Celebrity brings two elder ships up to Solstice-class luxury

Celebrity brings two elder ships up to Solstice-class luxury
Lawn Club on Equinox. Not quite what one might expect at sea but at least the passengers don't have to worry about pushing the lawnmower. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

Two Celebrity Cruises Ships to Undergo Bold, New Refresh

(Editor’s Note: This report on how Celebrity is giving yet another makeover to two of the remaining older ships in its fleet is from Celebrity Cruises while the captions and photos are from THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE)

Building on the multi-million dollar investment in previously “Solsticizing” its Millennium Class ships, now Celebrity Cruises is making, even more, upgrades to two of these ships, with a series of exciting refreshes that will elevate the modern luxury experience onboard. As the first cruise line to offer a spacious lawn of real, growing grass on the top decks of its ships, Celebrity will expand its lineup of modern, luxurious outdoor spaces this month, when Celebrity Infinity receives a new “Rooftop Terrace” venue – the first in

The top deck pool area of the Celebrity Equinox. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
The top deck pool area of the Celebrity Equinox. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

Celebrity’s fleet – during a scheduled drydock. Featuring chic, comfortable furniture and unique artistic elements, a large, outdoor film screen and stereo surround sound will highlight this space, which fuses movies with unique food experiences. The drydock work also will broaden Celebrity’s commitment to its Suite Class, with significant renovations to the ships’ Penthouse and Royal Suites, and will include conversion of the ship’s specialty restaurant to one of Celebrity’s signature venues, Tuscan Grille. Celebrity Summit will follow with a similar scheduled drydock in March of 2016.

The lawn area of the Celebrity Equinox provides space for lawn games. Such new areas are being installed on the Infinity and Summit. The Eclipse also featured a glass blowing workshop. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo..
The lawn area of the Celebrity Equinox provides space for lawn games. Such new areas are being installed on the Infinity and Summit. The Eclipse also featured a glass blowing workshop. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo.

With modular furniture, a metal “garden-like” design, and cabanas, the new, multi-functional Rooftop Terrace will offer guests a relaxing, open space during the day. By night, the space will be illuminated by unique decorative lighting, and a large screen and soundscape will showcase movies and other entertainment. Rounding out the unique outdoor experience will be a variety of specially curated food options available for purchase and presented in unique serving vessels, inspired by the entertainment content, the destination, or the occasion. The Rooftop Terrace will be on the 12th deck of the ship, at the aft end. The Rooftop Terrace will officially open on December 5, 2015.

Lawn Club on Equinox. Not quite what one might expect at sea but at least the passengers don't have to worry about pushing the lawnmower. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
Lawn Club on Equinox. Not quite what one might expect at sea but, at least, the passengers don’t have to worry about pushing the lawnmower. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

 

“The Rooftop Terrace is a brand-new way to enjoy the great outdoors on a modern luxury vacation,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “The popularity of our Lawn Club venues has shown us that some of the richest moments our guests enjoy are when relaxing in beautiful outdoor spaces. In creating the Rooftop Terrace, we wanted to create a hot spot where guests can kick back under the stars in the middle of the ocean, with amazing entertainment and food.”

The Celebrity Eclipse at early breakfast. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
The Celebrity Eclipse at early breakfast. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

As part of the $16 million refresh plan, Celebrity is investing heavily in its Suite Class experience on Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit, as every Penthouse and Royal Suites will receive new glimmering fixtures, marble surfaces, and comfortable seats in the bathrooms. The rest of the suite will get refreshing touches like new carpeting, drapes, and bed linens.

Celebrity Equinox at Cannes, France where tenders transport passengers to shore. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
Celebrity Equinox at Cannes, France where tenders transport passengers to shore. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

Celebrity Cruises’ Bold, New Refresh of Two Iconic Ships

“We want these suites to be so luxurious and comfortable that it’s difficult for guests to leave at the end of their vacation,” Lutoff-Perlo said. “We want the entire ship to turn heads.”

Conversion of Celebrity Infinity’ S.S. United States restaurant to Tuscan Grille, Celebrity’s popular, Mediterranean-inspired steakhouse that debuted on its Solstice Class ships, will include complete refinishing of the space and the introduction of a refreshed menu designed to tantalize, including fresh pasta made in-house; an Italian cocktail menu, a first for Tuscan Grille; a wine list focused on the wine-growing regions of Italy; and new foods like artisanal salumi and cheeses; crispy crab arancini with lemon pepper aioli; grilled branzino with spinach and olive oil; swordfish with Castelvetrano olives, fennel and white wine; and oven-roasted USDA Prime dry-aged steak. Guests who are currently booked in the S.S. United States for sailings beginning on October 29, 2015, or later, will be given the first opportunity to cancel their reservations to rebook in Tuscan Grille. On Celebrity Summit, The Normandie will be converted into Tuscan Grille. Guests who are currently booked in The Normandie for sailings beginning on March 19, 2016, or later, will also have first dibs on reservations in Tuscan Grille.

The Ocean Cafe on the Equinox. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
The Ocean Cafe on the Equinox. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
In spite of what some insane reviewers post on Cruise Critic, there area really no bad cruises or ships but plenty of bad cruisers. Celebrity really does pamper its passengers at every turn. The brunches on Celebrity are a great experience. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
In spite of what some insane reviewers post on Cruise Critic, there are really no bad cruises or ships but plenty of bad cruisers. Celebrity really does pamper its passengers at every turn. The brunches on Celebrity were a great experience. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

On Celebrity Infinity, the maritime artifacts in the S.S. United States will be featured in a special display area in the casino’s entry vestibule. Items include charts, maps, an original place setting, a ship model, and more. On Celebrity Summit’s Normandie also features numerous artifacts that will be preserved and displayed in a special area onboard. These include photographs, artistic works, a ship model, and more.

Additional work taking place onboard both ships will include:

  • The addition of an enclosed portrait studio similar to that found on Celebrity’s Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Equinox
  • The creation of a new future cruise sales office, where guests can take advantage of special offers
  • A refresh of the Solarium, with new furniture, new floors, and refinished pool tops, and a refresh of finishes in the spa café
  • The removal of the themed décor in the ship’s casino
The ships of any line are decorated in such a way as to plunge passengers into a fantasy world and spend money. Celebrity just does it a bit better. This is a view of the Celebrity Eclipse. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo.
The ships of any line are decorated in such a way as to plunge passengers into a fantasy world and spend money. Celebrity just does it a bit better. This is a view of the Celebrity Eclipse. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo.

Celebrity Infinity enters drydock on October 15 and will emerge on October 29, 2015, before sailing several Panama Canal itineraries leading up to December 5. Then, Celebrity Infinity will begin its South America season, which will be followed by an Alaska season beginning in May 2016. Celebrity Summit will sail 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries this winter, both before and after her drydock from February 27 to March 12, 2016, before heading to Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey in April, for her summer season of 7-night cruises to Bermuda. Both drydocks will take place at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.

Constellation at Fort Lauderdale. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo
Constellation at Fort Lauderdale. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

Consumers who book a 2016 Alaska cruise on Celebrity Infinity by October 18, 2015, will be eligible for two free “Go Big, Go Better, Go Best” perks at the “Go Better” tier, which will be offered at no incremental charge. This is combinable with an onboard credit for guests who book Alaska cruisetours, also by October 18. More information is available at Celebrity Cruises website.

2 Comments on “Celebrity brings two elder ships up to Solstice-class luxury

  1. There are no “brunches” offered on the Celebrity cruise ships anymore even on 18 night cruises. Made this experience recently from Vancouver to Sydney.

    • Having experienced the sea day brunch on all of our prior Celebrity cruises, this sure takes away from some of the “wow” factor.

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