After taking more than 70 Royal Caribbean cruises, I thought it was time to try a cruise on sister-brand Celebrity Cruises.

Over the last few years, I think Celebrity has raised its notoriety among the cruise industry and its eye-catching Edge Class cruise ships have gotten a lot of people to reconsider booking a Celebrity cruise, myself included.

As someone who loves to cruise on Royal Caribbean, trying a different cruise line seemed a bit strange. I enjoy Royal Caribbean, and there's a reason why I love to cruise over and over with this line.  But at the same time, I was curious what the experience would be like to cruise on Celebrity.  

Unlike other cruise lines out there, Celebrity is within the same corporate umbrella as Royal Caribbean International, so it felt less strange to go on another cruise line.

Read more: Who owns Royal Caribbean?

After talking about it for a long time, I booked my family on Celebrity Apex for a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise over the Thanksgiving holiday.

I picked Apex because I wanted a new ship, and the Edge Class has gotten so much attention that I felt it would be a great first step forward to try Celebrity.

I was never concerned about having a bad time onboard, but I was curious just how much I would enjoy the experience.  Would it feel exactly like Royal Caribbean? Would I fall in love and never want to go back? What would my kids think of it all?

Pre-cruise and embarkation

Everything leading up to the cruise and the check-in process for a Celebrity Cruise felt pretty much the same as Royal Caribbean.

Both lines use the same backend for its app.  While there are two different apps, they look and work exactly the same but with a different color scheme.

I did a status match in the months leading up to the cruise with my Crown and Anchor Society status.  Both lines will honor your status on either line, with Diamond, Diamond Plus or Pinnacle Club members getting Elite status in the Captain's Club.  This is one tier below their upper most loyalty level.

Having Elite status in Captain's Club didn't really get me much value on my cruise, but it was nice to have it, just in case.

Celebrity Apex sails from Port Everglades and the cruise line has its own cruise terminal.  It's a beautiful building, and set up efficiently.  Certainly in-step with any of Royal Caribbean's newer terminals.

Infinite balcony cabin

In looking at which cabin to book, we went with a cabin category I never would have booked if not for a great deal on it.

Thanks to my friends at MEI Travel, they had a special agency rate on Concierge Class infinite veranda cabins that made it just as cheap to book those rooms as a standard veranda.

It can be a little confusing to understand what Concierge Class gets you, as the name seems to imply you get a higher level of service. Celebrity has sub classes of cabins that get special benefits, including the Concierge Class and Aqua Class.

In short, Concierge class gets you an infinite veranda cabin with some additional benefits. The actual cabin is very similar to a normal veranda, but there are some extra perks included.

The main perks of Concierge Class are:

• Priority Embarkation and Debarkation
• Embarkation day lunch
• Priority Dining Time in main dining room
• Canapes and sparkling wine on request
• Upgraded pillow menu
• Concierge Service
• Destination Seminar
• Umbrella and binoculars during the cruise in your cabin
• Complimentary shoe-shining service
• Extra hairdryer in the stateroom
• Upgraded Hansgrohe rainfall showerhead
• Embossed keyholder and tote bag

That sound impressive, but most of these perks will likely go unused.  The best benefits are the embarkation day lunch, concierge service, canapes and champagne, and priority embarkation.

Because everyone cruises differently, how useful all of this is can vary and we barely used any of the benefits.  The canapes were not the sort of food I liked, and I don't drink champagne.

The concierge team was very friendly and welcoming, and did assist with any issues we had, but we didn't have many problems for them. We booked a standard dining time every night pre-cruise, so priority times in the dining room didn't help.  And the rest of the benefits either went unused or didn't factor much into the experience. 

I think next time I wouldn't book Concierge Class if it cost more than a regular cabin. 

When I told others I was cruising on Celebrity, so many complained about the infinite veranda concept, because they said it ends up just being a big window that sucks all of your air conditioning out instead of being a balcony experience.

As for our cabin itself, I really wanted to love the infinite balcony design.  Unfortunately, they were right.

The infinite veranda is a great cabin, with plenty of space for two people. The balcony sitting area means you get more space to use inside the room when the balcony isn't "open". 

The problem is you have to weigh whether would you rather have the veranda open and be able to look out and enjoy the breeze, or air conditioning in your cabin for the next hour.  On a Caribbean itinerary where the humidity is quite high, this is a much more difficult conundrum.

As soon as you open the verandah, the air conditioning turns off, the cold air escapes outside and everything in your room fogs up almost immediately.

If it's not hot or humid out, then this works quite well.  But in Puerto Rico, it was disappointing.

So we just kept our infinite veranda closed for the cruise and we managed to have a good time nonetheless. It was nice having views of the ocean, and the extra space provided by the balcony sitting area was nice to have.

I loved how big the cabin felt, especially the bathroom. The shower was extra large, and there was lots of vanity space.

Plus and enhanced feel

Celebrity's tag line is they embody "modern luxury" and it manifested itself in Apex's look and feel.

Coming from Royal Caribbean, you'll quickly notice drinks served in glasses and buffet plates that aren't made out of plastic. Chairs everywhere have extra padding, drinks are poured freely instead of using jiggers, and the entire experience feels more premium.

It's subtle, but I enjoyed having a more plush feel to it all, in the same way a luxury sedan feels compared to contemporary sedan.

There are a few areas this really stands out, such as the Oceanview Cafe buffet, the Cafe al Bacio, and the pool deck.

Oceanview Cafe is your standard cruise ship buffet, but the variety of food was quite impressive. There were panini stations, a freshly grilled meat station, more made-to-order cooking stations than I've ever seen, and overall more choices.

Cafe al Bacio is the coffee shop that not only has a variety of coffees you can order by waiting your turn, but there's tables and chairs you can sit at and get waiter service to take your order.

If you can imagine a Royal Caribbean pool deck with the Solarium's furniture throughout the pool deck, that's essentially what Apex's pool deck is like.

I never went on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and wished for these sort of changes, but I certainly welcomed them on Celebrity.

Really good food, especially if you're a foodie

One aspect of Celebrity a lot of readers told me about was Celebrity's food game.

In short, you're going to find a wider variety of foods at any of the restaurants that go beyond what I might expect to find on Royal Caribbean.

