🚢 Staterooms on Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent offers several stateroom categories, from Inside and Ocean View to Veranda, Concierge Class, AquaClass, and The Retreat suites.

One important detail about Ascent and other Edge Series ships is that many cabins do not have a traditional balcony. Instead, they feature Infinite Veranda staterooms, where the window lowers and raises, turning part of the room into an open-air space.

On this cruise, I stayed in a Concierge Class stateroom, which includes dedicated concierge service and a few additional perks. There was no standard balcony, which felt a bit unusual at first. At the same time, the Infinite Veranda setup gives the room a different feel, and there is something interesting about it once you get used to it.

My stateroom was located on Deck 12, whereas on previous cruises I stayed lower on Deck 7. Above Deck 12 is a public area that includes entertainment spaces and the pool deck.

Looking back, I think choosing a lower deck was actually a smart move! With the overhang above the cabin, it’s a bit tricky to see up. On past cruises, I enjoyed being able to see the night sky full of stars over the ocean from my room, and that wasn’t possible this time.

On the other hand, the overhang blocks direct sunlight, so the cabin doesn’t get overheated during the day. In a hot climate, this actually makes the room more comfortable.

Ship Areas on Celebrity Ascent

For simplicity, the ship can be divided into two main zones: middle decks, and upper decks with outdoor areas.

Middle decks (Decks 3, 4, 5) - Grand Plaza

These decks are mostly dedicated to public indoor spaces. Here you’ll find:

• main dining rooms

• bars, cafe and lounges

• casino

• theater and entertainment venues

• shops and indoor common areas

This part of the ship feels more enclosed and active in the evenings, especially around dinner and show times.

Upper decks (Decks 14, 15, 16)

These decks are focused on outdoor and leisure spaces. They include:

• main pool areas

• sun decks and loungers

• outdoor bars

• some casual dining options

This area is busiest during sea days and warm-weather itineraries, especially during the daytime.

Restaurants & Main Dining (Mid Deck)

On the mid decks, Celebrity Ascent has four main dining rooms, all included in the cruise fare:

• Cosmopolitan (new Champagne-inspired theme)

• Cyprus (Mediterranean)

• Normandie (French)

• Tuscan (Italian)

These restaurants share a core menu with the most popular dishes, and many of them are available in all four dining rooms. At the same time, each restaurant has a “exclusive” section with dishes that are special to that specific venue and reflect its cuisine.

This setup makes it easy to dine in different restaurants without feeling like you’re repeating the same meal every night. All four main dining rooms offer the same level of service and follow the same dining format: you choose an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert from the menu.

You are not assigned to just one restaurant and can choose a different dining room each evening.

P.S. Tuscan was my least favorite among the main dining rooms. The pasta was inconsistent, and the appetizers lacked flavor.

Oceanview Café (Deck 14)

On Deck 14, Oceanview Café serves as the main buffet and is a very large space with a wide variety of food options. Is organized into multiple food stations rather than one long buffet line, which makes it easier to navigate during busy times.

The cuisine changes daily depending on the time of day and the theme of the evening, but fruits and vegetables are available all the time.

• Breakfast: multiple egg dishes, toast options, waffles, morning pastries, and juices

• Lunch: sandwiches, burgers, and simple, casual dishes

• Dinner: rotating cuisines such as American, British, Italian, Indian, Asian, Mexican, chef-inspired dishes, and more

There is also a large dessert section, with plenty of options, including gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan desserts.

This space is especially convenient on port days, when you want a quick meal without reservations while still having a wide choice of food options.

Specialty Dining (Extra Charge)

In addition to the main dining rooms, Celebrity Ascent offers several specialty restaurants, available for an extra charge. These venues focus on a more curated dining experience and smaller settings.

• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud
  An intimate signature restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud, focused on refined, global-inspired cuisine.

• Eden Restaurant
  A multi-course dining experience centered on presentation, atmosphere, and sensory elements.

• Raw on Five
  Sushi, sashimi, and raw bar dishes, including seafood-focused plates.

• Le Petit Chef
  A dining experience featuring animated tabletop projections paired with each course.

• Fine Cut Steakhouse
  An upscale steakhouse serving premium cuts of beef and seafood.

