From high-end bars and lounges to luxurious accommodations and world-class dining, Celebrity Cruises redefines what it means to experience luxury at sea.
Whether you're seeking a tropical getaway to the Caribbean or want to explore the ancient wonders of the Mediterranean, every aspect of the experience is crafted to offer an unparalleled level of sophistication and comfort.
Having returned from a 7-night cruise onboard Celebrity Ascent to Greece, I can confidently say that the experience exceeded all expectations.
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From the moment we stepped onboard, I knew we had made the right decision for our summer vacation. Every detail left a lasting impression, from the ship's sleek design to the breathtaking ports of call.
After spending long (and warm) days ashore, we enjoyed returning to our luxurious cabin, which provided a serene retreat as we sailed through the Aegean Sea.
Plus, the service, entertainment, and food were top-notch. While not as authentic as our meals in Santorini and Mykonos, the onboard dining was impressive, particularly the specialty restaurants.
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As it was my first time visiting Greece, I was more concerned about the ports of call than the ship; however, my cruise on Celebrity Ascent proved to be the perfect complement to the stunning destinations.
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Though I prefer traditional cruise ship balcony cabins, I was impressed with the infinite veranda. We were able to take in the views from the comfort of our air-conditioned stateroom
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When we walked into our infinite veranda, I was taken aback by its spaciousness. While I missed having a standard balcony, the extra living space was a huge bonus. Everything was nicely appointed, too. It did not feel like your average cruise ship cabin, from the plush bedding to the marble bathroom.
The innovative infinite veranda allowed us to enjoy unobstructed views and fresh air without sitting in the sweltering heat. Moreover, rather than share the outdoor space with neighboring cabins, the infinite veranda provided a more secluded experience.
Our cruise cost us just shy of $5,000. However, considering we were sailing on a brand-new vessel, I wasn't mad at the price. Plus, it also included a Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. I would have felt the value wasn't as strong if we spent around $2,500 per person on a cruise fare for an interior room with no drink package.
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Luxury accommodations in Greece can cost well over $600 per night. Had we decided to stay in a premium hotel in Mykonos (perhaps the Anax Resort and Spa), we would have been looking at paying at least $4,500 before budgeting for flights, food, and tours, as we traveled in July.
Of course, some hotels are even more expensive, soaring over $1,000 per night. In short, we would have been lucky to find a luxury accommodation with a stunning ocean view for less than what we paid for our cruise fare on Celebrity Ascent.
Read more: Are infinite veranda cabins worth it?
The spacious cabin wasn't the only surprise on my weeklong cruise around Greece, Turkey, and Italy
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Last year, I embarked on a 7-night Mediterranean cruise onboard MSC Seashore and was disappointed by their excursion offerings. It was a delightful surprise to see I wouldn't have the same experience on Celebrity Ascent.
Celebrity's excursion options allowed us to tailor our days ashore to meet our preferences, from a 9-hour excursion in Naples to Sorrento and Pompeii to a fun day sailing around Mykonos and exploring world-famous beaches.
Though more expensive than excursions in the Caribbean, we weren't disappointed with their offerings. The wide range of tours allowed guests with different needs to book their ideal experience.
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I'd recommend booking any must-do excursions early. Not only will pricing be better, but you'll have more choices, as tours tend to sell out in advance. My fiancée and I booked our excursions around Black Friday, roughly eight months before our cruise.
In total, we spent $495 on two Celebrity excursions, which felt like a steal considering the price of the small group tour in Naples increased to $300 per person shortly after the sale ended.
Unlike the Caribbean, it's difficult to appreciate the rich history and culture in each port without an excursion.
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Though you can easily arrange independent tours—we loved our private tour in Santorini that took us to the Prophet Elias Monastery, Three Bells of Fira, the Black Beach, and Oia—booking excursions through Celebrity offered a seamless experience. On the morning of our tours, we met at our pre-arranged time and were escorted off the ship, which was a plus in Mykonos since we were tendering!
In Naples, we were stuck in heavy traffic en route to the ship. Though we saw other passengers—presumably on independent tours—making a mad dash for the ship, we sat in our tour van comfortably knowing they wouldn't leave us behind!
Read more: Ultimate guide to cruise excursions
The onboard dining did not leave much to be desired, either
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Having been on over 20 cruises, I've learned that cruise ship dining is often hit or miss. To be fair, you cannot expect Michelin-star quality food from a kitchen trying to serve thousands of passengers within hours. Celebrity Ascent, however, dished up high-quality meals in venues from the Main Dining Room to its upscale steakhouse and made-to-order stations in the buffet.
Even if you aren't splurging on specialty meals, you won't be disappointed—or bored—with Ascent's complimentary options. You'll find nine included venues, in addition to the complimentary continental breakfast from room service.
Whether you're in the mood for a juicy poolside burger or a three-course meal from one of the main dining rooms, Celebrity Ascent delivers a variety of satisfying choices.
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Of course, this is my personal opinion, as I'm neither a food critic nor classically trained in anything cuisine-related. Others may come to their own conclusions—everyone has different taste buds!
Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about
Unlike cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean, we weren't always up for late nights. Celebrity Ascent's entertainment line-up ensured we had activities throughout the early hours of the evening
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One of our favorite activities was the nightly game shows. Having previously sailed on Celebrity Reflection, we were excited to see Ascent offering an engaging line-up. Plus, they were scheduled for 8:30pm, so they made for great after-dinner entertainment.
Held in The Club on Deck 4, these shows ranged from trivia-style events to competitions where you had to outsmart crew members and were quite popular. I'd recommend heading to The Club at least by 8:10pm if you want a seat near the sage.
Since they ended around 9:00pm, it was easy to call it quits or head to the theater and catch the 9:30pm production show. While onboard we saw two original productions in the theater: Bridges and Awaken. After both, we were ready for bed and retired to our stateroom for the night.
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However, we thoroughly enjoyed them and were impressed by the cast's talent. The vocalists, dancers, and aerialists were exceptional, making the production shows a highlight of our time onboard Celebrity Ascent.
Though we never made it to Eden for one of the shows (as they started at 10:45pm), we heard they were impressive, too; however, since we were on a port-intensive itinerary, we prioritized finding a balance between taking advantage of the ship's offerings and resting for long days ashore.
Either way, there was plenty of entertainment to appease a variety of travelers, whether you wanted to relax at one of the upscale co*cktail bars and listen to live music or dance the night away in The Club (Of course, we couldn't miss the ship's exclusive Shine the Night deck party!).
The service was so amazing we felt as though we were sailing on a boutique ship
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Every crew member we interacted with—from the Guest Services team to Bradley, the Activities Manager—was personable and seemed to care about each guest's experience. Even the bartenders at the Martini Bar went out of their way to provide a memorable experience.
One morning, my finacée remarked how the crew in the buffet was ready to take dirty dishes away before passengers had finished dining. The moment anyone finished, even if they were still sitting, plates seemed to magically disappear!
Moreover, our cabin steward, Christoper, was phenomenal. He was attentive and deliberate when serving our stateroom, ensuring every need was met.
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Though we sometimes had a short wait for drinks at a crowded bar, the line was never as long as on other cruise ships. The longest we waited was about ten minutes at the Pool Bar on a sea day.
Read more: 9 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship
