With Reuben Goossens
Cruise’n’Travel
Journalist / Cruise Reviewer
& Maritime Historian
Celebrity Cruises
MV Celebrity Solstice
The most Remarkable and Advanced Cruise Ship in the World Today
Please
Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial
and privately owned cruise site. The author has been in the passenger shipping
industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write
cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and
ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the
future.
The magnificent Celebrity Solstice
Photograph provided by Celebrity Cruises
This is the first of a series of Postpanamax
Ships to be built for Celebrity Cruises, and she is without a doubt a remarkable and the most advanced Cruise Ship in the World today! There
is no ship on earth that can possibly compare to her and I call her the
Ultimate Modern “Queen of the Seas!”
Reports that I have received so far
have simply been overwhelming, and even from some of my staunch old friends who
love the classic ships of yesteryear as I do, however, it is agreed that this
is indeed the ship of tomorrow and a ship that is not just well built, but a
magnificent design to boot! Everyone has rated her 5 Stars plus and said that
they simply could not fault her!
The
122,000-ton cruise ship MV Celebrity Solstice departed
the Dutch port of Eemshaven, having been built at Myer Werft Shipyards at
Papenburg Germany, on
The
Celebrity Solstice is the very first ship that keeps the new rules and
regulations regarding damaged stability which will be valid as of 2009 and
which help to increase safety considerably in case the ship is damaged due to a
leak. Along with its new design and innovate technical equipment, the luxury
liner offers the passengers numerous specialities and a great deal of
convenience:
Almost
90% of the passenger cabins are outside cabins; with the majority having their
own balconies.
Safety
as well as entertainment on board in accordance with the latest technical
standards is ensured by a diesel-electric pod propulsion system, complex alarm
and safety systems, interactive communication systems and state-of-the-art
stage technology. The Celebrity Solstice does not only meet the usual
requirements of a modern cruise ship, but also the propulsion system and fire
safety in the engine room fulfil the highest standards.
Following
the delivery, the Celebrity Solstice will leave the Dutch port of Eemshaven for
Port Everglades (USA) where her naming ceremony take place on 14 November 2008
and from where she will set sail for a couple of mini cruises with passengers.
The ship was designed in close cooperation with the Owner, and was optimised by means of computer calculations and model tank tests. Thanks to her slender outlines the ship, with her 17 decks and a pod propulsion system, features a very low fuel consumption and have outstanding manoeuvring and sea-keeping capabilities as well as low noise and vibration levels.
Accommodations.
There
are 1,426 passenger cabins on the Celebrity Solstice, 140 of which are inside
and 1,286 outside cabins. Various cabin categories are available.
Penthouse
and Royal Suites.
These
two unique suites, 110 and 54 sqm large, exceed all
expectations. They have their own living rooms, dining rooms and separate
bedrooms as well as luxury bathrooms with Jacuzzis and separate showers.
Cabins.
The
cabins are subdivided in inside, outside and balcony cabins. They have their
own bathrooms, colour TV sets, phones, safes, fridges, hairdryers, separate
temperature control units and Internet connections. There are also 26 disabled
cabins on board.
Public
Rooms.
Solstice Theatre (Deck 3-5) - The state-of-the-art theatre on the Celebrity Solstice offers
seating for 1,095 guests. Its design is such that all tiers allow
the best possible view on the stage. The theatre has sophisticated stage equipment.
The lower machinery consists of a turning platform. Additionally six lifts have
been installed which can be operated up to stage level. The upper
machinery comprises a total of 11 rails, three of which are
dedicated to effect lighting and eight to operating the curtains. All systems are
computer-controlled and can be operated from various positions.
Grand Epernay/Dinning Room (Deck 3/4) - The main restaurant for 1,429 guests is one of the largest rooms
on board and is extended over two decks. The passengers enter the
restaurant via stairs made of glass. The highlights of this restaurant are
clearly the wine tower made of steel and glass, ornamented pillars and a
chandelier having a diameter of 10 metres.
Solarium and Aqua Spa (Deck 12) - The roofed-over pool area with its many fountains and large indoor
pool and Jacuzzis is a true oasis to relax in, not only in
bad weather.
The Lawn Club (Deck 15) - The Lawn Club is located on a 2,130 sqm lawn. A type of grass especially grown for this ship (Agrostis Stalonifera) creates a very special atmosphere. In this area also the Patio on the Lawn, the Sunset Bar, the Hot Glass Show and the Lawn Club Shop can be found. Here the passengers can also play boccia and croquet
Specifications.
Tonnage: 122.000 -
Passengers lower berths: 2850 - Length: 314,80
m. - Beam: 36,80 m. - Passengerdecks:12. - Cruising Speed: 24
knots - Total installed power: 91.364 kW. - Azipods
drive - Built: Meyer Werft -
Celebrity Solstice - Photo
Gallery
An unusual stern view, she is a ship with superb
sea capabilities!
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Please
Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial
and privately owned cruise site. The author has been in the passenger shipping
industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write
cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and
ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the
future.
However, if you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to an dedicated cruise agent in
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