I found a lot of these extra choices to lean heavily into the adventurous palate. If you aren't a picky eater, I think you'll find a lot more to consider on a cruise beyond a beef dish, a pasta, a chicken, or some vegetables. 

It really shines with Celebrity's specialty restaurants, and even I was surprised to find duck leg confit, a tomahawk steak cut, roasted trout.

Of course, this assumes you actually would order these items, or you'd stick to similar fare that you'd find on Royal Caribbean.

In my opinion, it's better to have too many options than not enough. So I liked that it wasn't "more of the same" with the food choices.

We ate most nights in the Main Dining Room, which was very akin to the Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean before its latest menu changes.

There are four dining rooms on Celebrity Apex and each serves the same menu, along with a subset of special dishes unique to that restaurant.

Our waiters gave us a secondary menu that had a copy of what those special items are in the other restaurants, in case we wanted to order off of them. 

Moreover, the waiters were willing to substitute items and order things off the menu. When I asked about an Indian curry dish option, the head waiter arranged to have it every night I would dine there. When my youngest daughter just wanted pasta while dining at Rooftop Garden, our waiter ran downstairs to the Main Dining Room to get it.

Speaking of the menu, it's worth noting that Celebrity still has a Main Dining Room menu that has a classics section, where a subset of the evening menu never changes.  This means you can get escargot, French onion soup, and a grilled chicken of every night of the cruise in addition to the rotating options.

Not as much to do onboard as Royal Caribbean

If there was one area of my first Celebrity cruise that made me wish I was back on Royal Caribbean the most, it was the daily activities.

There were activities, shows, and events offered, but far fewer than on Royal Caribbean. There were maybe one or two trivia sessions per day, and at night the offerings really slowed down. 

I'm not a party animal or someone that goes from activity to activity on my cruises, but Apex skewed heavily towards a "let's sit down and relax" vibe.  That's perfectly fine, but it made me realize how much I missed having a pub singer, Schooner Bar player, trivia host, or multiple shows to see.

The ship had a silent disco, DJ music, and other typical entertainment of the sort, but there were far fewer sessions.  Many of the instrumentalists would play "coffee house" versions of the songs, which kept the pace slower.

Every cruise line has a stereotype about it, and Celebrity's has historically been that it caters to an older crowd than on Royal Caribbean.  I can see some of the truth in how it's a bit tamer in terms of the ship's energy level.

That isn't to say there isn't anything happening onboard. You'll find events in the Royal Caribbean app, but there just isn't as much as on Royal Caribbean.

I can keep myself entertained in the daytime, but I love things to do after dinner and I was disappointed in the lack of options.  We ended up in bed by 10pm on most nights because there just wasn't a lot happening.

Non-smoking casino was wonderful

Win or lose in the casino, the fact the casino on Celebrity Apex was 100% smoke free was fantastic.

On Royal Caribbean's ships, smoking is allowed in the casino, and it tends to become the indoor smoking lounge just as much as a place to gamble and smoke at the same time.

The fact smoking is allowed in Royal Caribbean's casinos doesn't stop me from going, but it was nice a nice change to have the casino smoke-free.

Considering the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates just 11.5% of Americans smoked in 2021, it's clear Celebrity has moved towards embracing 88% that don't smoke.

I'm not here to start a debate about the virtues of smoking, just point out the casino on Celebrity Apex was non-smoking and I really enjoyed it.

Always Included was disappointing

When Celebrity Cruises announced they would offer a cruise fare that bundled WiFi, drinks, and gratuities, I thought it was a godsend. In reality, not so much.

We booked the Always Included fare, which at the time included basic WiFi, drink package, and gratuities. The line has since removed gratuities from this option.

The wifi that's included is abysmally slow and useful for texting and not much else. For my kids, it's fine because they could use a break from the real internet.  But for anyone else, it stinks.

Compounding the problem is how much Celebrity charges for their wifi packages compared to Royal Caribbean. To upgrade my WiFi package, I would have to pay an additional $230.93 for one device or $412.93 for two devices. That's on top of the cost of the Always Included package.

The classic beverage package adults receive with Always Included is fine, assuming you drink pretty basic options.  I found it very limiting, and worse were the prices the cruise line charges for drinks if you don't have a drink package.

As a Pinnacle Club member in Crown and Anchor Society, I missed my daily complimentary drink vouchers and how nice it was to have that perk. 

Celebrity has a happy hour for its top tier members, but it's only two hours and has a very limited drink menu.

More hits and misses

Here's more of what I liked and didn't like about  my first Celebrity cruise, in addition to what I mentioned already.

What I liked

Magic Carpet: Essentially a bar that moves up and down the side of the ship, I liked the breeze, views, and seating.

Cafe al Bacio: The coffee house I always wanted on a cruise ship.

Theater with a protruding stage: The theater's stage and digital screen behind it were beautiful and really made the audience feel part of the show.

If Royal Caribbean is going to stop paying for musicals that need a traditional stage, this is something new ships should start borrowing.

Ship size & layout: Apex is 1,004 feet long, which makes it slightly longer than a Radiance Class ship but smaller than a Voyager Class ship.

It was easy to get around, and nearly all the public venues not at a pool were between decks 3, 4, and 5.  It made getting around and between venues very easy and quick.

What I didn't like

Bar service was nearly non-existent: In most bars or lounges, it was very difficult to sit down in a chair and get a drink because no waiters ever came by.

On Royal Caribbean, if you sit at a bar, you'll be inundated by waiters coming to take your order.  On Apex, it was the opposite. 

It might have just been our sailing and some bad luck, but other guests I spoke with on the ship reported a similar experience.

Elite Perks: I status matched from Royal Caribbean to Celebrity and being at the second-highest tier didn't really get me much.

In practical terms, there was no reason to really use the benefits provided:

• Access to exclusive daily coffee house-style breakfast and Evening Cocktail Hour
• 30% off Wi-Fi package or Wi-Fi upgrade
• 15% off Drink Package or upgrade to Premium pre-cruise
• Complimentary access to Persian Garden (on one port day)
• One complimentary bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold) on every sailing

I did use the WiFi discount, but I did not find as much value as what I might get with Royal Caribbean.