• Rooftop Garden Grill
  Outdoor dining with grilled dishes and casual seating.

• Chef’s Table
  A private, curated dining experience with a fixed menu and very limited seating.

During this cruise, I had dinner at all of the specialty restaurants except Chef’s Table. Below, I’m sharing my experience with each venue, focusing on the food, the level of service, and the overall restaurant design.

Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud

Le Voyage is the signature specialty restaurant on Celebrity Ascent, created by Daniel Boulud, a French chef best known for his Michelin-starred restaurants, including Restaurant Daniel in New York.

The restaurant itself is small and intimate, with a very beautiful design and a lot of attention to detail.

The concept of Le Voyage is inspired by global flavors and travel, interpreted through a fine-dining format. The restaurant offers both an à la carte menu and a tasting menu. I didn’t manage to book the tasting menu, so I ordered from the regular menu.

I tried two appetizers: one with crab and one with tuna, and five-spice duck (a duck meat pie with mushrooms) as a main course. Everything was incredibly flavorful and delicious.

I also celebrated my birthday here. To mark the occasion, I was welcomed with a glass of Champagne, and at the end of dinner, the staff brought out a small birthday cake. It was a very thoughtful gesture and a memorable dining experience overall.

Eden Restaurant

Eden Restaurant is one of the most distinctive dining venues on Celebrity Ascent, designed as an experiential restaurant where food and atmosphere are connected. The space feels distinct from the rest of the ship, featuring large windows, an open area, and a modern design in green and brown hues.

Unlike other restaurants on the ship, Eden has a fully open kitchen, and you can watch the chefs at work throughout the service. Also, you could enjoy live music that plays in the upper part of the Eden Lounge.

I decided to go with the 7-course tasting menu, and it was such a great choice! It really let me experience the restaurant's concept to the fullest, and I was absolutely thrilled with everything.

During lunchtime, the same space is also used for afternoon tea, which offers a more relaxed experience compared to dinner service

Raw on Five

Raw on Five is a seafood-focused specialty restaurant centered around sushi, sashimi, and raw bar dishes.

The menu concept was created by chef Yoshikazu “Yoshi” Okada, originally from Japan, who brings traditional Japanese techniques and sushi expertise to the restaurant’s seafood and raw bar offerings.

Here, I tried the omakase experience, which consists of 10 courses. There is no option to choose individual dishes because the chef curates the entire menu. You are trusting the chef’s selection and experiencing the dishes in the order they are presented.

Raw on Five has a clean, minimal design that matches the concept of the restaurant and keeps the attention on the food.

Le Petit Chef

Le Petit Chef is a specialty dining experience that combines food with animated projections shown directly on the table during dinner. Each course is introduced through a short animation, after which the dish is served.

The Le Petit Chef dinner takes place at Le Grand Bistro, which has a classic French bistro-style interior with marble tables, warm lighting, and a cozy, Parisian feel.

On Celebrity Ascent, there are two different Le Petit Chef dinner experiences. One follows The Magical Cooking Book concept, while the second version is offered during the last three days of the cruise and features a different menu and animations.

The menu consists of four courses. If a dish doesn’t suit your taste, it can be replaced with an alternative option, though the animation will remain the same and will not be adjusted to the replacement dish.

This restaurant is less about fine dining (but it’s delicious) and more about the overall concept and presentation, making it a fun and interactive dinner option.

Fine Cut Steakhouse

Fine Cut Steakhouse is Celebrity’s upscale steakhouse concept, focused on classic steakhouse dishes and seafood.

The interior feels elegant and more formal compared to other restaurants on the ship, with darker tones and a more traditional layout. Service here follows a classic steakhouse style.

The menu centers around premium cuts of beef, along with seafood options and traditional sides. The format is straightforward and familiar, especially if you like a steakhouse experience rather than something experimental.

Personally, even if you enjoy steak, this felt like the least interesting dining option on the ship compared to the other specialty restaurants.

Rooftop Garden Grill

Rooftop Garden Grill is an outdoor specialty restaurant located on the upper decks. The space is fully open-air, with no indoor seating available.

This restaurant works best on island port days, especially for dinner. It tends to be less windy and not as cool compared to evenings at sea, which makes the experience more comfortable.

