Celebrity Cruises Appoints Greek Brothers as Co-captains of its Fourth ‘Edge’ Ship

Brothers Tasos and Dimitrios Kafetzis will serve as co-captains of the upcoming Celebrity Ascent, the line’s fourth Edge Series ship, set to launch this December 2023. Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises.

In an industry first, Celebrity Cruises, an award-winning luxury cruise line, appointed Greek brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis as co-captains of the Celebrity Ascent, the company’s fourth ship in its Edge Series.

According to a company announcement, the accomplished maritime brothers will “usher in a new era for the cruise line”, taking the helm of the brand’s newest ship, debuting winter 2023.

“Captain Dimitrios and Captain Tasos are our star-powered siblings, a maritime dream team who have given so much to the Celebrity family over the years that we are like a second family,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.

Captain Dimitrios has spent over 30 years working with Celebrity Cruises, starting as an Apprentice Officer on the company’s first ship, the Horizon, in 1990. He has held his Master’s license since 2001 and has served on every class of ship in Celebrity’s fleet.

Celebrity Ascent in the Carribean. Photo source: Celebrity Cruises.

“Almost 35 years after Celebrity Cruises was founded in Greece, they will have not one, but two Greek captains taking the helm of their newest vessel in 2023 and I am honored for my brother and I to take this role, together,” said Captain Dimitrios adding that he was looking forward to “captaining this fourth in the series – yet, one of a kind – Edge Series ship”.

His brother Captain Tasos, who was inspired to follow in his footsteps, joined Celebrity Cruises in 1998. He has been involved in the opening of several ships, including Celebrity Edge, the first in the award-winning Edge Series, which launched in 2018.

“Together, my brother and I share a love of the ocean, and a love for this company and our guests. To share a special moment together like this is something I could have only dreamed of. I can’t wait to sail away on this incredible ship with our guests onboard and my brother in my heart,” said Captain Tasos.

The brothers will alternate their time on Celebrity Ascent in a three-month on-and-off rotation.

The Celebrity Ascent is the fourth ship in the “Edge” series, a class of cruise ships operated by Celebrity Cruises.

Set to debut this winter, the ship will feature designs from multi-award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE, celebrated American designer Nate Berkus, and Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud.

Aboard the Celebrity Ascent, travelers can look forward to signature experiences such as an outward-facing Resort Deck with cabanas, infinity-edge plunge pools, and two-storey Martini-shaped hot tubs, as well as an elevated running track.

The ship will also feature Infinite Balcony rooms that transform into open-air balconies, two-storey Edge Villa rooms, the iconic Magic Carpet, and more than 30 food and beverage options, including the high-tech, fully-immersive Le Petit Chef Dinner Experience and the Eden Restaurant.

Navigator Travel & Tourist Services is Celebrity Cruises’ representative in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria.