Celebrity Takes Over Ownership of Solstice

Some days I struggle to find good newsworthy tidbits for you, other days I'm swamped with them. Yesterday was one of those days with more articles than space! Because I try to add no more than 3 new blog posts a day so that those of you subscribing to the RSS feeds on your newsreaders won't miss anything, a few items were pushed over to today.

In an event which marks the beginning of the next phase of cruising for Celebrity Cruises, Meyer Werft delivered the Celebrity Solstice to Celebrity yesterday in a ceremony in Emshaven, Netherlands, marking the formal transfer of the ship -- the first in a class of five . The ship will begin its trans-Atlantic voyage Oct. 25 and is expected to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Nov. 3.

"With its innovative, half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing glass; 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, of course, the intangible attribute found on every Celebrity ship -- extraordinary service -- Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about," said Dan Hanrahan, Celebrity president and CEO.

Soon after its arrival in Ft. Lauderdale, the Solstice will serve as the 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.

The ship will be named in formal ceremonies on Nov. 14 and will embark on its inaugural season Nov. 23 on a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Lt. Lauderdale. In spring 2009, the Solstice will introduce a series of 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings roundtrip from Rome.

Longing to sail on her? Remember I still have a limited number of cabins available on the 2-night pre-inaugural charter cruise to nowhere on November 21, starting at $392/person, including all port charges, taxes, fuel supplement AND gratuities for a balcony cabin!