Celebrity Cruises unveils details of newest mega ship

June 7, 2023 No Comments

Celebrity Cruises has unveiled details of its newest resort at sea, Celebrity Ascent, once it launches this November.

Celebrity Cruises is once again making waves with the arrival of its fourth Edge Series ship.

Celebrity Ascent will be the newest ship based in South Florida for the 2023-2024 Caribbean season. Cruising out of Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale from December 2023 to April 2024, the new ship will transport guests to some of the Caribbean’s most desired destinations like the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, before departing to Europe for a summer of bucket-list Mediterranean cruises in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain and France. 

On board experience

On board Celebrity Ascent, guests will enjoy the signature experiences of the brand’s Edge Series ships.

Some of these include its industry-first outward facing design that maximizes views and outdoor areas allowing guests to connect with the world around them, a robust food and beverage program with 30 plus choices from casual to fine dining to satisfy all palates, plus spacious and sleek staterooms in a breadth of accommodation options catering to all travellers from solo adventurers and couples, to multi-generational family groups. 

Edge Series favourites

Celebrity Ascent will bring back favored signature experiences, like: 

  • The Theatre – that takes entertainment at sea to a new level with state-of-the-art technology and experiential, imaginative performances. 

  • The Rooftop Garden – the ultimate outdoor haven where guests can enjoy live music, movies, infinity float pools, and even al fresco dining at the Rooftop Garden Grill. 

  • The Spa – where holistic wellness takes center stage through 120 destination-inspired treatments, the SEA Thermal Suite featuring eight distinctive therapeutic experiences inspired by nature, plus specialty treatment beds, a full-service salon and barber. 

  • The sprawling Resort Deck – featuring a main pool lined with cabanas, two-story martini-glass-shaped hot tubs, and The Solarium, an adults-only, tranquil spa-inspired retreat built for relaxation and complete with pool, hot tub and loungers.  

  • The Sunset Bar designed by Nate Berkus – where an international beach club ambiance meets fresh sea breezes and boundless views. 

  • The Magic Carpet – the world’s first cantilevered lounge and gathering space at sea sits on the edge of the ship, offering a new way to drink, dine and socialize while enjoying unobstructed panoramic views. 

  • Inventive culinary experiences – like the three-story Eden Bar and Restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling views, or the fully immersive and animated Le Petit Chef dinner.

  • The Grand Plaza and Martini Bar – that stun guests with an interactive chandelier and jaw-dropping Flair, Flash, Fusion bartender shows. 

  • Modernized accommodation options – such as the Infinite Veranda® that transforms from window to terrace with the push of a button, and the AquaClass® staterooms built for wellbeing-seekers that are packed with thoughtful design and exclusive amenities.

New food and beverage experiences

Cosmopolitan

Celebrity Ascent will treat guests to a culinary journey that includes new experiences like:

  • Redesigned Le VoyageSM by Daniel Boulud restaurant – first featured on Celebrity BeyondSM, the brand will continue its partnership with Boulud and introduce his second restaurant at sea

  • Plant-based tasting menu at Eden Restaurant 

  • Never-before-seen Le Petit Chef dinner – the crowd favorite dinner will feature an all-new animation and menu to match. 

  • Bourbon offerings and tastings – expanding on existing whiskey tastings, Craft Social will now offer high-end bourbons and new tasting seminars

  • More Martinis at the Martini Bar – aligning with the trend of low-sugar cocktails and fresh, crisp ingredients, the Martini Bar will feature brand-new creations and an expanded menu including lychee and passion fruit martinis.

  • Revitalized Main Dining Experience – once again featuring four complimentary main dining options, each with a signature menu and rotating nightly dishes, Ascent will feature a redesigned Cosmopolitan restaurant inspired by the culture of champagne

  • Outdoor terrace at Blu – the clean-cuisine restaurant exclusive to AquaClass guests will feature an outdoor terrace with 24-person seating that will be available for daytime dining, from al fresco brunches to lunches. 

New entertainment, art and retail experiences

On board Ascent, travellers will enjoy enhanced entertainment, art and retail offerings like: 

  • Nightly entertainment – as the sun sets the Resort Deck will become the center stage for the ultimate nightlife experience treating guests to an open-air celebration with live performances, live music, and a DJ creating a pulsating dance floor. 

  • New production shows – building on Celebrity’s award-winning entertainment, the brand is partnering with industry-leading creatives to introduce three spectacular new production shows in The Theatre, new interactive digital experiences and shows in The Club, and new engaging immersive shows in the Eden Bar and Restaurant, all featuring world-class dances, vocalists, musicians and specialty artists. 

  • Redesigned Casino floor and brand-new games – a first for Celebrity Cruises, Ascent will feature an all-new gaming floor complete with a new layout, new design featuring deep reds and golds, and all new slot machines with the latest technology

  • Redesigned Art Gallery – the new space is thoughtfully reimagined, allowing guests to better experience priceless art pieces, and enjoy exclusive auctions and art events

  • The Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus – a collection of chic travel and home accessories available exclusively on board Celebrity Ascent

5 reasons to visit Cappadocia at least once

June 5, 2023 No Comments

Cappadocia is one of the most breathtaking regions in Türkiye, attracting tourists with its breathtaking natural beauty and historical locations.

This ‘fairy-tale region’ offers a unique experience every season with its cave hotels, colourful hot-air balloons, peculiar cultural stops, and thousands of years old viticulture and pottery-making heritage. Here are five reasons why you should not miss a trip to Cappadocia.

