Posts Tagged ‘celebrity equinox’

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 Solstice and Equinox Corning Hot Glass Show

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

 When you travel on a Celebrity Solstice Class ship, you have the rare opportunity to experience the art of glass blowing up close. As you sit on the top deck adjacent to the Lawn Club, you and a small number of guests will look on as gaffers from the Corning Museum of Glass carefully manipulate molten glass inside the 2,300 degree furnace, watching as a special, heat-resistant camera placed inside the oven broadcasts the images to large overhead screens. Then, in a moment of pure drama, you’ll gaze in awe as the glass emerges and the gaffers coax it to life, in much the same way that the Hot Glass Show breathes life into this ancient craft.

The Corning Museum of Glass is committed to helping support developing artists and students who aspire to work in one of the world’s most compelling mediums, through education and scholarship programs. The Hot Glass Show, which has been in existence over 10 years, is one of their many outreach programs. At the end of each sailing, Celebrity Cruises and The Corning Museum of Glass will auction off a few of the best pieces created by these artists during the live show, with proceeds being donated to Celebrity Cruises Glassmaking Scholarship Fund, which gives emerging artists the opportunity to study with the world’s best gaffers at The Studio, the museum’s glassmaking school.

Celebrity Equinox Cruise Ship

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Celebrity Equinox left Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on June 6, 2009. The 2,850-passenger ship is the second in Celebrity’s widely heralded Solstice Class fleet.

Celebrity Equinox will sail a series of Ancient Empires and other European itineraries from Southampton and Rome this summer, followed by 10- and 11-night Ultimate Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning in November.

Click here for more on Celebrity Sostice class ships including pictures, cabin information and reviews.

Celebrity Equinox

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

This summer, after a 10-night maiden voyage sailing from Southampton to Rome, Celebrity Equinox will embark on a series of 13 & 14 night Ancient Empires cruise itineraries, visiting ports such as Alexandria, Egypt; Haifa, Israel; Ephesus, Turkey and Split, Croatia. On these cruises, you’ll encounter the rich historical narrative that defines the Mediterranean. you’ll also discover history being made onboard as Celebrity Equinox showcases a number of brand-defining industry firsts. Explore the Lawn Club, with a half-acre of real grass. Visit the adjacent glassblowing show and studio developed with the Corning Museum of Glass. Revel in unrivaled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design. Or enjoy the widely varied entertainment, including spectacular new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals, The 2,850 guest vessel also boasts spacious staterooms and bathrooms, and several categories of accommodations, including Celebrity’s new spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms.

With two Solstice class ships sailing through the Mediterranean, Celebrity Cruises promises to deliver a summer season like you’ve never experienced.

For more posts on the sister ship, the Celebrity Solstice, click here

Celebrity Solstice and Equinox Restaurants

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Celebrity cruises is synonymous with gourmet cuisine, & the Solstice has more dining options than any other Celebrity ship. We’ve included an overview of each restaurant to help you decide where you would like to dine while onboard.  Want to learn more about the ship? You can read my Solsitce ship review, & see over 100 photos of the ship, by visiting my Flickr account

The Grand Epernay, main dining room is gorgeous with a two story glass wine tower & dazzling chandeliers. Service is excellent & there are a number of tables for two if you arrive early.The dining room is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Evening entree options include Chateaubriand, Filet Mignon & shrimp with fettuccine. A champagne collection from the region inspiring the venue’s name includes Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon, Heidsieck & Monopole & Louis Roederer Cristal.
Sample menu

Murano
which is also on Celebrity’s Millennium class ships, serves modern French cuisine. Menu choices include lobster, duck & Alaskan crab. You can reserve a private room for a party of 8 in their wine cellar area. The wine cellar offers options from around the world, with a focus on boutique-style and limited production vintages. The charge for Murano is $30 per person & reservations are required. View sample menu

Silk Harvest, offers Asian food including sushi as well as a fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese & Indian dishes. The cover charge is $20 per guest & reservations are required. View sample menu

