In the run-up to the hotly anticipated launch of the brand new Edge Class ship, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo has revealed that Greek brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis will be steering the ship as co-captains.
The duo have dedicated their maritime careers to the uber-stylish and luxurious cruise line, but this will be the first time the brothers have co-captained the same Celebrity ship!
Following his graduation from the Merchant Maritime Academy, Captain Dimitrios started as an Apprentice Officer onboard Celebrity’s very first vessel, the Horizon, in 1990.
Since then, Captain Dimitrios has gone on to sail every single different class of ship in Celebrity Cruises’ ever-expanding fleet of luxury vessels and has even been part of the start-up teams for Celebrity MillenniumⓇ, Celebrity InfinityⓇ, Celebrity SilhouetteⓇ and Celebrity ApexⓇ (where he was also take-out Captain).
Today is a momentous day, I am proud that after a more than 30- year career working exclusively with Celebrity Cruises, I can play a part in their history by captaining this fourth in the series – yet one-of-a-kind – Edge Series ship.
Nearly 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 honoured for my brother and I to take this role, together.
I am so proud for my family and proud of my brother. We look forward to welcoming everyone on board Celebrity Ascent this winter.
Captain Dimitrios Katetzis
Captain Tasos grew up admiring his brother Dimitrios making a career at sea on cruise ships, and quickly realised he wanted to be a part of the industry too!
He joined Celebrity in 1998, shortly after graduating from the Merchant Marine College, and has been involved in the opening of Celebrity SummitⓇ, Celebrity SolsticeⓇ, Celebrity EquinoxⓇ and Celebrity ReflectionⓇ. Captain Tasos knows Celebrity’s Edge Class series very well, as he has most recently served as captain on the first ship within the innovative series, the Celebrity EdgeⓇ.
Receiving this distinction with my brother and as part of the Celebrity Cruises family is an incredible honour for me and an emotional one, too.
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.
Captain Tasos Kafetzis
The co-captains will alternate their time on Celebrity Ascent in a three-month on-and-off rotation when the ship launches this winter.
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.
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.
Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo
Celebrity Ascent is the latest relaxed luxury resort at sea developed and launched by Celebrity, which has been brought to life by multi-award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE; American designer Nate Berkus and Michelin-starred chef and renowned restaurateur Daniel Boulud.
The ship will feature a great range of deluxe amenities, such as infinity-edge plunge pools, more than 30 food and drink venues, Infinite Veranda staterooms, sensational Edge Villa staterooms, two-level Martini-shaped hot tubs and much, much more!