Celebrity Ascent has officially joined Celebrity Cruises' fleet. The cruise line took delivery of the brand-new Edge Class ship at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

In addition to 1,400 Celebrity Ascent crew members, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty; Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge; Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l'Atlantique; and Captains Dimitrios Kafetzis and Tasos Kafetzis were all present for the celebration. 

“Celebrity Ascent is yet another example of innovation driving our mission to provide the best vacations responsibly. The ship continues Celebrity’s ambition to redefine premium travel and take it to new heights,” said Liberty.

“I want to thank and congratulate the Chantiers de l’Atlantique team, our Newbuild and Celebrity Cruises’ teams, and their partners for the vision, craftsmanship, and passion that went into bringing this spectacular ship to life.”

“Celebrity Ascent features all the innovative and award-winning Edge Series signature experiences that launched a new era in cruise ship design, plus a few new enhancements, and I can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard,” said Hodges-Bethge. 

This is the first ship to be delivered to Celebrity Cruises since Hodges-Bethge became the CEO.

“It is a true honor to welcome this ship to our fleet and I am so grateful to everyone involved with all that goes into launching a new ship.” 

“I am convinced that Celebrity Ascent will meet the same success as the other ships in the prestigious Edge Series. Its fine exterior and interior design and its exceptional seaworthiness make it an outstanding ship, said Chantiers de l’Atlantique General Director Laurent Castaing.

"Celebrity Ascent embodies the strong bond between the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Royal Caribbean Group and Celebrity Cruises teams."

While a few preview sailings are scheduled for late November, Celebrity Ascent is slated to make her official debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 3 with a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise sailing to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Dominican Republic.

Distinctive ship features and new experiences onboard Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent may be the fourth ship in the Edge Class, but she is not an exact copy of her sister ships. 

For the first time, Blu, the Aqua Class-exclusive restaurant, will have an outdoor dining terrace with the ability to seat 24 guests. Other dining venues, such as Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud and the complimentary Cosmopolitan dining room, have been newly redesigned. 

Related: What is the difference between The Retreat, AquaClass and Concierge Class on Celebrity Cruises?

Headed by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, Daniel Boulud's second restaurant at sea will offer an intimate fine dining experience that is based upon the Chef's travels. 

Entertainment is another selling point of the cruise experience for many passengers, and there is no lack of things to do onboard Celebrity Ascent.

Onboard, guests will have six new live productions, interactive gaming experiences, a transformative nightlife experience on the Resort Deck, and more to enjoy. 

Additionally, the redesigned casino will feature brand-new games for those who wish to try their luck at sea.   

There's also an expanded Rooftop Garden; upgraded Resort Deck with cantilevered float pools; multi-level, multi-terraced Sunset Bar; and two-story sundeck for guests staying within The Retreat. 

It wouldn't be an Edge Class ship without the return of the Magic Carpet, a multi-purpose cantilevered venue that serves as a gangway for tender boats during the day and an upscale dining venue and cocktail at night. 

Where will Celebrity Ascent be sailing to during her inaugural season?

From December through late April, she will sail to The Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman, as well as San Juan, Tortola, and St. Kitts on alternating 7-night voyages. 

During the summer, she'll be based in Europe with numerous different itineraries sailing from  Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to choose from, such as a 9-night Italian Riviera and France cruise or 12-night Best of Greece and Italy voyage. 

She will return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2024. 

Celebrity Xcel, the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises' groundbreaking Edge Class, is set to launch in November 2025. 

The ship's name was revealed during the steel-cutting ceremony at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Executives from Royal Caribbean Group and the shipyard were present. 

“The Edge Series has shattered preconceived notions of cruising, and I am thrilled to announce our next bold step as a brand with Celebrity Xcel,” said Celebrity Cruises’ President Laura Hodges Bethge.

“True to her name, this next ship will ‘Xcel’ beyond her sister ships with entirely new experiences, yet to be revealed, but that will change the game all over again.” 

Celebrity Xcel will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida during her inaugural season

After her debut, Celebrity Xcel will sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 7-night cruises to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Cayman Islands, as well as Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

According to Celebrity's website, the maiden voyage is slated to take place on November 18, 2025, sailing to Bimini, Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico. 

You can book your cruise onboard Celebrity Xcel by heading to Celebrity's website or through your trusted travel advisor. 

What features will be onboard Celebrity Xcel?

In addition to some distinctive Edge Class features, there are some differences and enhancements that will make the experience onboard this Edge Class ship different from others. 

First, the ship will have an expanded Rooftop Garden and Resort Deck with unique cantilevered float pools. 

Fans of the Sunset Bar will appreciate the multi-level, multi-terraced bar at the aft of the ship similar to the one that can be found on Celebrity Beyond. The cantilevered Magic Carpet will also return to offer impressive views of the sea's horizon. 

The three-story Grand Plaza will be redesigned, too, in order to create an open indoor venue. 

Of course, guests looking for a luxurious and upgraded cruising experience and splurge on a suite within The Retreat, Celebrity's ship-within-a-ship concept that will feature a two-story sundeck, as well as two-story villas with private plunge pools. 

Related: What is the difference between The Retreat, AquaClass and Concierge Class on Celebrity Cruises?

 What's a steel-cutting ceremony?

The steel-cutting ceremony for a brand-new ship is a maritime tradition and major milestone in a ship's construction process because it indicates that the groundwork has been set. 

Typically, executives from the cruise line, as well as shipyard personnel, are present. 

As of November 2023, there's no set date for the keel-laying ceremony, which is the next milestone and marks the official beginning of the ship's construction. 

Celebrity Ascent, the fourth Edge Class ship, is launching this month

Celebrity Ascent is set to join Celebrity's fleet as the fourth Edge Class ship, following Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond. 

In addition to Edge Class favorites, this ship will have a few experiences that cannot be found on her younger sisters, including a completely redesigned Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud; expanded martini menu at the Martini Bar; three brand-new production shows; redesigned casino; and outdoor terrance at Blu, the exclusive restaurant dedicated to AquaClass guests.

Related: Celebrity Cruises released details about its biggest ship yet: Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity’s top-tier loyalty members will soon have their own dedicated lounge space on longer sailings.

In an email sent to Captain’s Club members on Wednesday, the cruise line announced that it would start designating an existing lounge space onboard its cruises for Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith members. The lounge space will be used “to gather on board during the daily Elite Cocktail hour,” said CEO Laura Hodges Bethge in the email. 

