Celebrity Cruises present Mediterranean food experience

Celebrity Cruises is well known for indulging its guests to the full and it comes as no surprise that they are joining forces with the magazine famed for celebrating the world of great food and sharing it with other, Bon Appétit. Celebrity Cruises and Bon Appétit will be presenting ‘Celebrity’s Mediterranean Experience with Bon Appétit’, an at-sea feature focusing on the pleasures of cooking and dining.

The 2,038 guest Celebrity Summit will be hosting the event, departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 18 April, sailing to Barcelona, Spain. Celebrity Summit will be calling in at several tantalising ports of call along the way that exemplify Mediterranean flavours, including Tenerife, Canary Islands; Agadir, Morocco; Malaga, Spain; and Valencia, Spain.

Throughout the sailing there will be numerous culinary demonstrations performed by Joey Campanaro, chef/owner of New York restaurants ‘The Little Owl’ and ‘Market Table’. Joey is well known for his creative culinary style, combining only the freshest ingredients with bold, rich flavours that the Mediterranean is famous for.

Activities onboard will reflect the focus on the region’s epicurean and cultural highlights. The ship’s casual restaurant will offer numerous Mediterranean-themed buffets throughout the voyage. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in Mediterranean-themed food/wine trivia competitions, a Mediterranean cooking class hosted by the cruise director and the ship’s executive chef, Spanish-language classes, regional dance classes, and a recipe contest.

Celebrity Equinox to launch early

The construction of Celebrity Cruises sister ship to Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, is proceeding so well that there will be a ‘soft’ launch prior to the ships maiden voyage on 8 August.

The much anticipated Celebrity Equinox is set to depart from Southampton on 31 July on a roundtrip through the beautiful Norwegian Fjords. Celebrity Cruises are offering guests booked on Celebrity Equinox’s inaugural sailing the opportunity to combine their 10 night ‘Best of Europe’ cruise with the 8 night ‘soft’ launch, making for an incredible 18 night voyage.

The 8 night Norwegian Fjords cruise features ports of call at Stavenger, Flam, Geiranger and Oslo whilst the 10 night maiden voyage will visit Paris/Normandy (via Le Havre) and Cherbourg, France; Vigo, Cartagena and Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal, and Gibraltar, UK, ending in Rome (via Civitavecchia), Italy.

Celebrity Solstice best sundeck in top ten list

Celebrity Cruises amazing new ship Celebrity Solstice has certainly made an impact since its debut, topping a list of the best cruise ship sundecks.

The list was compiled by review site Cruise Critic, who named Celebrity Solstice as having the best sundeck with a fantastic range of facilities including butler service around the pool and secluded areas where guests can enjoy a relaxing massage. Celebrity Cruises newest ship is home to a staggering array of amenities and even features a lawn club, complete with real live grass.

Other ships making the sundeck top ten include MSC Cruises Fantasia, which boasts a fully retractable roof that allows guests to enjoy the top deck even in less sunnier climates. Norwegian Gem also featured with sun loungers with chilled towels and Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Independence of the Seas with its own surf simulator.

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of the website, said: "This list represents not only the best of what’s on offer on today's cruise ships, it also demonstrates how much the sun deck has progressed from a humble collection of deck chairs on the stern deck to a fully integrated leisure and relaxation environment."

Celebrity Cruises unveil Celebrity Solstice Godmother

Celebrity Cruises have announced who the Godmother of Celebrity Solstice will be and unusually she is not a star of stage and screen. In fact, she is star of the oceans. Professor Sharon L. Smith, the first ocean scientist ever to serve as Godmother of a cruise ship, will join Celebrity Cruises executives to name the company’s newest and most luxurious addition to the fleet, in formal ceremonies at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

"We are genuinely privileged to have such a remarkable woman serve as Godmother of this remarkable ship," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises and Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "Sharon Smith is exceptional in ways well beyond her academic achievements."

A magna cum laude graduate of Colorado College, Smith earned a Ph.D. in Zoology from Duke University, holds two additional honorary doctorate degrees, and a master’s degree from the University of Auckland, where she also was a Fulbright fellow. Smith has traveled the world working as a biological oceanographer in research expeditions ranging from the Polar Regions to the Arabian Sea.

Smith’s career includes 15 years at the prestigious Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York, where she studied coastal ocean environments and the impact of nuclear energy projects. In 1993 she joined the faculty of the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science as a Professor of Marine Biology and Fisheries. Most recently she was named Dean of the Undergraduate Program in Marine Science, and also co-directs the university's Oceans and Human Health Center.

