Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises
Subsidiary
Industry Transport
Founded 1989[1]
Headquarters Miami, Florida
Area served
 International
Key people
 Lisa Lutoff-Perlo
(President and CEO)[2]
Products Cruises
Parent Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Website celebritycruises.com

Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line which was founded in 1988 by the Greece-based Chandris Group.[3] In 1997, Celebrity Cruises Ltd. merged with Royal Caribbean International to become Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which operates Celebrity, Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises and CDF Croisières de France. The signature "Χ" displayed on the funnel of Celebrity ships is the Greek letter chi, for "Chandris".[4][5] The company has its headquarters in Miami, Florida.[6] Common features on board Celebrity brand ships feature aft-glass dining rooms, formal foyer areas, alternative dining venues, balcony and suite staterooms, pools and lounging areas, bars and lounges, libraries, spas and gyms, and relaxation areas.

History

Celebrity Cruises was founded in April 1988 as a subsidiary of the Greece-based Chandris Group to operate upmarket cruise ships to Bermuda.[3] Chandris had been involved in cruise traffic since the 1960s,[5] and during the late 1980s the company operated in the United States market under the brand name Chandris Cruises. Chandris Fantasy Cruises targeted the lower end of the cruise passenger market, with fleets consisting of second-hand ocean liners.[7] Celebrity Cruises came into existence when, in April 1988, Home Lines, at the time one of the world's leading premium cruise lines, was sold to Holland America Line. Home Lines' ships had held two of the five contracts offered by the Government of Bermuda to cruise lines, giving the ships priority berthing arrangement and unlimited access of sail to the islands in exchange for the ships sailing to Bermuda between April and October each year. Although these contracts were highly valued, Holland America Line decided to withdraw the former Home Lines ships from this service, leaving an opening for two new ships to gain access. Chandris wanted to acquire the contracts, but the Government of Bermuda was only willing to award them to upmarket cruise lines, which Chandris Fantasy Cruises was not.[3]

In order to gain the Bermuda Government contracts, Chandris created Celebrity Cruises and immediately began negotiating with the Bermuda Government in April 1988. As a result of the negotiations, Celebrity Cruises was awarded the contract for two ships for a five-year period beginning in 1990 [3] In order to fulfill the contract, Chandris Fantasy Cruises' Galileo was rebuilt at Lloyd Werft, Germany in 1989, re-entering service as Meridian for Celebrity Cruises in February 1990.[3][4] As the second ship Horizon, that had been ordered in 1988 as a replacement for Amerikanis in the Chandris Fantasy fleet, was transferred to Celebrity Cruises fleet, entering service in May 1990.[3][8] In late 1990 Celebrity Cruises placed an order for a sister ship of the Horizon, delivered in 1992 as Zenith.[3][9]

Millennium, the lead ship in the Millennium-class ship, renamed Celebrity Millennium in 2008

In 1997 the Chandris family sold their interests in Celebrity Cruises to Royal Caribbean International.[10] During the same year Celebrity Cruises took delivery of the first Century class vessel, Century, that was followed by Galaxy in 1996 and Mercury in 1997.[9] Following the delivery of the Mercury, the Meridian was sold to Singapore-based Sun Cruises. Between 2000 and 2002 Celebrity took delivery of a quartet of new ships, the gas turbine-powered and aptly named Millennium class ships Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation.[9] The Celebrity Expeditions sub-brand was launched in 2001 with the acquisition of Celebrity Xpedition, a small boutique ship offering specialized cruises around the Galápagos Islands.[11] In 2005, the Horizon was transferred to the fleet Royal Caribbean's United Kingdom-based subsidiary Island Cruises.[8] In the same year, the first ship of what was to be named Solstice class was ordered from Meyer Werft.[12] By 2007, three more ships of this class were on order.[13]

In 2006, plans were made to transfer Blue Moon and Blue Dream from the fleet of Pullmantur Cruises to Celebrity Cruises under the names of Celebrity Quest and Celebrity Journey. The ships would have joined the Celebrity Expeditions sub-brand,[14][15] but in the end the decision was made to form an entirely new line, Azamara Cruises, to operate these ships in 2007.[16] Also in 2007 the Zenith was transferred to Pullmantur Cruises 'in exchange' for the Azamara ships.[14] Transfer of the Zenith also meant the end of Celebrity Cruises' association with Bermuda for the time being, as no ship was brought in to replace her on the cruises to Bermuda.[17] In April 2010, The Celebrity Summit reposition yearly to New Jersey and offers cruises to Bermuda.[18]

Celebrity Solstice, the lead ship in the Solstice-Class

In 2007-2008, all of Celebrity Cruises' ships were renamed with a "Celebrity" prefix added to the pre-existing ship names.[9][19] Celebrity Solstice, the first ship in the new Solstice class, was delivered to Celebrity on 24 October 2008.[20] In May 2009 Galaxy was transferred to the fleet of TUI Cruises, a joint venture between Celebrity Cruises' owner Royal Caribbean International and TUI AG and renamed as Mein Schiff.[21] Two more Solstice Class ships entered service – the Celebrity Equinox in 2009 and the Celebrity Eclipse in 2010.

Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line embarkation point, Port of Seattle Bell Street Pier

In 2011, Celebrity Mercury was sold by Celebrity fleet to become Mein Schiff 2 for TUI Cruises.[22] The fourth Solstice Class ship the Celebrity Silhouette entered service in 2011. The Celebrity Reflection was delivered in 2012.

In 2014, Celebrity Cruises launched a blog called Catalyst, which covers travel, fashion and culture.[23]

In April 2015, Celebrity's oldest ship, the Celebrity Century departed the fleet.[24]

On December 4, 2014, Celebrity Cruises signed of a letter of intent for a new class of vessels. The two 2,900-guest, 117,000 GT ships, will be developed under the project name EDGE and will build upon the brand's Millennium and Solstice class vessels. The company expects delivery of the first ship in fall 2018, with the second vessel delivered in the early part of 2020.[25]

On March 14, 2016, Celebrity Cruises announced the planned acquisition of Galápagos Islands tour operator Ocean Adventures and its two ships, the 48-guest M/V Eclipse and the 16-guest catamaran M/C Athala II. The move expands Celebrity's guest capacity in the Galápagos by 65 percent.[26]

Celebrity Cruises announced on October 11, 2017, that it will perform legal same-sex marriages on its ships while in international waters following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Malta, where most of the Celebrity fleet is registered.[27] The company already hosted same-sex marriages while docked in jurisdictions where they are legal, but the change in Maltese law allowed the company's captains to perform legally-recognized marriages while in international waters.[28]

In July 2018, the company announced its intention to invest more than $500 million to refurbish all ships in the company's fleet.[29]

Leadership

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo was appointed the first woman president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises in December 2014.[30]

Awards

Recent Travel awards include

Fleet

Current fleet

Millennium class

ShipEntered service
for Celebrity		CapacityGross tonnageFlagNotesImage
Celebrity Millennium20002,13891,000 GTMaltaPreviously Millennium, renamed in 2008.

Ship was refurbished, or "Solsticized" (as Celebrity Cruise calls it), in May 2012.
Celebrity Infinity20012,17091,000 GTMaltaPreviously Infinity, renamed in 2007.
Celebrity Summit20012,15891,000 GTMaltaPreviously Summit, renamed in 2008.
Celebrity Constellation20022,17091,000 GTMaltaPreviously Constellation, renamed in 2007.

Solstice class

ShipEntered service
for Celebrity		CapacityGross tonnageFlagNotesImage
Celebrity Solstice20082,850121,878 GTMaltaFirst ship in the class
Celebrity Equinox20092,850121,878 GTMalta
Celebrity Eclipse20102,850121,878 GTMalta
Celebrity Silhouette20112,886122,210 GTMalta
Celebrity Reflection20123,046125,366 GTMaltaCelebrity's biggest cruise ship (by passenger count). Awarded "Best Premium Cruise Ship" by Travel Weekly[31]

Xpedition class

ShipEntered service
for Celebrity		CapacityGross tonnageFlagNotesImage
Celebrity Xpedition2001962,842 GTEcuadorLast refurbished in September 2015
Celebrity Xperience2017481,610 GTEcuadorInaugural date is March 2017
Celebrity Xploration201716319.5 GTEcuadorInaugural date is March 2017

Future ships

ShipClassEnters service
with Celebrity		CapacityGross tonnageFlagNotes
Celebrity Edge[32]EdgeFall 20182,918[33]129,500 GTMalta[34]
Celebrity Apex[32]EdgeSpring 20202,918129,500 GTMalta[35]
Project EDGE 3EdgeFall 20212,918129,500 GTMalta
Project EDGE 4EdgeFall 20222,918129,500 GTMalta[35]
Celebrity FloraFloraSpring 20191005,739 GT[36]

Retired ships

ShipClassYears in serviceTonnage*Status after CelebrityImage
Meridian1990–199730,440 GRTBurnt and sank at the Straits of Malacca in 1999 as the Sun Vista for Sun Cruises.[37]
HorizonHorizon class1990–200546,811 GTFrom 2005 to 2009, Island Star for Island Cruises. From 2009 to 2012, sailed for Pullmantur Cruises. From 2012 to 2017 sailed for CDF Croisières de France.[38] Returned to Pullmantur Cruises fleet in 2017, in service for Pullmantur 2017 to present.
ZenithHorizon class1992–200747,255 GTFrom 2007 to 2014 sailing for Pullmantur Cruises. From 2014 to 2017 sailed for CDF Croisières de France.[39] Returned to Pullmantur Cruises fleet in 2017, in service for Pullmantur 2017 to present.
Galaxy
/Celebrity Galaxy		Century class1996–200976,522 GTEntered service with TUI Cruises as Mein Schiff in May 2009.[40] Will transfer to Marella Cruises as Marella Explorer in May 2018.
Celebrity MercuryCentury class1997–201177,713 GTEntered service with TUI Cruises as Mein Schiff 2 in February 2011.[22]
Celebrity CenturyCentury class1995–201571,545 GTTransferred to Ctrip in April 2015. Sold to Marella Cruises, will sail as Marella Explorer 2 in late 2018.

