Review Ascent 12/31. Best ever!

[Koohiichan]

DH and I have cruised other lines, but for a couples cruise, and at this stage in our life, we prefer Celebrity for the (we feel) elevated service and dining. This cruise on their newest ship, Ascent, exceeded our expectations. 

Cruise fares were higher than usual due to timing (New Years,) newest ship, demand, inflation etc., than our room last year so we economized by choosing a Deluxe Inside Cabin, #9158. Very pleased with cabin design, size, storage, and location. We love this location forward as it is close to the spa, gym, and solarium. An IV would have been twice the price. We aren’t hang-in-the-room type of people (Not saying a large suite someday wouldn’t change that) so took the cost savings used it for week-long spa packages, a cabana, All-access ship tours, Rooftop Grill dinner, and casino money. In the end, we won enough in the casino to cover those expenses and then some.

Of note on this cruise, more family groups and kids than usual. Not a problem, just different. Be aware this isn’t the time to cruise if you’d prefer to avoid children

Things that Celebrity did to make this New Year’s cruise/our cruise special.
- Special NY’s celebration and menu in addition to the Sparkle Night held later in the week, with liberal pouring of Veuve Clicquot champagne. 
-Despite a full ship, and no dinner reservations in any of the MDRs, we walked in and got a table for 2, most often by the window, with no waiting. They seemed to note and recognize our window seat preference after we kindly asked the first night. We are only Select status, but do have about 6 Celebrity cruises under our belts. They made us feel special anyway.
-After NY’s day, the cabanas were underutilized. They upgraded us to a full sized cabana free of charge. We enjoy the cabanas, and the service and cabana crew were awesome, but not sure we will do it next time. (We did it on Apex last year.) Even with a full ship we never felt like we couldn’t find a seat, and DH doesn’t like to be in the sun, anyway. You can’t anticipate or control the weather, sun, shade. We did prefer the cabanas on Ascent to those on Apex. We liked facing the pool, and chose the cabana closest to the Solarium side. Maybe if we were with a friend group, it would make more sense for us.
- Food was almost always excellent. And we primarily ate in the MDRs, even for breakfast and once for lunch. We enjoyed the Rooftop Grill, but don’t feel the specialty restaurants are needed to have great food and service. Oceanview cafe was very good. Go all the way to the back for more seating, including outdoor. On the All Access Tour we saw the kitchens and all food is from scratch (not pre-prepared frozen) and it is amazing how they set it up 10 entrees at a time so there is little wait for your food, generally.
-Gym is a little too small. I heard others complain about this. I worked out in mid afternoon and found it true.

Things I liked better on Ascent than Apex:
-Infinity pools. Personally didn’t  use much, but helps spread out the crowd. 
-Better utilization of the Rooftop Garden. Meditation, pickle ball (you can totally avoid this if you want.)
-Back bar and lounge area is expanded and small groups can use or form to socialize and, again, spread out the crowd. There are actually tons of places to see the ocean, sail away, and sun set. You do NOT need to be in the Retreat to enjoy this. I just keep looking if you haven’t found it yet.
-Not a big ship, but so many places to go and see.
- The crew is awesome. I am not someone who pays attention to the CD and team, but Luigi, Kate (hope I remembered well,) and Daniel were professional, entertaining, and real pros. I participated in some activities this time, and they made it fun.

Port recommendations: (Same as last year on Apex)
-San Juan - We just walk around, but check out Old San Juan at least if you haven’t done it.
-Tortola - made it to Cane Garden Bay on our own. Preferred it to Long Bay Beach. Beautiful beac, ocean, and scenery.
-St. Kitts -Recommend using Blue Water Safaris to go to Pinney’s on Nevis. 

Warning!!!! Do not take a taxi from MIA to nearby Miami hotel. Yellow cab at the airport set us up with an off-the-clock blue cab that scammed us for $40 for under 5 miles and insisted cash only or extra 30% service charge for credit card payment. He threw in a nice story on how an Uber driver pulled a gun on his fare for good measure. We decided to shut up, pay up, and leave with our lives. I recommend Uber instead. The Uber from MIA hotel to the Port Everglades was $44 before optional tip. 

All in all, this cruise surpassed our very first back in 2000 (?) on the Century when they still gave you welcome aboard champagne and table side cherries jubilee, and I never thought I’d say that. From what I’ve heard, Gen X is Celebrity’s target market, and if that’s true, then they know what they’re doing. In the future, we may try other lines, but probably smaller ships to access smaller ports internationally, etc, not likely RCL, NCL, HAL, MSC, Carnival. Celebrity is a good fit for us at this stage of life, when we have only one week to cruise a year. If you are looking for a cruise where you can get an inside cabin and eat in the MDR, and still feel like you’re not missing out, then ascent is for you! 

[At Sea At Peace]

Thanks.  Nice review.  We're on the first week of February.  Very helpful.  Also agree re: Celebrity select/main dining.  On most nights, really no need to go to a specialty restaurant.  Nothing wrong with doing a specialty restaurant (loved Sushi on 5 on Silhouette, Le Petit Chef and Tuscan).  Wicked awesome operations of select/main dining, service, technology, etc. on full display as the venue tasking 100's of customers flawlessly.  Heck, even the Ocean Cafe on Silhouette was run exceptionally well; like a Formula 1 pit crew.

 

We're treating ourselves to a Prime Aqua stateroom to try the Blu, thermal spa amenities, etc.  Planning to look around quite a bit and settle in to different venues as this will be our first E Class.  Eden, beyond the restaurant, looks like a definite winner (reminds us of the 270 concept on RCCL Quantum on steroids) to visit and spend some time and even a lunch or snack or drink (or all).