Not only does Smith have incredible professional achievements behind her but she has also overcome cancer twice, in 1993 and again in 1996.

"Women should not feel secure just because there is no family history of the disease," said Smith. "You have to be your own best advocate and insist on what's right for you, because you have to live with the possibility of the disease forever."

Celebrity Solstice is set to embark on its inaugural season on the 23 November, with a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises. Celebrity Cruises beautiful new ship will make a selection of 10 and 11 night romantic Mediterranean cruises from Rome in spring 2009.

Celebrity Cruises launch "Shop Celebrity"

Celebrity Cruises has launched a new on-line shopping portal, open for business 24 hours a day. “Shop Celebrity” allows consumers and travel agents to purchase a wide selection of items which can be delivered on board or at home. “Shop Celebrity” will also feature Celebrity Cruises new amenity program, “Gifts by Celebrity”.

“Shop Celebrity” will offer an extensive choice of Celebrity Cruises logo items, gifts and memorabilia, as well a culinary delicacies, spirits, wine and soda. The portal will also offer ordering opportunities from partner websites - LeapFrog® School, timetospa® and Celebrity Vineyards, which includes products by Riedel® Crystal, the world renowned manufacturer of wine glasses who offer wine workshops on Celebrity Cruises ships.

"Based on feedback from our guests and travel agent partners as well as the growing popularity of online shopping in today's marketplace, we wanted to create a virtual experience reflective of the bricks-and-mortar shopping experience that we offer on our ships," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity's vice president of hotel operations and onboard revenue. "The complete Shop Celebrity program offers something for everyone, anytime, whether they want to surprise a friend or a client with an onboard gift, or whether they want stylish keepsakes for themselves or others."

Celebrity Sostile sets sail for first time

The world’s most eagerly anticipated ship, Celebrity Solstice, departed Meyer Werft shipyard yesterday in Papenburgh, Germany. Celebrity Solstice is the largest ship ever to be built by the shipyard and in a milestone event marked as ‘The Conveyance’, the 2,850 guest ship made its way down the River Eems, with tens of thousands of cheering residents watching its progress.

"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 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 brand, and our commitment to meet our guests' and travel agent partners’ demands for more vacation options with Celebrity."

"There also is the intangible attribute which is consistent across the Celebrity fleet, and that's the extraordinary, anticipatory service our phenomenal staff offer our guests every day," said Hanrahan.

Celebrity Solstice will feature a wealth of fabulous amenities, including:

• The first Lawn Club at sea, a lush, half-acre recreation area with real grass

• Hot Glass show, demonstrating live glassblowing sessions

• Larger staterooms, with design inspirations offered by a panel of five women, hand-picked for their unique travel and hospitality insights.

• 10 restaurants, ranging from the dramatic, two-level “Grand Epernay” main dining room with a sweeping wine tower, to four exquisite specialty restaurants, to several stylish, casual venues

• A new category of staterooms, AquaClass, designed to offer a spa vacation experience at sea

Celebrity Solstice will be berthed in Eemshaven, Netherlands, from 29 September to 24 October, with two separate sea trials set to occur in the period. The crew will also be arriving during this time and there will be trainng, provisioning and finishing work taking place. Set to depart from Eemshaven on 24 October on a transatlantic voyage, Celebrity Solstice will arrive in Fort Lauderdale early November.

There will be a number of promotional cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries. The formal naming ceremony will take place on the 14 November and the ship will begin its official maiden season 23 November, with a series of alternating 7 night Caribbean cruises.

Celebrity Cruises cancel Australia 2009/10 cruises

Celebrity Cruises have announced that they will be removing their Australia and New Zealand sailings from their winter 2009/10 itineraries. Celebrity Cruises begun the sailings in 2007 but have now decided to operate Celebrity Millennium in Alaska which is a more popular destination and will ensure a fuller capacity on board.

Celebrity Millennium will take over from Celebrity Mercury, who will move to the Caribbean where it will be based out of Baltimore for future voyages. Celebrity Cruises final Australian cruise will be in April 2009.

For those customers that have made bookings for the Australia sailings after April 2009, Celebrity Cruises will be in touch imminently, with the option of cancelling the booking with a full refund or to re-book similar itineraries including Celebrity Millennium’s final sailing ‘down under’.

Celebrity Solstice floats out

Celebrity Cruises newest addition to the fleet Celebrity Solstice has reached another landmark in its constructed process, successfully completing its float out at Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard. Celebrity Solstice will now be docked at the pier where further work will be carried out.

Celebrity Solstice is due to begin its first sailings in the Caribbean in December 2008. Celebrity Solstice is the first of a new class of Celebrity Cruises ship, with a least a further four new ships in the pipeline. The second ship will be called Celebrity Equinox. Each of the ships will carry 2,850 guests and will feature Celebrity Cruises new style of accommodation, style and indulgent amenities.

Celebrity Solstice will also introduce a new contemporary class of balcony staterooms called AquaClass.

Soap stars to sail on Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Century

Celebrity Cruises will be living up to their name next year with Celebrity’s Soap Cruise, a cruise which will enable guests to mix with the stars of their favourite US soap operas onboard Celebrity Century.

The Soap Cruise package on board Celebrity Century is a 22 day cruise from Miami, with the ship calling at a number of popular ports including Key West and Cozumel, Mexico.

There will be 16 of the ‘hottest’ actors on TV and guests will get the opportunity to attend a cocktail party with the stars. Guests will also be asked to write their own script and act out a scene with one of the soap stars.

Actors who will be appearing on the Soap Cruise include Brandon Beemer from the Bold and the Beautiful, Jay Johnson of Days of Our Lives and Christian LeBlanc of the Young and the Restless.

The newest addition to the Celebrity Cruises fleet, Celebrity Equinox will be making her debut in August 2009.

Captain's to perform wedding ceremonies at sea

Azamara and Celebrity Cruises now offer weddings with a difference in that you can be married by the ship’s captain in the new captain-led ceremonies. Currently offering a vow renewal and in-port wedding service, this new service will lead the way in cruise weddings with ships such as Celebrity Millennium able to offer on board weddings.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises Vice President of Hotel Operations believes "While many of our guests come onboard seeking a once-in-a-lifetime wedding or vow renewal location, and we've been happy to provide them with in-port weddings led by a local official, their number-one request is for captains to perform the ceremony," this request has now been granted and it offers the wedding guests a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Celebrity Cruises have recently re-registers most of their ships in Malta where government regulations have changed, allowing ship’s Captains to perform weddings at sea. Azamara Cruise ships were already registered at Malta and so there is now a wider choice of cruise weddings available.

Celebrity Cruises sumptuous enhancements to culinary dining

Celebrity Cruises has made an array of enhancements to its award-winning dining experience. Celebrity Cruises culinary program is a central element of “Celebrity’s Star Treatment” and now has more than 200 new menu offerings, upgraded casual dining area and a whole new brunch selection.

Celebrity Cruises Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations is Jacques Van Staden, a hugely respected and successful chef and restaurateur who joined Celebrity Cruises a year old. According to Jacques Van Staden, the enhancements were initiated by results from extensive guest surveys and monitoring of trends in the food and beverage industry and a keen finger on the pulse of innovation.

"Our objective is to set the trend, not follow it," said Van Staden. "That's what makes a great dining experience. You have to shake things up now and then, and regularly introduce new and different offerings, along with the items our guests tell us they can't live without."

Evening menus are so extensive now that even guests traveling on one of Celebrity Cruises 14 night itineraries will not be presented with the same menu twice.

Dining on the rocks

A number of enhancements have been made to Celebrity Cruises café/casual dining area on every ship. These include modernising the atmosphere, upgrading signage and equipment and increasing the menu selection.

One interesting and imaginative enhancement in the lido/casual dining area is the replacement of ice with chilled river rocks throughout the self serve buffet area. Presented on the rocks of hundreds of new meal options and there are also made to order areas and more destination influenced cuisines including Asian, Italian, Mediterranean and Middle East.

Late night feast

For guests travelling on one of Celebrity Cruises ships who enjoy a late night feast, an ‘after-theatre’ menu has been introduced in Cova Café offering guests late-night desserts, sandwiches and specialty coffees.

"Our guests enjoyed the service and presentation of 'Gourmet Bites,' but very few actually indulged in them," said Van Staden. "The new options in Cova Cafe allow guests who are interested in late-night dining a light, varied menu, featuring sandwiches, savories, tartlets, hot brochettes, canapés, artisan cheeses, fresh fruit, crackers, petit fours and napoleons."

Celebrity's Cova Cafe presents the new late-night menu from 11 pm to closing.

Gala brunch

The once-per-cruise gala midnight buffet has been replaced with a sumptuous brunch in the main dining room, with highlights such as Celebrity Cruises famous ice, ffruit and vegetable carvings.

"Our guests loved viewing the elaborate creations we presented at the midnight gala buffet, but very few wanted to actually eat that late," said Van Staden. "Now, we still proudly present our culinary team's great artistry, but at a time when our guests can thoroughly enjoy it."

Guests can enjoy the lavish brunch which will have a huge variety of fresh fruits; made to order smoothies; gourmet cheeses; cold cuts; salads; sandwiches; meats and seafood; pizzas, paninis and wraps; sushi and stir fry selections; eggs of every style and delicious desserts ranging from individual, bite sized to sorbet and ice cream.

Celebrity Cruises new ship Celebrity Equinox is due to set sail in 2009.

Celebrity Cruises first voyages to Antarctica

Celebrity Cruises is fast approaching their 10^th consecutive season in South America and to celebrate they will be offering their first ever Antarctica cruise. Celebrity Infinity, a 2,050 guest superliner, will sail eight South America itineraries in late 2009 and early 2010, calling in at 26 ports in 13 countries.

Whilst cruising in Antarctica guests onboard Celebrity Infinity will be able to see the breathtaking glaciers, rare wildlife and other wonders of nature during 3 days of serenely cruising past Elephant Island, Paradise Bay and Gerlache Strait. The itineraries will also include voyages through Cape Horn and feature calls at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.

In addition to this Celebrity Cruises have four 14-night sailings between Valparaiso and Buenos Aires throughout December and February 2010. Each of these sailings will include an overnight stay in Buenos Aires.

There will be fabulous 15 night voyages on Celebrity Infinity to the Panama Canal and a South America cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Valparaiso on 5 December 2009 and a 14 night return trip from Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale on 14 March 2010. Included will be stops at Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Lima, Peru; Arica, Chile and other fascinating cities.

Celebrity Cruises Spring Cleaning Fleet

Celebrity Cruises are embarking on a ‘spring clean’ of its fleet, including Celebrity Summit, which has already been given a treatment involving replacing thousands of square feet of tiles, carpeting and 2,500 yards of fabric.

Celebrity Summit has also been fitted with a new 11,000 kilowatt diesel dedicated electrical generation system which will reduce the ships fuel consumption when in port. Celebrity Summit’s Rendezvous Lounge has undergone a makeover with a new floor and the boutique shop has been renovated.

"We are constantly focused on the care and maintenance of our fleet, and evaluate the exterior and interior appearance of every ship, every day, to ensure we're consistently delivering the best guest experience," Senior Vice-President of Marine Operations at Celebrity Cruises, John Krousouloudis commented.

Celebrity Cruises short Caribbean Winter breaks

Celebrity Cruises 2009-2010 winter schedule will feature four and five night Caribbean sailings, which will be the perfect getaway for guests wanting to experience the line’s signature service and the incredible sunsets of the Caribbean.

There will be a series of three sailings in the winter Caribbean season on the recently refurbished Celebrity Century. Each itinerary features two ports of call; these include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Key West, Florida.

Once in port there are a variety of shore and land excursions to delight guests, including "Temazcal Mayan Steamlodge Experience" in Cozumel, which includes a shaman-guided ritual reflective of those that the ancient Mexicans would perform; "Chukka Ultimate Adventure" in Ocho Rios, which offers a horseback ride along the White River, river innertubing, a Jamaican lunch and a hike; or "Taste of Key West," a guided walking tour through the town’s colourful gardens and historic buildings, with delectable treats included.

There have been a number of enhancements on board Celebrity Century as part of a $55 million makeover in 2006. The 1,814 guest ship now has the addition of 314 new verandas, 14 new suites, 1 new staterooms ranging from inside to veranda categories and an expanded number of Concierge Class category staterooms.

Celebrity have also expanded the AquaSpa, added speciality restaurant Murano, refurbished the main dining room, created the first ice bar at sea and enhanced the bedding in staterooms.

No Smoking on Celebrity Balconies

As of October 2008 guests on Celebrity Cruises ships will not be allowed to smoke in staterooms and on the balconies of staterooms. Celebrity Cruises are responding to the requests of their patrons, with 90% of their cruisers being non-smokers.

These stricter non-smoking policies will be implemented across the Celebrity Cruises fleet and will affect passengers travelling onboard Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Century, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Solstice.

These policies are being implemented following a poll that revealed cruisers prefer cleaner air and so there will also be a reduction in the number of public areas available for smokers from October onwards.

There are still designated areas onboard where guests will be able to smoke, these being the port side of one lounge per ship and an area inside the slot machine zone of ship casinos.

