Celebrity Solstice is the lead ship of the Solstice-class cruise ship of cruise ships operated by Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group. Built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg 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] The first post-Panamax vessel in the Celebrity fleet, she features innovative interior design and onboard amenities, including a glassblowing studio, and a 12-deck-high atrium.
Design and construction
Yacht designer Martin Francis of Francis Design was hired to design her exterior profile.[7] In original exterior renderings, the hull was shown as all-white with powder blue funnels and blue glass upper decks.[7] The large dark blue funnel with a white X that has been the trademark of Celebrity was replaced by two thin funnels, and the company's X logo was to be visible in the glass balcony railings on the ship's midsection. 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 could still be hard to see. During sea trials, a white X was added to the forward funnel, making Celebrity Solstice more closely resemble her fleetmates.[8]
The overall masterplan was completed by Boston-based Wilson Butler Architects, which would also design the entertainment venues, such as Main Theater, along with the Grand Foyer, and open decks, including the Lawn Club.[9] Other designers included Tihany Design, which designed the interior of the main dining room;[10] BG Studio, which designed Cellar masters, Passport Bar, Ensemble Lounge, Michael's Club, and Murano;[11] 5 + Design, Galleria Boutique, Fortune Casino, Art Gallery; and RTKL, which designed the Spa.[12]
The keel was laid in March 2007 at Meyer Werft in Papenberg, Germany.[13] This would be Celerity return to Meyer shipyard since the Century class, who also built Celebrity's first ships with the Horizon class. The Celebrity Solstice left Meyer Werft on September 28, 2008. The ship was the biggest cruise ship built in Germany to that point.[14]
History
The Celebrity Solstice arrived in Fort Lauderdale on November 3, 2008. Subsequently, she embarked on a series of short preview cruises for travel agents and dignitaries.[15] On November 14, 2008, at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, she was officially named by Sharon L. Smith.[16] She began commercial service on November 23, 2008.[17]
Celebrity Solstice was scheduled to be put in dry dock in October 2021.[18]
Bibliography
External links
References
- retrieved August 10, 2013^
- First Block of Celebrity Solstice 2007-03-19^
- Undocking of Celebrity Solstice^
- Celebrity Solstice^
- {{csr|register=DNV|id=26783|shipname=Celebrity Solstice|accessdate=June 11, 2015}}^
- Peter Knego. CELEBRITY SOLSTICE Decked! Maritime Matters, January 3, 2009, retrieved June 11, 2015^
- Experience Cruise USA Today, retrieved June 4, 2016^
- Cruise ship tours: Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice www.usatoday.com^
- Celebrity Solstice Cruise Design Wilson Butler Architects^
- Legacy Tihany Design - Luxury Interior Design^
- Hospitality Portfolio BG Studio International^
- Celebrity Cruises, Solstice CallisonRTKL^
- First Block of Celebrity Solstice MEYER WERFT, retrieved 2024-04-06^
- Germany's Biggest Cruise Ship on River Ems MEYER WERFT, retrieved 2024-09-17^
- NWZonline.de Luxusliner Spezial, retrieved September 29, 2008^
- 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, retrieved June 11, 2015^
- Celebrity Solstice Enters Service with Applause from Press and Trade Celebrity Cruises, retrieved December 29, 2008^
- Cruise Ship Dry Dock/Upgrade Schedules for Cruise Lines in 2018-2023 cruisefever.net, 4 August 2018, retrieved August 7, 2018^