Ascent’s staterooms are comfortable and stylish, providing a peaceful retreat throughout the cruise.

Ascent offers an abundance of options for different types of travelers. For solo travelers there are 32 single occupancy staterooms. Unlike many cruise lines that require solo travelers pay the same fare as two guests sharing a stateroom, there is no single supplement fee or surcharge on Celebrity. Larger groups or extended families might consider choosing one of Ascent’s more than 170 connecting rooms.

The most budget-friendly options are the 180 – 200 square foot interior staterooms. The next category up from the inside stateroom is the ocean view staterooms, which are a bit larger at 200 – 240 square feet.

The infinite veranda, concierge class and aqua class staterooms all have the same layout. The only difference is the accompanying amenities. Concierge class amenities are limited to a welcome lunch, dedicated concierge, and a few smaller perks such as access to binoculars and umbrella. Aqua class staterooms have exclusive access to daily breakfast and dinner at Blue, along with unlimited access to the spa’s thermal suite relaxation area with its loungers and steam rooms, as well as complimentary fitness classes.

The Retreat is the ship’s exclusive resort-within-a-resort lodging area with an exquisite, light-filled private restaurant, lounge for use throughout the day with on-staff bartenders and snacks, and a sun deck featuring a smaller pool, two hot tubs, and a bar with a lunch menu. The Retreat includes a premium drink package for all guests in the stateroom and premium Wi-Fi, as well as access to a team of butlers and concierge staff. Retreat staterooms range from the entry-level sky suite to the nearly 2,000 foot iconic suite with its massive veranda, but all Retreat staterooms come with baths and a complimentary mini-bar.

Twenty-eight staterooms across various categories are available for those with accessibility needs. These cabins offer wider turning space and doors, roll-in showers, grab bars, lower sink and vanity, bathroom grab bars, higher toilet, and ramped thresholds.

Guests may bring wheelchairs and mobility scooters on board. Celebrity provides boarding and departure assistance for guests with mobility challenges.

Twenty-eight staterooms across various categories are available for those with accessibility needs. These cabins offer wider turning space and doors, roll-in showers, grab bars, lower sink and vanity, bathroom grab bars, higher toilets, and ramped thresholds.

The main deck pool and plunge pools have pool lifts and staff are happy to assist.

Ascent’s culinary experiences range from casual eateries to upscale specialty restaurants. Overall, the quality of food is quite good and service is excellent. There are plenty of complimentary dining and snack options from a late night pizza station to healthy choices in the Solarium’s Spa Cafe, and the ship’s buffet is also a great choice, located in a beautifully designed space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. There are also specialty restaurant options for an added fee. Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful.

Free Restaurants:

Ascent has four smaller main dining rooms included in the fare, as

opposed to a large, traditional main dining room. This makes the complimentary restaurants feel more intimate, less like giant, noisy banquet-halls. The four main restaurants are Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie, and Tuscan. Nightly menus at the four restaurants are the same, except for a few dishes unique to each one. Only Cosmopolitan is open for breakfast, and on some days, it’s also open for lunch. Different nightly vegetarian and vegan options are available at each restaurant. The food is of similar high quality in each of the restaurants; service is exceptional.

The Oceanview Cafe buffet, in a beautifully designed space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, includes a salad bar, seafood station, carving station, Indian and Mexican stations, and more.

Eden Cafe is a hidden gem offering a limited menu for breakfast and lunch in a beautiful setting. Healthy eaters and vegetarians will be happy with the Solarium’s Spa Café with its light menu, fresh pressed juices, and smoothies. A poolside grill is open in the afternoons for burgers, hot dogs, and fries, with vegetarian options available, and the Oceanview Café’s pizza station is open until 1 a.m.

Room service is available 24 hours a day. Some menu items have additional fees, but coffee, tea, and continental breakfast is complimentary.

Celebrity Cruises offers free drip coffee, tea, hot cocoa, milk, tap water, lemonade, and punch. There are three drink packages: the $45 per day non-alcoholic package, a $90 per day classic package that includes alcoholic drinks up to $10, and a $105 per day premium package that covers alcoholic drinks up to $17.

