Today in Port St. Maarten: Celebrity Ascent
St. Maarten is not just one of the most praised cruise ports of the Caribbean, it is also one of the busiest. There is always an interesting ship in port. Today’s highlighted ship of choice is Celebrity Ascent by Celebrity Cruises. When in Philipsburg today, you will see the towering presence of this ship and its visitors disembarking for activities and popular Great Bay Beach, the closest beach to a port of call in the Caribbean. Here are some interesting features about this distinctly designed ship!
Fourth Edge-Class Ship
The Celebrity Ascent was launched in 2023 as the fourth ship in the Edge Class series, following Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond. All have been visiting the dual nation island of St. Maarten / St. Martin.
Co-Captained by Twin Sisters
Unique for the cruise industry is that Celebrity Ascent is co-captained by twin sisters Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis and Captain Tasos Kafetzis.
More Sisters Involved
Next to sister ships and twin sister captains, there is more sibling news about this vessel. The Celebrity Ascent was officially christened on December 1, 2023, at a naming ceremony held in Port Everglades by its co‑godmothers: Captain Sandy Yawn, star of Bravo TV’s Below Deck (a well-known series on St. Maarten!) and Michelle Dunham, her sister and founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism.
The Magic Carpet
Like her sister ships, Celebrity Ascent features the “Magic Carpet”, a cantilevered platform that moves up and down the ship’s exterior and serves as a bar, restaurant, and tender platform.
Floating Museum
Ascent is essentially a floating art gallery—from its sleek, modern architecture to a curated collection of over 4,000 pieces of art onboard.
Destination-Focused Itineraries
Contrary to other cruise ships making their way at sunset, Celebrity Ascent has a tradition of staying overnight at its ports of call. Ascent sails in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, offering immersive experiences with longer port calls and overnight stays in popular destinations.
On Board Highway Bar
Below the passenger decks is a long corridor called “I-95”, named after the U.S. interstate. It’s the ship’s crew-only highway, connecting departments—and it has its own hidden crew bar and karaoke nights.
Eden Lounge
The Eden lounge hosts “performance art” that blends dining, sound, movement, and lights—but performers spend months in training for these immersive shows that aren’t formally listed on schedules (to keep a sense of surprise).
Cabins Are Designed by a Former Disney Imagineer
Some public and private spaces were influenced by Nate Berkus and designers from Disney Imagineering, mixing fantasy with practical comfort.
A (Nicely) Smelling Ship
Celebrity subtly scents different parts of the ship with custom fragrances—you’ll smell citrus near spas, vanilla in cabins, and oceanic florals in lounges. It’s part of their “sensory branding.”
If you are a stayover guest and you missed this ship in port, see our St. Maarten cruise ship schedule when it will return!
