Celebrity Ascent debuting winter 2023
by Roy Webb
In an industry first, Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced today that Greek brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis have been named co-captains of Celebrity AscentSM, the company’s fourth ship in its industry-transforming Edge SeriesⓇ, debuting winter 2023.
The accomplished maritime brothers will usher in a new era for the cruise line, taking the helm of the brand’s newest resort at sea, which has been brought to life by a team of modern lifestyle icons including multi-award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE; celebrated American designer Nate Berkus and Michelin starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud.
“Captain Dimitrios and Captain Tasos are our star-powered siblings, a maritime dream team. They have given so much to the Celebrity family over the years that we are like a second family,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “Seeing their emotional reaction to this appointment and understanding what it means to share this pinnacle of their career together was something I didn’t expect and will never forget. This ship represents a monumental milestone for our brand, taking our innovative outward-facing design further than ever, and creating a whole new class of relaxed luxury resorts at sea. I am so proud to leave her in the hands of these expert mariners.”
Captain Dimitrios has dedicated his entire maritime career, spanning more than three decades, to Celebrity Cruises, having started as an Apprentice Officer onboard Celebrity’s very first vessel, the Horizon, in 1990. Today, he reaches the very pinnacle of the industry, being named take-out captain of this trailblazing ship. Born in Piraeus, port of Athens, Greece, Captain Dimitrios graduated from the Merchant Maritime Academy of Syros-Athens at the top of his class, and has held his Master’s license since 2001. He has sailed aboard every different class of ship in Celebrity’s fleet, and was also part of the start up teams for Celebrity MillenniumⓇ, Celebrity InfinityⓇ, Celebrity SilhouetteⓇ and Celebrity ApexⓇ, the latter of which he was also the take out Captain.
Captain Tasos grew up watching his older brother Dimitrios making a career on cruise ships, and realized he wanted to follow in his footsteps. After also graduating from the Merchant Marine College, he joined Celebrity Cruises in 1998, and over his more than 20-year career with the brand, has been involved in the opening of Celebrity SummitⓇ, Celebrity SolsticeⓇ, Celebrity EquinoxⓇ and Celebrity ReflectionⓇ. Most recently, he has served as captain of Celebrity EdgeⓇ, the very first of Celebrity’s award-winning Edge SeriesⓇ, which launched in 2018.
The brothers will alternate their time on Celebrity Ascent in a three-months on-and-off rotation.
