Celebrity Ascent Mediterranean Cruise Review
A Mediterranean Cruise Aboard Celebrity Ascent
Our Mediterranean cruise adventure aboard the magnificent Celebrity Ascent actually began the day before embarkation, as we needed to meet the ship at Civitavecchia Harbour, near Rome. We flew from Stansted Airport with Ryanair, arriving in Italy full of anticipation for the holiday ahead.
After arriving in Rome, we checked into our hotel and decided to make the most of the extra day before boarding the ship. Although we had visited Rome previously and explored many of its famous attractions, it is one of those cities that never loses its magic.
We purchased tickets for one of the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses that circle the city throughout the day. It proved to be the perfect way to revisit the Eternal City at a relaxed pace while enjoying the sunshine and atmosphere from the open-top deck. As we travelled through the bustling streets, we passed many of Rome's iconic landmarks, including the breathtaking Colosseum, the elegant Trevi Fountain and the magnificent St Peter's Basilica.
Rome feels like an open-air museum, where history surrounds you on every corner. The mix of ancient ruins, grand architecture, bustling piazzas and lively cafés created the perfect start to our holiday. After a relaxed evening meal and one final stroll through the city streets, we headed back to the hotel, ready for embarkation day.
Day 1 – Embarkation Day – Celebrity Ascent
The following morning we travelled from Rome to Civitavecchia Harbour, where the Celebrity Ascent awaited us.
The only frustration came at the railway station. Platforms are only announced around 15 minutes before departure, meaning passengers suddenly had to rush two platform lengths for the same train with their luggage. It feels unnecessarily stressful and surely there could be a better system. Thankfully, once we arrived at Civitavecchia, Celebrity provided a free shuttle bus from the station directly to the cruise terminal, making the final part of the journey quick and easy.
Even from a distance, the ship looked enormous and incredibly elegant. As one of Celebrity Cruises' newest Edge-class ships, its sleek, modern design immediately stands out from more traditional cruise ships.
Check-in at the terminal was smooth and surprisingly efficient considering the number of passengers boarding that day. Before long, we were stepping into the stunning Grand Plaza atrium. First impressions were genuinely impressive. The interior design throughout the ship is modern, stylish and luxurious without ever feeling overdone.
One of the ship's greatest strengths is its outward-facing design. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows constantly connect passengers with the sea, creating panoramic ocean views almost everywhere you go.
Perhaps the ship's most recognisable feature is the famous Magic Carpet – the bright orange cantilevered platform that moves between decks, transforming into a restaurant, bar or boarding platform depending on the day. Unsurprisingly, it became one of the most photographed features onboard.
After locating our cabin and waiting a short while for our luggage to arrive, we unpacked before completing the mandatory safety drill.
Our forward-facing cabin offered fantastic views and was modern, comfortable and cleverly designed, with plenty of storage space and excellent lighting.
As we sailed away from Italy that evening, the atmosphere onboard really came alive. Passengers gathered on the upper decks to watch the coastline slowly disappear into the distance while music played around the pool deck. There is something truly special about sail-away evening – the excitement, the sea air and the feeling that the holiday has finally begun.
One small disappointment was Celebrity's ironing policy. Irons cannot be taken onboard, and unlike some cruise lines, there isn't a self-service laundry with ironing facilities. Instead, guests must use the ship's paid laundry and pressing service.
Dinner that evening perfectly set the tone for the rest of the cruise. The food quality remained excellent throughout the voyage, with attentive service and beautifully presented dishes. Whether dining in the main restaurants, the Oceanview Café buffet or one of the speciality restaurants, there was always an impressive choice available.
Day 2 – At Sea
Our first full sea day gave us the opportunity to properly experience everything the ship had to offer. One of Celebrity Ascent's greatest strengths is that the ship itself becomes part of the destination.
We began the morning with breakfast overlooking the ocean before exploring areas we hadn't yet discovered. Despite carrying thousands of passengers, the ship rarely felt crowded. The only exception was the pool deck, where sunbeds disappeared very quickly on sea days.
The pool area soon became one of our favourite places onboard. Surrounded by stylish loungers, bars and comfortable seating, it has the atmosphere of a luxury resort. Staff regularly walked around offering drinks and fresh towels, adding to the relaxed ambience.
Another favourite was the Rooftop Garden, a beautifully landscaped outdoor space filled with greenery, sculptures and shaded seating. During the day it offered a peaceful retreat with uninterrupted sea views, while in the evening it transformed into an entertainment venue with live music and films under the stars.
Inside the ship, there was just as much to enjoy. The theatre hosted large-scale productions every evening, while numerous bars and lounges featured live musicians throughout the day.
One standout venue was Eden, located at the aft of the ship. Its spectacular floor-to-ceiling glass windows spanning several decks offered some of the finest ocean views onboard. During the day it was calm and relaxing, while in the evening it became a vibrant entertainment venue serving excellent cocktails alongside immersive performances.
The spa, fitness centre, shopping area, cafés, Martini Bar and numerous lounges ensured there was always something happening somewhere onboard.
One of the greatest pleasures of a sea day is simply slowing down—watching the endless horizon, enjoying the sunshine and embracing the relaxed pace of cruise life.
Day 3 – Corfu, Greece
Our first port of call was the beautiful Greek island of Corfu.
Arriving by sea provided stunning views of the lush green hills, colourful coastline and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Corfu Town is full of charm and character, heavily influenced by centuries of Venetian rule. Narrow cobbled streets wind through the old town, opening into lively squares lined with cafés and restaurants.
We spent the morning wandering through the old town, browsing small shops and enjoying the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Although the impressive Old Fortress dominates the harbour, it wasn't on our itinerary this time, so after a few enjoyable hours exploring, we made our way back to the ship.
