Back to drydock for Celebrity's Solstice

Celebrity Solstice just completed her sea trials which were an overall success but they did reveal a couple of issues with the new ship which will require a trip to the drydock to fix. According to a report on Cruise Critic, problems surfaced with the ship's bow thrusters and stabilizers which will require the ship stopping in Hamburg today for repairs before being handed over to her new owners on October 24. The repairs should take three days and then the ship will travel to the Netherlands for the delivery to Celebrity.

Celebrity Solstice begins sea trials.

Celebrity Cruises' anticipated new ship, Celebrity Solstice, left her dock a Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and set out to begin her first round of sea trials. These test will last for a few days and then she will return to the dock for the final completion of her interior and decor.



Cruise Critic was allowed onboard prior to the ship departing for the trials and they give some details and impressions. The link to the full story is here: Celebrity Solstice Makes River Transit; Impressions

Solstice float out successful

Celebrity's Solstice is rapidly nearing completion. This weekend she was successfully floated out of her drydock and moved to the fitting out pier where the final work will be done to the ship's interior and exterior. Sea trials are scheduled for September 27th and the maiden voyage will be December 14th.

Celebrity Solstice ready to float

Meyer Werft shipyard has announced that the float out of the Celebrity Solstice will take place on Sunday, August 10th. If weather permits, the ship will begin its journey from the covered dry dock to the fitting out berth at around 7:30AM and the move should be completed by 2:00PM.

Once at the fitting out pier, the ship will be given it's twin funnels and the remaining interior work will be completed. The ship is scheduled for it's sea trial on September 27th and the maiden voyage is set for December 14th.

Celebrity Solstice Ahead Of Schedule

Celebrity Cruises announced that the Solstice will be completed ahead of schedule and will make it's maiden voyage on November 23 instead of December 14. The December 14 voyage will now be the ship's fourth cruise. That's unfortunate for those who booked the December 14 trip expecting to be on the maiden voyage.

For those who this is a big deal to, they will be able to re-book for the new maiden voyage through June 12 with no penalty. Celebrity will also reimburse these passengers up to $100 for airline change fees.

New reservations will not be accepted for the re-scheduled maiden voyage until after June 12 to allow those booked on the December 14 cruise to make the switch.

Celebrity Cruises reveals entertainment options on Solstice

Celebrity released details on some of the entertainment options that will be available onboard the upcoming 118,000 ton Celebrity Solstice. Special shows will debut on the Solstice along with a variety of venues.

Among the venues, the Sky Observation Lounge sounds pretty cool with it's mood lighting and stunning views. There will also be a small 200 guest room for late night comedy shows, cooking demonstrations and movies. Celebrity says that shows here will replay as often as possible to avoid the necessity for ticketing or reservations. Quasar will be Celebrity's first dedicated nightclub with it's retro 60s and 70s theme and the pool area will receive some attention as well.

I haven't been on a Celebrity ship in almost 10 years but I'm really getting excited about this one.

For more info check out the press release from celebritycruises.com:


New Entertainment on Celebrity Solstice is Sheer Poetry

Miami - (March 07, 2008 ) - Eight months from its launch, Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Solstice, already is being heralded as the most exciting ship entering the market in 2008. In recent months, Celebrity has revealed a series of brand-defining, first-in-the-industry features on Celebrity Solstice, including staterooms 15 percent larger than those on previous Celebrity ships, a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass, and unrivaled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design.

Today, Celebrity set the stage for more of the widely varied entertainment guests can experience on Celebrity Solstice, including new theater productions through an exclusive partnership with Poet Theatricals.

Led by Michael McPherson and Patrice Marques - whose backgrounds include both performance and production with Franco Dragone, Circo Luci, FOUR: Spirit of the Elements, and the creation and production of the first worldwide touring show of the Lido de Paris - Poet Theatricals is creating three original shows that can be seen only on Celebrity Solstice.

"Our inspiration for the new shows stems extensively from the extraordinary style and design of the ship, not to mention its name," said Michael McPherson, Poet Theatricals. "Celebrity Solstice conjures up images of light and an alluring ancient mystique, so our shows are built around that theme."

The three shows are:

"Solstice": This European-style theatrical circus is built around the clash of day and night, and includes vocalists, physical comedy, breathtaking group acrobatic and aerial performances and other specialty acts, in a celestial celebration. "Ghost Light": On the eve of an old Broadway theater's closing, the cast performing the venue's final show reminisces about all the productions the theater has hosted, leading to the venue to illuminate once again, in celebration of Broadway favorites past and present.

"Pulse": Guests aren't likely to sit still when this show’s central character, "Rhythm Man," ignites a motion and vocal spectacular driven by the widely varied music and instruments that create the beat. Complementing the three shows are a variety of specialty acts, also created with Poet Theatricals, including still performers, ring jugglers, fairy characters and a variety of acrobatic artists. "Travelers today have experienced such a variety of entertainment, so we need to ensure we continually offer new and unexpected options, along with some of the most popular programming," said Celebrity Cruises' Vice President of Hotel Operations and Entertainment, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. "We think we've accomplished that with the breadth of entertainment guests will experience on Celebrity Solstice." The state-of-the-art theater on Celebrity Solstice seats 1,115 guests and has been expressly designed to optimize sight lines and bring guests closer to the entertainers. A curved stage creates an almost theater-in-the-round experience. The traditional orchestra pit was omitted to allow for more guest seating in the sought-after central area of the venue, with musicians' platforms instead positioned to the left and right of the stage.

In addition to shows in the theater on Celebrity Solstice, the abundance of entertainment onboard will extend into multiple other venues, as well:

Sky Observation Lounge
The new signature lounge atop Celebrity Solstice will invite guests to participate in multiple styles of dance, with the entire venue transforming to reflect each nightly theme. From wild red for tango nights to midnight blue for ballroom dance, guests will have the opportunity to participate in lessons during the day, in preparation for dancing the night away.

Celebrity Central
Ideally-suited for late-night comedy shows, cooking demonstrations, enrichment lectures and feature films, this 200-guest venue also will present proprietary, must-see shows and events.

Entertainment Court
Located in the center of the ship and flanked by Celebrity Central and the hip Quasar nightclub, the Entertainment Court will serve as an entertainment hub on Celebrity Solstice. The Court's unique design and proximity to Quasar allows for opening up both venues to create a larger entertainment atmosphere at night. During daytime hours, the Court might bring such surprises as psychics and caricature artists to entertain guests of all ages.

Quasar
Guests who love the mod, futuristic designs of the '60s and '70s will find Quasar particularly captivating. Cocoon-shaped acrylic chairs suspended from the ceiling will enhance the drama of the space, as will state-of-the-art lighting and four large LED screens programmed to create a nightly light show synchronized with the music.

The Pool Deck
An unique series of animated water fountains that can be synchronized to music will serve as a constant source of surprise on the pool deck onboard Celebrity Solstice. Meanwhile, live music will be performed on the adjacent stage on days at sea, as well as during themed parties and other special events.

Michael's Club
A signature space across the Celebrity fleet, Michael's Club on Celebrity Solstice will invite privacy and intimacy, amidst a backdrop of soothing piano and jazz music, and rich, comfortable furnishings.

Ensemble Lounge
The ideal setting for a cocktail with live music prior to an extraordinary specialty dining experience, the Ensemble Lounge's aubergine accents and stylish, contemporary furnishings will reflect a period when jazz greats Duke Ellington and Count Basie reigned supreme.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The Top Cruise Ships in the World," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers’ poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit Celebrity Cruises website. And for more information about Celebrity Solstice, visit Cruise Celebrity Solstice site.

Celebrity increases Solstice Class to five ships

Celebrity cruises has decided to add an additional ship to the existing order with Meyer Werft Shipyards. This fifth ship in the Solstice Class will be delivered in fall 2012.

The first ship in the class, Celebrity Solstice, will debut later this year and will be followed by Equinox in 2009 and Eclipse in 2010. The fourth ship in the original order is currently unnamed and will debut in 2011.

