Ascent Dining Info

[lv2cruisgrl]

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/07/celebrity-unveils-new-culinary-experiences-on-celebrity-ascent/?mibextid=9R9pXO&fbclid=IwAR2E2D0fwtC7lp0ugKAaqXxueDXfJ2BrYFCW41PVTWWdJbxvi5czmh6LIn8

[NutsAboutGolf]

Cliff notes:

- No new restaurants

- Eden will offer a plant-based tasting menu

- Some of the specialties and Blu (oddly no mention of luminae) may be re-designed and/or have "elevated" menus

[jelayne]

Other than the plant based tasting menu and the craft beer mostly changes in the decor/color scheme of venues. 

[dreamer321]

I'm more concerned with what the four MDR's menus will be like.  There's another thread showing a greatly reduced menu in Cosmopolitan onboard Apex and if they bring that to Ascent, the good bye Celebrity.

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

We have Ascent booked for November, 2023.  The first leg is 4 nights in a PV stateroom and the second leg is 3 nights in a SS1.  I'm looking forward to comparing the food in both categories.

[hcat]

3 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Cliff notes:

- No new restaurants

- Eden will offer a plant-based tasting menu

- Some of the specialties and Blu (oddly no mention of luminae) may be re-designed and/or have "elevated" menus

Our Jan cruise will be on ASCENT.

Based on that article we fear what they may do to BLU..with regard to design, format and menus.  We are in AQuaclass, and are ( were.? ) really looking forward to being in BLU again after not liking Luminae on BEYOND.  Too late to change that assignment.

 

We are also booked at EDEN for the first time. We just want the regular menu..no pairing with wine ,no tasting menu and no vegan tasting.   If we hear it is downgraded, we can cancel that.  

 

Next cruise after ASCENT will be on APEX..SV with 4 mdr plan...we favor Tuscan and Cyprus...and hope the basics will still be available and well prepared.

 

Decided not to look for any cruises for awhile...we'll see how it develops...Hope not down to Royal C level..Their restaurants at any level cannot compare..so far!

[NutsAboutGolf]

11 minutes ago, hcat said:

Our Jan cruise will be on ASCENT.

Based on that article we fear what they may do to BLU..with regard to design, format and menus.  We are in AQuaclass, and are ( were.? ) really looking forward to being in BLU again after not liking Luminae on BEYOND.  Too late to change that assignment.

 

We are also booked at EDEN for the first time. We just want the regular menu..no pairing with wine ,no tasting menu and no vegan tasting.   If we hear it is downgraded, we can cancel that.  

 

Next cruise after ASCENT will be on APEX..SV with 4 mdr plan...we favor Tuscan and Cyprus...and hope the basics will still be available and well prepared.

 

Decided not to look for any cruises for awhile...we'll see how it develops...Hope not down to Royal C level..Their restaurants at any level cannot compare..so far!

 

The Blu concept as a "healthy" restaurant has always been a bit of an enigma.  Sit down for dinner, who's the first waitstaff member you usually see?  The bread deliverer, often they sneak up from behind and plop the bread basket and 3 butters down.  Then you tell them "no", it's usually "are you sure?"  and "why don't I just leave it".  Next is usually the sommelier pushing alcohol.  Only then do you get the actual waiter who may even recommend the pasta dish.  At the end, you get a dessert menu where there may be one single "no sugar added" (which means it has sugar).  Is breakfast better?  Not really, first interaction is usually the pastry person and again you often have to say no two or three times, then its the person with a tray full of high-sugar smoothies.  Its somewhat like playing a game of wack-a-mole if you actually want to eat healthy at Blu 🙃

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

I'm more concerned with what the four MDR's menus will be like.  There's another thread showing a greatly reduced menu in Cosmopolitan onboard Apex and if they bring that to Ascent, the good bye Celebrity.

 

 

They did the pilot menu so there's a very good chance the menu's will be different once the Ascent sails

[NutsAboutGolf]

3 hours ago, jelayne said:

Other than the plant based tasting menu and the craft beer mostly changes in the decor/color scheme of venues. 