Smoking will also be permitted outside on the port side of the pool deck and sundecks on Celebrity Cruises ships; however Celebrity Solstice’s Lawn Club and Sunset Bar at the Lawn Club will not allow smoking.

"We pay careful attention to what our guests have to say, and approximately 90 per cent of them have told us they are non-smokers. By increasing the number of smoke-free areas onboard while still designating areas for those who smoke, our aim is to make the onboard experience as pleasant as possible for all of our guests," commented president of Celebrity Cruises Dan Hanrahan

Celebrity Cruises 2009 Alaska Season

Guests on three Celebrity Cruises ships in 2009 will have the opportunity to see Hubbard Glacier, the reigning beauty spot in Alaska, where the breathtaking rugged splendor of the natural world meets the comfortable sophistication of a premium cruise. Hubbard Glacier is the only advancing glacier in Alaska and is one of the countless must see sights in the region. Celebrity’s 2009 season features much of Alaska’s coastal magnificence with unique cruise tours affording guests the opportunity to experience inland Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Whistler and British Columbia.

Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, and Celebrity Millennium will sail Alaska in 2009, from a total of five ports. Celebrity Mercury is offering a 14 night Ultimate Alaska sailing, taking in five Alaska ports as well as Seattle, Washington and Victoria and British Columbia. Celebrity Millennium will sail the lines first 10 night round trip from Vancouver, visiting six Alaska ports and one Canadian port. Celebrity Millennium will cruise between Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, and cruising the Inside Passage.

Combining a cruise with a multi-night, land-based journey enhances the Alaska experience. In 2009, Celebrity is increasing its cruise tour offerings.

There will be a total of 21 Alaska cruise tours available to guests sailing seven-night voyages on Celebrity Millennium out of Seward and Vancouver. In 2009, these offerings include a new seven-night post-cruise tour through Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and Fairbanks, Alaska.

Three Canadian cruise tour journeys (two Canadian Rockies and one Whistler) are available to guests sailing seven-night voyages on Celebrity Mercury out of Vancouver. A five-night Canadian Rockies package featuring rail travel on Rocky Mountaineers’ RedLeaf will visit Calgary, Banff and Vancouver. A three-night Whistler package features rail travel on Rocky Mountaineers’ Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic and visits the 2010 Winter Olympics sites of Vancouver and Whistler.

Celebrity Cruises Top 10 dining aboard Celebrity Solstice

This December Celebrity Cruises launches their new ship Celebrity Solstice. Onboard this ship is expected to be 10 of the hottest new restaurants you are likely to ever find in one location. Celebrity Cruises have partnered with some of the world’s best designers in the hospitality business to create the new restaurants on board Celebrity Solstice. Among them was Adam Tihany who has created such famous restaurants as Montes, Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, Per Se, Jean Georges, Le Cirque in New York and Aureole, Bouchon and Seablue in Las Vegas.

Celebrity Solstice features a dramatic two-level dining room to be named the Grand Epernay, a classic steakhouse Tuscan Grill and the casual yet stylish Oceanview Café and Grill on the lido deck. Celebrity’s Vice President of Food & Beverage Jacuqes Van Staden, Celebrity’s consultant Blau & Associates, together with Celebrity’s highly experienced Food and Beverage team are busy creating menus for each restaurant. Based on thorough studies of guest’s culinary preferences and the latest dining trends around the world the menus are sure to fantastic. The team will take their creations into test kitchens later this month to ensure each meets the standards of culinary excellence required for Celebrity’s guests.

The Grand Epernay is set to be an epitome of old Hollywood glamour meeting with stunning contemporary design, with a breathtaking two-storey glass wine tower. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving such mouth watering courses such as peppered bison fillet with red onion preserve and smoked fillet with lentil stew, sultana caper and beef jus.

The Tuscan Grill is traditional old world charm of Italy, entering through an archway it will give guests the impression of a fine Napa Valley wine cellar. There guest can enjoy Caesar salads prepared table side, antipasti bar, Kobe beef and a selection of steaks. Pair this with one of their full flavoured Italian wines and guests will feel they are truly enjoying a taste of the Riviera.
Silk Harvest is a contemporary, exotic Asian themed restaurant with a casual atmosphere. The menu will be a fusion of hot and cold, spicy and mild Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and Indian selections. All served with Asian-influenced Martinis and beers, cocktails with ginger root and acai berries.

This is just a taste of some of the culinary delights that can be found on Celebrity Cruises new Celebrity Solstice ship, for more information about cruising on this amazing new ship contact Jetline Cruises.