There is also Celebrity’s first Art Stu-
Lancome and La Prairie) or fragranc-
As per tradition, the launch was a
dio, with engaging courses led by profes-
es (Armani, Calvin Klein, Dior, Dolce &
grand old affair, with Michelle Morgan,
sional artists and “The Porch,” a breezy,
Gabbana, Givenchy, Juicy Couture, Marc
president and CEO of Signature Travel Net-
casual dining spot offering sandwiches,
Jacobs and Thierry Mugler).
work, serving as the Godmother of Celeb-
coffees and captivating views.
Furthermore, at the center of the
ship, you will find yet another entirely new
And after a hard day of shopping, it’s
rity Silhouette.
good to know that Michael’s Club serves
up to 50 international craft beers.
venue, “The Hideaway,” an intimate, qui-
SOLSTICIZE IT!
The launch of Silhouette was just one thing
et space reminiscent of a childhood tree
RIDING HIGH
Celebrity Cruises had going on last year.
house.
The Meyer Werft shipyard has done itself
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Celebrity
proud with this one, even if the innova-
Cruises had a strong showing, for instance,
BATTLE OF THE BRANDS
tions on board are more related to product
at the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’
The lap of luxury also includes a Bulgari
and service offering than hi-tech as such.
Choice Awards in October. Celebrity was
boutique onboard, since the guests tend
The shipyard has had a good run with the
ranked number one in the highly compet-
to appreciate products that are “luxuri-
Solstice-class ships, having introduced Ce-
itive large-ship (2,500+ guests) category.
ous and sophisticated”, as a cruise line
lebrity Solstice in November 2008. Already
Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Han-
spokesperson put it. Other brands found
at the time, the ship was widely praised
rahan remarked that the new Solstice-class
onboard Celebrity Silhouette include Mad
for its comfortable staterooms and its spa-
ships are now recognised as the best in the
Bags, whose handbags are created from
cious and majestic public areas.
category, just as the cruise line’s Millenni-
textiles such as eco-friendly bamboo, ani-
The second ship in the series was
um-class ships were for several consecutive
mal-friendly leathers and hand-woven taf-
Equinox, delivered in November 2009
years. What’s more, Celebrity wants to re-
feta silks; Soybu, which blends eco-friend-
– and followed only six months later by
tune old Millennium ships to be more like
ly fibers into the soft, vibrantly colored
Eclipse. The fifth and final ship of the fam-
Solstice class – an ambitious, $ 140 mil-
fabrics of its women’s performance ap-
ily, Celebrity Reflection, is scheduled to hit
lion ‘Solsticizing’ initiative is targeted on
parel; and the legendary Tommy Baha-
the waves in November 2012.
each of those ships.
ma brand of stylish resort apparel. Calyp-
As the Silhouette was launched
In 2011, the cruise line also an-
so St. Barth’s, Mar Y Sol, Big Buddha, La
in Hamburg, the whole City was excit-
nounced the line’s first sailings in Asia.
Regale... the list goes on.
ed about the biggest ship ever officially
Celebrity’s fleet currently consists of 10
Watches, you say? There’s Chopard,
named in Hamburg. The fact that Ham-
ships.
Fendi Crazy Carats, Longines, Michele, Tag
burg was chosen as the inaugural city is
Heuer and Tissot. Need new shades? Maui
also a reflection of its growing importance
Jim, Oakley and Ray-Ban are here to help.
as a European cruise hub – and the birth-
And don’t even get us started on
place of Silhoutte, the Papenburg shipyard
the cosmetics (Chanel, Clinique, Dior,
Silhouette
Fast
Facts
in Germany, is not that far from here.
Occupancy:
2,886
Tonnage:
122,400
Inaugural Date:
July 23, 2011
Length:
1,047 ft
27 ft
Cruise Speed:
24 kts
Passenger Decks:
seatec 1/2012
121 ft
Draught:
26
Beam:
13
SAMI J. ANTEROINEN