New Ships to Provide More Choices for Cruise Vacations

Cruising offers an incredible array of vacation opportunities: whether you seek stunning scenery or exotic ports of call; relaxing spa treatments or outdoor adventures; superior cuisine or fitness activities; family-oriented activities or glittering nightlife, you can find it -- and much more -- on a cruise ship.

With so much to offer, it's no wonder that cruise vacations are growing in popularity.  The Cruise Lines International Association has forecasted that 12.6 million passengers will set sail on cruise ships during 2007, an increase of approximately one-half million passengers from 2006.

To keep pace with the growing demand for cruise vacations and to provide cruise aficionados with more choices for future cruises, cruise lines are planning and launching exciting new ships.  At least a dozen new cruise ships will make their debuts during 2007, adding more than 22,000 new berths for passengers on the high seas.  By the end of 2010, a total of 30 new ships of various sizes and styles are expected to enter service in the vacation cruise industry.

One cruise line that is stepping up to provide vacationers with new options is Celebrity Cruises, which has announced four vessels to be built for its new Solstice Class of ships.  The first will be the Celebrity Solstice, scheduled to launch in October 2008.  The Solstice will be followed by the Celebrity Equinox in 2009; the Celebrity Eclipse in 2010; and a fourth Solstice-class ship, not yet named, in 2011.

Celebrity Cruises, known for casual sophistication and luxurious touches throughout its ships, is keeping some details about its Solstice Class under wraps for now.  However, the cruise line has dropped a few hints from time to time.  Celebrity has promised that the Solstice Class will embody a "new concept in premium cruising."  When speaking of the Solstice, Dan Hanrahan, president of Celebrity Cruises, said, "While it's too soon to reveal any details, I'm convinced our guests are going to find this ship to be the perfect manifestation of what they appreciate most about Celebrity."

Celebrity has announced that each Solstice Class ship will carry 2,850 guests, making them the largest in the Celebrity fleet.  The vessels will have larger standard staterooms measuring 215 square feet.  Most of the staterooms -- 90 percent -- will be on the outside of the ship to take advantage of ocean views.  In addition, 85 percent of staterooms will have verandas where passengers can relax in style while enjoying ocean breezes.

"These spectacular ships will vividly illustrate Celebrity's tradition of breakthrough design and leading innovations," said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft, the company that is building the Solstice Class ships.

Passengers can certainly expect upscale services, furnishings and amenities on the new Celebrity ships.  It's also a safe bet that the ships will offer the five-star dining that is standard for the cruise line.

To find out more about the features and amenities of the newest ships at sea -- and which will provide you with the most memorable cruise vacation -- contact me, Your Personal Cruise Expert.

For more information please contact Teresa Knox at tknox@seamastercruises.com or visit her website at http://www.teresaknox.com