Celebrity Cruises Announces Major $500 Million Fleet Revitalization

Celebrity Cruises today announced that it will spend over $500 million in the coming years to revitalize its fleet of luxury ships. Dubbed the “Celebrity Revolution,” the effort will include a refresh of staterooms and public spaces aboard nine Celebrity ships to bring their level of luxury up to the standards of the line's forthcoming class of ships, Edge. The entire project is set to be completed between February 2019 and February 2023.

“We launched the Celebrity Revolution to do one thing – transform the way our guests experience the world," said Celebrity Cruises CEO and President, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. "It began with the introduction of the industry-changing Celebrity Edge, and continued with the stunning Celebrity Flora. Our dedication to improving the way guests experience the world knows no bounds. We are taking our entire award-winning fleet to the edge and giving people the vacation they truly deserve.”

To complete the overhaul and provide a fresh look for its ships, the cruise line worked with hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) to transform the staterooms and some suites. U.K.-based South African interior designer Kelly Hoppen, who also oversaw the work on the next ship Celebrity will launch in December 2018, the Celebrity Edge, took charge of the renovation of the ships' Suites.

The aesthetic behind Hoppen’s designs are, “a coordinated fusion of East meets West, with clean lines, neutral tones, and opulence.” That translates to streamlined cabins with minimalist pieces in palettes of white, gray, taupe and ocean-blue, and plenty of natural light to bring the outdoor seascapes to the interior of the ship.

Suites Class is an exclusive enclave onboard Celebrity’s ships that also confers special benefits on guests who book these accommodations. On the new Edge class of ships, Suites account for just 12% of the room total, while on the older Solstice and Millennium class ships, they represent a mere 7% of the room count.

“This was a new and exciting challenge to recreate something stylish and luxurious yet totally different from the accommodations that I have designed for Celebrity Edge,” said Hoppen. “I wanted to invoke a feeling of timeless luxury that welcomed guests into their own haven. Your bedroom is where you sleep and where you wake, two of the most important times of day, especially when you are on vacation. It was important to create space, harmony and luxury within a home away from home setting and I think we achieved this balance perfectly.”

Suites Class guests receive personal butler service, priority check-in and debarkation, and priority reservations at onboard restaurants and entertainment venues. In-room upgrades include Bulgari bath products and the fleet’s signature eXhale bedding featuring cashmere mattresses and Egyptian cotton linens.

Suites Class guests will also have access to a host of new amenities in the Suites-exclusive public areas, called The Retreat. The Retreat will be anchored by The Retreat Lounge (replacing the current Michael’s Club lounges), where Suites guests can enjoy complimentary buffets and bites, premium beverages and live entertainment throughout the day. There will be a dedicated concierge desk that can arrange priority reservations for onboard activities and off-board excursions.

Renovated ships will also feature new The Retreat Sundecks, complete with a full-size pool and spa tub, loungers and cabanas, plus poolside food and beverage service. The Suites-only restaurant, Luminae, will be reimagined, with an all-new look and custom menus created by Celebrity’s Michelin-starred chef partner, Cornelius Gallagher.

As for staterooms, they will also have Celebrity’s eXhale bedding including those  luxurious cashmere mattresses, and new high-tech features such as RFID locks, Xcelerate and Bluetooth capabilities.

The line's gourmet Qsine restaurant will be added across the fleet and renovated, and will offer the virtual Le Petit Chef dining-entertainment fusion experience, which was created by the  artists of Skullmapping and presented by TableMation exclusively for Celebrity Cruises. The Oceanview Café, Sunset Bar and Main Restaurant will also undergo redesigns, as will public venues including The Hideaway, Team Earth and The Library. Guests can also expect to see a newly expanded SEA Thermal Suite in the spa and new shopping experiences from brands like Shinola and Hublot.

The rollout will begin in February 2019, and take about four years to complete. Here is the current schedule of ships and completion dates for the Celebrity Revolution project.

• Celebrity Millennium: February 9, 2019
• Celebrity Summit: March 23, 2019
• Celebrity Equinox: May 25, 2019
• Celebrity Silhouette: January 24, 2020
• Celebrity Eclipse: April 1, 2020
• Celebrity Constellation: May 1, 2020
• Celebrity Infinity: November 14, 2020
• Celebrity Solstice: October 1, 2021
• Celebrity Reflection: February 2, 2023

If you plan to take a Celebrity cruise in the coming years, be sure to consult the renovation schedule and make sure you book a ship post-completion in order to enjoy the best and newest amenities Celebrity will offer on board.

By Eric Rosen, Forbes
Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more
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