Wrapped in unabashedly comfortable surroundings that oozed style and sophistication, serenaded by a devilishly handsome electric violinist, sipping on a seductively sweet passion fruit Martini, I wished every night out started like this.
Eagerly swapping dull December days for the tropical waters of the Bahamas, she was the dazzling scene-maker my friend Annette and I enjoyed for a few precious evenings as we cruised in considerable style aboard Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Ascent .
As we sailed in considerable style through an irresistible palette of dazzling sunlight and turquoise skies, dripping with designer touches, we felt like we’d hit the ocean in our own private club, albeit with 3,000-plus people on board.
There was no mistaking the chic ambience of Celebrity’s latest monument to designer chic. The fourth in the series’ renowned Edge-class series, Ascent carries all the iconic features of her sister ships but with her own standout features.
The ultimate attraction is the Magic Carpet, a tennis court-sized platform supported on the side of the ship that slides between different decks, transforming from a restaurant to a floating bar and serving as a fairly speedy boarding platform at its lowest level. tender boats will go ashore.
We lounged on slouchy sofas with cocktails in hand to toast the panoramic views from the 150ft-high vantage point, before slipping into the adjacent Rooftop Garden, a quaint outdoor deck space designed as a living urban playground, where we picked our way among tree sculptures and statues of trees. shrubs will settle into inviting resting spots.
During the day it was a popular recreation area; There was a net hung in the center for casual padel tennis matches and a large screen showing movies and sporting events; But we preferred quiet, warm evenings where musicians added evocative excitement to dramatic sunsets. The dark sky is blood red.
As a friends getaway, Celebrity Ascent proved to be the perfect match; Its elegant aura brings a sense of occasion to life at sea. This isn’t just a ship for ladies who lunch, it’s a ship for ladies who want to live in style, and that’s exactly what we did.
Days passed in a dizzying rush of eating la mode Enjoy the swanky spa at Celebrity Ascent’s 14 restaurants (designed by Kelly Hoppen) Dragon’s Lair fame) and soaking in the bubbles of the distinctive Martini glass jacuzzis on the pool deck.
The Grand Plaza, the beating heart of the ship with its central Martini Bar, is a hallmark of many Celebrity ships. The atmosphere sizzles beneath the gorgeous color-changing LED chandelier, providing a sparkling backdrop to evenings on board.
Choosing where to eat offered a wealth of options. Like other Edge-class ships, Celebrity Ascent does not have a main restaurant; but there are four venues with a more intimate, upscale feel and themed to suit Italian, French, Mediterranean and American cuisine. The Ascent’s culinary know-how has been further spiced up with new epicurean touches, including a plant-based menu in the Eden Restaurant and a new show and menu for Celebrity’s Le Petit Chef animated dinners, where miniature figures come to life on the tabletop.
Annette and I were most enamored of the reimagined gourmet restaurant Le Voyage, celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s second venture at sea. Here we gorged ourselves on a delightful seven-course feast (£99 per person) with creamy mushroom risotto, succulent pan-roasted prawns and tender filet mignon, and finished off with a trio of dessert tastings.
Normally this would be an evening event in itself, but we wanted to sample Celebrity Ascent’s mix of glitzy entertainment, once again elevated by new shows across a range of venues.
The main theater leads this group and provides an immersive feel thanks to its central circular stage extending out into the audience; It brings musicals to life with giant LED screens behind it, incredible arrays of planets hurtling through space and battalions of fireworks exploding over Sydney. Harbor Bridge.
State-of-the-art sound and lighting, complemented by breathtaking acrobatics from the talented cast, resulted in some of the best shows at sea I’ve ever seen – and I’ve seen a lot. But it was still early in the night after watching the incredible Bridges show (my favorite).
We walked through Eden’s lush surroundings, stopping for selfies at Aurora along the way; it was a mirrored walkway of shiny silver statues that led to this soaring conservatory lounge that stretched up to three decks, with large windows overlooking the ship’s wake.
In this more relaxed setting, guests stood and watched as the performers immersed themselves in energetic routines combining vocals, dance and acrobatics. As the crowd grew, we retreated into the cozy embrace of The Club, which embraced the evocative spirit of an old Hollywood speakeasy with another unforgettable show called Smoke & Ivories.
Each evening was similarly packed, and for one unforgettable night we danced until the early hours at a freewheeling deck party (another new addition) with a light show and live DJ in balmy temperatures under moonlit Florida skies.
Days were spent relaxing around the ship, swimming in the main pool, which must be one of the longest pools at sea, enjoying fine dining (and fine spirits), and browsing the luxury ship shops we looked at longingly. Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags.
One morning, after a lazy room service breakfast, we had a nice pedicure at the spa, whose smooth lines and pleasing curves reflect Hoppen’s designer contribution. However, the sky-high prices, with a 50-minute massage costing around £160 ($200) plus an automatic 20 percent tip, pretty much dampened our desire for more.
Hoppen’s influence is also evident in The Retreat, a VIP deck area reserved for those staying in suites, spanning two decks and offering a sophisticated finish with its own relaxation pool and hot tubs.
Once we discovered this haven we never looked back, enjoying the tranquil surroundings – only to be shattered by Annette’s screams of terror when she checked her phone and found a photo of her sleeping with her mouth open on a sun lounger, which I had mischievously sent her a few minutes earlier.
We may have spent the last few days navigating the heights of complexity, but when you’re traveling with friends, there’s nothing better than some good old-fashioned scolding to bring you back down to earth.
Fundamentals
Sara Macefield is the owner of Celebrity Cruises (0800 240), which offers an 11-night Mediterranean cruise with Celebrity Ascent from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona, including calls to Naples, Santorini, Rhodes and Valletta from £2,308 per person. 4286) was his guest. It departs on June 18.