Celebrity Flora

    Celebrity Cruises

    Celebrity Flora

    Celebrity Ascent

    Celebrity Cruises

    Celebrity Ascent

    vs

    Ship Comparison

    Celebrity Flora vs Celebrity Ascent

    The Celebrity Flora offers an intimate, immersive Galapagos expedition, while the Celebrity Ascent delivers a grand, resort-style luxury cruise experience with a vast array of amenities.

    The verdict

    Choosing between Celebrity Flora and Celebrity Ascent really comes down to the kind of journey you envision. Flora is a boutique expedition vessel, perfectly suited for those seeking a deeply immersive, educational, and tranquil encounter with the unique wildlife of the Galapagos, valuing personalized service and quiet evenings. Ascent, on the other hand, is a vibrant, modern resort at sea, offering a dynamic and diverse range of dining, entertainment, and wellness options across its many decks, ideal for travelers who thrive on energy and variety in their cruise experience. Both uphold Celebrity's commitment to modern luxury, but their scale and focus are distinctly different.

    Choose Celebrity Flora if…

    Travelers prioritizing an intimate, educational, and nature-focused expedition in the Galapagos, who appreciate all-inclusive luxury and a tranquil environment.

    Best for

    • Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers seeking close encounters in the Galapagos
    • Travelers who value an intimate, uncrowded luxury expedition experience
    • Adults and couples looking for educational enrichment and tranquil evenings
    • Guests who appreciate highly inclusive pricing covering excursions, drinks, and Wi-Fi

    Avoid if

    • Those seeking extensive nightlife, casinos, or large-scale entertainment
    • Families with young children looking for dedicated kids' clubs and activities
    • Guests who prefer a wide variety of dining options with many specialty restaurants
    • Travelers who are not interested in the specific destination of the Galapagos

    Choose Celebrity Ascent if…

    Guests seeking a lively, sophisticated resort-at-sea experience with extensive dining, entertainment, and wellness options, appealing to multi-generational groups or couples who enjoy a vibrant atmosphere.

    Best for

    • Guests desiring a wide array of dining, entertainment, and wellness facilities on a large resort ship
    • Multi-generational families or groups with teens who enjoy a lively atmosphere
    • Culinary enthusiasts seeking diverse options, including Michelin-starred chef experiences
    • Travelers who appreciate modern design, high-tech shows, and vibrant pool deck parties

    Avoid if

    • Those looking for an intimate, quiet, and uncrowded cruise experience
    • Travelers who prefer deep immersion in a single destination over varied port calls
    • Guests sensitive to noise or difficulty finding serene spaces onboard
    • Individuals seeking a true expedition experience with a primary focus on nature

    Overall Vibe

    Celebrity Flora

    The Celebrity Flora, launched in 2019, is a purpose-built luxury expedition mega-yacht, with a tonnage that speaks to its intimate scale. Designed exclusively for the Galapagos, its vibe is one of serene immersion and environmental consciousness. With natural materials and an outward-facing design, the ship seamlessly connects guests to the destination. It embodies a tranquil, adult-focused atmosphere, offering a comfortable sanctuary after days spent exploring, emphasizing discovery and education over boisterous activity. This is a vessel where the destination is the star, and the ship complements it with understated elegance and thoughtful amenities.

    Celebrity Ascent

    The Celebrity Ascent, a proud member of the innovative Edge Series launched in 2023, is a sprawling resort at sea, boasting a grand, high-end hotel aesthetic across its 17 decks. Its overall vibe is one of sophisticated energy and contemporary luxury, where design takes center stage in every public space. The ship is crafted for those who relish choice and variety, from a multitude of dining venues to diverse entertainment options. It’s a ship where the journey itself is a vibrant destination, offering a dynamic environment that refines and enhances the modern cruise experience for a grown-up clientele.

