June launch for a real Celebrity

The new 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox will leave the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany on June 6 but will remain dockside until June 19-20, when the ship will make its conveyance – an event expected to attract hundreds of area residents along the banks of the River Ems – from Papenburg, Germany, to Emshaven, Netherlands.

Celebrity Cruises will take delivery of the ship on July 16, prior to entering service on July 31 with an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Southampton. This will be followed by a voyage to Civitavecchia, Italy on August 8 2009.

From November 19, Celebrity Equinox will be based out of Fort Lauderdale where the port is having to be expanded to accommodate the new ship.

Celebrity Equinox will, like the Celebrity Solstice, feature a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass (from New York State), dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design, and diverse entertainment, including new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals.

Celebrity Cruises offers cruises around the world including Alaska (where cruisetours are also available), California, Canada/New England and Hawaii. The company’s current fleet will be also be joined by Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011 and a fifth in 2012. www.celebritycruises.co.uk