Fairy Chimneys: The Symbol of Cappadocia

‘Fairy Chimneys’ are ancient rock formations that are emblematic of Cappadocia, and can be spotted from anywhere in the region. The finest examples of fairy chimneys are in Paşabağ, where their conical bodies with ‘hats’ are formed of hard rocks.

The best way to experience the breathtaking view of these rock formations is from a hot-air balloon. As the balloon gently ascends at sunrise, you will have the chance to see the spectacular valleys of Cappadocia beneath your feet.

Choose your room in the cave hotels

Staying in a ‘cave hotel’ is one of the most unforgettable experiences that Cappadocia offers its visitors. The unique architecture and design of the cave hotels adds a charm to the place, making it a must-visit destination for travellers. Watching the sunset while sipping your coffee in these hotels, where the historical and natural textures of the region blend with modern luxury, will make your Cappadocia trip unforgettable.

Magnificent underground cities that take you back in time

Cappadocia is home to significant remnants dating from the Hittites of the second millennium BCE to the continuing dwelling of civilisations. 

Göreme Open Air Museum, on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1985, is remarkable for its sacred sites carved into the rocks and frescoes depicting significant scenes from early Christianity.

The underground cities are in fact the main attraction that make trips to Cappadocia indeed spectacular. Originating from the seventh and eighth centuries AD, the underground cities were used by the early Christians to openly worship.

The cities of Kaymaklı, Derinkuyu, Özkonak, and Mazı have survived for decades and take you back in time, offering a look how the people in these underground cities lived, with their tunnels, rooms, barns, wine cellars, dining halls, churches, and food warehouses. The Gomeda Valley, stretching along the Üzengi River, contains churches carved into rocks, dovecotes, vines, and an underground city. The ‘Three Beauties,’ which are three adjacent fairy chimneys defined as ‘the father, mother, and kid’ at Ortahisar Castle and Ürgüp district, are also must-see spots in Cappadocia.

World-renowned hot-air balloon tours

One of the most popular activities to do in Cappadocia is definitely a hot-air balloon tour. However, your options for adventures in this beautiful city are endless. Off-road safari experiences allow a closer look at the region’s valleys, rock settlements, and fairy chimneys. Exciting hiking trails are perfect if you want to explore Cappadocia on foot.

This region is also known as the ‘land of beautiful horses,’ where you can explore the area riding horses familiar with the territory. Pottery is another unique experience that Cappadocia offers to its visitors, who can attend a pottery workshop in Avanos, which is famous for its soft and oily clay that comes from the riverbeds of Kızılırmak.

Unique Gastronomy Experiences

Cappadocia, where local delicacies turn even the most ordinary meal into a ‘feast,’ is a famous attraction for gourmet travellers. 

Testi kebabı is a must-try delicacy of Cappadocia cuisine, which is rich in recipes prepared with vegetables and fruits that are grown in the region’s fertile lands. Other regional specialities include apricot stew, rice pudding with turmeric, Nevşehir mantısı (a type of ravioli), and clotted cream.

Cappadocia also has a deep-rooted winemaking heritage that dates back thousands of years, and wines made from endemic local grapes are a must have! 

Desert oasis opens in the United Arab Emirates

June 2, 2023 No Comments

For travellers seeking unparalleled opulence in true Emirati style, the desert oasis of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in the United Arab Emirates is now offering the chance to stay in complete privacy amid the dunes at the all-new four-bedroom Sahra Villa and two-bedroom Al Sarab Villa complete with its own private majlis.

Located a few minutes’ drive from the resort in a secluded area offering unobstructed views of the fiery-red dunes of the Empty Quarter, both villas are part of the exclusive villa compound designed to offer utmost privacy and discrete service.

The 5,263 square-foot Sahra Villa is a palatial hide-away furnished in noble hues that can accommodate up to eight adults in its master bedroom and three twin bedrooms, each with their own private terrace. The villa also boasts a private swimming pool with a cabana and sprawling indoor and outdoor living spaces including a magnificent terrace.

In addition to two elegant bedrooms accommodating a maximum of four guests, the lavish villa comes with ample space to entertain both indoors and outdoors, including a grand reception majlis and a fireplace to enjoy starry desert nights.

On the outdoor terrace, a dining table sits alongside a fully equipped barbecue area, with sun loungers circling a private pool overlooking the dunes.

Guests staying at Al Sarab Villa can also choose to book the private majlis situated in a separate building close by, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows maximising the natural light. Warm and inviting, the space is designed for entertaining in true Emirati style amid contemporary Arabian design and artworks, with a team of butlers on hand to attend to every need.

With a seating capacity of up to 20 guests indoors and an additional outdoor entertainment area, the sumptuously appointed majlis is ideal for private events and get-togethers. 

In addition to having access to all the comforts of the luxury accommodation, guests staying in villas belonging to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara’s Exclusive Villa Collection can enjoy 24/7 dedicated personal butler attention, a private entrance with shaded parking, Apple TV, Nespresso machines, pillow and soap menus, and other exclusive amenities.

Corporate groups looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city can revel in the resort’s new ultra-secluded villas and experience a tranquil destination that blends Arabian heritage with desert zen, for gatherings, workshops, and soul-soothing retreats. As well as the ultimate luxurious accommodation, groups can expect personal butler service and international gourmet cuisine from the resort’s multiple dining destinations. 

For reservations, visit https://www.anantara.com/en/qasr-al-sarab-abu-dhabi/villas.