Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Constellation Solsticizing Complete

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:43:56 -0400

Last month, Celebrity Constellation was brought to Freeport, Bahamas to begin its “Solsticizing” initiative, and we are happy to report that the revitalization is now complete! When passengers boarded the Celebrity Constellation last Sunday, they were the first to see the new additions and the full complement of Solstice Class-inspired features and attributes guests love on the ship’s three Millennium Class sister ships.

The trendy craft beer experience first introduced in Michael’s Club across Celebrity’s Solstice Class fleet is now also offered in Celebrity Constellation’s Michael’s Club. Here you’ll find a wide assortment of over 50 craft beers, with some pictured below.

The hip Celebrity iLounge has also been introduced to the Celebrity Constellation. Here, you’ll find state-of-the-art workstations featuring MacBook Pros and iMacs. You can take a class, check your email, surf the web or print a boarding pass. Certified staff will help you master the latest audio and video products. Learn how to get the most from tech devices, like the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and MacBook Pro. And, if you like, you can purchase some of these items on your cruise.

Along with full wi-fi throughout the ship, premium Reverie mattresses added to every stateroom, and the addition of 107 new AquaClass staterooms, our Mediterranean-themed “Blu” specialty restaurant has also been added (and is has complimentary access for AquaClass stateroom passengers.

To allow guests to share in the celebration of the additional Solsticizing of Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Cruises has launched an online “Memory Match” game through May 20, 2013, with the opportunity to win a copy of Celebrity’s sleek, hardbound “Excite the Senses” lifestyle book. Visit www.celebritycruises.com/matchgame to enter!

Revealing an addition to its series of premium collaborations,...

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:39:00 -0400

Revealing an addition to its series of premium collaborations, Celebrity Cruises has joined forces with Microsoft’s Xbox to integrate the leading destination of video game entertainment into guests’ modern luxury vacations. Slated to introduce one of the industry’s largest Xbox experiences at sea, Celebrity’s alliance boasts entertaining Xbox-themed spaces across its fleet, offering families interactive Xbox Games experiences for children, teens and even the kid in every adult.

The newly “Solsticized” Celebrity Constellation is the first of Celebrity’s ten ships to introduce the complete onboard Xbox experience when it re-entered service on May 5, 2013, after completing its scheduled drydock - just in time for families planning their summer vacations. The remaining Celebrity ships will offer Xbox 360 and Kinect for Xbox 360 this summer, and will unfold the full Xbox experience by the end of 2013.

To celebrate, we’re giving away a 7-night cruise for a family of four, as well as Xbox 360 prize packs!

Enter today for a chance to win: http://bit.ly/1a1ap0G

timotheustimoteo: Hubbard Glacier in Alaska - Celebrity cruise

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:04:04 -0400

timotheustimoteo:

Hubbard Glacier in Alaska - Celebrity cruise

Celebrity Cruises has partnered with SPE Certified to expand its...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:16:00 -0400

Celebrity Cruises has partnered with SPE Certified to expand its healthy dining options with scientifically-grounded, third-party validation of their merits.

More than 60 SPE-certified dishes are now on the menus of Celebrity Cruises’ main restaurants as well as every dish in AquaSpa Cafes.

(video via NBC New York)

Help us wish the Celebrity Eclipse a Happy 3rd Birthday!

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:14:13 -0400

Help us wish the Celebrity Eclipse a Happy 3rd Birthday!

dianebondareff: Inside/Outside at the Travel +...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:25:40 -0400

dianebondareff:

Inside/Outside at the Travel + Leisure/Celebrity Cruises launch party, The James Hotel, NYC

Celebrity Constellation: Solsticizing Begins!

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:54:10 -0400

Celebrity Cruises recently brought Celebrity Constellation to Freeport, Bahamas to begin its “Solsticizing” initiative. For those keeping track, this is actually the 2^nd revitalization since 2010, which will bring more guest-favorites which can be found on Constellation’s sister ships including the Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Summit.