 

This article dives a bit deeper into the details...Example: "The Fine Cut Steakhouse will now offer a new dish—the Lemon Poached Lobster Tail with melted leeks, shiitake mushrooms, lobster ravioli and a house-made beurre blanc sauce. Additionally, guests of the wellness-minded Aqua Class will have the opportunity to dine al fresco for breakfast or dinner in Blu’s new outdoor terrace space."

 

Surprisingly, X announced in the press release "Combined, the four main restaurants offer travelers over 84 dishes to choose from".  Surprised they put an exact number to it

 

https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/culinary-experiences-onboard-celebrity-ascent-unveiled

[hcat]

12 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The Blu concept as a "healthy" restaurant has always been a bit of an enigma.  Sit down for dinner, who's the first waitstaff member you usually see?  The bread deliverer, often they sneak up from behind and plop the bread basket and 3 butters down.  Then you tell them "no", it's usually "are you sure?"  and "why don't I just leave it".  Next is usually the sommelier pushing alcohol.  Only then do you get the actual waiter who may even recommend the pasta dish.  At the end, you get a dessert menu where there may be one single "no sugar added" (which means it has sugar).  Is breakfast better?  Not really, first interaction is usually the pastry person and again you often have to say no two or three times, then its the person with a tray full of high-sugar smoothies.  Its somewhat like playing a game of wack-a-mole if you actually want to eat healthy at Blu 🙃

not the experience we have had since BLU was created.. but diff strokes for diff folks..

We were never offered smoothies..we enjoy, less salt,  no gravies and sauce free.  food made to order..served fresh and hot.. we reject carbs and get nice servings of veggies.  Suite guests were so envious of Blu, X created Luminae!

[keesar]

5 minutes ago, hcat said:

not the experience we have had since BLU was created.. but diff strokes for diff folks..

We were never offered smoothies..we enjoy, less salt,  no gravies and sauce free.  food made to order..served fresh and hot.. we reject carbs and get nice servings of veggies.  Suite guests were so envious of Blu, X created Luminae!

I agree. That has never been our experience in Blu. We also have never been offered smoothies and never had a pushy wine steward.   I kind of wonder why some people spend money to cruise with certain attitudes.  

[hcat]

8 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

This article dives a bit deeper into the details...Example: "The Fine Cut Steakhouse will now offer a new dish—the Lemon Poached Lobster Tail with melted leeks, shiitake mushrooms, lobster ravioli and a house-made beurre blanc sauce. Additionally, guests of the wellness-minded Aqua Class will have the opportunity to dine al fresco for breakfast or dinner in Blu’s new outdoor terrace space."

 

Surprisingly, X announced in the press release "Combined, the four main restaurants offer travelers over 84 dishes to choose from".  Surprised they put an exact number to it

 

https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/culinary-experiences-onboard-celebrity-ascent-unveiled

not sure what outdoors will be like on  Ascent   We usually prefer indoors with A/C. but.maybe it will be a lovely terrace area..We will try it for breakfast if not too sunny.

 

On EDGE,  BLU 'S outdoor area was by maint equip and life boats.. counted as seating but no.one went outside, .curtains were kept closed.

 

we are also booked at Fine Cut so maybe will try the new lobster dish!

[bikerunner]

I’m guessing elevated menus are things with a cost for blu.  Why they partnered with whiskey pig is interesting.  It’s pure rye, the distillery stupidly is not open to the public, I pass it once a month.  There is a whistle pig tasting room nearby and it’s good but I think much better choices out there.  But it’s personal thought on that. 

[jelayne]

15 hours ago, dreamer321 said:

I'm more concerned with what the four MDR's menus will be like.  There's another thread showing a greatly reduced menu in Cosmopolitan onboard Apex and if they bring that to Ascent, the good bye Celebrity.

 

You should be able to see the current Apex menus in the app. Just switch from your sailing to the current sailing.

FYI you can order the “exclusive starters  & entrees” from any of the 4 MDRs in the other 3.  

[NutsAboutGolf]

13 hours ago, hcat said:

not the experience we have had since BLU was created.. but diff strokes for diff folks..

We were never offered smoothies..we enjoy, less salt,  no gravies and sauce free.  food made to order..served fresh and hot.. we reject carbs and get nice servings of veggies.  Suite guests were so envious of Blu, X created Luminae!