    Atmosphere & Crowd

    Celebrity Flora

    The atmosphere on Celebrity Flora is decidedly relaxed and adult-focused, catering to a maximum of 100 guests with a generous crew of 81, ensuring a remarkable staff-to-guest ratio. This creates an uncrowded, tranquil environment where personalized service is paramount. Evenings are generally quiet, centered around conversation, naturalist presentations in the Discovery Lounge, or stargazing sessions on the tiny Deck 8, often accompanied by soft live music. It’s a ship that fosters connection with the destination and fellow explorers, rather than bustling nightlife, appealing to those seeking peace and intellectual engagement.

    Celebrity Ascent

    Celebrity Ascent buzzes with a sophisticated, grown-up energy, accommodating up to 3,260 passengers with a crew of 1,400. This creates a lively, resort-like atmosphere across its many decks, from the expansive Resort Deck to the bustling Grand Plaza. While it offers an abundance of spaces, it can be challenging to find truly quiet spots due to constant music and activity, appealing to guests who enjoy a vibrant social scene. The ship is geared towards couples and multi-generational families with older children, offering diverse activities from poolside parties to interactive games, ensuring there’s always something happening.

    Dining

    Celebrity Flora

    Dining on Celebrity Flora focuses on quality and regional flavors, with two main venues. The Seaside Restaurant, included in your fare, serves breakfast, lunch, and a la carte dinner with both Celebrity signature dishes and Ecuadorian inspirations, all enjoyed with floor-to-ceiling window views. For a more casual experience, the Ocean Grill, available for an additional charge, offers sustainable seafood for lunch and hosts a special 'Dinner Under the Stars' seafood buffet twice per sailing. Room service is complimentary, and light bites are offered at Darwin's Cove, ensuring sustenance throughout your expedition.

    Celebrity Ascent

    Celebrity Ascent boasts an extensive culinary landscape with 32 distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges. Guests can savor included options like the beautifully designed Oceanview Cafe buffet, or one of the four main dining rooms (Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie, Tuscan), each with a unique design and menu. For an elevated experience, specialty restaurants such as Daniel Boulud’s Le Voyage, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Eden Restaurant, and Raw on 5 offer diverse cuisines for an additional charge. AquaClass guests enjoy the exclusive Blu, while suite guests have access to Luminae, featuring Daniel Boulud Signature dishes, ensuring a wide array of choices for every palate.

    Entertainment & Nightlife

    Celebrity Flora

    Entertainment on Celebrity Flora is centered around enriching the expedition experience and fostering a relaxed atmosphere. The Discovery Lounge hosts naturalist presentations and serves as a social hub for conversations. The Observatory offers a quiet library setting with panoramic views. Evenings might feature gentle live music, like a piano player or guitar soloist. Unique to Flora is the Glamping Experience, an exclusive, for-fee sunset-to-sunrise event on Deck 7 with dinner, cocktails, and naturalist-guided stargazing. While a silent disco is occasionally offered, it's generally a low-key affair, as most guests prefer early nights after active days.

    Celebrity Ascent

    Celebrity Ascent delivers a robust and dynamic entertainment program. The Theatre presents three brand-new, high-tech production shows such as 'Bridges' and 'Awaken,' featuring intricate staging and diverse performances. Vibrant nightlife centers around the Martini Bar with its flair bartenders, and the Grand Plaza, which transforms from day to night. The Resort Deck hosts lively poolside parties with DJs and live music, while The Club offers cutting-edge entertainment like 'Smoke & Ivories' and the augmented reality game 'Game On.' For private group fun, The Annex provides multi-sport simulators and karaoke, ensuring diverse options for all tastes.

    Cabins & Suites

    Celebrity Flora

    The Celebrity Flora is an all-suite vessel, offering 46 spacious accommodations designed for comfort and connection with the Galapagos. Even the smallest Sky Suites measure 330 square feet, providing ample room. Categories include Penthouse, Royal, Ultimate Sky, Premium Sky, and Sky Suites, some featuring innovative Infinite Verandas. All suites come with king-sized beds, luxurious linens, and thoughtful amenities like filtered water stations and reusable bottles. It's worth noting that some Sky Suites have a partially frosted glass divider to the bathroom, which might be a consideration for some guests, but generally, the cabins are modern and well-appointed.