With all passengers fully disembarked on the Constellation on Monday, seven different contracting companies from across the world boarded and immediately started to work on the ship. Giant plastic sheets covered all aspects of the ship, from all floors, to the gym and casino equipment, to every chair in the theater and dining areas.

This was my first dry dock experience, and I got to see a first-hand look at the scene that takes place once the last cruise itinerary has finished. When the Celebrity Constellation left Miami and was headed on its way to Freeport, contractors immediately began work on the ship, protecting all important fixtures by covering them in plastic, or simply moving them out of the way.

When the ship arrives in Freeport, it pulls into a special dock, where the water is drained, and the entire ship is out of the water. This allows crews to work on parts of the ship which are normally below the water line, and allows giant cranes to easily move cargo containers on and off the ship. Work at this point is being done nearly 24/7.

Almost every area on the ship has some work being done, from new carpets and tiling, to completely renovated areas – like adding a new craft beer section into Michael’s Club, or new Reverie mattresses which are being added to every stateroom on the ship.

This incredible scene of demolition, and renovating nearly all parts of the ship will be completed in only four weeks, and we are on pace to finish right on time. When the ship re-enters service on May 5, 2013, the following new features and venues will be added, including:

Celebrity’s stylish AquaClass accommodations – a total of 107 staterooms (37 entirely new; 70 converted from ConciergeClass) – with exclusive access to the Mediterranean-themed “Blu” specialty restaurant and complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room in the ship’s revitalizing AquaSpa

A total of 66 entirely new staterooms (17 oceanview, 12 inside and 37 AquaClass)
Spacious new verandas accompanying the ship’s eight luxurious Celebrity Suites, complete with 24/7 butler service

The hip Celebrity iLounge – which made Celebrity the first Authorized Apple Reseller upon introduction on Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and has since evolved to Celebrity’s designation as an Apple Specialist – with Apple workstations, informative classes on the latest products and technologies, and a retail store.

Full wi-fi capability throughout the ship

The trendy craft beer experience first introduced in Michael’s Club across Celebrity’s Solstice Class fleet now also will be offered in Celebrity Constellation’s Michael’s Club

A new meetings and conference space accommodating up to 208 guests in one large room, which also can be divided into two spaces

All suites and staterooms will feature new mattresses custom-designed for Celebrity by Reverie. Hand-made in the U.S. with natural raw materials farmed in a sustainable manner, the mattresses are nearly entirely recyclable and/or biodegradable, and feature removable covers that are hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and dust mite-resistant

All suites onboard will feature premium Reverie mattresses with the same attributes, in addition to the ability to tailor guests’ sleep experience to suit their personal preferences – from extra plush to firm – with the help of their butler

Rounding out the Solsticizing initiative throughout Celebrity Constellation will be new color schemes, new carpeting and new upholstery reflective of the Solstice Class, new sun loungers on the pool decks, and an upgraded basketball court

We’ll have more information about the ongoing Celebrity Constellation “Solsticizing” initiative in the upcoming weeks, but for now, enjoy these exclusive pictures of the work being done.

Celebrity Cruises: Meet Our Senior Traveling Corporate Executive Chef

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:39:49 -0400

As Celebrity’s Senior Traveling Corporate Executive Chef, I have worked with and met fellow culinarians from around the world. Because I have so many friends and colleagues across the globe, I use social media to keep in touch with everyone. I genuinely enjoy sharing photos and stories of my travels because I’m so passionate about my work.

When Huffington Post’s Food Informants asked Celebrity for a chef to give them an insider’s view of working at sea, I knew it was the right assignment for me. I jumped at the opportunity to share details about our onboard environment, processes and service with even more people.

Most people don’t realize just how much goes into creating a modern luxury dining experience at sea. When Tavia from Celebrity’s public relations team asked me to create a “diary” of one of my weeks onboard, I was excited. It was a lot of work, and English isn’t my first language, but together, we created a story that will enable readers to experience this journey with me. Better still, maybe they’ll even be a little bit hungry when they’re done reading, hungry enough to come onboard and taste for themselves how much we care about providing a culinary experience like no other at sea.