Additional Fee Specialty Restaurants:

There are eight specialty restaurants onboard Ascent. The standout for an unforgettable date night is Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. Though the most expensive with its $125 five-course tasting menu, it’s still significantly less than Boulud’s Michelin-starred New York restaurants.

Both Fine Cut Steakhouse and Eden are an additional $65. Raw on 5 is a popular a la carte sushi and fresh seafood option, while Rooftop Garden Grill is a fun barbecue choice for lunch ($25) and dinner ($45). Once on each sailing, Dinner on the Edge is offered on the Magic Carpet, the glass-encased area hanging over the side of the ship, that moves up and down like an elevator. Reservations must be made early.

Le Grand Bistro offers French favorites for lunch, then transforms into Le Petit Chef for dinner. Using projection, a tiny, animated chef dances around whimsically “preparing” your meal on your plate. For those traveling with children, this would be a fun evening.

Ascent offers an array of stylish bars, with unique experiences, exceptional service and a menu of non-alcoholic options as well.

Located in the Grand Plaza, the Martini Bar is the largest, most popular bar, with nightly live music, and a packed dance floor. Bartenders perform crowd-pleasing shows where they juggle bottles and glasses, all while mixing cocktails.

For a more relaxed vibe, the outdoor Sunset Bar offers breathtaking ocean views with solo musicians performing throughout the day. World Class Bar is tucked away in a corner near the Grand Plaza, hosting wine tastings and craft cocktail classes for an additional fee. Craft Social is the pub-style sports bar, while Eden Bar combines ocean views with relaxing live music and craft cocktails. The glass-encased Magic Carpet, hanging over the side of the ship, is another excellent casual bar and there’s also a bar by the main pool on deck 14.

Entertainment aboard Ascent caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences, offering a mix of dance performances, comedy, games, movies, and relaxing live music. There is always something to do onboard. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

The two-story state-of-the-art main theatre, designed in a semi-circle with a rounded stage, hosts comedians, magicians, musical performances as well as original productions involving dance and acrobatics. Unique to Ascent are three original Celebrity productions- Bridges, Awaken, and Residency. Massive video screens behind the stage supplement the set design, helping create performances that have a real wow factor.

The Club, located near the Grand Plaza, is the smaller theater. It hosts most of the ship’s game shows, trivia challenges, ballroom and disco events, as well as smaller performances, including Smoke & Ivories, a 50’s-era big band-style show with live singers and music, incredible dancing and acrobatics. The Club also occasionally transforms into a spot to play shuffleboard.

The stunning three-story Eden hosts unique performances involving acrobats and dancers, alongside the ship’s visual artist who is drawing. The ship’s visual artist also leads complimentary drawing classes during the day.

A popular spot at night is the bustling, smoke-free casino, located midship on deck 4. For those who enjoy gaming, the casino offers dozens of slot machines, a dozen blackjack tables and a handful of roulette tables. Ascent also hosts poker tournements.

Deck 15 is home to a complimentary fitness center with treadmills, stationary bikes, weight machines, and other equipment, allowing guests to exercise while looking at the ocean from floor-to-ceiling windows. Morning stretch classes are offered on deck 14, while cycling and other fitness classes are offered for an additional fee.

Unlike some cruise lines that do not offer a jogging track, or have ones obstructed by lifeboats, Ascent has a scenic jogging track encircling decks 14 and 15, passing by the Rooftop Garden and overlooking the main pool.

Pickleball is offered in the morning in the Rooftop Garden. Ping-pong tables are located on deck 12.

Exit the fitness center and walk down a grande staircase and you’ll be in the elegant lobby of the spa, which offers massages, facials, acupuncture and other services. The relaxation lounge with its floor-to-ceiling windows and cushioned chairs and loungers is a serene place to rest before and after a service. For an additional fee guests can enjoy the SEA Thermal Suite with its heated loungers, three saunas, 2 steam rooms, rain showers, and a salt room. Day passes for the thermal suite cost $83 and a pass for the entire cruise is $263. Aqua class guests receive unlimited entry to the thermal suite.

The beauty salon offers men’s and women’s haircuts and styling, manicures and pedicures, makeup, and additional services.