Celebrity Solstice

Last updated

Celebrity Solstice
M-S Celebrity Solstice.jpg
Celebrity Solstice in 2011
History
Civil Ensign of Malta.svg Malta
NameCelebrity Solstice
Owner
Operator Celebrity Cruises
Port of registry
Builder
CostUS$750 million
Laid down17 March 2007 [2]
Launched10 August 2008 [3]
Sponsored by Sharon L. Smith
Christened14 November 2008
CompletedOctober 2008 [4]
Maiden voyage23 November 2008
In service2008–present
Identification
StatusIn service
Notes [5]
General characteristics
Class and type Solstice-class cruise ship
Tonnage
Length1,033 ft (314.86 m)
Beam121 ft (36.88 m)
Draft27 ft (8.23 m)
Decks19
Installed power4 ×  Wärtsilä 16V46
Propulsion
Speed24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)
Capacity2,852 passengers
Crew1,250

Celebrity Solstice is the lead ship of the Solstice class of cruise ships operated by Celebrity Cruises. Built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, she was floated out on 10 August 2008, and christened by ocean scientist Professor Sharon L. Smith at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, on 14 November 2008. [6] [7] [8] The first post-Panamax vessel in the Celebrity fleet, she features innovative interior design and onboard amenities, including an ocean-going live grass lawn, a glassblowing studio, and a 12 deck-high atrium. [9]

Contents

Design and description

Externally, Celebrity Solstice looks very different from previous Celebrity Cruises ships. Martin Francis of Francis Design was hired to design her exterior profile. [10] In original exterior renderings, the hull was shown as all-white with powder blue funnels and blue glass upper decks. [10] In a more recent update, the light blue color had been changed to Celebrity's normal dark blue color and the hull was shown having a resemblance to the current fleet's livery, with the promenade deck painted dark blue. Similarly, the large dark blue funnel with a white X that had been the trademark of Celebrity thus far has been replaced by two thin funnels, and it was planned to have the X logo of the company visible in the glass balcony railings on the ship's "hump" (The area of superstructure which extends outward farther than the rest of the balconies). Throughout her fitting out, sea trials, and launch, it was noted that the glass X, unless seen from certain angles, was not visible. Shortly after, the X was refinished to be darker, but still can be hard to see. An afterthought during the sea trials saw the addition of a white X onto the forward funnel, thus bringing Celebrity Solstice more closely related to her fleetmates. [11]

Facilities

Her facilities include a theater with a 1,400+ seating capacity, a live grass lawn between the ship's funnels on the upper deck, a workout room, sauna, indoor pool, and more than four hot tubs. [12]

Construction and career

Celebrity Solstice left Meyer Werft on September 28, 2008, and arrived in Fort Lauderdale on November 3, 2008. The keel was laid in March 2007. [13] Subsequently, she embarked on a series of short preview cruises for travel agents and dignitaries. [14] On November 14, 2008, at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, she was officially named by Sharon L. Smith. [15] She began commercial service on November 23, 2008. [16]

Celebrity Solstice was scheduled to be put in dry dock in October 2021. [17]

2020: spread of COVID-19

In March 2020 thousands of passengers of cruise ships that disembarked in Sydney, Australia were told to self-isolate due to COVID-19 fears. Celebrity Solstice disembarked its passengers on 20 March. [18] On 2 April 11 cases had tested positively for the virus in New South Wales alone. [19] One passenger was reported to have died on 1 April. [20]

The ship left Australia during the weekend of 4 April 2020 with its crew as did four other vessels. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Caribbean International</span> Norwegian–American cruise line

Royal Caribbean International (RCI), previously known as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), is a cruise line brand founded in 1968 in Norway and organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group since 1997. Based in Miami, Florida, it is the largest cruise line by revenue and second largest by passengers counts. In 2018, Royal Caribbean International controlled 19.2% of the worldwide cruise market by passengers and 14.0% by revenue. As of January 2024, the line operates 28 ships and has three additional ships on order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celebrity Cruises</span> Cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida, US

Celebrity Cruises is a cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida and a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group. Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1988 by the Greece-based Chandris Group, and merged with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1997. Celebrity's signature logo is an "Χ" displayed on the funnel of Celebrity ships, and is the Greek letter chi, for "Chandris".