To read the Food Informants piece about a week in my life, click here.

Celebrity Cruises: An Insider's View of Itinerary Planning

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 17:52:12 -0400

My name is Marc Miller, and I am the Manager of Itinerary Planning for Celebrity Cruises and for our sister brand, Royal Caribbean. I have been with the company for almost 10 years, 7 of which have been spent on the itinerary planning team. I love what I do and it is a dream job for me because I love learning about destinations and interacting with people from many ports from around the world. I believe that itinerary planning is one of the most important roles within the company, as the decisions we make have a direct impact on our guests’ satisfaction and the company’s performance.

It’s an exciting area because things are constantly changing and determining where to send our ships is a continual effort. We start planning our itineraries many years in advance, but typically finalize those decisions 18 to 24 months in advance of the sailings. Several factors impact our decisions; most importantly, guest preferences as to where they want to sail, as well as the ever-changing operational costs.

Another fascinating part of my job is learning about the many amazing destinations where we deploy our ships. One of the new destinations we will offer this year is the Black Sea. Starting in September, Celebrity Constellation will offer a series of 12-night itineraries, round-trip from Istanbul, Turkey. One of the highlights of this itinerary is the overnight call in Odessa, Ukraine, which allows guests to explore the city by day, and at night, guests can view a performance at the restored National Opera and Ballet Theatre. In addition, in less than one year, all eyes will be on this region as the 2014 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Sochi, Russia, along the coast of the Black Sea. In the coming weeks, we will announce our new European itineraries, which will include Sochi as a port of call for 2014.

At the end of the day, we have to make difficult tradeoffs, because there are typically more destinations and regions that we would like to offer than we have ships to send. As we finish this round of deployment, we start all over again for next year.

Evolution of the Sailing Chef: Cruise Ship Dining Over the Years

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:09:00 -0500

Click to view full image

Embed This Graphic – Copy Source Code Below:

<a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard/tabLanding.do?pagename=onboard_dining">Cruise Ship Dining<img src="http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/en_US/images/cel_social_media/piror6.6_01.jpg"></a>

Over the centuries, cruise ship dining has changed immensely. Starting with Nordic Vikings transitioning all the way to modern cruise ships, one thing has always been true: a sailor’s gotta eat! Mess hall may aptly describe the conditions aboard some early ships. But things have changed in cruise dining options. While galley slaves probably subsisted on gruel (with garlic cloves thrown in for a treat), today’s high sea diners experience 5-star global cuisine with white glove service and an impressive wine list. Take a look at the progression of maritime chefs and dining over the ages in this infographic. And, remember…calories don’t count at sea!

It's Official

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 08:01:00 -0500

Click to view full image

Embed This Graphic – Copy Source Code Below:

<a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/explore/ships/detail.do?shipCode=RF">New Celebrity Reflection Cruise Ship<img src="http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/en_US/images/cel_misc/CelebrityCruises-Ship-Naming-Full-v10-resize.jpg"></a>

Our new Celebrity Reflection cruise ship has been launched, named, and sent on her inaugural sailing for the 2013 cruise season. The entire process brings to mind all the intriguing maritime customs involved in building a new cruise ship. From placing good luck coins during the keel laying to the champagne bottle crashing against her big, blue funnel, it’s been a fun journey filled with all kinds of customs, superstitions, and milestones. There are even a few tricks up our sleeve to ensure the champagne bottle breaks as it’s supposed to. Read on and find out more about inaugurating a cruise ship.

New Celebrity Reflection Cruise Ship

fun fact:
Mrs. FDR christened the huge flying boat Yankee Clipper in 1939 with a bottle of water mixed from the seven seas.

Celebrity Cruises: A Holiday Message from Michael Bayley

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:40:01 -0500

To Our Celebrity Followers:

The holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and reflect on “auld lang syne.” In that spirit, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Celebrity Cruises in 2012. Whether you sailed with us or considered sailing with us, you have my appreciation.

