September 7, 2026
11-Night Europe Cruise
Departing from Civitavecchia
From
$2,470
Price / day
$225
Celebrity Ascent|Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Ascent vs Celebrity Xcel
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
Celebrity Xcel
Built in 2025
2 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Celebrity Ascent
$234 / day
$273 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Celebrity Ascent
37.9 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Celebrity Ascent vs Celebrity Xcel: Quick Comparison
Celebrity Xcel is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2025, it is 2 years newer than Celebrity Ascent, which entered service in 2023. Celebrity Xcel also carries 206 more passengers. Celebrity Ascent has upcoming sailings in Europe, while Celebrity Xcel has sailings in Europe. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Celebrity Ascent has the lower average starting price per day. The sailings shown cover a similar region and trip length, so the price per day figures are reasonably close to like-for-like. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | Celebrity Ascent | Celebrity Xcel |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2023 | 2025Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 141,420 GT | 141,420 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,731 | 3,937 |
| Space per Passenger | 37.9 GT | 35.9 GT |
| Length | 326.5 m | 326.5 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Celebrity Ascent vs Celebrity Xcel
Age
Celebrity Xcel was built in 2025, making it 2 years newer than Celebrity Ascent, which was built in 2023.
Passenger capacity
Celebrity Xcel carries up to 3,937 passengers compared with 3,731 aboard Celebrity Ascent, a difference of 206 passengers.
Passenger space
Celebrity Ascent offers more space per passenger: 37.9 GT per guest, compared with 35.9 aboard Celebrity Xcel. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Xcel cover a similar region and trip length.
Price
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Celebrity Ascent has the lower average starting price per day at $234 per day.
Compare Ports of Call
Celebrity Ascent
Greece, Turkey & Italy
- Departure Port
- Civitavecchia
- Region
- Europe
- Nights
- 11
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 7, 2026Civitavecchia
- Day 2 · Sep 8, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 9, 2026Chania
- Day 4 · Sep 10, 2026Ephesus
- Day 5 · Sep 11, 2026Istanbul
- Day 6 · Sep 12, 2026Istanbul
- Day 7 · Sep 13, 2026At Sea
- Day 8 · Sep 14, 2026Santorini
- Day 9 · Sep 15, 2026Mykonos
- Day 10 · Sep 16, 2026At Sea
- Day 11 · Sep 17, 2026Naples
- Day 12 · Sep 18, 2026Civitavecchia
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Celebrity Xcel
Greece, Malta & Turkey
- Departure Port
- Barcelona
- Region
- Europe
- Nights
- 8
- Round Trip
- No
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Barcelona
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Valletta
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026At Sea
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026Ephesus
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026Rhodes
- Day 7 · Sep 11, 2026Santorini
- Day 8 · Sep 12, 2026Mykonos
- Day 9 · Sep 13, 2026Piraeus
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Celebrity Ascent
September 18, 2026
10-Night Europe Cruise
Departing from Civitavecchia
From
$2,428
Price / day
$243
Celebrity Xcel
September 5, 2026
8-Night Europe Cruise
Departing from Barcelona
From
$5,686
Price / day
$711
September 13, 2026
8-Night Europe Cruise
Departing from Piraeus
From
$2,412
Price / day
$302
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Celebrity Ascent
Average
$234 / day
VS
Celebrity Xcel
Average
$507 / day
Celebrity Ascent is currently 54% cheaper per day for comparable sailings
$234/day vs $507/day
About $273 less per day
This comparison is based on the upcoming sailings currently shown.
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Celebrity Ascent if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You want to sail in Europe.
- Departing from Civitavecchia works for your plans.
- The lower price per day among the sailings currently shown matters to you.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Celebrity Xcel.
Choose Celebrity Xcel if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Europe.
- Departing from Barcelona and Piraeus works for your plans.
Celebrity Ascent vs Celebrity Xcel: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Celebrity Xcel
Built in 2025
2 years newer
Bigger
Both ships are the same
Lower Price Per Day
Celebrity Ascent
$234 / day
About $273 less per day
- Celebrity Xcel is 2 years newer.
- Both ships have the same gross tonnage.
- Celebrity Xcel carries 206 more passengers.
- Celebrity Ascent offers more space per passenger (37.9 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Celebrity Ascent or Celebrity Xcel?
Celebrity Xcel is newer. It was built in 2025, while Celebrity Ascent was built in 2023, making Celebrity Xcel 2 years newer.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Celebrity Xcel has a passenger capacity of approximately 3,937, compared with 3,731 for Celebrity Ascent.
Which ship is more spacious, Celebrity Ascent or Celebrity Xcel?
Celebrity Ascent has the higher passenger space ratio at 37.9 GT per passenger, versus 35.9 for Celebrity Xcel. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Which ship is cheaper, Celebrity Ascent or Celebrity Xcel?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Celebrity Ascent has the lower average starting price per day at $234 per day versus $507 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.
Where does Celebrity Ascent sail?
The upcoming Celebrity Ascent sailings currently listed cover Europe, departing from Civitavecchia.
Where does Celebrity Xcel sail?
The upcoming Celebrity Xcel sailings currently listed cover Europe, departing from Barcelona and Piraeus.
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