Celebrity launches a new class of ship

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red stripe

Guest
CELEBRITY CRUISES ORDERS NEW CRUISE SHIP, LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE NEW CLASS


MIAMI -- July 12, 2005 – Celebrity Cruises will build a new cruise ship and launch a new class of landmark ships, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and German shipbuilder Meyer Werft announced today after signing a letter of intent. Celebrity also has an option for a second ship. The agreement is subject to customary conditions being satisfactorily met.
Celebrity incorporates many features typically associated with luxury cruising in its new ship. More than 90 percent of the ship’s staterooms are outside cabins, and more than 90 percent of those rooms have balconies.
The standard stateroom on this ship is much larger than the standard stateroom in the cruise industry. The average standard stateroom on Celebrity’s new ship is 215 square feet.
Other distinctive features are planned for the new design and will be announced in coming months. Their inclusion on the ship, like the added balconies and larger staterooms, is the result of Celebrity’s close dialogue with its guests and trade partners.
The new ship, Celebrity’s first wide-body construction, has a volume of 117,000 gross registered tons, and length and width of 1,033 feet by 121 feet, making it a post-Panamax vessel. The 1,425-stateroom ship accommodates 2,850 guests (double occupancy) and 1,250 crew.
“Today’s announcement clearly demonstrates the company’s continuing commitment to the growth and innovative development of the Celebrity brand, “said Dan Hanrahan, president of Celebrity Cruises. “It also strengthens our hand in delivering the incredible service and amenities and the phenomenal cruise experience Celebrity is known for.â€Â
“We are excited to be collaborating with Celebrity on this new, breakthrough design and its market-leading innovations,†said Meyer Werft Managing Partner Bernard Meyer. “It has taken us many months to develop a strong, working prototype and this next-generation of ships is truly extraordinary.â€Â
The company expects delivery of the new ship in Fall 2008. It estimates the all-in cost of the ship to be approximately $225,000 per berth. The exercise date for the second ship is March 15, 2006, subject to certain conditions.
With today’s new ship and current ship orders, the company predicts fleet capacity to increase by 2.8 percent in 2006, 7.4 percent in 2007, and 7.2 percent in 2008.
Celebrity Cruises is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., a global cruise vacation company, which also operates Royal Caribbean International. The company has a combined total of 29 ships in service, two under construction and one on firm order. The company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruise-tour division. Additional information can be found on www.celebrity.com, www.royalcaribbean.com or www.rclinvestor,com.
 
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wayneair

Guest
As much as I love cruising X, I wish they woudl keep their ships in the Century or Millie class. If I want larger, I woould sail Carnival or RCCL.
 
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pbk917

Guest
I'm all for it. Yes it will be larger than anything they currently have in their fleet, but it still is smaller than the big boys that Royal Carib & Carnival have out there. Also, look at that cabin size, 215 sq. ft. Currently their avg. cabin size is 170 sq. ft.
 
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welove2cruise

Guest
Hopefully the new "mega ship" will NOT follow the likes of RCCL. It looks to me like the ship may be BIG, but not as overcrowded as the big boys. I agree that Mille class ships are a great size & never feel crowded. Certainly Celebrity would not upset us loyalists by cramming too many people on board. More people = big crowds = unhappy Celebrity guests. We'll just have to wait & see.
 
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Cruizer

Guest
The biggest Carnival Ships are 110,000 GRT. The biggest Princess ships are 116,000 GRT. As I understand it, this ship is to be 117,000 GRT. So it is bigger than most.

The space ratio on the Voyager class ships is 44.5. The space ratio on this ship is 41. The space ratio on the smaller Grand class ships (Grand, Golden & Star) is 41.9.

Which brings me to my question. How does a cruise line offer premium service to 3000 (okay, only 2850) people all at once?
 
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viet630

Guest
Let' s hope they can keep up thier premium service, with the premium prices that they are charging they won't be around long if they don't.We are looking at other avenues for vacation's because of the pricing.In the past it was a little more to sail Celebrity, and worth it ,now it is 4-5 hundred more a ticket for a comparable room.I am a Celebrity fan but cannot justify these tremedous increases in price. Viet
 
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welove2cruise

Guest
I will still gladly pay the price difference to sail with the best. I'll be hard pressed to sail the new ship until others have tried it first & can verify that it is still "Celebrity". I have always believed that you get what you pay for & the little bit extra one pays for Celebrity is well worth it. Just my opinion.
 
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viet630

Guest
Welove
We try to take 2 or 3 cruises a year. And with thier new pricing we will get the third one free if we take Norwegian or Msc or Holland. This is just to much difference in price for me.We were on the Century a couple month's ago and the service was very good,but the ship is getting very worn. It need's refurbishing very badly. The condition of the ship alone does not warrant these price increase's. When was the last time you priced a Celebrity cruise?Did you know that Celebrity and RCL are raising thier prices again the 1st of August?Don't get me wrong I love Celebrity but the price difference is just to much for me. After you are back for a week or so that little extra service you may have recieved will be long forgotten.Yes I also believe most times you get what you pay for, but in this case I think they are taking advantage.JMHO..
VIET
 
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