Some reports indicate that Celebrity may begin phasing out some of their smaller, older ships as the Solstice ships come on line. Most likely that would include the current ships Century, Mercury, and Galaxy.

I may have to book a cruise on one of these ships when they come out. They look very nice and I'm sure they will be innovative and well designed. Can't wait.

Dining choices revealed for Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Cruises just revealed 10 dining venues that will be featured on board the upcoming Solstice. Known for the quality of the food and dining experience, Celebrity partnered with some of the best designers in the restaurant industry. It's unknown which of the dining options will be included and which will be additional cost.

Here is the press release from Celebrity's web site:

Celebrity Cruises Unveils "Top 10" on Celebrity Solstice

Miami - (February 06, 2008 ) - Ten of 2008's hottest new restaurants will open this fall, but diners won't need special connections to book a table. In fact, they won't even need directions, since the GPS coordinates will change daily. That's because the 10 restaurants are all on one of the world's most eagerly awaited new cruise ships: Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice.

"The dining experience has always been central to our guests' cruise experience, and on Celebrity Solstice, we'll present the extraordinary service the brand is known for, in venues designed to perfectly complement the spectacular cuisine," said Celebrity's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "The larger size of Celebrity Solstice allows us to offer more options for our guests, with menus created by some of the best talent in the business."

"Celebrity has long been recognized as a leader in the culinary arena, and we're clearly taking it to the next level with Celebrity Solstice," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Celebrity's parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "In addition to outstanding cuisine, we believe the brand also will be recognized for some of the most impressive design work in the industry when Celebrity Solstice sets sail."

Celebrity partnered with some of the world's best designers in the hospitality business to create the restaurants onboard Celebrity Solstice; among them, preeminent restaurant and hotel designer Adam Tihany, who created such lauded restaurants as Per Se, Jean Georges, Le Cirque, The Sea Grill and Osteria del Circo in New York; Aureole, Bouchon and Seablue in Las Vegas; and Monte's and the chic Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London.

In his first foray into design onboard a cruise ship, Tihany created Celebrity Solstice's dramatic, two-level Grand Épernay dining room; the classic steakhouse, "Tuscan Grille," and the stylishly casual "Oceanview Café and Grill" on the ship's lido deck. His sophisticated, often groundbreaking design is evident on Celebrity Solstice in the Grand Épernay's two-story wine tower, to the Napa-meets-Old-World-Italy ambience in the ship's inviting Tuscan Grille.

Driving the creation of the tantalizing menus for each venue are Celebrity's Vice President of Food & Beverage Jacques Van Staden, in conjunction with Celebrity's culinary consultant Blau & Associates. Van Staden was previously one of the top chefs and restaurateurs in Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas. Blau & Associates is credited with shaping the dining experience at high profile destinations such as the Bellagio and Wynn Resort and Casino, and developing the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's Simon kitchen + bar, named one of the best new restaurants in America in 2003 by Esquire magazine.

A "Taste" of Celebrity Solstice's Dining Venues:

The Grand Épernay

Old Hollywood glamour meets stunning contemporary design in this refined, sweeping main dining room created by Adam Tihany, highlighted by a distinctive, dramatic, two-story glass wine tower. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, evening entrée options include peppered bison filet with red onion preserve; smoked filet with lentil stew, sultana caper and beef jus; and taro-crusted salmon filet with glazed Brussels sprouts, turnip hash and apple cider sauce. A champagne collection from the region inspiring the venue's name includes Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon, Heidsieck and Monopole, Champagne Pol Roger, and Louis Roederer Cristal.

Tuscan Grille

The Old World charm of Italy is the inspiration behind this Tihany-designed specialty venue, where guests enter through an archway reminiscent of a fine Napa Valley wine cellar. There, diners can enjoy Caesar salads prepared tableside, antipasti bar, Kobe beef, and a variety of steaks, all paired with a robust list of fine Italian wines.