References

  1. ↑ "Celebrity Cruises – Hospitality, Deck & Engine Careers". EduMaritime.com.
  2. ↑ Satchell, Arlene (April 28, 2015). "Celebrity Cruises chief Lisa Lutoff-Perlo aims to 'put the brand on the map'". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Plowman, Peter (2006). The Chandris Liners and Celebrity Cruises. Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 198–203. ISBN 1-877058-47-5.
  4. 1 2 Maritime Matters: Sun Vista, retrieved 29. 11. 2007 Archived October 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. 1 2 Ulrich, Kurt. (1997). Monarchs of the sea : the great ocean liner. London: Taurus Parke Books. p. 177. ISBN 1-86064-373-6.
  6. ↑ "Contact Us." Celebrity Cruises. Retrieved on January 20, 2010.
  7. ↑ NineMSN: Cruising: Celebrity Cruises Archived 2007-12-24 at the Wayback Machine., retrieved 29. 11. 2007
  8. 1 2 "Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Horizon (1990)" (in Swedish). , retrieved 29. 11. 2007
  9. 1 2 3 4 Asklander, Micke. "Celebrity Cruises". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  10. ↑ "About Celebrity: History". Celebrity Cruises. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  11. ↑ Ward, Douglas: Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2006, page 237. Berlitz Publishing 2006. ISBN 981-246-739-4
  12. ↑ Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. press release: Celebrity Cruises Orders New Cruise Ship, Launches Innovative New Class, retrieved 29. 11. 2007
  13. ↑ Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. press release: Celebrity Cruises Announces Fourth Solstice-Class Ship, retrieved 29. 11. 2007
  14. 1 2 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. press release: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Receives Antitrust Approval On Pullmantur Purchase; Announces Celebrity Expeditions And Celebrity, Pullmantur Ship Swap, retrieved 29. 11. 2007
  15. ↑ Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. press release: Celebrity Cruises Expands 'Celebrity Expeditions'; Adds Celebrity Quest to Exotic Brand Extension, retrieved 29. 11. 2007
  16. ↑ Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. press release: Celebrity Cruises Presents New, Deluxe Cruise Line: Azamara Cruises, retrieved 29. 11. 2007
  17. ↑ "Celebrity returns to Bermuda in 2010". Cruise Business Review. Cruise Media Oy Ltd. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
  18. ↑ Sloan, Gene. "Most Popular". USA Today.
  19. ↑ Ward, Douglas (2008). Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships. Singapore: Berlitz. p. 8. ISBN 978-981-268-240-6.
  20. ↑ "Meyer Werft delivers Celebrity Solstice". Cruise Business Review. Cruise Media Oy Ltd. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  21. ↑ "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | Investors". www.rclinvestor.com. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  22. 1 2 Celebrity Mercury to Become Second Ship in TUI Cruises Fleet. Cruise Industry News. Retrieved on 2011-12-10.
  23. ↑ "About Celebrity Cruises Catalyst". catalyst.celebritycruises.com. Celebrity Cruises Catalyst. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  24. ↑ "Celebrity Cruises Confirms Departure of Celebrity Century". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  25. ↑ "Celebrity Cruises Orders Two New Ships". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  26. ↑ "Celebrity Makes Moves in Galapagos, Acquires Two Ships". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  27. ↑ Herrera, Chabeli (October 11, 2017). "Celebrity Cruises can now perform same-sex weddings in international waters". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  28. ↑ Satchell, Arlene (October 11, 2017). "Celebrity Cruises now offering legal same-sex marriages on ships sailing internationally". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Celebrity Cruises to Refurbish Entire Fleet - Cruise Critic". www.cruisecritic.com. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
  30. ↑ Reiser, Emon (April 20, 2016). "CEO of Celebrity Cruises on leadership: 'Don't limit what you want to be'". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  31. 1 2 3 "Travel Weekly Readers Choice 2016". Travel Weekly.
  32. 1 2 http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/16027-celebrity-marks-steel-cutting-for-new-celebrity-edge.html
  33. ↑ https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/onboard/our-ships/
  34. ↑ "Celebrity Cruises Orders Two New Ships". cruiseindustrynews.com.
  35. 1 2 "Royal Orders Oasis Five, Two More Ships for Celebrity". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  36. ↑ "Celebrity breaks out with first cruise newbuild for the Galápagos". 2017-11-16. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  37. ↑ Knego, Peter. "Sun Vista (ex-Galileo Galilei, Galileo, Meridian)". Maritime Matters. Archived from the original on 16 December 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  38. ↑ "Horizon 2012". CDF Croisières de France. 28 April 2012. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  39. ↑ "Zenith (107402)". DNV GL Vessel Register. Germanischer Lloyd. Retrieved 2012-07-29.
  40. ↑ "Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Galaxy to Become First Ship in New TUI Cruises Fleet". Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. press release. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
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