Corfu manages to feel both lively and peaceful at the same time—a wonderful combination of history, culture and natural beauty.
Day 4 – Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
The ship docked at the small Greek port of Katakolon, best known as the gateway to Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Rather than travelling inland to Olympia, we decided to stay in Katakolon and boarded the charming little sightseeing road train. It took us on a scenic tour through the surrounding countryside, stopping at a local winery before continuing to a nearby beach, where we spent around an hour relaxing. Trains returned to the port every 40 minutes, making it an easy and enjoyable excursion.
Katakolon itself is a lovely little harbour town with waterfront cafés, souvenir shops and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
Day 5 – Bar, Montenegro
One of the most spectacular arrivals of the cruise came as we approached Montenegro. Towering mountains rise dramatically from the Adriatic coastline, creating breathtaking scenery as the ship entered the harbour.
Bar itself is a working commercial port rather than a traditional cruise terminal, so Celebrity provided complimentary shuttle buses to transport passengers outside the port area.
We explored Stari Bar, the historic old town, where ancient stone buildings and fascinating ruins sit beneath the surrounding mountains. After exploring, we enjoyed brunch in a lovely authentic local restaurant before taking in more of the peaceful surroundings.
Montenegro felt refreshingly authentic and less commercial than some of our other ports of call.
Day 6 – Dubrovnik, Croatia
What can I say about Dubrovnik?
Absolutely stunning.
From its magnificent medieval walls and beautiful limestone streets to its impressive architecture and famous Game of Thrones filming locations, Dubrovnik exceeded every expectation.
Walking the city walls isn't cheap—around £64 for two people—but the ticket includes entry to several museums and unlimited public transport for the day. The walk itself takes around 90 minutes and provides spectacular views across the terracotta rooftops and the sparkling Adriatic Sea.
Every corner of the Old Town feels like stepping into a postcard.
Day 7 – Split, Croatia
Our arrival into Split was another highlight of the cruise.
Croatia's coastline is breathtaking, and Split perfectly combines ancient Roman history with modern Mediterranean life.
At its heart lies Diocletian's Palace, built nearly 1,700 years ago. Today, it forms much of the city's old town. Walking through its narrow stone streets, hidden courtyards and ancient passageways feels like travelling back through history.
What makes Split unique is how modern life has grown naturally within these ancient walls. Restaurants, cafés and shops occupy buildings that were once part of a Roman palace, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else we visited.
The waterfront promenade was buzzing with life, lined with palm trees, cafés and wonderful views back towards Celebrity Ascent.
Day 8 – At Sea
After several busy days ashore, another sea day was perfectly timed.
By now we had fully settled into life onboard and had established our favourite daily routine.
Most mornings began with coffee delivered to our cabin through room service while enjoying the endless ocean views from our balcony. Breakfast usually followed in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant, where both the food and service were consistently excellent.
From there we'd often stop at Café al Bacio on Deck 4 for another coffee—and usually a slice of cake—before spending the afternoon relaxing on the sun deck.
Lunch, more relaxation, perhaps another drink, and then it was time to get ready for dinner.
One of the great pleasures of cruising is the balance between exciting sightseeing days and complete relaxation at sea.
The service throughout the cruise remained consistently outstanding. Every member of staff seemed genuinely friendly, attentive and eager to help. It is this level of service that transforms a good cruise into an exceptional one.
That evening we once again enjoyed live music before another excellent dinner.
Day 9 – Messina, Sicily
We arrived in Messina beneath clear blue skies with wonderful views across the Strait of Messina towards mainland Italy.
Although we experienced a brief but heavy downpour while walking back to the ship, Celebrity had staff waiting with umbrellas and towels for returning passengers—a thoughtful touch that perfectly demonstrated the excellent service onboard.
Messina is a busy Sicilian city with impressive architecture, lively streets and plenty of local character. Sicily has its own unique identity, distinct from mainland Italy, with a rich history and vibrant atmosphere.
Simply wandering through the streets and soaking up the local culture made for another enjoyable day ashore.
Day 10 – Naples, Italy
Our final port of call was the energetic and wonderfully chaotic city of Naples.
Sailing into Naples Bay with Mount Vesuvius dominating the skyline was an unforgettable sight.
Naples is full of character. Busy streets, colourful buildings, scooters weaving effortlessly through traffic and incredible food create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. It may appear chaotic at first, but that's all part of its unique charm.
The city also provides easy access to some of Italy's most famous attractions, including Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast—far more than can ever be explored in a single day.
Stopping for an authentic Italian espresso before returning to the ship felt like the perfect way to round off our final day ashore.
Before dinner that evening, we found a quiet table in Eden at the stern of the ship, enjoying a glass of wine and a beer while watching the wake stretch endlessly behind us as Mount Vesuvius slowly disappeared into the distance. It was a fitting end to an unforgettable voyage.
Day 11 – Return to Rome & Disembarkation
All too soon, our cruise came to an end as we returned to Civitavecchia for disembarkation.
Leaving Celebrity Ascent genuinely felt disappointing. Over the previous ten days the ship had become a destination in its own right—luxurious yet comfortable, sophisticated yet welcoming.
From the stunning destinations and glorious Mediterranean weather to the exceptional food, entertainment, attentive service and wonderfully relaxing sea days, this cruise exceeded our expectations in every way.
Celebrity Ascent combines innovative ship design with outstanding service and elegant surroundings, making it one of the finest cruise ships we have experienced.
A special mention must also go to the ship's Captain, whose daily announcements were always informative, engaging and often very funny. He added genuine personality to the voyage.
Finally, I would like to thank every member of the crew aboard Celebrity Ascent. Their professionalism, friendliness and hard work helped create a truly memorable holiday that we will remember for many years to come.