I’m also very appreciative of our exceptional officers and crew. They are the people who deliver the modern luxury vacation experience that keeps guests like you coming back. And while I may be biased, I believe that they are simply the finest group of hospitality professionals in the world.

As I reflect on 2012, I am amazed by how much took place. I had the honor of accepting the role as President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises in July, and immediately began reaching out to our travel agent partners and guests like you to gain invaluable insights to benefit our brand. I’m very grateful for your interest in Celebrity.

We took delivery of our fifth stylish Solstice Class ship, Celebrity Reflection, on October 9. Then, we embarked on the ship’s inaugural European season prior to crossing the Atlantic to arrive in the cosmopolitan cruise capital of the world – Miami, Florida – where we formally named the ship on December 1.

We were honored to have four Godmothers presiding over the ceremony – each of them being members of our own Celebrity family whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. The four Godmothers are: AquaSpa Manager, Jovanka Goronjic; Hot Glass Show Artist, Megan Mathie; Community Relations Manager, Helen O’Connell; and Special Events Manager, Rosey Rodriguez. Following the naming cruise and another celebratory two-night cruise, Celebrity Reflection embarked on her inaugural Caribbean season, offering 7-night sailings roundtrip from Miami.

Earlier this year, we completed our ambitious, $140-million “Solsticizing” initiative. This initiative incorporated many of the venues and experiences our guests love most on our Solstice Class ships onto our four already popular Millennium Class ships. Now, our fleet of 11 stunning ships and our spectacular crew are poised to provide you with genuine modern luxury vacation experiences in all seven continents of the world.

It’s been a very exciting year, and I know 2013 will be, too. We’ve just completed the most rapid period of growth and momentum in Celebrity’s history, and now, we have the opportunity to focus on refining our product to ensure the Celebrity brand remains “the” premium cruise vacation of choice among upscale consumers.

We’re committed to ensuring our culinary experience remains the best in the business. We’re going to further enhance our entertainment offering. We’re going to share more about our family-friendly programming. And we’re going to present the most compelling itinerary portfolio and destination experience in our history.

We’re going to do all of this to ensure that we have the pleasure of your business for years to come. Thank you again for your support of Celebrity Cruises in 2012. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you again in 2013.

I wish you a very merry holiday season, and a Happy New Year!

Michael Bayley
President & CEO

Celebrity Cruises: Q&A with Jovanka Goronjic, One of Celebrity Reflection’s Godmothers

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:58:00 -0500

Jovanka Goronjic joined Celebrity Cruises’ AquaSpa staff in 2009 after working with Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity’s sister brand. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and endured several rounds of treatment. In tribute to her mother and the cause, Jovanka donated her hair for the creation of wigs for cancer patients. With support from Celebrity, she arranged time off to be with her mother at critical times during her treatment. Her mother has since defeated the illness, and Jovanka is now AquaSpa Manager on Celebrity Solstice. We recently sat down with Jovanka to ask her a few questions about the honor bestowed upon her.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born on January 1, 1979, and was raised by my mother. In 1997, I graduated with a degree in Business of Economy, and then continued my studies in the health and beauty fields. In 2004, I started working on ships as a massage therapist. Currently, I am the AquaSpa Manager aboard Celebrity Solstice.

I love animals, and I love taking care of people. I believe that overall well-being is crucial to leading a full and rewarding life. I try my best to be a good listener, while always being available for any advice, support, motivation, or inspiration.

How did it feel when Celebrity selected you to be a ship’s Godmother?

I was delighted, thrilled, emotional, and proud, all at the same time. I’m not sure that it has fully sank in yet, but it will when I¹m onboard for the naming ceremony next month.

What are you most looking forward to with this honor?

I really hope to help the Breast Cancer Research Foundation by raising more awareness and giving support to people that are dealing with the heartache of this illness.

What preparations have you made for the ceremony? What do you plan to wear?

I have prepared a short speech for the ceremony. On the special day, I plan on wearing a formal black dress with pink details, which serves as a small reminder and connection to breast cancer awareness.