According to Celebrity Cruises, the lounge space will be available twice per cruise on sailings between 5 nights and 7 nights. For longer sailings of 8 nights or longer, the lounge will be available three times. The cruise line said the lounge space will be available from 5pm to 7pm, which aligns with the Elite Cocktail Hour that already takes place onboard. 

Those who have earned Elite, Elite Plus or Zenith Captain’s Club status with Celebrity Cruises are eligible to enter the dedicated lounge space. The email sent to Captain’s Club members indicates that the concierge team on each cruise will inform members of the specific days and locations when the gatherings will take place. 

Thanks to Royal Caribbean Group’s status reciprocity program, anyone with Crown and Anchor Diamond status or above will be eligible to visit this new lounge. This is because Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members automatically earn Elite status when cruising with Celebrity Cruises.

Finally, the announcement clarifies that complimentary drinks for Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith members are still available at bars and lounges throughout the ship. Those who qualify for the nightly happy hour will need to present their Seapass card if they do not prefer using the dedicated lounge space. 

Based on the email, it sounds like the change was made to allow like-minded guests onboard to gather in a dedicated space. “I have heard from many of our loyal Captain’s Club members, such as yourself, that one of the program’s most gratifying aspects is the opportunity to be part of a community of like-minded travelers with whom you can share your experiences on board,” said Celebrity Cruises' CEO in her email. 

Parallels with Royal Caribbean’s Diamond Lounge

Because Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are owned by the same parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, there are many similarities between the two cruise lines. 

Royal Caribbean has always offered a Diamond Lounge onboard its cruise ships, which is one of the lucrative benefits of being a top-tier loyalty member. The lounge was once the only place that Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members could receive complimentary drinks on a daily basis. As such, having access to the lounge was a highly coveted benefit of earning Diamond status through the Crown and Anchor society. 

Royal Caribbean has since adjusted their loyalty drink policy, instead allowing Diamond members and above to receive daily drink vouchers. Vouchers can now be used anywhere onboard Royal Caribbean’s ships and are no longer limited just to the Diamond Lounge. While many guests welcome this change with more flexibility, others were disappointed that the loyalty drink perk is no longer unlimited like it once was in the Diamond Lounge. 

However, Celebrity Cruises continues to operate its loyalty drink perks in a different manner. Captain’s Club members with Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith status have access to a nightly happy hour with unlimited drinks from a set menu. Drinks are available from 5pm to 7pm onboard, with many bars participating in the Elite Cocktail Hour.  

Now, guests will have access to a dedicated loyalty lounge during the happy hour where they can mingle with other top-tier members. Since many top-tier loyalty members share a similar passion for cruising and traveling, the lounge provides an opportunity to cultivate a more community feel onboard. 

It’s important to note this change does not imply that Celebrity Cruises is adding a new lounge onboard. Instead, the email states that an existing lounge onboard will be used to host the Captain’s Club Elite Cocktail hour. This is different than Royal Caribbean, which has always had a dedicated lounge space onboard called the Diamond Club. 

Regardless, this is a nice change for cruisers looking to mingle with other Captain’s Club members.

Captain’s Club reciprocity with Royal Caribbean’s loyalty statuses

With both cruise lines being operated under the same company, Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor society members can enjoy similar benefits and perks when sailing with Celebrity Cruises. Similarly, those who have earned status with Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club can also take advantage of the reciprocity program when sailing on Royal Caribbean.

With the status reciprocity program, members of each loyalty program can still enjoy similar benefits and perks regardless of which cruise line they are sailing with. Although the benefits are not exactly equal, the cruise line says they are "comparable."

For example, guests who have earned Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle status on Royal Caribbean automatically earn Elite status on Celebrity Cruises. This is the highest status you can earn through reciprocity on Celebrity Cruises. If you wish to earn Elite Plus or Zenith status, this must be earned on your own.

In the same way, those with Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith status with Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club can earn Diamond status on Royal Caribbean. This is the highest level of status that can received through the reciprocity program, meaning Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members must earn their own status. 

In the spring, I sailed with Celebrity Cruises as a Diamond Plus member on Royal Caribbean. My sister and I enjoyed trying out the status match ourselves with our Elite status. Some of these perks included the nightly happy hour, access to the thermal spa, free gelato, discounts on internet packages and access to a morning coffeehouse-style breakfast. I was impressed by the status match, which allowed me to have high-tier status without ever stepping foot on a Celebrity ship prior to this cruise. 

At least one sailing to Israel has been changed due to attacks by Gaza militants on Saturday.

A surprise attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists has brought a new wave of violence in the region, and these sort of incidents have historically meant cruise ships turning away.

UPDATE: A passenger on Odyssey of the Seas posted on the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards that Odyssey will skip Israel as well.

"The captain just announced (paraphrasing here) about half a hour ago, that we will not visit Israel due to the geopolitical situation, decision taken together with security experts and in view of the safety of passengers, staff and ship."

The passenger said while disappointing to have an itinerary change, he thinks it was the right choice, "I at least would not have felt safe there right now."

Instead, Odyssey is going to Bodrum in Turkey and Limassol in Cyprus.

Royal Caribbean offers Greek isles cruises on Rhapsody of the Seas from Haifa, Israel, which located in the northern part of the country.

The cruise line has yet to make a change to Rhapsody's upcoming itineraries.

Rhapsody of the Seas is currently in Santorini.

Royal Caribbean had to cancel cruises in 2021 from Israel due to unrest in the country.

Odyssey of the Seas was scheduled to sail from there, but sailings were cancelled once the attacks began there.

In fact, in countries where civil unrest occurs, Royal Caribbean typically cancels cruises to err on the side of caution.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that his country was “at war” because of the attacks by Palestinian militants. A barrage of rockets was fired indiscriminately into Israel,  and gunmen were sent into Israeli territory. It's the latest chapter in a bloody saga between the two sides that has lasted decades.

Celebrity Cruises cancels too

The Celebrity Apex is one such ship, which was scheduled to visit Israel this week.

A passenger onboard Apex posted on a message board that their itinerary has changed because of the attacks, "The captain recently announced that all stops in Israel were cancelled. "

"We are now heading to Cyprus and will overnight there.  Then we will have a sea day and arrive in Alexandria, Egypt a day early and have an extra day (now a total of 3 days) in Egypt."