 

Seen it on every ship but not necessarily every breakfast and we always see the bread at dinner and pastries for breakfast where if you answer "no thank you" they'll  usually ask "are you sure?"  lol...Not saying they're pushy just that it can take you telling them no at least twice

[kr00t0n]

14 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The Blu concept as a "healthy" restaurant has always been a bit of an enigma.  Sit down for dinner, who's the first waitstaff member you usually see?  The bread deliverer, often they sneak up from behind and plop the bread basket and 3 butters down.  Then you tell them "no", it's usually "are you sure?"  and "why don't I just leave it".  Next is usually the sommelier pushing alcohol.  Only then do you get the actual waiter who may even recommend the pasta dish.  At the end, you get a dessert menu where there may be one single "no sugar added" (which means it has sugar).  Is breakfast better?  Not really, first interaction is usually the pastry person and again you often have to say no two or three times, then its the person with a tray full of high-sugar smoothies.  Its somewhat like playing a game of wack-a-mole if you actually want to eat healthy at Blu 🙃

Isn't the point that there are healthier options than you'd see elsewhere, rather than you being forced to only eat healthy food? Or should they be removing more choice from people? 😄

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 minutes ago, kr00t0n said:

Isn't the point that there are healthier options than you'd see elsewhere, rather than you being forced to only eat healthy food? Or should they be removing more choice from people? 😄

It’s just ironic is all…First interaction for dinner is a breadbasket or for breakfast, pastries. I’d imagine the first time cruisers may be caught off guard

[C-Dragons]

20 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

It’s just ironic is all…First interaction for dinner is a breadbasket or for breakfast, pastries. I’d imagine the first time cruisers may be caught off guard

Why would anyone be caught “off guard”?

Not everyone who eats “healthy” abstains from eating bread. 😉

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Why would anyone be caught “off guard”?

Not everyone who eats “healthy” abstains from eating bread. 😉

 

Yet overwhelmingly majority those on a healthy diet do indeed avoid white bread and pastries.  Obviously people can cheat on their diet 

Edited August 3, 2023 by NutsAboutGolf

[Jeremiah1212]

3 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Yet overwhelmingly majority those on a healthy diet do indeed avoid white bread and pastries m

 

>>>France enter the chat. Hold my croissant. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

Just now, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

>>>France enter the chat. Hold my croissant. 

Lol…We can keep pointing out bread-eater exceptions all we want; not everyone going to Blu are even on a diet

[PTC DAWG]

I’m on a cruise, I like the bread. 🙂

[C-Dragons]

42 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Yet overwhelmingly majority those on a healthy diet do indeed avoid white bread and pastries.  Obviously people can cheat on their diet 

No one has to “cheat”. 😉

We eat a“healthy diet” and avoid pastries and white bread. Only wheat and whole grain at home. But on a cruise I might skip the bread and instead splurge on dessert - if it's really good. 😋

[hcat]

 BLU from day one , offered us a respite from the overwhelming din of the crowded mdr and  often  being seated with strangers.  Menu is to our liking, service more personal, food fresher,  and the BLU dining rooms are bright  and energizing. Those criticizing will likely be happier dining elsewhere.  That's their option..just like we found Luminae to be over rated, dark and pretentious at times.

 

I am diabetic so bread, carbs, alcohol and desserts are limited .  Other than the period of too much wild bird....have always found satisfying choices in BLU..

[Georgia_Peaches]

On 8/2/2023 at 7:53 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The Blu concept as a "healthy" restaurant has always been a bit of an enigma.  Sit down for dinner, who's the first waitstaff member you usually see?  The bread deliverer, often they sneak up from behind and plop the bread basket and 3 butters down.  Then you tell them "no", it's usually "are you sure?"  and "why don't I just leave it".  Next is usually the sommelier pushing alcohol.  Only then do you get the actual waiter who may even recommend the pasta dish.  At the end, you get a dessert menu where there may be one single "no sugar added" (which means it has sugar).  Is breakfast better?  Not really, first interaction is usually the pastry person and again you often have to say no two or three times, then its the person with a tray full of high-sugar smoothies.  Its somewhat like playing a game of wack-a-mole if you actually want to eat healthy at Blu 🙃

DH and I are religious about our low carb lifestyle when at home. When on a cruise it’s Katie bar the door and pass the damn bread! 🤭