MV <i>Dreamward</i> Ship built in 1992

MS Dreamward was a cruise ship owned and operated by Star Cruises. She was built in 1992 by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France as MS Dreamward for traffic with Norwegian Cruise Line. In 1998 she was lengthened at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany and renamed as Norwegian Dream. In late 2012, she was transferred to the fleet of Star Cruises and renamed SuperStar Gemini.

<i>Celebrity Millennium</i> Millennium-class cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises

GTS Celebrity Millennium is a cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises. She is the lead ship of her namesake class, whose ships are powered by gas turbines. Delivered in 2000, she is the oldest operating ship in Celebrity's fleet.

<i>Voyager of the Seas</i> Cruise ship launched in 1998

Voyager of the Seas is the lead ship of the Voyager class of cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean International (RCI). Constructed by Kværner Masa-Yards at its Turku New Shipyard in Turku, Finland, she was launched on November 27, 1998, and formally named by Olympic figure skater Katarina Witt on November 20, 1999.

<i>Norwegian Jewel</i> Cruise ship

Norwegian Jewel is a cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). She is the lead vessel of NCL's Jewel-class cruise ships and entered service in 2005. The vessel sails primarily in the western Pacific Ocean.

MS <i>Marella Dream</i> Cruise ship

MSMarella Dream was a cruise ship built in 1986 at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, West Germany as Homeric for Home Lines, and their last newbuild to remain in active service. In 1988 she was sold to Holland America Line, renamed Westerdam, and in 1990 lengthened by 36.9 m at Meyer Werft. In 2002 she was transferred to the fleet of Costa Cruises and renamed Costa Europa. In April 2010 she was taken on a ten-year charter by Thomson Cruises, under the name Thomson Dream.

<i>Celebrity Equinox</i> Solstice-class cruise ship

Celebrity Equinox is a Solstice-class cruise ship built by Meyer Werft in Germany. Celebrity Equinox is the second of the five Solstice-class vessels, owned and operated by Celebrity Cruises. She is a sister ship of Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Silhouette, and the Celebrity Reflection. Construction officially started in September 2007. Celebrity Equinox entered commercial service for Celebrity Cruises on July 31, 2009.

<i>Celebrity Eclipse</i> Solstice-class cruise ship

Celebrity Eclipse is a Solstice-class cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group. After she was ordered with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in July 2006, she saw her keel laid in February 2007 and she was formally delivered in April 2010. The 122,000 GT-vessel followed sister ships Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox as the third Solstice-class ship in the fleet.

<i>Celebrity Silhouette</i> Solstice-class cruise ship

Celebrity Silhouette is a Solstice-class cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group. She was ordered with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in May 2007 and was delivered in July 2011 as the fourth Solstice-class ship in the fleet.

<i>Solstice</i>-class cruise ship

The Solstice class is a class of cruise ships operated by Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The class is constructed by Meyer Werft of Germany. At present, there are five active Solstice-class ships: the lead vessel of the class, Celebrity Solstice; the second ship of the class, Celebrity Equinox; and the third ship of the class, Celebrity Eclipse, which was delivered on 15 April 2010. The fourth ship, Celebrity Silhouette, sailed on her maiden voyage on 23 July 2011; and the fifth, Celebrity Reflection, was launched in August 2012. The first Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Solstice entered service in November 2008 and is the namesake of the class. All Solstice-class vessels have post-Panamax dimensions.

<i>Celebrity Reflection</i> Solstice-class cruise ship

Celebrity Reflection is the fifth, final, and largest Solstice-class cruise ship, her sister ships being Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Silhouette. Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse and Silhouette entered service in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 respectively. Reflection was launched in 2012. Since October 2012, it has been owned and operated by Celebrity Cruises. It has one more deck than other Solstice-class cruise ships. The ship can accommodate 3,046 passengers, second only to the Celebrity Beyond in the Celebrity fleet.