Celebrity is not the only line that has changed plans.

Passengers on Holland America Line's Nieuw Standendam were already in Israel, but were quickly recalled back onboard.  A passenger posted, "three days in Holy Land has become three hours."

A milestone in the construction of Celebrity Cruises' fourth Edge Class cruise ship has begun.

On September 27, Celebrity Ascent departed from Saint-Nazaire, France to begin her sea trials. 

"It’s always a great emotion for anyone who worked on a cruise ship to see it take the sea for the first time," wrote Saint-Nazaire Renversante on Facebook. 

"Today the #CelebrityAscent left for 4 days of sea trials before returning on September 30th to #SaintNazaire. Its delivery and departure are scheduled for early November. We'll keep you informed."

Celebrity Ascent sails the open ocean for the very first time

Over the course of the next few days, Celebrity Ascent will have certain features and systems tested that cannot be done while she's docked. 

Sea trials are an important part of the construction process of any cruise ship, as they allow for certain navigational and technical systems to be tested. It's the final stage of construction prior to the ship being delivered to the cruise line. 

Sea trials range in duration. When Icon of the Seas underwent her first round of sea trials earlier this year, she spent an entire week at sea. Celebrity Ascent, however, is planned to return on September 30 after only four days. 

In addition, sometimes, there can be two different sessions. 

Fourth ship in the cruise line's innovative Edge Class

While Celebrity Ascent is not part of a brand new class of ships like Icon of the Seas, she is part of Celebrity Cruises' most innovative class of ship yet. 

Sister to Celebrity Edge, Apex, and Beyond, the launch of Celebrity Ascent means that guests have more opportunities to sail onboard an Edge Class vessel. 

“First launched in 2018, the Edge Series transformed what cruising could be and its ships like Edge, Apex, and Beyond quickly became consumer favorites," said Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President.

"Continuously striving to offer travelers a better way to enjoy travel and reach the world around them, we are so proud of what we have built and look forward to welcoming both seasoned and new cruisers alike.” 

Of course, many Edge Class favorites will return, such as the state-of-the-art theater, Rooftop Garden, resort-style pool deck, adults-only Solarium, Sunset Bar, Magic Carpet, the Grand Plaza and Martini Bar, and three-story Eden Bar and Restaurant.

To make this brand-new ship stand out, there will be new and refreshed experiences. In other words, cruising onboard this ship will be different from any other ship in the class!

In terms of dining, guests can expect to find a redesigned Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, a plant-based tasting menu at Eden Restaurant, high-end bourbon tastings at Craft Social, an expanded Martini Bar menu, and a refreshed complimentary Cosmopolitan restaurant. 

Moreover, Blu, the exclusive restaurant dedicated to AquaClass guests, will have an outdoor terrace with the ability to seat 24 guests.

Other aspects of the cruising experience will be enhanced, too, such as the theater's original production shows, the addition of interactive digital experiences in the Club, new immersive shows in Eden Bar and Restaurant, and a redesigned casino that will feature brand-new games. 

Those looking to shop will appreciate the Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus, which is a collection of travel and home accessories that can only be found onboard Celebrity Ascent!

Where will Celebrity Ascent sail to?

Celebrity Ascent is going to begin her maiden season sailing throughout the Caribbean before she embarks on a transatlantic voyage to spend her summer in Europe.

Whether you want to bask in the warm Caribbean sunshine or experience culturally rich European cities, there's the perfect itinerary for you to choose from if you want to sail onboard Celebrity Ascent within the first year of her launch. 

Her maiden voyage is slated to set sail on December 3, 2023. It will be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that will visit St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Plata.

There's a chance that Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises will be merging their loyalty programs in the future. 

The Captain's Club is the cruise line's program that rewards cruisers for showing loyalty to Celebrity Cruises. After your first cruise with the brand, you'll start earning points to move up the ranks of their program.

During a Captain's Club webinar sent via email on September 26, Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge answered questions sent in from loyal Celebrity fans, including some about Perfect Day at CocoCay, the future of "All Included," vaping in the casino, and potential changes to their loyalty program.

While no definitive answer was provided, members of Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club and Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society may be able to consolidate their statuses in the future. 

Is Celebrity Cruises considering the possibility of consolidating Royal Caribbean Group loyalty programs?

Andrea Shay, AVP of Loyalty for Celebrity Cruises, took the reign on this question, responding by saying, "I'm so glad that this question came up, and it's something that members are asking for."

"We have some status match between the brands today, but there's such a huge opportunity for us to do more and really take advantage of the connection and us being part of the same family."

According to Shay, the status match doesn't thread the three Royal Caribbean Group brands together, so they're working with their sister brands. Hopefully, more will be revealed in the coming months. 

Celebrity Cruises' current status match program

By status matching, cruisers are able to receive comparable benefits from Celebrity's Captain's Club when sailing onboard Royal Caribbean ships. 

You won't, however, be able to match your status with Royal Caribbean until you become a Select member, which corresponds with the Platinum tier of the Crown & Anchor Society. 

When you become an Elite member, you'll level up to a Diamond Crown & Anchor member. This is the highest tier you will be able to match into. 

Likewise, if you are matching into Celebrity's Captain's Club through the Crown & Anchor Society, Platinum and Emerald members will be able to benefit from Select benefits, while those Diamond and become will get those of an Elite member. 

With the status match program, you don't earn points when sailing on a sister brand. So, for instance, if you are a Diamond Crown & Anchor member through points, sailings on Celebrity Cruises won't help you move towards Diamond Plus status. 

Similarly, you won't earn any Crown & Anchor points if you embark on a 14-night transatlantic cruise onboard a Celebrity ship. 

What kinds of benefits do Elite Captain's Club members get?

To become an Elite member, you'll have to earn 300 points. Earning points is based upon a couple of factors, such as the length of your cruise and cabin category that you sail in:

• Inside or ocean view: 2 points per night
• Veranda: 3 points per night
• Concierge Class and AquaClass: 5 points per night
• Sky Suites and Aqua Sky Suite: 8 points per night
• Celebrity, Signature, Royal, and Sunset Suites: 12 points per night
• Penthouse, Reflection, and Edge Villa: 18 points per night
• Iconic Suite: 24 points per night

This means that it is possible to earn Elite status after three cruises if you book a Penthouse, Reflection, or Edge Villa. 

