This cruise giant will convert you to the joys of big ships

The spaces

A ship this size needs a showstopping centrepiece and that is the Grand Plaza, a triple-tiered space where a striking chandelier-come-art-installation hangs high above the Martini Bar. However, there are plenty of other eye-catching areas to discover. On the Resort Deck you will find the main pool – where the loungers face out to sea, rather than looking across the pool – along with the adults-only Solarium and the fabulous Rooftop Garden, where you can relax on a couch surrounded by verdant bushes or enjoy a cinema session under the stars.

Other notable spaces include the three-level Eden, which has 650 square metres of windows on one side and a living wall on the other, and houses a bar, a restaurant, a cafe and more, and the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that slides up and down the side of the ship, where you can enjoy dinner or drinks suspended in mid-air. My favourite haunts include Cafe al Bacio, which serves the best coffee on the ship, and the Sunset Bar, particularly for late-afternoon cocktails – I prefer it to the popular Martini Bar, where a 20-strong martini menu always draws plenty of punters.

The stateroom

My room is an Infinite Veranda Stateroom, which takes its name from another clever design feature. The floor-to-ceiling window slides down to create a balcony effect, allowing you to let in the ocean air or stay climate-controlled depending on your mood – a smart use of space. The neutral colour palette is calming and there is plenty of space to stretch out with a sitting area and a king-size bed. Even the shower is surprisingly roomy. For those with the budget for something more exclusive, the ship’s suites are located in a chic area called The Retreat, which feels like a mini-resort and has its own restaurant, an exclusive pool and separate staff.

The food

If you like to mix it up when it comes to dining, Celebrity Ascent is your kind of ship. It has 32 different drinking and dining spots including four complimentary dining rooms (Cyprus, Normandie, Tuscan and Cosmopolitan) as well as the buffet restaurant, the Oceanview Cafe.

Specialty restaurants include the seafood-focused Raw on 5, the plant-based Eden Restaurant, and Le Petit Chef, a whimsical experience where the meal is choreographed to match the table animation. Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud is a sophisticated space with an equally sophisticated menu that is perfect for a romantic evening.

I find myself paying repeated visits to the buffet at the Oceanview Cafe – more of a food court than a buffet – which serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’m not usually the biggest fan of buffets, but I am impressed by the quality of the food and the endless variety. It takes some guests a few days to discover the all-day pizza kitchen tucked away at the back of the ship, but no one fails to clock the ice-cream bar that is an instant hit with children and adults alike.

Wellness

Spiral staircases, a cascading chandelier, a selection of steam and sauna rooms and more than 120 treatments: this is a ship that takes wellness seriously. No wonder the spa is so popular – book yourself in early if you want to try one of their outstanding massages, have an acupuncture treatment or enjoy a session in the infrared sauna. The gym is an amazing space, with the machines facing outwards so you have a sea view with your workout, and yoga, Pilates and stretch classes are among the offering.

Entertainment

If you belong to the category of cruisers who loves theatre shows, Celebrity Ascent is your kind of vessel. Its state-of-the-art theatre hosts sophisticated productions where not just the performances but also the choreography and the effects are dazzling. There is a small casino and the space known as The Club which hosts a range of game-like activities. The nightly “flair bartending” performance at the Martini Bar is also popular.

The crew

On a smaller ship, you tend to get on first-name terms with one or two of the crew members. With 1400 crew on board that is less likely to happen, although a couple of the baristas soon know my coffee order off by heart. The crew is uniformly friendly and helpful and the service standards are high.

The verdict

For anyone who shies away from larger ships, Celebrity Ascent is the ship that will convert you, thanks to its outstanding design and its rich choice of dining and entertainment options.

The details

Celebrity Ascent will sail the Mediterranean from May to October 2025, and also sails through the Caribbean. A 10-day Barcelona-to-Rome trip in 2025 costs from $6627 a person. See celebritycruises.com

Our rating out of five

★★★★★

Swell
The Celebrity app makes everything from check-in to choosing shore excursions easy.

Not so swell
This ship is practically queue-free – except when you need something from Guest Relations.

The writer was a guest of Celebrity Cruises.