Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship Celebrity Ascent arrives in Barcelona ahead of European debut

Setting sail for the first time in Europe, Celebrity Cruises® flagship vessel, Celebrity Ascent℠ will turn heads as she raises the bar for holidays in the region this summer. Visiting stunning destinations in Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Turkey, the newest ship from the premium cruise line will dive into the rich history of Europe and explore the best the Mediterranean has to offer across the season.

Arriving in Barcelona on April 27^th, Celebrity Ascent will start her European adventure with a 9-night Italian Riviera and France itinerary. This timeless sailing will visit popular locations across the Mediterranean, including an overnight stay in La Spezia, Italy giving guests longer to explore the celebrated cities of both Florence and Pisa. Onboard, Celebrity Ascent elevates holidays, setting a new standard for the premium travel experience. With spaces imagined by world-class designers including Nate Berkus and Kelly Hoppen CBE; culinary excellence from a Michelin starred chef; and expansive onboard entertainment, every aspect of the ship has been carefully crafted to deliver immersive experiences that allow guests to explore and restore.

“We’re bringing our latest and greatest Edge Series ship to Europe, enabling guests to discover this diverse region with its stunning coastlines, while enjoying Celebrity Ascent’s premium facilities, elevated food and drink experiences, and wonderful entertainment.” says Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.

Like sister ship, Celebrity Beyond℠, Celebrity Ascent features the best of the cruise line’s Edge Series, with 32 restaurants, bars, and lounges to explore onboard providing the ultimate food and drink experience where guests can try a new dish at every meal, in addition to distinct cuisines in the destinations it visits. It also sees the return of celebrated Edge Series features including cantilevered multi-purpose venue ‘The Magic Carpet®’ offering a bar, lounge area and al-fresco dining that gives the best views of Europe for guests to uncover at every port and at every sail away and The Retreat®, complete with a private restaurant, Luminae, lounge area and two-story sundeck exclusive to guests of The Retreat. World-renowned chef Daniel Boulud returns as Celebrity’s Global Culinary Ambassador creating exclusive menus for guests and launching his second restaurant at sea, Le Voyage®, which has a new look and feel on Celebrity Ascent for the ultimate intimate fine-dining experience onboard. Enhanced dining experiences onboard include a new plant-based tasting menu at inventive culinary destination, Eden, and Blu, the exclusive restaurant for AquaClass® guests hosts a new outdoor dining space, offering clean cuisine perfectly suited to health-conscious travellers. Crowd favourite, Le Petit Chef also returns to Ascent℠ featuring an enhanced animation experience and dinner menu to match.

Transforming evenings at sea, guests can immerse themselves in cutting-edge nightlife experiences, with high-energy entertainment including new live productions and augmented gaming experiences handpicked by industry-leading creatives. Three brand-new mesmerising production shows in The Theatre will feature state-of-the-art technology that blur the line between digital and reality onstage, as well as breathtaking performances by world-class singers, dancers, and specialty artists. Once the sun sets on the Resort Deck, guests are invited to the lively Ascent After Dark: ‘Shine the Night’ deck parties, turning the pool deck into a vibrant dance floor complete with a DJ and high-energy live performances to create a pulsating open-air dance floor under the moon and stars.  Guests should pack their shiniest metallic outfits for an unforgettable evening of fun, vibrant energy, surprise performances and a celebration of all things that shimmer.

Celebrity Ascent will offer a variety of 7- to 12-night escapes to the rocky coves and sandy beaches in the Mediterranean; ancient history in the Aegean, and the beautiful coast lining the Atlantic, all departing from key ports across Europe including Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy and Athens (Piraeus), Greece. Travellers can expect to visit the stunning sites of Ephesus (Kusadasi) and Naples, complete with their rich history and tours of the ruins, as well as venturing into the crystalline waters of the Greek Isles circling Mykonos and Santorini. Mediterranean itineraries allow guests to explore the region’s stunning hotspots such as Spain’s famous Las Ramblas and Gaudi’s architecture in the streets of Barcelona; Italy’s chic town of Portofino, a favourite amongst the world’s glitterati, and France’s esteemed wineries in Provence (Marseille).