Elite members get a private continental breakfast, access to private events, priority tender access, 20% off any bottle of wine, 15% discount on drink package or premium drink package, a complimentary cocktail hour from 5-7pm, and more. 

What perks come with Royal Caribbean's Diamond tier?

Once you reach 80 cruise points, you'll become a Diamond member with the Crown & Anchor Society. This is when you begin unlocking some pretty lucrative benefits, such as daily drink vouchers, a free day of internet, a complimentary photo, and more. 

This means that if you are an Elite member with Celebrity thinking about taking your first-ever Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll be eligible for the same perks. 

Note that typically you earn a single cruise point for each night sailed with Royal Caribbean. This means that if you go on a 7-night cruise, you'll get seven cruise points. 

You can earn an  extra point per night by staying in a suite, or double points for traveling solo. Those cruising alone in a suite will earn three cruise points per night. 

It would take 12 week-long cruises to become a Diamond member in standard cabins, or six if you're staying in suites or traveling solo. 

CocoCay, smoking in the casino and more

During the webinar, Laura Hodges Bethge mentioned that adding Perfect Day at CocoCay to Celebrity itineraries was an easy decision.

One thing that loyal guests were asking for was a private destination, and since Celebrity Cruises does not have their own at this point in time, this was the easiest and fastest way to make it happen for their guests. 

With Coco Beach Club and the addition of Hideaway Beach in January 2024, there's something for those seeking either a relaxed day at an exclusive beachfront beach club or for adults wanting a fun day away from children.

Moreover, Zenith members, those who have reached the highest tier of Celebrity's Captain's Club, are able to access The Retreat Lounge effective immediately.

She did note, however, that since this perks was initially pulled back due to volume and capacity issues, there may be times that Zenith members will be offered an annexed space, rather than getting access to The Retreat Lounge.

Finally, while they did a test onboard two ships to see if they would allow smoking in the casino, Celebrity Cruises figured out that the majority of passengers are against this. Therefore, the casino onboard Celebrity ships will remain a no smoking (or vaping) area. 

Celebrity Cruises is making a significant change to its inclusive cruise package.

Celebrity Cruises announced upcoming changes to its popular All Included pricing packages. The cruise line also announced further pricing changes to guests booking suites in The Retreat, along with new booking options for AquaClass staterooms. Finally, changes were also announced for group bookings made with Celebrity Cruises. 

Starting in October 2023, Celebrity Cruises will eliminate prepaid gratuities from its All Included pricing packages.

Previously, the All Included packages included the Classic Drink Package, Basic Wi-Fi and prepaid gratuities. This change will go into effect for new bookings starting on October 4, 2023. 

Similar changes will go into effect for guests booking suites in suites-only area, The Retreat. The cruise line announced plans to remove not only gratuities, but also the onboard credit amenity for Retreat guests.

Additionally, changes were also announced by the cruise line for guests planning to book AquaClass staterooms. Guests no longer need to book All Included packages for AquaClass staterooms. Instead, AquaClass staterooms can be booked with a cruise only fare.

Finally, Celebrity announced changes to unnamed group bookings, which will now be priced using the All Included package and only include Basic Wi-Fi and Classic Drink Package. 

These changes come during a time where many cruise lines are reevaluating onboard benefits, cruise prices and amenities offered. 

All Included Removes Gratuities

The biggest change announced by Celebrity Cruises was the removal of prepaid gratuities from its inclusive packages. The cruise line announced that guests will now only receive two amenities for All Included packages: the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi.

A similar change was also confirmed for suite guests staying in The Retreat. Celebrity Cruises announced in its press release that suite guests will now only receive Premium Wi-Fi and the Premium Drink Package in their package pricing. 

In discussion the change, Celebrity Cruises states that All Included will continue to offer these as the "most popular" amenities of the package. 

For guests booking the All Included package with Celebrity Cruises, prepaid gratuities was previously included as one of the major benefits of booking the inclusive package. Retreat guests also received prepaid gratuities as an enhanced amenity of booking a suite. 

This means that gratuities will be charged separately for all guests, even those who choose to book an All Included package or suite in The Retreat. 

However, Celebrity Cruises confirms that guests will still receive significant savings with the updated pricing structure for All Included packages. The cruise line shared in its announcement that guests can save anywhere from $200 to $800 per person when compared to onboard prices for these amenities. 

It’s important to note that onboard prices are almost always inflated compared to pre-purchasing the same amenities. Therefore, clarifying that guests will save $200 to $800 in comparison to onboard prices is interesting. The savings from the All Included package would be more worthwhile when compared to the cruise only fare with drinks and internet added al-a-carte, which we breakdown later in the article. 

Gratuities can be prepaid or charged onboard daily for reservations made with All Included. The current daily gratuity rate for Inside, Ocean View, Veranda staterooms is $18.00. Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms are charged $18.50 per day for each guest. Those saying in The Retreat will need to pay $23.00 per person, per day for all guests staying in the retreat. These gratuity rates were increased earlier this year from previous rates. 

For instance, a 7-night sailing will cost two guests anywhere from $252 to $322 for their sailing, based on stateroom category.

Onboard Credit Removed for Retreat Guests

The Retreat is a luxurious, premium suite experience offered on Celebrity’s cruise ships. The Retreat is considered an exclusive amenity with high-end accommodations, unparalleled service, lounge access, private sundecks, concierges, butlers and more. 

With Celebrity’s recently announced changes to their pricing structure, guests will no longer receive complimentary onboard credit when booking suites in The Retreat.

Previously, cruise fares for The Retreat included premium drinks, premium internet, prepaid gratuities and onboard credit for each guest. This onboard credit for Retreat guests is currently advertised as “Enjoy an onboard credit to spend any way you like. Maybe a spa treatment? Your choice".

The onboard credit for guests staying in The Retreat varied by length of sailing, but started at $100 per person for short itineraries and increased to $400 per person for 10+ night sailings. Essentially, this onboard credit used to equate to thousands of dollars in onboard credit for guests splurging to stay in The Retreat.  