Are you nervous or excited about the naming ceremony?

I’m both nervous and excited. My emotions are supercharged about this whole experience. I’m glad I’ll have three other women to share this moment with.

Can you tell us about something that is dear to you?

As an only child, growing up without my father, I am very close to my mother. Even at the age of 34, while working on ships and being away from home, I would call her every other evening just to wish her a good night, hear her voice, and tell her that I love her.

What do you plan to do onboard Celebrity Reflection? Are there venues or people you are looking forward to seeing?

I am currently on Celebrity Solstice, but I will be transferring to Celebrity Reflection to become their AquaSpa Manager. I can¹t wait to see the enhancements to the spa that are only currently available on this new ship, including the enlarged Persian Garden, the Hammam, and the hot and chilly Sensory Circuit. This career change happened suddenly, but I am so happy to have been given the honor of being one of Celebrity Reflection’s Godmothers.

Who has been most proud of you receiving this honor?

My family, my friends, my work colleagues, and, probably most of all, my mother.

The four Godmothers of Celebrity Reflection will preside over the naming of the ship in Miami on December 1. In true Celebrity tradition, they will be joined by the Godmothers of each of Celebrity Reflection’s sister ships.

Celebrity Cruises: Meet Megan Mathie, Glassblowing Artist & Celebrity Reflection Godmother

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:45:04 -0500

Megan Mathie is a glassblowing artist in the Hot Glass Show aboard Celebrity Solstice®, and she previously performed the same role aboard Celebrity Eclipse®. Earlier this year, Megan was informed that both her sister and her mother were diagnosed with breast cancer, and she flew home to spend time with them. As time passed, however, both convinced her to return to the ship and to continue her work. Determined to support the cause, Megan and her team now host a “Hot Pink Glass Show” on every sailing. There, she shares her story with her audience through her artwork, in honor of her sister and her mother. At each cruise’s end, she auctions a one-of-a-kind pink glass creation to raise funds for Celebrity’s charitable partner, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

We recently caught up with Megan for more insight into her touching story.

In December, I scheduled my second contract working with Celebrity Cruises for the Corning Museum of Glass. I couldn’t have been more excited to come back and immerse myself in a body of artwork, while sharing the wonder of glassblowing with new audiences. I feel like the Hot Glass Show is a job I was born to do and this opportunity feels like such a gift.

In my life, I have been so, so fortunate.

In March, everything in my life stopped. My big sister Jen, who was just 32 years old, was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. It took my family out at the knees. Jen did everything right; she had health insurance, she always had her annual exams, and she was a mom to a five-year-old and a 10-month-old. Her medical team thinks she had her cancer for 7 to 10 years, and we don’t understand how they didn’t find it sooner.

I live in Columbus and Jen lives in Cincinnati, which is two hours away. Upon hearing the news, I dropped everything and started spending four days a week at Jen’s house, looking after my little nieces and taking care of Jen’s laundry, meals, and her home. I left my work, my new house, and my husband to be there for my sister. Jen’s network came together; she found a nanny, and everyone stepped in to love her and our family. Eventually, though, Jen put her foot down and told me to go on my contract on the Solstice, and that she did not need me in Ohio. She promised me that she would be here when I came home. She told me that cancer is something that we will be fighting as a family for years to come, and that we needed to live with cancer and not die from it.

I resolved that I would go. Then, just weeks later, we received another blow. In May, my mom, who had just turned 60 years old, was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer. I was in disbelief and I was so angered by this. I thought to myself, “Mom is a nurse. She does everything right. She has had her annual mammograms like clockwork.” Yet, there we were, less than 90 days after Jen’s diagnosis, and we found out that Mom was sick, too.

I am the baby in my family – the youngest of three girls. Never mind that I am 28 years old, I need my big sisters. I need my mom. I can’t describe to you the fear that this struck in my heart that they are fighting for their lives. But, they are FIGHTING.

