Celebrity Cruises' latest vessel, Celebrity Ascent, has achieved a significant milestone in the construction process by successfully completing her maiden open-ocean voyage.
This voyage, known as sea trials, involved a series of comprehensive tests to evaluate the ship's operational capabilities and maneuverability. The trials were conducted in the Bay of Biscay, near the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard/STX France (in St Nazaire) where the vessel was constructed/assembled. The assessments were supervised by sibling captains Demetrios and Tasos Kafetzis, with ~200 crew/staff to assess the ship's equipment and systems, covering every aspect from the bow to the stern.
Looking ahead, Celebrity Ascent is scheduled to commence her sailings from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), starting with a special 4-night Western Caribbean preview voyage on November 22, 2023, followed by a 3-night Bahamas preview getaway on November 26, 2023.
The ship's inaugural Caribbean season will feature 7-night itineraries, alternating between popular Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations, including the Bahamas, Mexico, Grand Cayman, San Juan Puerto Rico, Tortola BVI, and St Kitts.
Subsequently, Celebrity Ascent will set course for the Mediterranean for its 2024 summer season, offering a 9-night itinerary covering the Italian Riviera and France, as well as a 12-night voyage encompassing the best of Greece and Italy.