Unfortunately, this is a double whammy for Retreat guests, which are also losing prepaid gratuities as part of the suite pricing. Now, Retreat guests will only receive Premium Drink Package and Premium Wi-Fi package. 

AquaClass Reservation Changes

One of Celebrity’s most popular stateroom offerings is its wellness-focused AquaClass cabins. These wellness-enhanced cabins receive upgraded amenities, such as exclusive access to the Blu restaurant and thermal suite. Guests also receive a spa concierge, complimentary fitness pass, in-room bottled water service each day, healthy options for room service and a yoga mat to use daily. 

Along with other previously announced changes, Celebrity has announced that AquaClass staterooms will soon be available to book with a cruise only fare. 

Previously, there was no option for guests to book an AquaClass cabin with a cruise only fare. Guests who book AquaClass staterooms were required to book the All Included pricing package when making a reservation, which included the aforementioned internet, drinks and tips.

Now, guests can opt to book an AquaClass cabin with a cruise only fare. It should be noted that guests will still have the option to book the All Included package with its new pricing structure, including only the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. 

This can be perceived as a more positive change, as it allows guests to still receive the benefits of an AquaClass cabin without being automatically up-charged for the All Included pricing. For instance, if an AquaClass guest only needs an internet package and wants to forgo the cost of a drink package, the cruise only fare could be a better option. This guest could book the cruise only fare for AquaClass and simply purchase internet separately, which saves money in the end. 

In general, this change also appears to align better with the goals of the wellness-focused AquaClass stateroom category. According to Celebrity Cruises, wellness is fundamental to the cruise line’s philosophy, which is at the heart of the AquaClass stateroom category. Therefore, forcing some health-conscious guests to book a drink package (one that might not be wanted or even used) does not seem to align with the goals of AquaClass staterooms. Giving the option to book cruise only fares appears to provide more flexibility for guests booking their cruise vacation. 

Group booking changes

One final change announced by Celebrity Cruises involves unnamed group bookings, which mainly impacts travel agents and guests who book with travel agents. 

Starting on October 4, 2023, the cruise line states that newly created groups will include the updated All Included offerings of the most popular amenities: the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. 

Celebrity Cruises announced that until October 31, 2023, existing groups will be eligible for the original three amenities (Drinks, Wi-Fi and Tips) provided that the space within the existing group is named by October 31, 2023. 

Starting November 1, 2023 and onward, the cruise line states that existing unnamed groups will be converted to Celebrity’s newly-announced All Included package, which only includes the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi. 

Celebrity Cruises states that existing named groups will keep their current pricing and amenities. Effectively, travel agents can continue to sell group space onboard Celebrity Cruises, but gratuities will now be taken out of those bookings made after October 4, 2023. 

How much does All Included save now?

Removal of the gratuities from All Included is the biggest change from Celebrity' recent announcement. The inclusive package approach from the cruise line is one way that premium-line Celebrity differentiates itself from sister-brand Royal Caribbean. Guests who plan to pay for internet and drinks during their Celebrity cruise can currently save hundreds of dollars when booking the All Included package.

For example, I have a 7-night Norway Fjord sailing for June 2023 onboard Celebrity Apex. We booked this as a cruise only fare in a Deluxe Veranda stateroom, but we currently have the option to add drinks, prepaid gratuities and Internet in the cruise planner. 

I did a mock booking for the same stateroom category onboard this exact sailing to compare the All Included price to a cruise only fare with drinks and internet added a-la-carte. The cruise only fare totaled $4,691 while the All Included total for the same stateroom was $6,026. This is a difference of $1,335 and currently includes the Classic Drink Package, Basic Internet and prepaid gratuities. 

In the cruise planner, I can book the Classic Drink Package for $993 and internet for two devices at $653 while the prepaid gratuity total was $252. When purchasing these amenities a-la-carte, the total is $1,898. 

Therefore, by purchasing the All Included package, the current savings would be $563 for my sailing. However, this is only worthwhile if you actually plan to purchase the same package for internet and drinks. Since we receive Elite benefits with happy hour each evening, we have decided we do not need the drinks package. As such, it did not make sense for us to book the All Included price.

But, this is still significant savings compared to booking the cruise only rate and purchasing drinks and internet a-la-carte.

I will be interested to see how the pricing changes in October for my sailing; most importantly, will the All Included price drop since gratuities are no longer included? My intuition says no, but I am eager to track the pricing once the changes go into effect. 

Celebrity Cruises is expanding their sailings to the Caribbean, bringing four more ships to three Florida ports in 2024. 

In late June, Celebrity announced that two ships, Celebrity Reflection and Beyond, would begin sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay in April 2024. 

Related: Celebrity announces its cruise ships will visit Royal Caribbean's private island

The cruise line is further expanding their Winter 2024-2025 Caribbean season with the addition of Celebrity Apex, Constellation, Equinox, and Summit. 

All sailings will open for booking on August 22, 2023. 

“We are so excited to unveil this new program," says Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, "It provides our guests with more options to experience the natural beauty of the Caribbean, which is elevated by our personalized experiences on board."

Where will the ships be sailing from?

The four ships will be sailing from three different Florida ports: Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Port Everglades. This means that you can choose a voyage departing from West, Central and South Florida!

“As part of this expansion, we are thrilled to add Port Canaveral to our list of home ports," says Hodges Bethge, "It is a perfect market to reach a wide mix of both in- and out-of-state travelers looking for fun in the Caribbean sun."

The first time that Celebrity Cruises will be sailing from Port Canaveral

Potential cruisers will have 20 new itineraries onboard Celebrity Equinox from Port Canaveral, the world's busiest cruise port, to choose from that depart between November 21, 2024 to April 19, 2025. 

Most will be 7-nights and visit Caribbean destinations like Belize, Grand Cayman, Mexico, San Juan, St. Maarten, and The Bahamas. 

If you want to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, consider one of the two spring break cruises in March. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Celebrity Cruises as our new partner and honored to be part of their Caribbean expansion plans,” says Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.

“The demand for Celebrity Cruise sailings from our Port has been growing. Now, with Celebrity Equinox home ported here, there are great opportunities for even more cruise travelers to experience the cruise line’s high-quality experience, while experiencing the comfort and ease of travel provided by our Port."