Because the entire venue is outdoors, weather plays a big role in how enjoyable the dinner will be.

The menu here is more casual and grill-focused, making it better suited for a relaxed dinner rather than a special occasion.

Bars, Cafe & Lounges:

Eden Lounge - Eden is one of the key lounge spaces on Celebrity Ascent and works as a bar, lounge, and social area throughout the day. During the day, this space feels calm and is often used for drinks, reading, or simply spending time with a view and with live music playing during lunch and dinner hours.

The Martini Bar - one of the most recognizable spots on Celebrity Ascent. It’s a central meeting point on the mid decks and gets especially busy in the evenings. The menu focuses on classic and signature martinis, and this is often where people stop for a drink before or after dinner.

Café al Bacio is a casual café-style space serving coffee, espresso drinks, teas, and small pastries. It’s a popular spot during the day for a coffee break and works well as a quieter alternative to bars later in the evening.

Le Grand Bistro a lunch spot, that also includes a small bakery section, open during the day. Here you can grab pastries, desserts, and light bites in a relaxed setting. It’s an easy stop for something sweet between meals or a quick snack without committing to a full dining experience.

World Class Bar focuses on crafted cocktails made with premium spirits and fresh ingredients. It’s a good option if you’re looking for something more refined, with an emphasis on technique and classic cocktail styles. It also hosts drink-focused masterclasses, where guests can learn more about cocktails, spirits, and mixing techniques.

Sunset Bar is located at the back of the ship and is designed for drinks with open ocean views. It’s a popular spot in the late afternoon and early evening, especially around sunset.

The Rooftop Garden also includes bar service connected to the outdoor seating and dining area. This space is more relaxed and works best in good weather, particularly during the day. In the evenings, a large outdoor screen is used to show movies.

Pool Bars - Several bars are located next to the main pool areas, making them convenient for daytime drinks. The menus are simple and focus on cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

Sun Deck Bars are positioned around the sun loungers and outdoor seating areas. They work well for casual drinks during sea days and warm afternoons.

Pools & Hot Tubs on Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent offers several pool and hot tub areas spread across the upper decks, designed for different moods and times of day.

The main pool area is the most active and social space, especially during sea days. It’s surrounded by loungers and poolside bars, making it a good choice if you enjoy a lively atmosphere.

In addition to the main pool, there are smaller pools and multiple hot tubs located across the upper decks. These areas tend to feel calmer and are easier to use early in the morning or closer to dinner time.

Spa & Gym on Celebrity Ascent

The spa on Celebrity Ascent is located on the upper decks and includes treatment rooms, relaxation areas, and a thermal suite. In addition to treatments, the spa also offers IV therapy services. There is even a full salon area with manicure and pedicure services, as well as hair treatments and styling.

The gym (fitness center) is spacious and well equipped, with a wide range of cardio machines, strength equipment, and free weights. Large windows provide ocean views, which makes workouts more comfortable.

The gym also offers group fitness classes, and the schedule varies depending on the day at sea or in port. Both the spa and gym feel modern and well maintained, fitting the overall style of the ship.

Entertainment & Shows on Celebrity Ascent

Entertainment on Celebrity Ascent is more understated compared to large family-focused cruise lines. The focus is on theater shows, live music, and smaller performances rather than big-scale productions. So don’t expect something too great.

The main theater hosts evening shows, including vocal performances, dance shows, and production-style entertainment. The schedule changes throughout the cruise, so there is usually something different to see on different nights.

Live music is spread across several lounges, especially on the mid decks and in Eden. Performances range from piano and acoustic sets to small bands, depending on the venue and time of day.

Overall, entertainment on Ascent feels designed to complement the cruise experience rather than dominate it, fitting well with the ship’s more adult-oriented and relaxed atmosphere.

Summary

Compared to Royal Caribbean, I enjoyed the calmer and more relaxed atmosphere on Celebrity Ascent, especially since there were no kids onboard during this cruise. The overall pace felt slower and more comfortable.

I really liked the ship’s design and layout. The spaces feel well thought out, with interesting zones, beautiful interiors, and attention to detail. There are also plenty of options when it comes to both food and drinks, which makes it easy to vary your experience throughout the cruise.

To form a more complete picture, I think trying another Celebrity cruise would be the next step.

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