Ship Comparison
Celebrity Millennium vs Celebrity Ascent
The Celebrity Millennium offers classic elegance and an intimate, refurbished experience, while the Celebrity Ascent delivers cutting-edge modern luxury and expansive, innovative spaces.
The verdict
Choosing between Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Ascent really comes down to your preferred cruise style. The Millennium, having undergone its 'Revolution' refurbishment in 2019, retains a beloved mid-sized charm, offering a relaxed and sophisticated journey with a focus on attentive service and traditional comforts. It's a ship that feels familiar yet fresh. The Ascent, as a newer 2023 Edge-class vessel, represents the pinnacle of Celebrity's modern luxury design, boasting innovative features, a vibrant atmosphere, and diverse culinary and entertainment options. It's a larger, more dynamic ship designed to connect guests with the ocean in new and engaging ways.
Choose Celebrity Millennium if…
Travelers who appreciate a classic, elegant cruise experience on a mid-sized ship that feels intimate and refined, with a focus on personalized service and comfortable, modern surroundings.
Best for
- Travelers seeking classic elegance and a relaxed atmosphere
- Those who appreciate attentive, personalized service on a mid-sized ship
- Guests prioritizing comfortable, recently refurbished accommodations
- Cruisers interested in destination-focused itineraries like Alaska and Asia
- Individuals or couples looking for quiet spaces and intimate lounges
Avoid if
- You prefer mega-ships with many high-energy attractions
- You are looking for cutting-edge, high-tech entertainment and dining innovations
- You prefer a very lively, party-centric atmosphere
- You travel with young children seeking extensive kids' facilities beyond Camp at Sea
- You expect consistent gourmet quality in all complimentary dining venues
Choose Celebrity Ascent if…
Guests seeking a cutting-edge, resort-at-sea experience with innovative design, diverse high-end dining, high-tech entertainment, and expansive outdoor spaces, ideal for modern luxury and multi-generational families.
Best for
- Guests who love modern design and a high-end hotel ambiance at sea
- Families with teens or grown-up children seeking diverse activities
- Foodies eager to experience Michelin-starred chef collaborations and varied specialty dining
- Travelers who enjoy high-tech, immersive entertainment and vibrant nightlife
- Those seeking innovative cabin features like the Infinite Veranda and opulent suites
Avoid if
- You prefer a very quiet, traditional cruising experience
- You are on a tight budget, as many high-end experiences come at an extra cost
- You dislike larger ships and crowds, especially in popular public areas
- You are looking for a ship specifically designed for young children with splash parks and extensive play areas
- You prefer a more classic, less overtly modern aesthetic
Overall Vibe
Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Millennium, a Millennium-class ship launched in 2000 and revitalized in 2019, offers a timeless and sophisticated ambiance. Its 'Revolution' refurbishment brought a fresh, modern aesthetic, featuring a deep-blue livery and refreshed public spaces and cabins. Despite its age, 'Millie' feels contemporary and inviting, focusing on an upscale yet relaxed experience. The ship's design incorporates ample natural light and airy spaces, creating a serene environment that appeals to those who appreciate classic cruise elegance without the overwhelming scale of larger vessels.
Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Ascent, launched in 2023 as the fourth and most innovative ship in the Edge® Series, immediately immerses guests in a high-end hotel-like atmosphere. Its design, with contributions from Kelly Hoppen, Nate Berkus, and Jouin Manku, is at the forefront of modern luxury. The ship emphasizes an outward-facing concept, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces to connect guests with the sea. Ascent feels grand and dynamic, with architectural marvels like The Magic Carpet and a sophisticated, contemporary art-forward style throughout its many decks.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Celebrity Millennium
Onboard Celebrity Millennium, you'll find an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere, catering to a generally grown-up clientele seeking tranquility and attentive service. With a passenger capacity of 2,593 and a crew of 1,024, the ship maintains a comfortable guest-to-staff ratio, fostering an intimate and friendly environment. While it's not a party ship, there's a pleasant buzz in the evenings, and plenty of quiet corners to unwind. It's ideal for those who prefer a less crowded experience, valuing conversation and relaxation over constant high-energy activities.
Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Ascent exudes a sophisticated and grown-up atmosphere, though its larger size, accommodating 3,260 guests with a crew of 1,400, means more vibrant energy. The ship is particularly geared towards teens or couples with grown-up children, offering diverse spaces that cater to various preferences, from lively social hubs to serene retreats. While music plays frequently throughout, areas like the adults-only Solarium provide a peaceful escape. The overall vibe is one of modern luxury, where guests can enjoy a dynamic social scene or find quiet moments of relaxation.
Dining
Celebrity Millennium
Dining on Celebrity Millennium offers a blend of classic and specialized experiences. Complimentary options include the two-deck high Metropolitan Restaurant with its changing international menu, and the Oceanview Café, noted for its varied buffet, including an Indian station. For a healthier touch, the Spa Café in the Solarium provides light fare. Specialty dining, available at an additional cost, features the Italian-inspired Tuscan Grille, the popular Sushi on Five, and the interactive Le Petit Chef. AquaClass guests enjoy complimentary dining at Blu, while Retreat guests have exclusive access to Luminae, both offering exceptional, Personalized menus.
Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Ascent elevates the culinary journey with 32 distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges. Guests can enjoy four complimentary main dining rooms, including Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie, and Tuscan, each with unique design and focus. The expansive Oceanview Café offers high-quality, fresh-made international dishes. For an elevated experience, Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud's Le Voyage and the refreshed Eden Restaurant by Cornelius Gallagher offer exquisite menus at an additional cost. Blu is included for AquaClass guests, and Luminae for Retreat guests, both featuring exclusive, refined cuisine. Unique options like Raw on 5 and the Rooftop Garden Grill further enhance the diverse culinary landscape.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Millennium's entertainment leans towards classic cruise offerings with a contemporary flair. The Main Theatre hosts captivating productions like 'Feel the Funk' and 'On Broadway,' complemented by comedians and aerialists. Evenings come alive with live music across venues like the Rendezvous Lounge, the vibrant Martini Bar & Crush, and the Sky Lounge, which transforms into a dance floor. Guests can enjoy themed dance parties, a popular silent disco, and casino tournaments. The Rooftop Terrace provides a unique setting for movies under the stars, ensuring diverse options for all.
Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Ascent delivers breathtaking, high-tech entertainment designed for immersive experiences. The Theatre showcases innovative productions such as 'Bridges,' 'Awaken,' and 'Residency,' utilizing triple-deck screens and kinetic lighting. Eden offers evolving multi-sensory shows like 'Shimmerbox.' Nightlife centers around the lively Martini Bar in the Grand Plaza, known for its flair bartenders, and the Resort Deck's 'Poolest Day Ever' parties with live DJs. Unique offerings like The Magic Carpet and The Annex, a private space for multi-sport simulators or karaoke, provide engaging options for groups and families.
Cabins & Suites
Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Millennium's 2019 refurbishment ensured all staterooms have an airy, modern feel with sophisticated touches. Cabins, from Inside to Veranda, feature comfortable king-size Cashmere™ Mattresses, ample storage, interactive TVs, and well-designed bathrooms with glass-door showers. The ship offers a wide array of suites, including Penthouse, Royal, Celebrity, and Sky Suites. Guests in these categories, along with Aqua Sky Suites, benefit from 'The Retreat' experience, which includes butler service, exclusive Luminae dining, and dedicated lounge and sundeck access, offering a truly pampered stay.
Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Ascent showcases a revolutionary approach to stateroom design, most notably with its Infinite Veranda cabins. These transform the entire living space into a veranda at the touch of a button, offering open-air access to the sea and 23% more space than previous veranda rooms. All cabins feature king-size Cashmere™ Mattresses and in-room automation. The suite offerings are expansive, including the opulent Iconic Suites with panoramic bridge views and private hot tubs, and the two-story Edge Villas with plunge pools. Aqua Sky Suites combine wellness amenities with Retreat perks, providing a diverse range of luxurious options.
Service & Onboard Style
Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Millennium prides itself on its signature friendly, Personalized service, reflected in a guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 2:1. This allows for attentive and anticipatory service throughout the ship, contributing to its upscale yet relaxed ambiance. Suite guests enjoy the dedicated services of a Personal Retreat Host and butler, ensuring every need is met with grace and efficiency. The overall onboard style is one of understated luxury, where comfort and classic elegance are paramount, making guests feel truly cared for in a polished environment.
Celebrity Ascent
On Celebrity Ascent, the service ethos complements its modern luxury style, striving for intuitive and Personalized care. The ship aims for a high-end hotel experience, where staff anticipate guest needs. For those in suites, The Retreat experience provides dedicated butlers and concierges, offering priority services and exclusive access that elevates the journey. The overall onboard style is sleek, contemporary, and design-forward, with an emphasis on creating a refined, yet welcoming, environment through thoughtful touches and efficient, attentive crew members.
Best Itineraries
Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Millennium is a strong choice for destination-rich itineraries that benefit from its intimate size and classic cruising comfort. It frequently sails to regions like Alaska and Asia, where its panoramic ocean-view elevators and Sky Lounge offer excellent vantage points for scenic cruising. The ship has also been noted for itineraries in the Baltics and Antarctica, making it suitable for travelers who prioritize immersive cultural experiences and natural beauty, appreciating the ship as a comfortable base for exploration in diverse climates.
Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Ascent, as a new and innovative Edge-class ship, is ideally suited for modern resort-at-sea experiences, particularly in warmer climates like the Caribbean. Its expansive Resort Deck, complete with the 'Poolest Day Ever' events, caters to those seeking vibrant poolside fun. A significant draw is its inclusion of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Celebrity's exclusive private island destination, offering both thrilling activities and serene beach relaxation. This ship is perfect for travelers looking for a dynamic vacation blending relaxation with cutting-edge onboard and shoreside experiences.
What reviewers say
Celebrity Millennium
4/5Celebrity Millennium is a beautiful, easy-to-navigate midsize ship, shining with comfortable, modern cabins and excellent dining thanks to its 2019 'Revolution'. It offers an intimate yet sophisticated experience, appealing to those seeking a relaxed cruise without the mega-ship crowds.
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 Millennium
Celebrity Ascent
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