Cruises from West Florida

While Tampa is not as popular as Miami or Port Canaveral, you can still find some great sailings on smaller ships from this embarkation port! 

With Celebrity Constellation calling Tampa from from January 2 to April 6, 2025, you will have a total of 14 sailings to choose from that visit places like Belize, Honduras, Key West, and Mexico that range from 6- to 7-nights. 

Plus, you can even select a cruise that visits New Orleans during Mardi Gras, which is scheduled for March 1, 2025. 

“There has never been a better time to sail Celebrity Cruises from Port Tampa Bay. We are excited for Celebrity’s new offerings and our continued successful partnership,” said Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO.

“Celebrity Constellation is a beautiful ship that provides travelers with an unforgettable cruise experience, all the while being located just steps from Tampa’s top attractions.” 

Related: 20 Celebrity Cruises Tips & Tricks

More opportunities to sail from South Florida

Celebrity Apex will be home ported at Port Everglades from October 23, 2024 through March 8, 2025. She'll be joined by Celebrity Summit, who will sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas from February 25 to April 10, 2025. 

Apex's cruises will be shorter, ranging from 6- to 7-night itineraries and visiting ports like St. Maarten, San Juan, Grand Cayman, and Mexico, as well as select sailings to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Summit's five itineraries will be a little bit more diverse. They range from 5- to 9-nights and still across the Eastern and Western Caribbean. 

“As one of Celebrity Cruises’ homeports, we are excited about the new sailings on Apex and Summit," said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Jonathan Daniels. 

"In addition to the line’s ‘resort at sea’ experience, their cruise guests can expect to experience unrivalled customer service and ease of sailing at Port Everglades."

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. It reopened in 2019 after receiving $250 million in upgrades and renovations. 

There are infinite ways you can spend your day ashore, whether you want to relax on the beach and take a tip in the crystal-clear turquoise waters or ride the tallest waterslide in North America: Daredevil's Peak. 

You can ever splurge on the ultimate VIP day at the Coco Beach Club and enjoy a heated infinity pool, specialty restaurant, 20 exclusive overwater cabanas, and more.

In January 2024, you'll be able to visit Hideaway Beach, an adults-only paradise, with private cabanas and a new signature food outlet. 

Celebrity Cruises has officially announced the two Godmothers for Celebrity Ascent, the cruise line's newest Edge Class ship launching in November. 

Captain Sandy Yawn, who is known for her appearance on Bravo TV’s reality show Below Deck, alongside her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), have been chosen to be the co-Godmothers of the brand-new ship.  

"We are honored to have Captain Sandy and her sister Michelle join the legacy of Celebrity’s Godmothers, as they are both inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact in the world,” says Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President.

“Captain Sandy’s life story is one of resilience, leadership and strength, as a pioneer in the maritime industry and as an inspirational role model for young women. Her sister Michelle is a tireless advocate for children with autism and shows us what is possible when you follow your vision for a better world. Both women live by Celebrity’s values, and we have no doubt they are the perfect choices for Ascent.” 

Both Captain Sandy and Michelle will join a group of other women who hold the title of Godmother for other Edge Class ships, Simone Biles of Celebrity Beyond in 2022, Reshma Saujani of Celebrity Apex in 2021; and Malala Yousafzai of Celebrity Edge in 2018.

When Celebrity Ascent is officially named on December 1, 2023, the sisters will bless and christen the ship. This is meant to bring good luck and protection for the crew and all passengers onboard.

Related: New Celebrity cruise ship will have whiskey tasting and plant-based multi-course dinner

Captain Sandy Yawn

Prior to launching her career in the yacht industry, Sandy Yawn survived a life-threatening accident, cancer, and struggles with addiction. 

In addition to her outstanding reputation, she received the prestigious Distinguished Crew Award from the International Superyacht Society in 2006 due to her leadership and bravery during a fire and pirate threat off the coast of Yemen. 

Captain Sandy Yawn says, “As I embark on this remarkable journey as a co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, I am deeply honored to represent not only the spirit of leadership but also the strength of women empowerment."

“This role serves as a reminder that women can steer their destinies with grace and determination, commanding the seas of possibility and inspiring others to follow their own paths with courage and conviction. I am so honored that my sister and I can share this distinction. She has always been my biggest inspiration in her selfless pursuit to help my nephew and other families impacted by autism.” 

Related: 20 Celebrity Cruises Tips & Tricks

Michelle Dunham

Michelle Dunham co-founded the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA) with her husband Mark in 2005 in order to give her son, Nicholas, better educational opportunities. 

JSA is a not-for-profit private school that serves grades K-12. Students and young adults with autism spectrum disorders are eligible to attend, and the school focuses on whole child development and individualized programs that encourage both family and community involvement.  

The school highlights the necessity for each student to develop independence while improving the quality of their lives. In order to accomplish this, they have created an inclusive environment for each student to be themselves in order to educate, engage, and inspire.

In March 2020, JSA relocated to a larger campus with more outdoor space, both introducing a vocational gardening program and giving students frequent opportunities for engagement with the outdoors. 

“It fills my heart with immense pride to stand as co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, alongside my sister, Captain Sandy Yawn. As we embark on this journey, much like Celebrity Cruise’s commitment to delivering exceptional vacations and enriching lives, we embrace the same spirit of compassion and positive change,” says Michelle Dunham.

“Together, we aspire to elevate lives, create boundless possibilities, and set sail towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all who grace our path through the charities we founded, Jacksonville School for Autism and Captain Sandy’s Charities.”

Related: First Timers' Guide to Celebrity Edge

The sisters are joining brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis, the industry's first brother Captains

Greek brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis will be co-captains of the highly-anticipated Celebrity Ascent. This will be the first time that the cruising industry will see brother Captains. 

Captain Dimitrios' entire maritime career has been spent exclusively with Celebrity Cruises. In 1990, he began working for the company as an Apprentice Office onboard Celebrity's first-ever ship, the Horizon. 

Eight years later, Captain Tasos joined the company. He grew up watching his brother work on cruise ships and followed in his footsteps. Since he began working for Celebrity Cruises in 1998, he has been involved in the opening of Celebrity Summit, Solstice, Equinox, and Reflection. His most recent position was Captain of Celebrity Edge. 

The pair of brothers will alternate who is working onboard Celebrity Ascent in three-month rotational periods.