Exclusive Captain's Club Newsletter August 2023

Celebrity Ascent: That's Entertainment!

The arrival of Celebrity Ascent^SM, our newest and most innovative ship, gets closer and closer every day. As the excitement builds, we’re thrilled to share with you the third episode in our Get Ready with Us video series. This month, it’s all about the amazing onboard entertainment you’ll enjoy. This is a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and watch the preparations that go into making our world-class shows the very best anywhere. We hope you have as much fun watching it as we did filming it.

You can catch up on previously released Get Ready with Us videos here and be sure to check out our September Captain’s Club newsletter for another exciting episode, as we get even closer to the ship’s debut this fall.

You're in Good Hands with Super Luigi

We’re thrilled to announce Luigi De La Cruz will be cruise director on Celebrity Ascent. This will be his second inaugural after fulfilling the same role on Celebrity Beyond^SM when it debuted last year. After graduating from Atlantic International University with a bachelor’s degree in international relations, Luigi worked in the private luxury resort industry in the Dominican Republic before starting his Celebrity journey. It wasn’t long before he joined the entertainment team, and from there it’s been a steady climb. He’s performed as cruise director for every class of ship in our fleet, and now he’s doing it again with our latest and greatest. Please give a warm welcome to Luigi when you see him—if he doesn’t see you first.

Introducing the Co-Godmothers of Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent is the first ship to have two brothers as co-captains, and now it’s our first ship to have two sisters as co-godmothers. We found the perfect pair for this honor in Captain Sandy Yawn, star of Bravo’s “Below Deck,” and her sister, Michelle Dunham. These are two sisters on a mission to make an impact for others in their pursuit to educate, engage, and inspire. "We are honored to have Captain Sandy and her sister Michelle join the legacy of Celebrity’s Godmothers, as they are both inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact in the world,” says Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President. Join us in welcoming Sandy and Michelle to the Celebrity family.

Captain Sandy Yawn

Captain Sandy has conquered adversity at sea and in life on her path to becoming a superyacht captain. She’s a tireless advocate for women in the maritime industry, children’s education, children with disabilities, and the environment. As a best-selling author and motivational speaker, she is passionate about sharing her life stories to inspire others in overcoming obstacles and pursuing their dreams, and she serves as a powerful female role model determined to leave her mark in a male-dominated industry. “As I embark on this remarkable journey as a co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, I am deeply honored to represent not only the spirit of leadership but also the strength of women empowerment,” says Captain Sandy Yawn. ”I am so honored that my sister and I can share this distinction. She has always been my biggest inspiration in her selfless pursuit to help my nephew and other families impacted by autism.”

Michelle Dunham

Michelle shares her sister’s passion in helping others. She’s the successful founder and executive director of a nonprofit school for children with autism. What started as a mission to help her own son with autism is now a beacon of hope within the broader autism community. “It fills my heart with immense pride to stand as co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, alongside my sister, Captain Sandy Yawn. As we embark on this journey, much like Celebrity Cruise Line's commitment to delivering exceptional vacations and enriching lives, we embrace the same spirit of compassion and positive change,” says Michelle Dunham.

There’s a lot happening in the tropics, and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. For the first time, we’re adding Port Canaveral to the list of Florida cities we sail from, so you have even more places to start your Caribbean adventure. With the Kennedy Space Center, the charming coastal resorts of Cocoa Beach, and the theme parks of Orlando nearby, it’s the perfect place to start and end your vacation. With exciting new itineraries to choose from aboard the award-winning Celebrity Equinox®—the perfect complement to the breathtaking islands—we’ll launch you on an unforgettable cruise through paradise.

The excitement doesn’t stop there. With new 3- and 4-night getaways to the Caribbean sailing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you can escape any weekend of the year for some sun, sand, and crystal-clear water. With four award-winning ships sailing quick island-hopping journeys, it’s easy to slip away to the tropics with friends and family almost any time you want. We’re also adding longer Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale aboard Celebrity Summit® and Celebrity Apex®. And in Tampa, we’ve added new 7-night sailings on Celebrity Constellation® that are perfect for unwinding on island time.

With all the new we’ve added to the Caribbean—including taking you to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island destination—you’re sure to find exactly what you want for an unforgettable getaway. New sailings begin in 2024, so check out all the fantastic places you can go and book your sailings today.