<i>Quantum</i>-class cruise ship Cruise ship class

The Quantum class is a class of cruise ships from Royal Caribbean International, previously known by the code name Project Sunshine.

<i>Norwegian Breakaway</i> Cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Breakaway is a cruise ship of Norwegian Cruise Line. It, along with Norwegian Getaway, are the first two ships in "Project Breakaway" ordered by Norwegian Cruise Line. They were named through a public contest - a contestant submitted the name Norwegian Breakaway, which was announced on 14 September 2011.

<i>Ovation of the Seas</i> Quantum-class cruise ship

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum-class cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and the third ship of her class. The Quantum class is the third largest class of cruise ships behind MSC Cruises's Meraviglia class and Royal Caribbean International's Oasis class by gross tonnage.

<i>Anthem of the Seas</i> Quantum-class cruise ship

Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-class cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and the second ship of her class. The Quantum class is the fourth largest class of cruise ships behind MSC Cruises's Meraviglia class and Royal Caribbean International's Icon class and Oasis class by gross tonnage.

<i>Norwegian Encore</i> Ship of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Norwegian Encore is a Breakaway Plus-class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). She is the fourth Breakaway Plus-class ship in the fleet, following sister ships Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Joy, and debuted in November 2019.

<i>Spectrum of the Seas</i> Quantum Ultra-class cruise ship

Spectrum of the Seas is a Quantum-Ultra-class cruise ship currently operated by Royal Caribbean International and the first ship of the Quantum Ultra class, a modification from the company's Quantum class of ships. The ship was constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany and was delivered in April 2019. At 169,379 GT, she became the fifth largest ship in the fleet by gross tonnage upon delivery. She currently operates primarily in East Asia.

<i>Odyssey of the Seas</i> Quantum Ultra-class cruise ship

Odyssey of the Seas is the second Quantum Ultra-class cruise ship and the last of the class operated by Royal Caribbean International. She is the 3rd newest ship out of the Royal Caribbean fleet, and primarily operates in the Caribbean out of Port Everglades.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Celebrity Solstice: Summary (26783)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV . Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "First Block of Celebrity Solstice". Archived from the original on 2 October 2011.
  3. ↑ "Undocking of Celebrity Solstice". Archived from the original on 2 October 2011.
  4. ↑ "Celebrity Solstice".
  5. ↑ "Celebrity Solstice (26783)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV . Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Knego, Peter (3 January 2009). "CELEBRITY SOLSTICE Decked!". Maritime Matters. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Smith 2010, p. 61.
  8. ↑ Saunders 2013, p. 142.
  9. ↑ Saunders 2013, pp. 143–144.
  10. 1 2 "Experience Cruise". USA Today. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "Cruise ship tours: Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice". www.usatoday.com.
  12. ↑ "The grass is really greener on Celebrity Solstice". Cruise Business Review. 18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  13. ↑ "First Block of Celebrity Solstice". MEYER WERFT. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  14. ↑ NWZonline.de Luxusliner Spezial Archived 4 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved September 29, 2008
  15. ↑ "Flagship of Celebrity Cruises' Solstice Class Fleet is Industry's First to be Named by Female Scientist: University of Miami Oceanographer Dr. Sharon Smith". Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. University of Miami. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  16. ↑ "Celebrity Solstice Enters Service with Applause from Press and Trade". Celebrity Cruises. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  17. ↑ "Cruise Ship Dry Dock/Upgrade Schedules for Cruise Lines in 2018-2023". cruisefever.net. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  18. ↑ Ferrell, Paul & McDonald, Alex (23 March 2020). "Thousands of cruise ship passengers told to self-isolate due to coronavirus days after disembarking". ABC.net. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  19. ↑ "COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics - News". NSW Health. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  20. ↑ "Coronavirus can kill even the healthiest of us. Just ask the family of Perth man Ray Daniels". ABC News (Australia) . 1 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  21. ↑ Boseley, Matilda (5 April 2020). "Criminal investigation launched into Ruby Princess cruise ship coronavirus disaster". The Guardian– via www.theguardian.com.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.