Celebrity Solstice - Celebrity Cruises takes the keys to their new - long awaited - Solstice Class ship.

Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice, the most widely heralded cruise ship to enter the market this year, was delivered today at a ceremony in Emshaven, Netherlands, marking the formal transfer of the ship – the first in a class of five – from ship builder Meyer Werft to Celebrity Cruises.

Celebrity Solstice will start its transatlantic journey on 25th October 2008, scheduled to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, on 3rd November 2008. 

“With its innovative, half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass; the Hot Glass Show offered through our alliance with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 widely varied restaurants, including four in the specialty category; stylish, spacious staterooms whose design was influenced by a panel of five women with unique travel and hospitality insights; and the attribute found on every Celebrity ship – extraordinary service – Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity Cruises brand is all about,” said Celebrity Cruises’ President & CEO Dan Hanrahan.

“We are indebted to the countless, highly dedicated individuals who have brought this spectacular ship to this point, and who have shared our passion for innovation, and our dedication to excellence,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Celebrity Cruises’ parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Soon after its arrival in Fort Lauderdale on 3rd November Celebrity Solstice will serve as the perfect platform for Celebrity Cruises’ first Global Sales Meeting, followed by a series of exclusive, two-night preview cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries.

Celebrity Solstice will be named in formal ceremonies on 14th November and will embark on its inaugural season on the 23rd November for a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. In spring 2009, the stunning new ship will introduce a series of romantic 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings roundtrip from Rome.
 
Phil's comment: I am fortunate enough to be travelling out to Ft Lauderdale to see first hand this fantastic new ship from Celebrity Cruises, and I will be reporting back mid November with the pictures, hopefully some video and of course my full ship review of the Celebrity Solstice.

This is a cruise blog entry by Phil