Tuscan Grill is an upscale steak house with an Italian influence, so you can enjoy Caesar salads prepared table-side, an antipasti bar, Kobe beef & a variety of steaks, all paired with a robust list of fine Italian wines. Cover charge is $25 per guest & reservations are required. View sample menu

Blu is the restaurant included for all Aqua Class passenger. Menu selections include seafood, herb crusted lamb & steaks, using healthier methods of preparation (i.e. no heavy sauces or fried items). Blu is exclusive to Aqua Class passengers, however if there is space available, suite guests can also make reservations. View sample menu

Bistro on Five is open 24 hours per day and serves crepes, sandwiches, soups and desserts. Entrees also available are quiche, fish and chips, baked ziti and chicken pot pie. The charge is $5.00 per person, and no reservations are required. 

The Ocean View Cafe & Grill is the buffet area. It has several stations offering extensive menu choices for breakfast, lunch & dinner, with many items made to order while you wait. Each afternoon, sushi is also offered. There is a full bar if you want to sit and have a drink and plenty of seating indoor as well as outdoor at the back of the ship with great views. To satisfy the sweet tooth, there are always desserts as well as an ice cream bar.  

Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria: This upscale coffee house offers specialty coffees, teas, fresh-baked pastries, chocolate truffles and petit fours. An additional charge for certain items will apply.

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.

At the 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 alfresco 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.

Additional Options:

Room service is available 24 hours per day for something as simple as a sandwich or chicken wings, to a  romantic dinner for two on your balcony. During lunch and dinner hours, guests may order from the main dining room.

Coffee & Tea Stations:  Open 24 hours a day, and proudly serving single varietals & harmonious blends from Seventh Coffee, as well as an assortment of traditional and exotic teas.

Sunset Happy Hours: As day slowly turns to evening, wet your appetite for the feast to come with chips, salsa, nachos and happy hour cocktails at the Sunset Bar, which sits adjacent to the lawn club.

Celebrity Cruise Deals

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

cel_may_promo_566x154FREE 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!

saleCelebrity 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.

Celebrity Cruise Deals

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Book any
Celebrity Solstice
 or Celebrity Equinox 2009 Europe cruise between April 1, and April 30th, 2009 and receive up to a $200 in Ship board credits.

• $50     Inside Cabins

• $75     Ocean view  Cabins

• $100  Balcony Cabin
$100 + Prepaid Gratuities:  Suites

Celebrity Solstice
10/11-Night Eastern Mediterranean
May 4 through November 20, 2009
Departing from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Ports may include: Santorini, Greece; Mykonos, Greece;
Istanbul, Turkey; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Athens
(Piraeus), Greece; Naples/Capri, Italy

                     
Starting from: $1,449*

 Celebrity Equinox
13 Night Ancient Empires
August 18 through October 23, 2009
Departing from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Ports may include:: Naples/Capri, Italy; Athens (Piraeus),
Greece; Rhodes, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Haifa, Israel;
Ashdod, Israel; Alexandria, Egypt
                     
Starting from:
$2,299*
10 Night Best of Europe
August 8, 2009
Departing from Southhampton, England
Ports: Paris (Le Havre,), France, Cherbourg, France; Vigo, Spain,
Lisbon, Portgual; Gibraltar, United Kingdom; Cartagena, Spain;
Barcelona, Spain; Rome, Italy
                     
Starting from:
$2,599*

For some great pictures of the Solstice,
click here

†Offer valid for new bookings only. To qualify for shipboard credit, you must book and fully deposit your 2009 Celebrity Solstice or Celebrity Equinox between April 1, & April 30th 2009.  Not combinable with any other offer. The discount coupon is valid on select 2010 Celebrity cruises of 7 nights or longer;, excludes holidays and Celebrity Xpedition® sailings. Certain restrictions apply. Discount coupons have no cash value. Prices are per person, double occupancy, cruise only on select sail dates. Prices are in U.S. dollars. Itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice. Government taxes and fees are additional. Certain restrictions apply. ©2009 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta. 09014472 • 3/2009

Celebrity Equinox Cruise

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Posted :       Apr 2, 2009 9:00 pm EST
Author :      Celebrity Cruises
Category :  Press Release

MIAMI – April 2, 2009 – An equinox occurs twice a year, but the opportunity to experience a special four-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Equinox will occur only once.

