Celebrity Cruises confirmed an order for a
fourth Solstice-class cruise ship with German shipbuilder Meyer
Werft, slated to enter service in fall 2011.
The 122,000-ton,
2,850-passenger ship will join sister ships the Celebrity Solstice,
scheduled to debut in fall 2008; the Celebrity Equinox, in summer
2009; and the Celebrity Eclipse, in summer 2010, and will bring
Celebrity's fleet to 11 ships. All four Solstice-class ships are
being constructed by Meyer Werft.
Celebrity's
Solstice-class ships all are designed with 90% outside cabins, 85%
with verandas.
"Ordering a
fourth Solstice-class ship is obviously a testament to the demand
we've received from travel agent partners and travelers alike for
more cruise vacation options with Celebrity," said Royal Caribbean
Cruises Chairman and CEO Richard Fain, in a statement. "This
expansion also is yet another vivid illustration of the incredibly
exciting growth and momentum behind the Celebrity
brand."
Celebrity
estimates the all-in cost of the ship to be approximately $280,000
per berth, based on current exchange rates. The contract is
contingent on the completion of customary financing, the line
said.
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