Crystal Cruises is offering a wellness cruise in on September 5th onboard the Crystal Symphony. Leading experts and instructors from The Mayo Clinic, Tai Chi Cultural Center, and even the world of professional baseball are on the roster. Double occupancy promotional cruise fares for the 14-day cruise – including free air from 20 cities and the $1,000 bonus spending credit – start at $5,710 per person.Archive for the ‘Eclipse’ Category
Catch Up on the Latest Travel Industry News
Friday, March 5th, 2010
Crystal Cruises is offering a wellness cruise in on September 5th onboard the Crystal Symphony. Leading experts and instructors from The Mayo Clinic, Tai Chi Cultural Center, and even the world of professional baseball are on the roster. Double occupancy promotional cruise fares for the 14-day cruise – including free air from 20 cities and the $1,000 bonus spending credit – start at $5,710 per person.Travel News: Westin, Celebrity and Carnival All Make Headlines
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Carnival Cruises reported records sales and gives a heads up that prices are on the rise. The price increase will go into affect on March 22nd for all summer sailings in June, July and August. Week of March 8th: NE – Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada & New England
Week of March 15th: Europe & Transatlantic
Week of March 22nd: Alaska
Week of March 29th: Exotics (Australia & Asia)
Week of April 5th: 7 Night Caribbean
Week of April 12th: Winter Carib, S. America, Panama Canal & Bahamas
Celebrity Cruises Eclipse of a Lifetime Sweepstakes
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009Experience the event of a lifetime: Celebrity Eclipse’s journey to sea…Thousands will cheer as Celebrity Cuise Line’s newest ship, Celebrity Eclipse, makes her way from the shipyard in Germany to the North Seain The Netherlands. Win your way onboard this exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime voyage and rare behind the scenes opportunity. 10 winners and their guests will be the first individuals outside of the cruise line’s employees to board the Celebrity Eclipse when it sets sail for the first time…the first to be led and hostedthroughout the ship by Celebrity’s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan; first to nestle into the ship’s AquaClass staterooms, first to sample the ships innovatice cuisine created by the line’s VP of Culinary Operations and Chef Jacques Van Staden and the first to have the chance to interact with the ship’s senior officers. The sailing is scheduled for March 13, 2010. The Eclipse of a Lifetime prize package includes a night in Dusseldorf, one of the hippest cities in Germany, prior to boarding the ship and a night in freewhaling Amsterdam after departing the ship. Each “Eclipse of a Lifetime” winner also receives coach-class air fot 2 from each winner’s nearest gateway, all meals and activities onboard the ship; all pertinent gratuities and ground transfers from airport and hotel in Europe.

Entries must be received December 7th through January 4th, 2010. Ten lucky winners will be chosen for this exclusive event! Register to win.
Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale vacation experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity Cruises sails in Alaska, California, Canada, New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. Noted as the top mega-ship in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, Celebrity’s fleet including the new Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox will be joined by the Celebrity Eclipse in 2010.
Celebrity Cruise Line’s New Celebrity Life Program
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
Celebrity Cruise Line Press Release: Celebrity Cruise News
Redefining the onboard experience to create lasting memories for guests
MIAMI, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Life has always been good on a Celebrity Cruises vacation, and today, the brand announced a new program that will make it even better.
Celebrity Cruises today announced “Celebrity Life,” a new series of palate-pleasing, intellectually-enriching and life-enhancing programs designed to deliver the most unique and sophisticated onboard experience in premium cruising.
Built on long-established pillars of the Celebrity brand – dining, enrichment, and wellness – Celebrity Life encompasses three distinct program categories: “Savor,” “Discover,” and “Renew.”
“Celebrity Cruises has always been committed to offering the best vacation experience for discerning travelers,” said Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “Celebrity Life will provide our guests with an array of experiences they will remember long after they sail with us, thanks to the delivery and dedication of our spectacular crew across the fleet.”
“Savor” takes an already stellar culinary experience to new heights, with eight new wine enrichment events, six spirits and mixology tastings, and more than seven different interactive programs for guests, hosted by the ship’s Executive Chef and team.
“Discover” presents an opportunity for guests to do or learn what they have always wanted to try, but never had time to accomplish. Whether it’s ordering a bottle of Chianti in Italian, or exploring the universe in 40 minutes, guests can delve into a wide variety of interests.
“Renew” offers an improved, more goal-oriented approach to classes, seminars, and treatments designed to help guests on their journey to looking younger, feeling better and living longer.
SAVOR THE MOMENT
Shaped by the line’s award-winning chef, restaurateur and Vice President of Culinary Operations Jacques Van Staden, the Savor series will encompass three programs centered around Celebrity Cruises’ industry-leading food and beverage programming: “Celebrity Vineyards,” “Signature Spirits” and “Food as Art.”
The “Celebrity Vineyards” wine enrichment program, developed in partnership with the United States Sommelier Association, will feature a host of immersive wine events providing guests the opportunity to expand their understanding and appreciation of the fascinating world of wine. Among the varied activities are the comparative wine workshops Celebrity introduced in 2007, sanctioned by the renowned Riedel Crystal.
Celebrity’s “Signature Spirits” events will help unleash guests’ “inner mixologist” as they explore the modern world of spirits and cocktails during exclusive “Mixology 101″ workshops developed in partnership with Bacardi. The Signature Spirits events also will offer the opportunity to experience the industry’s first “Molecular Mixology” workshop developed by “The Liquid Chef,” world-renowned Master Mixologist Junior Merino.
Celebrity’s immersive “Food as Art” culinary arts program also includes highly interactive and participatory cooking shows. Led by a variety of Celebrity’s shipboard chefs, the program allows guests to serve as sous chefs in “Star Chef Cooking Competitions,” and to participate in exclusive behind-the-scenes tours to watch the teams in Celebrity’s galleys actively preparing delectable desserts, fresh-baked breads and a seemingly endless array of entrees. The Food as Art program also will surprise and delight vacationers with a special lineup of guest chefs who will set sail with Celebrity over the course of the year.
DANCE…DISCUSS. . .DISCOVER
A highlight of Celebrity Life’s “Discover” series is the opportunity to learn a new language through Celebrity’s industry-first alliance with Rosetta Stone(R). Through this new partnership, over the course of just one sailing, either self-taught or hosted, guests can gain a working knowledge of their choice from among 13 languages.
Celebrity’s “Beyond the Podium” enrichment series, as its name implies, will offer guests far more than the typical enrichment lecture. The series will be highlighted by the brand’s new association with Smithsonian Journeys, the educational travel program of the renowned Smithsonian Institution, which is the world’s largest museum complex and research organization. Guests on select sailings will have the opportunity to gain deep, new insight from Smithsonian Journeys’ globally recognized experts as they speak with Celebrity guests about a vast array of topics, including history, culture, art and architecture, and the natural environment.
Meanwhile, iPod addicts can learn new iTunes tips and tricks while onboard, and novice and experienced computer users alike can boost their technological prowess through Celebrity’s “digITal” series, with courses ranging from Photoshop and Windows XP primers, to BlackBerry tips and blog creation.
Stargazers will be inspired to stare skyward as they learn about astronomy, telescope tips, and even celestial navigation through Celebrity’s new alliance with Stargeezer, a program devoted to educating consumers about astronomy in user-friendly fashion. Celebrity guests also will be invited to gaze at the night skies out on deck during special stargazers’ parties and “star hunts” designed to identify the evening’s brightest constellations and planets.
Dance enthusiasts can share the stage with Celebrity’s own professional dancers during itinerary-influenced, interactive productions whose themes include “Sizzle,” “Groove,” “Decco,” and “Flava.” Additionally, in partnership with Skyy Vodka, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox will present “Live @ Sky” in the two ships’ Sky Observation Lounge.
In addition to participating in cultural, world and ballroom dance classes, guests also will have the opportunity to compete in the “Everybody Dance” competition, culminating in a vote for “star” dance champions on every sailing.
To learn how to creatively preserve photos of their impressive new dance moves, or the picturesque places they visited during their cruise, guests can participate in Celebrity’s new courses offered through the line’s unique partnership with the StoryTellersClub, designed to guide guests through the process of creating valuable keepsakes of their cruise vacation memories.
TO RENEW YOU
Celebrity Life’s new health and wellness program called “Renew” offers an expansion of spa and wellness services designed to help guests feel better, live longer, and look younger. Redefining the spa experience with an innovative range of beauty and wellness options for Celebrity guests, Renew offers three areas of enrichment within the program: “Ageless,” “Energy,” and “Longevity,” each with its own slate of treatment selections, seminars and workshops.
Guests can participate in motivating classes, a variety of seminars, and also experience results-driven spa or fitness treatments created for each series within the program.
Within the Ageless series are informative seminars focused on skin renewal and youth-enhancing lifestyle tips, in addition to medi-spa cosmetic services such as BOTOX(R) Cosmetic, Restylane(R) and Perlane(R), and a selection of anti-aging facials, including a 24-karat gold facial available on the fleet’s latest ship, Celebrity Equinox, to target fine lines and wrinkles.
To help promote self-awareness and healthier living long-term, the Energy series entails nutritional information, wellness assessments and realistic “Life” prescriptions that guests can incorporate into their lifestyle, plus body sculpting and strengthening options, including a “boot camp” course, indoor cycling, personal training, and gravity training classes.
Among the highlights of the Longevity series are seminars focused on stress management, lifestyle enhancements, and alternative healing systems such as Chinese medicine. The Longevity series also features complimentary consultations with the onboard acupuncturist, an array of acupuncture treatments to rebalance the mind and body, in addition to yoga, tai-chi and “fab abs” courses.
WHEN DOES CELEBRITY LIFE “GO LIVE?”
Following its rollout on the new Celebrity Equinox when the ship enters service July 31, the Celebrity Life program will be introduced across the balance of the fleet by the end of November.
“All of us at Celebrity are eager to introduce this new program to our guests,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “From pleasing palates to enriching intellects to enhancing day-to-day life, there’s something to suit every interest within our new Celebrity Life. And this is only the beginning. We look forward to introducing more surprises over the course of the year.”
Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale vacation experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the top 10 “Top Cruise Ships in the World” in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler (February 2009 readers’ poll), Celebrity’s fleet – including the new Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox – will be joined by Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012
Celebrity Cruise Deals
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
FREE ONBOARD SPENDING GALORE!
Up to $100 when you book Oceanview or higher
We’ll give you a pre-paid shopping spree for the ship’s boutiques, spa, bars, and more! Call 800-942-3301 for details!
See for yourself why Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted five of Celebrity’s vessels among the world’s “Top 10 Large Ships”, with the line’s Constellation, Summit, Infinity, and Millennium ranked as the top four overall.
Plus, don’t miss the brand-new Celebrity Solstice & Celebrity Equinox featuring a manicured half-acre of lawn – the first of its kind at sea – where you can play bocce ball and croquet, practice your putting, or simply picnic!
Celebrity and Azamara Exclusive “Come Grow with Us” two-week promotion, May 4-17, 2009:
- $50 per stateroom onboard credit for any 2009 Alaska FIT booking, Oceanview or above
- $100 per stateroom onboard credit for any 2009 Europe FIT booking, Oceanview or above
- Onboard credits will automatically be applied to applicable bookings by June 1, 2009: no redemption form necessary
All offers applicable for new individual ocean view or above bookings booked & deposited between 5/4/ & 5/17/09. Onboard credit is in USD & is not redeemable for cash. One onboard credit per stateroom.
