ITTN’s Shane Cullen showcases his experience onboard Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Cruises’ newest addition to their fleet. Shane films onboard a 2-night trip on the 5-star cruise ship as she launched in Florida, USA. While on Ascent, Shane interviewed Valerie Murphy & Giles Hawke to find out their plans for the Irish Travel Trade in 2024.
Celebrity Ascent – Inaugural Cruise in Fort Lauderdale
She departed Fort Lauderdale for a 2-night inaugural cruise. Celebrity Ascent is the fourth vessel in Celebrity’s award-winning Edge Series. She has menus crafted by Michelin-starred chef, Cornelius Gallagher and are inspired by the regions visited by the ship with ingredients sourced locally.
There are 32 distinct food and beverage experiences (try a Snowflake cocktail in The Martini Bar and watch the sun dip into the horizon from the Sunset Bar). There are 14 cafés, bars and lounges with 8 speciality restaurants including Le Petit Chef which offers a 3D animated dining experience on your table plus four main dining restaurants and 4 complimentary casual dining venues. For something extra special, Celebrity Ascent offers 2 exclusive restaurants.
Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud offers mouthwatering dishes created by Daniel. The global flavours he’s infused into his menu are designed to give guests a taste of the places that inspire him.
Also new onboard this Celebrity ship is the plant-based tasting menu as part of the dining offering at Eden Restaurant at the aft of the ship. If you’re not that way inclined, there are still firm favourites like Raw on 5 (seafood) and Fine Cut Steakhouse to whet your appetite.
Similarly to her sister ships, Celebrity Ascent has a lush Rooftop Garden, ideal for exercise classing in the morning or chilling with a cocktail in the evening. There is a private two-story sundeck for suite guests and a spectacular tiered Sunset Bar at the aft (back) of the ship – which proved to be a massive hit with the Irish Travel trade on sister ship, Celebrity Beyond and is ideal for sipping on a cocktail while watching the sunset.
Shine Like a Diamond
Celebrity Ascent aims to own the night and is likely to succeed with an abundance of outstanding entertainment and events throughout the evening – the shows are out of this world, the music is pumping and the party atmosphere is decidedly decadent and glistening – bring something to shine in (sequins, sparkles and all things metallic will fit with dancing till dawn on the top deck).
To get a great insight into what Celebrity’s latest and greatest has to offer and to hear all about Celebrity Cruises plans for 2024 from Valerie Murphy and Giles Hawke, watch the exclusive video below:
