About the author

Keith Lane
Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations
Celebrity Cruises

The following is part of the ‘Plates & pizzazz: Sailing the high seas in style’ cruise feature in Travel Weekly Asia’s January-March 2024. Read the full issue here.

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In the words of Keith Lane, senior vice president, hotel operations, Celebrity Cruises:

We’ve seen a shift toward more immersive entertainment, such as shows in non-traditional venues that involve guests’ participation like our silent disco, where guests wear headphones, dancing to different tunes. Meanwhile for food, our culinary focus involves composting, ethically sourced products, and à la minute food experiences at Oceanview cafe, catering to evolving preferences.

The Ascent of Bourbon standards

Celebrity Cruises has introduced an innovative Bourbon experience on Celebrity Ascent, its latest ship. Partnering with Pernod Ricard and Rabbit Hole, the ship presents its own exclusive WhistlePig Whiskey barrels, including Bespoke Barrel Aged 12 Years and Single Barrel Aged 10 Years. Available at Craft Social, guests can savor these options individually or as part of a tasting flight, highlighting Celebrity Cruises' commitment to unique and elevated offerings in the premium cruise category.

Join the Club

The Club provides an extensive entertainment repertoire, from daily activities to evening events, including an interactive floor-projected game for guests.

For entertainment on Celebrity Ascent, the Club's transformative day-to-night experiences captivate me, especially with the 80s-inspired retro 'Game On: Augmented Multiplayer Experience' experience where a game surface is projected on the floor inviting players to compete in interactive competitions using their own body as a controller.

At night in The Club, we have a new immersive show, Smoke & Ivories, taking audiences back in time to an old Hollywood club with a modern twist. The electrifying set comes to life through the use of projection technology, incredible dance performances, world-class tapping, and sultry vocal performances. It has become one of our guests’ favourites and one not to miss on Celebrity Ascent!

Wait, there’s more!

Exciting developments are underway as Celebrity Cruises gears up to unveil its fifth ship within the Edge class. While specifics remain undisclosed, the team anticipates groundbreaking features. Additionally, an innovative entertainment lineup for Celebrity Xcel is in the works, building upon the acclaimed success of Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond, promising passengers a heightened and memorable cruising experience.