Free Things to Do on a Cruise
Sunday, March 1st, 2009
Cruise rates, particularly for Alaska and the Caribbean, are a great value this year. Considering the fact that the cruise fare includes accommodations, meals, several onboard activities and entertainment, if you plan ahead, you can have very little out of pocket expenses.
In December we wrote some tips on how to save while on a cruise. For those of you who have never been on a cruise, we now want to share more details on the different types of onboard activities that are available.
Plenty of things to do on a cruise ship are free, like using the pool, library, game room, basketball courts, fitness center or catching live entertainment…you’ll find everything from Reggae Bands by the pool, to Comedians, Magicians and Broadway style performances throughout your cruise. Children’s programs are free, and the activities cater to several age groups. If you are interested, you can also dance the night away at various lounges, or the night club. Check your daily planner (or “compass” as it is called on many ships,) that is left in your cabin each day, so that you don’t miss out on the activities.
Activities vary by ship and cruise line, but in general here are some of the popular/free activities available while on a cruise:
Onboard parties include:
Games include:
Tournaments include:
Some ships have come up with other unique forms of free entertainment. For example, several Princess ships offer Movies Under the Stars – a 300 sq. ft. screen around the pool. During the day, all sorts of videos and family movies are shown. At night, the chairs are covered with comfortable padding, blankets are provided and fresh popped popcorn…it’s almost like being at a drive-in! Make sure and arrive early, as the seats do fill up. Newer Carnival ships also have an outdoor screen, and some it’s and MSC ships have added it as well.
The Celebrity Solstice, which launched in November, features the first “Hot Glass Show” at sea, where glassblowers from New York’s Corning Museum of Glass give free glassblowing demonstrations. On the same deck right off of the Glass blowing area, the Solstice also has a deck with real grass called the “Lawn Club” where you can play bocce or croquet or putt golf balls for free. The Eclipse (2009) and Equinox (2010) will offering the same activities as the Solstice.
For “Foodies,” Holland America has an excellent Culinary Arts Presentations Center. Each cruise features chefs and experts offering cooking demonstrations. On several cruises throughout the year, famous guest chefs will be onboard. Demonstrations are offered on seas days – usually twice during a 7 day cruise. After the demonstration, which lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, everyone in attendance gets to sample a few of the dishes that were prepared on stage. Many other cruise lines also offer cooking demonstrations, ice carving, napkins folding and more.
Royal Caribbean offers free rock climbing on most of their ships. Newer ships also have free Ice skating shows, and on Freedom Class ships you can try out the Flow Rider, a surf simulator that attracts hundreds of eager surfers and golfers to the aft sports court each day. The sloped, wavelike surface of the FlowRider is perfect for beginning, intermediate and advanced surfers. And for those not brave enough to attempt the FlowRider, the surrounding stadium seating is great for surveying wipeouts.
Needless to say, there is plenty to do on a cruise. Let one of our agents help you find the best value and cruise line for you next vacation.
Contributed by: S. Brages
Celebrity Cruises Eclipse
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
CALLING CAPTAIN CIRCLE MEMBERS -
BE AMONG THE FIRST…
Introducing Celebrity Eclipse, the newest addition to Celebrity’s stellar fleet, and the third of the Solstice-class ships. Celebrity Eclipse will satisfy your penchant for luxury with spectacular design and exceptional service, while offering the most affordable way to explore Europe and the Caribbean when she sets sail in 2010.
On March 3rd at 7am EST, Celebrity Cruise Line is opening an early booking window for one week to take Celebrity Eclipse reservations, exclusively for our Captain’s Club members.
The Celebrity Eclipse will be based in Southampton, England, in summer 2010, offering cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
During this private event, you’ll have the ability to reserve your stateroom before Celebrity Eclipse bookings open to the public on March 10th. Exclusive one week booking period for members only. March 3rd through March 9th, 2009. To book your cruise, call us at 800-942-3301
We invite you to read through our blog for a review of the Eclipses’ sister ship, the Celebrity Solstice. We also have over 100 pictures of the ship.






