By
Alice Chambers |
Celebrity Cruises has named Greek brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis as co-captains for its new ship Celebrity Ascent, which will debut in December 2023.
Captain Dimitrios has a 30-year-long maritime career, having started as an apprentice officer onboard Celebrity’s first vessel, Horizon, in 1990. Meanwhile Captain Tasos joined the brand in 1998. Both brothers have sailed every class of ship in Celebrity’s fleet and will alternate their time on Celebrity Ascent in a three-months on-and-off rotation.
“Captain Dimitrios and Captain Tasos are our star-powered siblings, a maritime dream team,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “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 Ascent is currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
“Today is a momentous day,” said Dimitrios. “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 onboard Celebrity Ascent this winter.”
Tasos said: “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.”