Celebrity Cruises received its 4th Edge Series cruise ship, the impressive 141,420 GT Celebrity Ascent, from the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard (STX France) in Saint-Nazaire.
Departing on November 8 from Saint-Nazaire along the French Atlantic coast, Celebrity Ascent embarked on a journey across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, with her destination set for Freeport, the Bahamas, by November 18, 2023. Following a brief stopover in the Bahamas, the ship will make her inaugural visit to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she will be based for the winter season of 2023-2024.
Ahead of the official christening on December 1, 2023, Celebrity Ascent is slated to operate two Caribbean getaway voyages. The christening ceremony will be led by Captain Sandy Yawn and her sister, Michelle Dunham, both praised by Laura Hodges Bethge, the president of Celebrity Cruises, as inspiring role models for young women. Michelle Dunham, a dedicated advocate for children with autism, works towards creating a better world. Post-christening in Fort Lauderdale, the maiden voyage of Celebrity Ascent is scheduled for December 3, 2023.
Notably, the ship's captains, Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis, are also siblings. Hailing from Greece, the experienced sailors take turns commanding Celebrity Ascent. Boasting dimensions of 327 meters (1073 feet) in length and 39 meters (128 feet) in width, the new vessel can accommodate 3,950 guests. Featuring highlights such as the Magic Carpet, an orange platform suspended over the sea, a rooftop garden behind the X-shaped chimney, a modern resort deck with a spacious pool, and an impressive Grand Plaza at the ship's center, Celebrity Ascent encapsulates the best of the Edge Class experience.