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August is National Wellness Month, and it’s easy and fun to stay in shape—or even start a new routine—on board our ships. It all begins when you get a great night’s sleep on our exclusive eXhale® bedding. Begin the day and find your Zen during a sunrise yoga or meditation class. Then, visit the fitness center for state-of-the-art cardio and resistance training equipment. Our fitness centers feature floor-to-ceiling windows, offering stunning views and the inspiration needed to push that little bit extra. Want some help? Our staff of professional trainers can set you up with a unique routine tailored specifically for you.

Equally important to working your muscles is giving your body and mind time to rejuvenate and refresh, and there’s no better place to do that than at The Spa. Discover more than 120 invigorating treatments, from destination-inspired selections to signature favorites. On Millennium® and Solstice® Series ships, the Persian Garden is the place to get your nirvana on. Combining ancient technologies of flowing water and varying temperatures, sore muscles and stress don’t stand a chance. On board our Edge® Series ships, our one-of-a-kind Sea Thermal Suite takes this concept to the next level. Eight distinct spaces dedicated to your wellness await, including a hammam, salt room, crystalarium, and infrared sauna, to name just a few. Relaxation at sea has never been quite like this.

For the ultimate wellness vacation, AquaClass® is in a league of its own. This groundbreaking concept debuted on Celebrity Solstice and is now a fixture on every ship outside of our Galapagos fleet. In AquaClass, your well-being is front-and-center, and you’ll notice the difference from the moment you enter your stateroom. Elements are infused throughout, from verandas that allow you to walk right out to the water’s edge to cashmere mattresses and pillow menus. Savor clean and inventive cuisine, including plant-based options, at your exclusive restaurant, Blu. Plus, you’ll enjoy unlimited access to the Persian Garden or SEA Thermal Suite, a spa concierge, a complimentary fitness pass, preferential rates on spa packages, daily in-room bottled water service, healthy room-service menu options, in-room wellness offerings, and two yoga mats for use on board. We’ve thought of everything so that you can fully focus on nurturing your mind, body, and spirit. So, this year, why not celebrate National Wellness Month on an award-winning vacation with us?

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This month, we’re thrilled to tell you about Captain’s Club member Gregory Drapkin, and how his lifelong love of vacationing with us led him to the ultimate moment aboard Celebrity Beyond.

“My mother, grandmother, and I started traveling when I was 5 years old,” Gregory told us. One year, their travel agent recommended they go on a Celebrity cruise. “She said we would love the attentive service, attention to detail, fabulous cuisine, and their beautiful ships—and she was absolutely correct.” The family’s first Celebrity experience was in 2004 when he was 15 years old aboard Celebrity Century on a Western Caribbean sailing, and he immediately became a fan for life. “Everyone always has a smile on their face, and I feel like I’m part of the family—it’s my home away from home.”

Nearly 20 years and 14 cruises later, Gregory boarded Celebrity Beyond in June 2022 in Barcelona with a plan that would change his life forever. “Every Celebrity sailing I’ve been on since my first has been great, but this one was extra special,” he said. Joining Gregory on this 9-night Mediterranean voyage was his girlfriend, Frances, who had never been on a cruise before. Unbeknownst to her, he had more than just a great European vacation in mind. His plan? To embark a bachelor, and disembark betrothed.

The ship’s Event Coordinator Karina contacted Gregory on the first day of the cruise to discuss all the details. While they were talking, Karina shared a big surprise with him: “She told me that Captain Kate would be involved with the proposal.” He also met with the photographer, Angel, and other team members, and his plan began to take shape. “Frances and I love the outdoors, so I decided to propose at The Rooftop Garden when we were departing Santa Margherita, Italy,” Gregory said. With everything lined up, it was just a matter of time.

When the big day arrived, the team of cupids met at The Rooftop Garden. Captain Kate, Karina, Angel, and others were there waiting for the couple’s arrival. “Captain Kate was walking with Angel, and Frances and I approached and introduced ourselves,” he said. “I told Captain Kate that Frances follows her on Instagram, they started talking, and that’s when I stepped back and got down on my knee.” A very surprised Frances said yes, everyone applauded, and the celebration was underway.

The happy newlyweds are planning to join us on Celebrity Infinity® for a Greek Isles and Turkey sailing in summer 2024 for their honeymoon, and we can’t wait to welcome them back onboard. Congratulations to Gregory and Frances, we’re so happy to have played a role in their special day.

Want to be featured in a newsletter?

Do you have a story from a Celebrity cruise that makes you glow just thinking about? Well, here’s your chance to share it with your fellow members. Tell us about your special sailings, celebrations, excursions, and moments, and what made them super awesome, and if selected, you’ll be featured in a future Captain’s Club newsletter. Just fill in the survey linked below and tell us all about why your cruise was the best. We can’t wait to read the responses.

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