 

Again, thanks.

[CruiseRQA]

Thanks for posting.

 

Some positive Celebrity opinions are coming back to the forum!

[mauimary]

Thanks for your review. Were very excited. Flying to Fort Lauderdale on Friday for our cruise next Sunday.   Expecting everything will be wonderful.  Coming from the snowy NW the weather will be especially wonderful. 

[Lastdance]

25 minutes ago, CruiseRQA said:

Thanks for posting.

 

Some positive Celebrity opinions are coming back to the forum!

I don’t think they were ever really gone!  A new ship is always a good bet, but again, it depends on your cruising resume’ and expectations!

Edited January 15 by Lastdance

[hcat]

great   positive review..

 

We are booked for 1/28.. looking forward to Nevis and Tortola , spa etc..And the new shows  

[deliver42]

Loved your review. Thank you. We're booked on the Ascent for next year and can't wait.

[KLM3164]

5 hours ago, Koohiichan said:

Despite a full ship, and no dinner reservations in any of the MDRs, we walked in and got a table for 2, most often by the window, with no waiting.

What time were you dining in the MDRs?

[C4HCG]

7 hours ago, CruiseRQA said:

Thanks for posting.

 

Some positive Celebrity opinions are coming back to the forum!

Which is great to read and a refreshing change. I know people have a right to complain but……

[blueslily]

17 hours ago, At Sea At Peace said:

Thanks.  Nice review.  We're on the first week of February.  Very helpful.  Also agree re: Celebrity select/main dining.  On most nights, really no need to go to a specialty restaurant.  Nothing wrong with doing a specialty restaurant (loved Sushi on 5 on Silhouette, Le Petit Chef and Tuscan).  Wicked awesome operations of select/main dining, service, technology, etc. on full display as the venue tasking 100's of customers flawlessly.  Heck, even the Ocean Cafe on Silhouette was run exceptionally well; like a Formula 1 pit crew.

 

We're treating ourselves to a Prime Aqua stateroom to try the Blu, thermal spa amenities, etc.  Planning to look around quite a bit and settle in to different venues as this will be our first E Class.  Eden, beyond the restaurant, looks like a definite winner (reminds us of the 270 concept on RCCL Quantum on steroids) to visit and spend some time and even a lunch or snack or drink (or all).

 

Again, thanks.

 

See you aboard. We are so excited!

[blueslily]

12 hours ago, KLM3164 said:

What time were you dining in the MDRs?

 

I'm curious as well. 

[portofrome]

Thank you for the review.

[Koohiichan]

On 1/14/2024 at 6:05 PM, At Sea At Peace said:

Thanks.  Nice review.  We're on the first week of February.  Very helpful.  Also agree re: Celebrity select/main dining.  On most nights, really no need to go to a specialty restaurant.  Nothing wrong with doing a specialty restaurant (loved Sushi on 5 on Silhouette, Le Petit Chef and Tuscan).  Wicked awesome operations of select/main dining, service, technology, etc. on full display as the venue tasking 100's of customers flawlessly.  Heck, even the Ocean Cafe on Silhouette was run exceptionally well; like a Formula 1 pit crew.

 

We're treating ourselves to a Prime Aqua stateroom to try the Blu, thermal spa amenities, etc.  Planning to look around quite a bit and settle in to different venues as this will be our first E Class.  Eden, beyond the restaurant, looks like a definite winner (reminds us of the 270 concept on RCCL Quantum on steroids) to visit and spend some time and even a lunch or snack or drink (or all).

 

Again, thanks.

Nice! Looking forward to hearing how you like Aqua Class. I’ve always wanted to try it, and Blue. Maybe in the future when my daughter is out of college and we have more of a cruise budget. Enjoy your upcoming cruise.

[Koohiichan]

On 1/14/2024 at 11:13 PM, KLM3164 said:

What time were you dining in the MDRs?

Sorry for the late reply. We dined at different times, but found a lot arrive at 6:30 and 8:30. We often ate at 7 or 7:30:if my memory is correct. The boat did seem to have a family crowd that ate earlier and another crowd that ate later like 8 or 8:30. Each cruise may differ of course.Also it would depend on how many are eating at the specialties, which seemed to be a lot on this cruise.

[At Sea At Peace]

13 hours ago, Koohiichan said:

Nice! Looking forward to hearing how you like Aqua Class. I’ve always wanted to try it, and Blue. 

 

Thanks.

 

Being just a  mile north of the Port Everglades entrance on the beach we get to see so many top of the line Celebrity and Royal ships (and others) and started back to cruising post-pandemic when we did a last minute Silhouette.

 

On Ascent starting Sunday for just a week.  The ship, reviews and pictures look awesome.  Although we have Blu, hoping to score an onboard reservation for Eden.  All specialty dining on the APP have shown no availability any day.  So, we'll see.  Not a problem if not.

 

13 hours ago, Koohiichan said:

Maybe in the future when my daughter is out of college and we have more of a cruise budget. Enjoy your upcoming cruise.

 

 Yep.  Been there done that.  Put three sons through big colleges for undergrad, grad and one for law school.  When those 'chunks of check writing year ended' we started cruising.  While schools are in, non-holidays, non-summer we've sailed the newest ships of RCCL, NCL (Haven and/or SPA), Celebrity (now taking on Edge Class post pandemic) and MSC (Yacht Club), most B2B's.

[georgiaguy]

On 1/14/2024 at 6:55 PM, Koohiichan said:

From what I’ve heard, Gen X is Celebrity’s target market, 

 

Just a reminder that older millennials are now in their early 40’s.