Celebrity Solstice

Solstice-class cruise ship

Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Solstice in 2011

History
Malta
Name| Celebrity Solstice
Owner|

* Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
* (2008)
* Celebrity Solstice Inc.
* (2008–present)[1]

Operator| Celebrity Cruises
Port of registry|

* Nassau,  Bahamas
* (2008)
* Valletta,  Malta
* (2008–present)

Builder|

* Meyer Werft
* Papenburg, Germany

Cost| US$750 million
Laid down| 17 March 2007[2]
Launched| 10 August 2008[3]
Sponsored by| Sharon L. Smith
Christened| 14 November 2008
Completed| October 2008[4]
Maiden voyage| 23 November 2008
In service| 2008–present
Identification|

* Call sign: 9HRJ9
* IMO number: 9362530
* MMSI number: 249409000

Status| In service
Notes| [5]
General characteristics
Class & type| Solstice-class cruise ship
Tonnage|

* 121,878 GT[1]
* 82,363 NT[1]
* 9,500 DWT[1]

Length| 1,033 ft (314.86 m)
Beam| 121 ft (36.88 m)
Draft| 27 ft (8.23 m)
Decks| 19
Installed power| 4 × Wärtsilä 16V46
Propulsion|

* Diesel-electric;
* two ABB Azipod propulsion units
* (2 × 20.5 MW)

Speed| 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)
Capacity| 2,852 passengers
Crew| 1,250

Celebrity Solstice is the lead ship of the Solstice class of cruise ships operated by Celebrity Cruises. Built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, 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][7][8] The first post-Panamax vessel in the Celebrity fleet, she features innovative interior design and onboard amenities, including an ocean-going live grass lawn, a glassblowing studio, and a 12-deck-high atrium.[9]

## Design & Construction

[edit]

Yacht designer Martin Francis of Francis Design was hired to design her exterior profile.[10] In original exterior renderings, the hull was shown as all-white with powder blue funnels and blue glass upper decks.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12] Other designers included Tihany Design, which designed the interior of the main dining room;[13] BG Studio, which designed Cellar masters, Passport Bar, Ensemble Lounge, Micheals Club, and Murano;[14] 5 + Design, Galleria Boutique, Fortune Casino, Art Gallery; and RTKL, which designed the Spa.[15]

The keel was laid in March 2007 at Meyer Werft in Papenberg, Germany.[16] 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.[17]

## History

[edit]

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.[18] On November 14, 2008, at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, she was officially named by Sharon L. Smith.[19] She began commercial service on November 23, 2008.[20]

Celebrity Solstice was scheduled to be put in dry dock in October 2021.[21]

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships § Other ships with confirmed cases on board

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Celebrity Solstice: Summary (26783)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
2. ^ "First Block of Celebrity Solstice". 19 March 2007. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024.
3. ^ "Undocking of Celebrity Solstice". Archived from the original on 2 October 2011.
4. ^ "Celebrity Solstice".
5. ^ "Celebrity Solstice (26783)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
6. ^ Knego, Peter (3 January 2009). "CELEBRITY SOLSTICE Decked!". Maritime Matters. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
7. ^ Smith 2010, p. 61.
8. ^ Saunders 2013, p. 142.
9. ^ Saunders 2013, pp. 143–144.
10. ^ a b "Experience Cruise". USA Today. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
11. ^ "Cruise ship tours: Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice". www.usatoday.com.
12. ^ "Celebrity Solstice Cruise Design". Wilson Butler Architects.
13. ^ "Legacy". Tihany Design - Luxury Interior Design.
14. ^ "Hospitality Portfolio | BG Studio | NYC Luxury Interior Design Firm". BG Studio International.
15. ^ "Celebrity Cruises, Solstice". CallisonRTKL.
16. ^ "First Block of Celebrity Solstice". MEYER WERFT. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
17. ^ "Germany's Biggest Cruise Ship on River Ems". MEYER WERFT. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
18. ^ NWZonline.de Luxusliner Spezial Archived 4 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved September 29, 2008
19. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
20. ^ "Celebrity Solstice Enters Service with Applause from Press and Trade". Celebrity Cruises. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
21. ^ "Cruise Ship Dry Dock/Upgrade Schedules for Cruise Lines in 2018-2023". cruisefever.net. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Saunders, Aaron (2013). Giants of the Seas: The Ships that Transformed Modern Cruising. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 9781848321724.
* Smith, Peter C. (2010). Cruise Ships: The World's Most Luxurious Vessels. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword Maritime. ISBN 9781848842182.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to IMO 9362530.

* Official website
* Pictures of the ship leaving the shipyard

* v
* t
* e

Ships of the Celebrity Cruises fleet

Current|

| Edge class|

* Celebrity Edge (2018)
* Celebrity Apex (2020)
* Celebrity Beyond (2022)
* Celebrity Ascent (2023)

|

Solstice class|

* Celebrity Solstice (2008)
* Celebrity Equinox (2009)
* Celebrity Eclipse (2010)
* Celebrity Silhouette (2011)
* Celebrity Reflection (2012)

Millennium class|

* Celebrity Millennium (2000)
* Celebrity Infinity (2001)
* Celebrity Summit (2001)
* Celebrity Constellation (2002)

Expedition vessel|

* Celebrity Flora (2019)

Future|

| Edge class|

* Celebrity Xcel (2025)
* TBA (2028)

|

Former|

* Meridian (1990)
* Horizon (1990)
* Zenith (1992)
* Celebrity Century (1995)
* Celebrity Galaxy (1996)
* Celebrity Mercury (1997)
* Celebrity Xperience (2017)
* Celebrity Xpedition (2001)
* Celebrity Xploration (2017)

Years indicate year of entry into service with Celebrity Cruises.
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