CELEBRITY CRUISES’ CELEBRITY SOLSTICE SETS SAIL FOR FIRST TIME
It is a well known fact that historic events attract large crowds. In fact tens of thousands of residents on 29 September 2008 watched the most widely heralded ship to enter the cruise market this year, Celebrity Solstice, depart Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, as the largest ship ever built by the long time shipbuilder.
In a milestone event known as “The Conveyance,” the 2,850-guest Celebrity Solstice made its way down the River Eems, as tens of thousands of area residents lining the river banks cheered and photographed the historic event.
“This is a very momentous occasion for Celebrity Cruises,” said the brand’s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. “Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity Cruises brand is all about: extraordinary service, spectacular dining, and fabulous style and design. And as the first in a series of five Solstice-class ships, it’s a vivid example of the growth and momentum of the Celebrity Cruises brand, and our commitment to meet our guests’ and travel agent partners’ demands for more holiday options with Celebrity Cruises.”
“There is also the extraordinary, anticipatory service which is consistent across the Celebrity Cruises fleet,” said Hanrahan.
Celebrity Solstice will be berthed in Eemshaven, Netherlands, from 29th September to 24th October 2008, with two separate sea trials planned during that period, in addition to crew arrivals, training, provisioning and finishing work onboard. The ship will depart Eemshaven on the 24th October for a transatlantic voyage, with arrival in Fort Lauderdale planned for early in November, followed by a series of promotional cruises for invited travel agents, media and other dignitaries.
The ship will be named in formal ceremonies on the 14th November, and will begin its maiden season on 23rd November, with a series of alternating seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, calling at San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, and Tortola during this autumn and winter. Celebrity Solstice presents a series of romantic 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises from Rome beginning in Spring 2009.
A nine-night fly/cruise onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice starts from £1,229 per person (based on two sharing a category X guaranteed balcony stateroom). Price includes return flights from London Gatwick, transfers, seven-night cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) and calling at San Juan (Puerto Rico), Basseterre (St Kitts), Philipsburg (St Maarten) before returning to Fort Lauderdale; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant fees and taxes. Departures available from 23rd November 2008.
Phil's comment: This one cruise ship I am very much looking forward to visiting. Celebrity Cruises has made huge gains in the UK cruise market by continually delivering high levels of customer service across its fleet. The arrival of their new Solstice Class ships is eagerly awaited and if Solstice lives up the hype - she will truly be a remarkable ship and will only enhance the Celebrity Cruises brand in the UK market place.
Phil's comment: If you would like details of Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox please call my team at The Cruise Village on tel. 01253 341014.
Or..visit our Celebrity Cruises website online <click here>