On the heels of her eagerly awaited inaugural season in Europe this year, Celebrity Equinox will arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., November 19, to welcome guests with reservations on the special four-night sailing, which is now open for booking. “The response Celebrity Solstice has received from the press, our guests and our travel partners since she launched in November has exceeded even our own high expectations,” said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. “We’re confident Celebrity Equinox will meet with equally glowing reviews, and think there’s no better way to introduce her in the U.S. than with a four-night Solstice Class sampler.”With three tranquil days and nights at sea and a day in one of the most popular ports in the Caribbean – Cozumel, Mexico – the special itinerary offers ample time for guests to experience the series of brand-defining, industry-first attributes associated with Celebrity Solstice, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass, unrivaled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design, and widely varied entertainment, including spectacular new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals. Like Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox also will have spacious staterooms and bathrooms, and several categories of accommodations, including Celebrity’s spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise 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, Hawaii, 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 Condé Nast Traveler (February 2009 readers’ poll), Celebrity’s fleet – including the new Celebrity Solstice – will be joined by Celebrity Equinox this year, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012.

Atlas has secured group space for this special sailing. Call 800-942-3301 for details.

Celebrity Cruise Equinox

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

equinox_thumbnailThe very essence of luxury, this is Celebrity Equinox. Shimmering in sophistication from bow to stern, she will exceed your expectations as soon as you step aboard. Delight in your choice of ten exceptional dining venues; relax in spacious and well appointed accommodations; or let the grass between your toes take you out to sea at the unprecedented Lawn Club. With every imaginable comfort, along with Celebrity’s unrivaled guest services, you are bound for greatness no matter your destination.

The ship is expected to be ready early, so they have added an additional sailing prior to the maiden voyage from Southampton to Rome on August 8th, 2009.  The ship will sail on July 31, 2009 through the Norwegian Fjords from Southampton. This 8 night cruise will stop in Stavanger, Flam, Geiranger & Oslo, Norway.  Inside & ocean view cabins are already sold out. Balconies begin at $1,799 pp and suites at $3,399 pp, based on double occupancy.

The Equinox is the sister ship to the Solstice & will offer the same great features including the Lawn Club, a dedicated area on the top deck of the ship featuring real grass where guests can play croquet, mini-golf or have a picnic.  Solstice ship review & ship photos available.

New Cruise Ships in 2009

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

Whether you prefer a large floating city with “neighborhoods,” a mid-size ship or a small luxurious ship, 2009 brings you plenty of new cruise ships to choose from.

Royal Caribbean  
Oasis of the Seas 
5,400 passengers       November, 2009

                     Costa Cruise Line  
Costa Pacifica                     Costa Luminosa
3,004  passengers                2,260 passengers   
June, 2009                         April, 2009

                      MSC Cruises            
Splendida                           Magnifica
3,300 passengers                 2,550 passengers     
July, 2009                          December, 2009
                                    
Seabourn              
Odyssey                         
450 passengers      June, 2009

Carnival                
Dream                      
3,652 passengers    September, 2009

Celebrity                    
Equinox                      
2,850 passengers    August, 2009

Silversea                
Spirit                                
540 passengers      November, 2009

River Cruises:

Amadeus Waterways:      Amadolce & Amalyra (142 passengers each) March, 2009                                        
Uniworld: River Beatrice (160 passengers)
 River Tosca (84 passengers) April, 2009

Do you plan to sail on any of these new ships in 2009?