2018 will go down in history books as the year Celebrity Cruises set sail into a new era of modern luxury cruising. After more than four years of limitless passion and hard work on the part of thousands of engineers, architects, artisans, designers and crew, the cruise line finally welcomed Celebrity Edge into her arms.
While we have to wait till April 2020 to see Celebrity Apex take to the high seas, 2019 promises to be another exciting year with glamping in the Galapagos, new ships in Europe, extensive refurbishments and new family favourite destinations. Here’s a look at what we can expect from Celebrity Cruises in the coming months.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS ON THE WORLD’S FIRST DEDICATED SHIP
In May 2019, Celebrity Flora, the world’s first ship designed to complement the ecology of the islands, sets sail in the archipelago. The brand new 100-guest Celebrity Flora, one of the most energy-efficient ships of its size, features anchorless technology that maintains the ship’s position while protecting the sensitive sea floor. Innovative outward-facing design gives guests 360-degree views of the islands and their amazing wildlife.
Personal suite attendants, new dining venues, an open-air stargazing platform, a top deck glamping experience like no other and expert-led ecological seminars will round out the modern luxury holiday experience. Celebrity Flora will sail from Baltra year-round offering two unique seven night itineraries, making her first sailing on 26 May 2019.
EXPLORE EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Celebrity Cruises will have five award-winning ships sailing in Europe during the summer season 2019: Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Reflection, and Celebrity Silhouette.
With stops in 27 different countries, overnight stays in 16 cities, and visits to more than 90 destinations – including three brand new Celebrity-first ports of call: Nauplion (Greece); Rijeka (Croatia); and Santa Margherita (Italy)- guests can explore Europe and the Mediterranean like never before.
Families will be able to take to the seas with Celebrity Cruises and sail from Southampton in the UK to visit must-see Mediterranean destinations including Florence, Provence and Barcelona during the school holidays in summer 2019. Sailing from Southampton, Celebrity Silhouette has added three new itineraries to its 2019 season including a highly popular 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing on 28 July. Further new itinerary options include a 12-night Iceland & Fjords itinerary, departing 7 May 2019, and an enhanced 14-night Scandinavia & Russia cruise, departing 30 June.
EUROPE’S NEWEST LANDMARK AT SEA
Get set for May 2019 when the transformational new Celebrity Edge will embark on her first ever European sailing. Guests will enjoy the stunning vistas of the Mediterranean with a range of seven to eleven night itineraries from iconic cities like Barcelona and Rome. The itineraries will also feature two of the new ports of call: Nauplion (Greece) – a charming coastal town – and Santa Margherita (Italy) – a picturesque seaside village near Portofino.
With its revolutionary, outward-facing design – highlighted by signature features such as the world’s first Magic Carpet, a glass venue suspended from the side of ship, and Infinite Veranda staterooms with unbeatable vistas – Europe has never seen a ship like Celebrity Edge before.
THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION
Celebrity Cruises is transforming its fleet with a $500-million reimagining of every existing ship, involving more than 500 leading architects, designers, and engineers to bring them ‘to the Edge’ and in line with the new Celebrity Edge. Stunningly redesigned accommodations, exclusive new sanctuaries for Suite Class guests called The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge will be introduced with the help of visionary British designer Kelly Hoppen, MBE.
Luxuriously updated restaurants, bars, lounges and exciting upgrades to the spas are just some of the additional ground-breaking innovations taking place. Celebrity Millennium will be the first of the fleet to be reimagined and will be revealed in February during a season of cruises throughout Asia from Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
GET READY FOR THE FUTURE
The year 2020 will be another landmark year for Celebrity Cruises when the second ship in the coveted Edge-class, Celebrity Apex will launch and debut in Southampton in April. Guests can experience the brand new Celebrity Apex with five cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Ranging from seven to ten nights, including a 10-night Capital Cities cruise on-board Celebrity Apex departing on 23 April 2020, these are the hottest tickets in town to book in 2019.