Celebrity Cruises to launch new ship in Hamburg

Celebrity Silhouette, the newest addition to Celebrity Cruises Solstice class family, will make history this summer when it is officially named in Hamburg, Germany.

Built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, the 2,886-guest Celebrity Silhouette will be launched on 21 July 2011, with formal naming ceremonies that will kick off a two-night preview cruise for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries. Celebrity Silhouette is the fourth Solstice Class ship in a series of five built at the German yard, and the first in its class to be officially named in Germany.

Guests eager to experience Celebrity Silhouette can book a place on its inaugural cruise, a seven-night cruise to Rome departing Hamburg on 23 July from £1,194.00per person. Following a Rome-focused two-night preview cruise for invited members of the travel industry and the media, the ship will introduce a series of 12- and 13-night Holy Land sailings roundtrip from Rome. Beginning this November, Celebrity Silhouette will be the first Solstice Class ship to present cruises from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey.

Dominic Paul, vice president and managing director, Celebrity Cruises, UK and Ireland commented:

"The reaction of UK travellers to the new ships from Celebrity Cruises has been phenomenal - the stylish design, elegant accommodation and innovative new restaurants gain rave reviews. All four of the Celebrity Solstice class ships - Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse and the new Celebrity Silhouette - are based in Europe for summer 2011 which is great news for holidaymakers who are looking for an ultimate cruise."

Celebrity Silhouette will offer new venues including:

• The Lawn Club Grill, the industry's first outdoor, interactive grill restaurant.

• The Porch, offering quick, simple, casual and complimentary breakfasts and lunches with views of the lawn and sea.

• The Art Studio, a space within The Lawn Club where experienced and aspiring artists can participate in hands-on instruction from experts in drawing, painting and beading, as well as food plating, tastings, mixology and other culinary-themed classes.

• The Alcoves, a private retreat overlooking the lawn, featuring eight cabana-style settings, each designed for two to four guests

• The Hideaway, a high-tech, treehouse-like spot for guests relaxing with their Apple iPads or perhaps reading a good book within cozy, intimate lounging "nests".

In addition to the new venues and experiences, Celebrity Silhouette will offer Solstice Class attributes, including:

• The "Celebrity iLounge" that made Celebrity Cruises the industry's first Authorised Apple Reseller.

• "Qsine," the first seagoing restaurant to feature a menu and wine list on an iPad, and an engaging food-as-theatre dining experience.

• Ten unrivalled restaurants - in addition to "The Lawn Club Grill" and "The Porch".

• Modern, stylish interiors designed by some of the world's best architects and designers, including Adam Tihany.

• Nightclubs and lounges, including CellarMasters, complete with the industry's first installation of the innovative Enomatic wine serving system.

• One of the broadest and best wine offerings in the industry.

• One of the world's largest permanent collections of original contemporary art, and the industry's first self-guided art tours to be presented on an iPad.

• Top-tier entertainment, including custom aerial production shows and live music.

Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern, sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and inspiring on-board programmes, and world-class cuisine.

The ultimate in premium cruising, Celebrity Cruises sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California, Canada/New England, Europe, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity Cruises also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity Cruises' mega-series of honours include being named the top mega-ship line in Condé Nast Traveler's annual Readers' Choice Awards (November 2009). Celebrity Cruises' fleet currently consists of nine ships. Its USD $3.7-billion investment in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the largest new-build commitment for a single brand in industry history.

For more information, visit: celebritycruises.co.uk