Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 18 SOUTHAMPTON TO BE HOME PORT FOR CELEBRITY CRUISES' CELEBRITY ECLIPSE IN 2010 During one of its preview cruises for travel partners, press and other dignitaries on its new Celebrity Solstice recently, Celebrity Cruises announced that sister ship Celebrity Eclipse – the third in the five-ship Solstice class series – will be based in Southampton, England, in summer 2010, offering cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The ship also will also hold its launch celebrations in Southampton, where the trend-setting new vessel will be showcased extensively to UK and Ireland consumers and trade partners during a week-long event. "Celebrity Cruises has enjoyed a strong relationship with the UK and Ireland market and experienced steadily increasing guest numbers in recent years," said Celebrity's president and CEO Dan Hanrahan . "Investing in the future of that relationship with Celebrity Eclipse homeporting in Southampton is an exciting development for our business. In 2009, we have an enormous opportunity with our two newest ships – Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox – both based in Europe. Our presence will significantly increase in 2010, as Celebrity Eclipse leads the charge to fur- ther maximize the potential of the UK and Ireland market." Among the ground-breaking features guests can antici- pate onboard each 2,850-guest Solstice-class ship include: • The Lawn Club, a half-acre recreation area featuring real, growing grass. • A Hot Glass Show in partnership with The Corning Museum of Glass, offering live glassblowing demonstra- tions. • Ten widely varied restaurants, including the main "Grand Epernay" dining room, inspired by old Hollywood glamour, and several specialty venues whose unique ambi- ence is expressly designed to complement the first-class cui- sine. • A new category of accommodations, AquaClass, pre- senting a range of spa-inspired amenities, including dream- enhancing TV programming, a welcome kit with teeth whitening sample, exclusive access to the Mediterranean- influenced specialty restaurant, Blu, and complimentary access to the Persian Garden within the extensive AquaSpa facilities onboard. • Veranda-category staterooms whose design was inspired by five women selected for their unique travel and hospitality insights. • Like its sister ships, more than 90 percent of the accom- modations onboard Celebrity Eclipse will be outside state- rooms, and 85 percent will have a veranda. • A wide variety of boutiques and shops, such as the by- appointment-only "Boutique C," featuring the 86-facet Solstice Diamond, available only on Celebrity's Solstice- class ships. Bookings for Celebrity Eclipse will open in March 2009. For more information, call (800) 437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com. ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. SUSPENDS FUEL SUPPLEMENT Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. recently announced the sus- pension of its fuel supplement for Royal Caribbean International , Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, anywhere in the world. The decision reflects the recently sustained lower price of Celebrity Eclipse Pool Deck

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