Brothers Named Co-Captains of “Celebrity Ascent”

Celebrity Cruises is taking family travel literally, naming brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis co-captains — an industry first — of the company’s fourth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Ascent. When the ship debuts this winter, the brothers will helm the cruise line’s newest resort at sea, which also boasts designs from British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE, 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 Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “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’s experience spans more than three decades with Celebrity Cruises, starting as an apprentice officer in 1990. He has sailed aboard every different class of ship in Celebrity’s fleet, including as take out captain on Celebrity Apex.

Captain Tasos joined Celebrity Cruises in 1998, involved in opening four ships and most recently serving as captain of Celebrity Edge, the first in the Edge Series, launched in 2018.

The brothers will rotate time on Celebrity Ascent three months on and three months off.