Silk Harvest

Exotic Asia is the theme of this contemporary, casual specialty restaurant designed by RTKL. The menu serves up a fusion of hot and cold, spicy and mild Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and Indian selections, while the specially-selected libations include a variety of sakes, Asian-influenced martinis and beers, and cocktails created with ginger root and acai berries.

Blu

"Clean cuisine" is served in this soothing specialty venue designed by Celebrity's own Newbuilding and Design team. A venue exclusively for guests booked in Celebrity Solstice's new AquaClass category of accommodations, Blu is open for other guests on a space-available basis. The menu features savory appetizers such as roasted beet salad with goat cheese; Mediterranean chopped salad with pita chips and pomegranate vinaigrette; and entrees including blackened ahi tuna, pan-seared filet mignon, and herb-crusted rack of lamb.

Murano

A twist on the restaurant of the same name on Celebrity Century, and reflective of the specialty restaurants on the cruise line's Millennium-class fleet, Murano presents a blend of classic and modern Continental cuisine. The warm, elegant restaurant designed by BG Studios of New York features dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, with romantic ocean views that pair beautifully with the fine Riedel stemware, exquisite bone china and gleaming silverware. The wine cellar offers options from around the world, with a focus on boutique-style and limited-production vintages. Appetizers include warm goat cheese pancakes with sweet bell pepper nage; salads include a combination of Maine lobster, white asparagus and black truffle lobster aioli; and entrees run the gamut from spice-roasted duck with raisin-apple compote to pan-seared turbot with Alaskan King crab ragout.

Bistro on Five

A variety of specialty crepes highlight the menu in this casually-chic location, where guests are welcome to take out selections, but the ocean views are likely to entice them to stay. Designed by Wilson Butler Associates, the venue's creperie is complemented with sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts and entrees including quiche, fish and chips, baked ziti and chicken pot pie nearly around-the-clock.

Café al Bacio & Gelateria

This upscale coffeehouse radiates all the energy of a popular European café, highlighted by a sophisticated gelateria serving authentic gelatos and Italian ices, as well as signature and specialty coffees, teas, fresh-baked pastries, chocolate truffles and petit fours.

AquaSpa Café

The AquaSpa Café is the perfect option for guests seeking quick, lighter fare. A signature venue introduced on Celebrity's Millennium-class fleet, and designed by RTKL, the soothing, airy setting invites guests to dine at comfortable tables while soaking up the tranquility of the Solarium, or enjoy their cuisine while nestled in the comfort of the lounge chairs.

Mast Grill & Bar

Comfort food is the focus of this ultra-casual, poolside venue, where the simple, fast and tasty options include burgers grilled to order, tacos, nachos, hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken wings, lamb gyros, Reuben sandwiches, and onion rings.

Oceanview Café and Grill

Embodying the casually chic atmosphere of a European marketplace, this Tihany-designed restaurant offers extensive menus with international flavors that change to reflect the regions in which the ship is sailing. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the venue offers plenty of outdoor seating for dining al fresco and soaking up the sun and sea air. Inside, during evening hours, a special section of the venue features tables draped with linen tablecloths for yet another casual dining option.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America.

The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The Top Cruise Ships in the World," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers’ poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011.

For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit Celebrity Cruises website And for more information about Celebrity Solstice, visit Celebrity Solstice sitelet.

Celebrity's Solstice to feature a park with real grass.

Celebrity Cruises announced on Friday that their upcoming Solstice Class ships will feature a country club themed area called the Lawn Club. This will be an industry first park like area complete with real live growing grass. The Lawn Club will be located on the top deck and will be just over a half an acre in size which makes it 1.7 times larger than an olympic size swimming pool and larger than 8 tennis courts.

Maintained by a full time groundskeeper, the area will allow passengers to enjoy games of bocce ball, croquet and golf putting. Guests will also be able to just stroll around with the grass beneath their feet as well as enjoy picnics.

The Lawn Club will be one part of the top deck of the Solstice ships which also will include the Hot Glass Show presented by the Corning Museum of Glass (glass blowing, very exciting) and the Sunset Bar perched upon the highest point on the aft of the ship.