I told my mom that I was going to stay home and that I didn’t want to go on the ship. Then, she, Jen, and my husband, Chris, told me that I had to go. They didn’t want me crying in the hospital. They wanted me to take this opportunity and dive into my artwork. They wanted me to travel and they wanted me to share my stories. I protested, I cried, and they sent me on the ship anyway. I was so scared. I still am so scared. What if something bad happens?

On Tuesday, July 17, Mom had a double mastectomy surgery. That Wednesday, I had lunch with my mom, my dad, and my two big sisters in Mom’s hospital room. On Friday, July 20, I left Ohio for Barcelona to embark on Celebrity Solstice. I was ready to be sad and homesick for three months. I was ready to be lonely. The thing about cancer, though, is that it comes with some pretty incredible gifts. Cancer shows us love. My sister calls it crushing love. And it is. I needed support. I needed love. And from the moment I came on board this ship, I have felt loved.

My family is good, with an ache in the word good, and I miss them so much. Nonetheless, we know that geography has nothing to do with how close we are to one another. Here, on Celebrity Solstice, I also have another family. One that is brand new and full of energy, warmth and caring hearts. This family doesn’t know Jen or my mom, but they are sharing my journey and holding me up. On Jen’s birthday in August, just a week before her double mastectomy surgery, the Ringmasters, our a cappella quartet, sang “Happy Birthday” into my phone at 1 a.m., so that Jen could hear it at 7 p.m., in Ohio. When we received scary news about Jen’s cancer-fighting drugs damaging her heart, my dear new friend stayed up with me all night while I cried and processed my fears. My Solstice family hugged me and held my hand when I saw a photo of Mom with no hair for the first time. My Solstice family also has a celebration and a toast with every cancer milestone: when Jen finished chemo, when Mom started chemo, when Jen survived her surgery with clear margins. They follow Jen’s blog and they follow Mom’s blog. They ask about Mom and Jen every time they know I have had a phone call home. The friendships came fast, but they are real and they are loving.

My glass team has a Hot Pink Glass Show every cruise, where I get to make a special vessel that tells my cancer story through my artwork. I get to talk about my family, talk about how important it is to be vigilant and look for this disease, and I do my very best to embody living with cancer and not dying from it. I invest so much love into that artwork. I literally shed tears while making each one the most beautiful glass I’ve ever blown. I do it for Jen and I do it for Mom. At the end of each cruise, I get to auction that pink vessel away for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which has a partnership with Celebrity Cruises.

The best part is that when I share my family’s cancer journey, I make connections. Every cruise, there have been people sharing their story of survival or loss with me, and more and more people loving Mom and Jen. Crushing love.

Here I am, so far from home, but helping. In a real way. A way that will keep them alive, healthy and beating cancer for years to come. The medicine in their lives is so essential, and I get to contribute funds so directly.

The doubts I had about whether I was meant to be here on this ship went away when I learned that I would get to make this glass, tell this story, and help fight this fight. I get to be an artist who’s surrounded by loving hearts at sea, I get to feel my family loving me from across the ocean, and I get to fight cancer.

In my life, I am so, so fortunate.

Celebrity Cruises: Q&A with Helen O’Connell, a Celebrity Reflection Godmother

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:30:34 -0500

Celebrity Reflection is set to arrive in Miami on Dec 1. As part of her inaugural ceremony she will be christened by not one, but four Godmothers this time. We’re proud of our ship godmothers, the strength of character they all possess, and their incredible support in the fight against breast cancer. Prior to the launch of our newest ship, we recently interviewed each of these amazing women to hear what they have to say.

As an eight-year employee of Celebrity Cruises, Helen O’Connell manages Community Relations and has a clear and contagious passion for serving her community. She works tirelessly to accommodate those in need and to help the non-profits that serve the many communities in which our corporation operates. She is widely lauded, internally and externally, for leading the corporation’s annual “G.I.V.E. (Get Involved, Volunteer Everywhere) Day,” and events leading to it in South Florida, as well as in many of the company’s offices and ports of call around the globe. Additionally, she serves as the corporation’s liaison with Make-A-Wish Foundation and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, overseeing the planning and implementation of numerous fundraising events each year.