    Celebrity Ascent

    Celebrity Ascent offers a wide range of accommodation options, including 215 suites and numerous staterooms. Most cabins feature the innovative Infinite Veranda, which transforms the entire living space into a balcony with the touch of a button, providing 23% more space than traditional veranda staterooms. Suites, part of The Retreat, range from the expansive Iconic Suites above the bridge to two-story Edge Villas with private plunge pools, all benefiting from butler service and exclusive amenities. All staterooms feature king-sized Cashmere mattresses and smart room automation, though some lower deck cabins might experience noise from public areas.

    Service & Onboard Style

    Celebrity Flora

    Onboard Celebrity Flora, service is highly personalized and attentive, with a staff-to-guest ratio designed for an intimate experience. Every suite comes with a Personal Suite Attendant, offering services like laundry, in-suite dining, and turndown. The overall style is understated luxury, reflecting the natural beauty of the Galapagos, with sophisticated yet comfortable interiors. The crew, including certified naturalists, are integral to the immersive experience, providing expert guidance and fostering a sense of discovery. The focus is on seamless, unobtrusive service that enhances the journey without distracting from the destination.

    Celebrity Ascent

    Celebrity Ascent prides itself on intuitive, personalized service, maintaining a high staff-to-guest ratio across its expansive operations. Suite guests benefit from dedicated butler service, a Destination Experience Specialist, and exclusive access to The Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, complete with personalized concierge assistance. The onboard style is modern and chic, with Kelly Hoppen's designs evident in many spaces, creating a high-end hotel ambiance. From the sophisticated Martini Bar to the tranquil Spa, the ship aims to provide a refined luxury experience where guests' needs are anticipated and met with efficiency and grace, fostering a sense of relaxed indulgence.

    Best Itineraries

    Celebrity Flora

    The Celebrity Flora is uniquely designed for and exclusively sails the Galápagos Islands. Its itineraries are deeply focused on immersive wildlife encounters and educational exploration, with two naturalist-led shore excursions offered daily. Guests can expect active adventures like hiking to see red-footed boobies, snorkeling with sea lions, or a three-quarter day tour to observe giant tortoises on Santa Cruz. The ship's custom-built Novurania tenders ensure easy and comfortable access to the islands, making every landing a seamless part of this unparalleled natural discovery. This is the ultimate choice for a dedicated Galápagos adventure.

    Celebrity Ascent

    The Celebrity Ascent offers a wide variety of itineraries across diverse global destinations, with a notable focus on the Caribbean. Its 'Poolest Day Ever' program, featuring Caribbean-inspired music, dance classes, and themed treats, highlights its suitability for warm-weather cruising. Guests can also look forward to calls at private island destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay, offering a mix of relaxation and excitement. Shore excursions are varied, from 'Private Journeys' to 'Small Group Discoveries' and 'Destination Highlights,' catering to a range of interests from cultural immersion to active adventures, making it ideal for exploring popular ports worldwide.

    What reviewers say

    Celebrity Flora

    4.5/5

    Celebrity Flora offers an exceedingly comfortable and modern base for an immersive Galapagos adventure. Its relaxed pace and luxurious, all-suite interiors provide a tranquil retreat after days of exploration.

    Celebrity Ascent

    Celebrity Ascent refines and improves upon previous ships in its series, excelling in accommodation, food, and entertainment. It offers an outstanding addition to the Edge series, raising the bar in design, entertainment, and culinary experiences.

    Itineraries to compare

    Pick an itinerary on either ship to see all available departure dates.

    Celebrity Flora

    No upcoming itineraries listed. Ask our concierge to source private inventory →

    Celebrity Ascent

    No upcoming itineraries listed. Ask our concierge to source private inventory →

    Read our guides

    In-depth guides on the ships and cruise lines in this comparison.

    Compare different ships

    Swap either side to generate a new side-by-side comparison.

    Ship A

    Ship B

    More comparisons