Rumors had been that a real grass Central Park type area was going to be one of the features of Royal Caribbean's Genesis ships. It may still be but it seems they chose to let their sister brand, Celebrity, have the buzz on this one.

Here is the press release from Celebrity's web site.

"Turf’s Up!" The Grass Really is Greener on Celebrity Solstice

Miami - (January 19, 2008 ) - There is a new job opening at Celebrity Cruises: groundskeeper. The perfect candidate must be willing to perform his or her duties while traveling the world aboard a beautifully appointed ocean liner. The successful candidate also must be a dedicated horticulturist who possesses an unmistakable enthusiasm for the unexpected, as the greens will be miles out at sea.

When Celebrity Solstice launches in December, vacationers will find that the grass really is greener on a Celebrity Cruises vacation. The ship will present an industry first on the top deck of the ship: real, growing grass, set in an innovative new country club environment known as "The Lawn Club."

The half-acre Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice will invite guests to enjoy bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel the grass between their toes, while sailing the oceans of the world. The area also will feature the Hot Glass Show, another first in the industry, developed in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; the Patio on the Lawn; the Lawn Club Shop, and the Sunset Bar.

"We want our guests to experience the unexpected, like the thrill of sinking a putt on a freshly manicured lawn in the middle of the ocean," said Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "The experiences on and around the lawn exemplify what we aim to achieve: to recognize, celebrate and indulge our guests in style."

"Everything about the Celebrity Cruises brand is authentic," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises. "Our vision for a completely genuine experience demanded nothing less than real grass, and we sought out the right innovation to make that vision a reality."

Achieving that reality was no easy task. Celebrity worked with design firm Wilson Butler Architects to design the entire club area, then engaged a team of landscape architects and irrigation specialists along with turf and soil scientists at the University of Florida. Together, they conducted extensive research and tested a variety of grasses to determine which can withstand the winds, sun, shade and temperature variations that will affect the grass and soil as the ship sails in the Caribbean this winter. Other considerations included the ability of the grass to tolerate foot traffic, irrigation and day-to-day care and maintenance of the grass. Even the weight of the grass and soil had to be considered, as well as the water they absorb from the atmosphere and from irrigation.

Metric Facts about The Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice
• At 2,130 square meters (22,927 square feet), The Lawn Club is just over a half-acre in size.

The Lawn Club is:
• Over three times larger than New York’s Rockefeller Center ice skating rink (668 sq. meters)
• 1.7 times larger than an Olympic-size swimming pool, which is 1,250 sq. meters
• The equivalent of 8.2 tennis courts (these are 260 sq. meters each)
• 2.4 times the size of Centre Court at England’s Wimbledon Lawn & Tennis Club, which is 902 sq. meters
• One-third the size of a regulation soccer field, which is 6,500 sq. meters

The Lawn Club is the central element of the top-deck experiences on Celebrity Solstice. The Patio on the Lawn offers elegant yet relaxed sitting areas where luxury meets casual country club charm. Guests can read the morning paper, lose themselves in a good novel, or enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee with friends, courtesy of the patio’s coffee cart service.

The Hot Glass Show, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass, is the patio’s main feature. In its own, dedicated glassblowing studio, the Hot Glass Show will present the history and craft of glassblowing, from its ancient origins to its current countless uses. Three resident "gaffers" – highly skilled glassblowing artists – will educate and entertain cruisers with live glassmaking shows, lectures and workshops.

The area also features the Sunset Bar – the ideal sailaway setting on any ship, enhanced on Celebrity Solstice by the natural grass in The Lawn Club. Located at Celebrity Solstice's highest point aft, the Sunset Bar provides breathtaking views in a relaxed atmosphere. "We're confident our guests will be thrilled with The Lawn Club and the many new entertainment and sports options it offers," Hanrahan said.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The World's Best Large Ships," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2007 Cruise Poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit Celebrity Cruises website. And for more information about Celebrity Solstice, visit Celebrity Solstice website.