Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Ascent
- Cruises
- 39
- From
- $1,099
Ship comparison
Celebrity Ascent vs Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Xcel
- Cruises
- 55
- From
- $775
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Celebrity Ascent is a large Celebrity Cruises ship carrying 3,260 passengers, in service since 2023. Celebrity Xcel is a large Celebrity Cruises ship carrying 3,260 passengers, in service since 2025.
Choose Celebrity Ascent if you want better-rated dining, better-rated entertainment or more culture: it outscores Celebrity Xcel for dining (9.0 vs 8.0), entertainment (8.0 vs 7.0) and cultural (7.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Celebrity Xcel if you want a lower starting fare: its cruises start from $775 (vs $1,099).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Celebrity Ascent | Celebrity Xcel | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Celebrity Cruises | Celebrity Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2023 | 2025 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 140,597 | 140,597 |
| Passengers | 3,260 | 3,260 |
| Crew | 1,400 | 1,400 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 43.1 | 43.1 |
| Decks | 16 | 16 |
| Length | 1,073 ft | 1,073 ft |
| Beam | 128 ft | 128 ft |
| Speed | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 10 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 39 | 55 |
| Upcoming sailings | 71 | 95 |
| Cruise lengths | 10–14 nights | 6–16 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $1,099 | $775 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Celebrity Ascent leads on 4 of the ten, Celebrity Xcel on 0, with 6 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Ascent
The 3,260-passenger Celebrity Ascent, which debuted in December 2023, continues the groundbreaking design and cutting-edge spaces seen in Celebrity Cruises's Edge class.
Sailing now
39 cruises on sale, from $1,099.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Xcel, the latest Edge Series ship from Celebrity Cruises, debuted in the Caribbean in November 2025.
Sailing now
55 cruises on sale, from $775.
Questions
Celebrity Ascent or Celebrity Xcel?
Which is bigger, Celebrity Ascent or Celebrity Xcel?
They are the same size, 140,597 gross tons each. Celebrity Ascent carries 3,260 passengers and Celebrity Xcel carries 3,260.
Which ship is newer, Celebrity Ascent or Celebrity Xcel?
Celebrity Xcel is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2023 for Celebrity Ascent.
Which has more space per passenger?
They are level at 43.1 gross tons per passenger.
Which has more crew per passenger?
They are level, with one crew member for every 2.3 passengers.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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