Celebrity Ascent; Romantic Fall Getaway

These are words that come to mind when I describe the Celebrity Ascent: upscaled, modern and sophisticated. This brand-new ship is beautiful, and it is spacious. This new Edge class ship is known for the innovative floating multi-purpose cantilever platform, a functional tender dock at port. While at sea, it transformed into a fun alfresco dining venue where we sipped cocktails one afternoon. There are shops for basic needs, but mostly luxury shops. We had fun window shopping, checking out jewelry and the highly demanded Rolex watches. We also browsed through the art gallery filled with diverse paintings as well as artistic sculptures, which were showcased throughout the ship.

My husband was more interested in the casino, though, he did join in a casual poker tournament one evening and he won! The pickleball court was very popular. On the upper deck, there are always players waiting to join in. Cruises are known for the abundance of food, and this ship has it all! Plentiful dining options for all palates, whether it’s grab-and-go, casual meals or intimate fine dining experiences. There are also an array of cocktail lounges, bars and cafes to just hang out at and unwind. We like to experiment with the daily cocktail special while poolside. One night we had a pre-dinner drink, sampling exotic concoctions at the upbeat martini bar.

Our cabin is a spacious Aqua class veranda suite. This stateroom class emphasizes health and wellness. The spa shower was rejuvenating, especially after a long day out exploring. The bedding was luxurious, as well as the plush robes and slippers. We did not take advantage of the personal yoga mats, but the complementary beach tote and two bottled waters serviced daily came in handy! The spa-inspired restaurant Blu was included as well as access to the SEA Thermal Suite. It is a tranquil space where we spent time relaxing in the steam room as well as power napping on the heated tile loungers after our couples massage. On sea days, we worked out in the bright and inviting gym, which is less crowded in the afternoons. Everywhere we went, the service was always friendly, and the staff did a good job maintaining cleanliness.

The main pool deck is where all the action is. We love to people-watch! I impromptu jumped in on a water aerobics exercise class one morning. It was a great way to meet people, laugh and burn off some calories. We enjoyed taking leisure walks around the outdoor decks while taking in the horizon. There is live music and DJ throughout the day as well as poolside games led by energetic activity directors. We always saw people chilling in the adult pool area for those needing a peaceful escape.

This ship is not short of entertainment. Talented acoustic performances are scheduled throughout the ship. There is also The Club, a multipurpose two-floor venue hosting interactive games, game shows, talk shows, karaoke, DJs and live music. The highlight is definitely the nightly entertainment in the main theater. We were impressed with the quality of performance of everything from the comedians, singers to the Broadway-style shows. There is cocktail service during the show and plenty of seating between the two levels. The shows are family-friendly, but the average demographic on board skews upper 40s-50 and up.

Excursions: A must-do at each destination, especially for first timers. There are many options to choose from at each port for all levels of activity. Best to book early with the cruise tour or with one of our preferred tour companies.

Spa lovers: Make appointments ASAP. At-sea days sell out the fastest. We scheduled our couples massage on the first day on board during the Spa open house. There were spa service giveaways!

We needed cash for tipping and there were two ATMs on board. One for dollar and one for Euros.

Sunset Bar is the most popular spot for sunset happy hour, but it is very windy. I was glad I did not wear a flowy dress.

Favorite main-dining restaurant: Tuscan Grille. The desserts are delicious, especially the Zabaglione strawberry shortcake

Favorite specialty casual dining restaurant: Rooftop Garden Grill. The watermelon feta salad, seafood kabobs and the premium grilled steaks.

Favorite specialty fancy restaurant: The Eden. Our favorite romantic anniversary dining with multi-course and wine pairings.

Need a relaxing, low-key hideaway for music and fun cocktails? Head to the Eden Lounge!

Don’t dismiss the buffet. The Oceanview Cafe is really good! On the last day of sailing, we were wowed by a fresh seafood extravaganza!

We had the basic beverage package and paid extra whenever we did have specialty drinks. We are not huge drinkers.

For more inspiration and recommendations, check out our Cruises page.