May 7, 2009 - Celebrity Solstice made such a resounding splash in the Caribbean in her inaugural season that she will sail there year-round in 2010.
This means that Celebrity Equinox will now present the ten and 11-night Mediterranean sailings from Rome, previously planned for Celebrity Solstice. The 12-night voyages previously announced for Equinox between Barcelona and Venice in 2010 have been discontinued.
Solstice will sail alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in summer months and seven-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries from the same port in the winter.
It marks the first time since 2004 that Celebrity Cruises has offered a year-round seven-night sailing in the Caribbean. Celebrity Solstice will be one of two Celebrity Cruises vessels sailing continuously in the region; Celebrity Century will present short getaways, with its popular four and five-night sailings from the Port of Miami.
Says Celebrity Cruises' president Dan Hanrahan: "The extraordinary response from our guests to Celebrity Solstice has created a corresponding demand for the ship to sail year-round in the Caribbean, and we're thrilled to meet that demand. This move offers year-round Caribbean holiday options with Celebrity Cruises that are second-to-none."
Six Celebrity Cruises ships, in addition to the year-round Celebrity Solstice, will ply the waters of the Caribbean on a seasonal basis in 2010-11, on a total of 155 sailings with visits to 43 ports.
- Celebrity Constellation will present 14-night Exotic Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip on Saturdays from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Celebrity Eclipse - the third in Celebrity Cruises' stellar Solstice Class series, making her debut in April 2010 - will present alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from the Port of Miami
- Celebrity Equinox, the second sleek Solstice Class ship, launching July 2009, will present ten and 11-night Ultimate Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale
- Celebrity Mercury will present a second season of nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Eastern Caribbean sailings departing Mondays and Saturdays from Baltimore, Maryland from October 2010 until February 2011, followed by ten and 11-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Mondays and Fridays from Charleston from March until April 2011
- Celebrity Millennium will repeat her series of ten and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico on Mondays and Fridays from October 11 until April 8, 2011
- Celebrity Summit will continue to offer seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises departing roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturdays
Bookings are now being taken for the new year-round Caribbean cruises on Celebrity Solstice, as well as for the full seasonal Caribbean itinerary lineup.
Shore excursion options in the Caribbean in 2010 include:
- In Barbados: A Taste of Barbados features a scenic ride around the exotic island, with visits to The Rum Factory, Heritage Park, the mahogany carving factory, Medford Mahogany Creations, and lunch at the Sunbury Plantation House
- In Grand Cayman: The Turtle and Stingray Land & Sea Adventure transports guests to Boatswain's Bay Turtle Farm to visit the turtle breeding facility, followed by a rum cake factory, before continuing on to Stingray City Sandbar for a rare opportunity to swim with one of the Caribbean's most graceful creatures, the southern stingray
- In Costa Maya, Mexico: The Kohunlich Mayan Ruins, situated in a secluded jungle, encompasses a broad scope of architectural styles, from wide lawns to high temples with sculpted masks of the city's rulers paralleling each side of the entry
