I, along with my husband Casey, recently had the chance to cruise aboard Celebrity’s newest ship, the Celebrity Ascent, and all I can say is… WOW. Here’s my honest Celebrity Ascent review.
To give you some context: the last time Casey and I cruised together was 13 years ago with my entire family. Back then, we definitely wouldn’t have called ourselves “cruise people.” Fast forward to now, and we are officially, proudly… those people.
From the second we stepped on board, the vibe was just different. It felt elevated but still totally relaxed. The Ascent strikes this perfect chord between sophistication and ease, the kind of trip where you can get dressed up for a fancy dinner if you want, but you never feel like you’re in a “stuffy” environment. It completely blew our expectations out of the water.
A “Floating Boutique Hotel”
The design alone deserves a shout-out. As soon as you walk on, you’re hit with modern elegance, sleek lines, chic furniture, and a color palette that just feels calm. Every corner has some thoughtful detail that makes it feel less like a traditional cruise ship and more like a high-end boutique hotel. Most importantly? It was totally anti-cheesy.
Let’s Talk Food (The Real Star)
If you’re a foodie, the Celebrity Ascent is going to be your happy place. Forget that cliché “standard cruise food” you might be imagining. Every meal we had was intentional and beautifully executed, bold flavors, gorgeous plating, and menus that actually got us excited. With 32 different food and drink spots (including 18 restaurants!), the variety is honestly staggering.
Aside from the Oceanview Café (the buffet area), there are four main dining rooms: Normandie, Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, and Tuscan. They all share a signature menu, but each has its own regional exclusives and a unique look. (Note: if you’re staying in AquaClass or The Retreat, you also get access to the exclusiveand very intimate Blu or Luminae.)
If you really want to level up, the specialty dining is where the Ascent shines. These aren’t just dinners; they’re events:
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Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud: This is the peak of fine dining at sea. If you go, order the Tamarind-Glazed Duck Magret. It’s a total revelation.
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Eden Restaurant: This was hands down my favorite. It’s a lush, open-kitchen space where the food is basically art. You have to try the Slow-Cooked Halibut with herbed fumé, it’s incredibly delicate and perfectly captures the fresh, earthy vibe of the restaurant. The Filet Mignon with Parsnip Purée and Truffle Risotto are incredible too. Honestly, everything was delish!
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The Favorites: From the high-end sear at Fine Cut Steakhouse to the fresh sushi at Raw on 5, the quality never dipped. We genuinely looked forward to every single meal, which says a lot.
Balancing It All: Fitness & The Pool Deck
Since we were eating so well, we actually made it a point to head to the gym, and I was so impressed. It’s a beautiful, bright space that had everything we could possibly need for a great workout, plenty of weights, modern cardio machines, and enough room to actually breathe. It didn’t feel like an afterthought; it felt like a premium health club.
Of course, the “reset” wouldn’t be complete without some water therapy. The pool deck is stunning, but my personal favorite was the Solarium, an adults-only, glass-enclosed pool area that’s perfect for a quiet swim. We also spent plenty of time in the hot tubs just soaking in the views. Between the gym and the pool options, it was so easy to find that balance between staying active and fully melting into vacation mode.
Life on Board
The entertainment actually kept us engaged, too. We spent our nights at the martini bar, enjoying a perfect espresso martini, as well as watching Broadway-style shows and listening to live music. Everything felt energetic but refined, exactly our speed.
When we weren’t out and about, our Veranda stateroom was our sanctuary. It was so plush and calming that we actually looked forward to heading back to the room at the end of the day just to unwind and look at the ocean. And for a “true” reset, the spa was the cherry on top. We didn’t realize how badly we needed to unplug until we were actually forced to slow down.
One of the best surprises, though? The people. The Ascent seems to attract like-minded travelers, and there was such an easy, welcoming vibe everywhere we went.
The Verdict
Our time on the Celebrity Ascent was more than just a vacation. It felt like a total reset. It was the perfect mix of luxury, fun, and genuine connection. We’re already dreaming about our next sailing.
Here’s a roundup of my outfits and a fun video to make you smile.