When Helen commits to a project, she sees it through to the very end. She’s committed to seeing that our hard work as a company continues to make a difference in the lives of others. She firmly believes that once Royal Caribbean Cruises, or one of the brands’ names, is stamped on a project, it is always ongoing.

On a more personal level, Helen is the youngest of four girls. Her parents are from Ireland and she grew up in Whitestone, N.Y., in the borough of Queens. Helen loves volunteering and being involved in various organizations, from foster care to clean-ups and revitalizations of urban environments. Helen also helps her mother and sisters take care of an ailing, widowed aunt in Ireland, so she makes trips quite often to manage the situation.

In late September 2008, Helen’s father was diagnosed with bone cancer. She traveled to NYC every weekend to help her mother and sisters take care of their father at home, where he died on December 1, 2008. Then, on December 1, 2009, during the inaugural of Oasis of the Seas, a ship on Celebrity’s sister brand, Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer. She worked through her treatments and scheduled her surgery during the holidays, so her two-person team could manage the workload at a quieter time of year and her family wouldn’t spend their first Christmas without their dad worrying about her surgery. This year, on December 1, 2012, the naming ceremony of Reflection will take place, a day when Helen will celebrate, rather than grieve.

We recently sat down with Helen to talk about her history with Celebrity and her excitement about her new honor.

How did it feel to be selected to be a Godmother?

When I heard that Michael Bayley wanted to choose employees who have been touched by breast cancer to be the Godmothers of Celebrity Reflection, I was so proud to work for an amazing leader and company. Then, to receive a call from our Chairman, Richard Fain, who extended the invitation to be one of the Godmothers, was overwhelming. I was truly taken aback by our conversation with him and it left me a bit stunned, actually. I started to babble and it didn’t begin to sink in until a few minutes after we hung up the phone. I still don’t think it has sank in fully yet. Our partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation reinforces our company’s dedication to important issues in our employees’ and guests’ lives. I love my job and I am so proud to represent Celebrity Cruises in the community on a daily basis. To now have this accolade on top of that is just fabulous! I truly feel blessed and honored to be one of Celebrity Reflection’s Godmothers.

What are you most looking forward to with this honor?

One of the best things about this honor is sharing this role with three other amazing women. Better still, Rosey Rodriguez, one of the three women, is such a special friend to me who just recently battled breast cancer.

What preparations have you made for the ceremony?

I currently have hair and nail appointments scheduled. One of my friends is also doing my makeup for the naming ceremony, so I will be all glammed up!

What do you plan to wear?

I am a New Yorker, so it’s always a challenge to branch out from my black uniform. I have been shopping for dresses and I have been looking at wearing navy, chocolate brown or charcoal gray – that’s as crazy as I get with colors!

Are you nervous/excited about the naming ceremony?

Rosey and I have had the pleasure of attending several naming ceremonies. We’ve been behind the scenes as worker bees, so it will be strange to be in the spotlight this time. On a day like G.I.V.E. Day, I am very comfortable talking to large groups or directing people, but I’m not so comfortable talking about myself or being the center of attention. I am a bit nervous about the naming ceremony, but I’m very excited to meet my Goddaughter – Reflection! I am actually a Godmother of two young girls, my niece, Jane and my roommate from college’s daughter, Brittan. That being said, Reflection is in good company.

Can you tell us about something that is dear to you?

My dogs and my cats. I was never an animal lover. In fact, I’m allergic to cats! But then, because of my boyfriend, I became an animal mom to two dogs and two cats!

What do you plan to do onboard Celebrity Reflection?

I am looking forward to relaxing with my family! This is the first time that my mom, my sisters and I have been together since my father’s funeral in December 2008, due to everyone’s busy schedules. It will be nice to celebrate and spend time together.

Are there venues or people you are looking forward to seeing?

I can’t wait to sit in a chair at the Lawn Club and enjoy the ocean breeze. Also, Celebrity Cruises is hosting a charity fundraiser for United Way of Miami-Dade on this inaugural sailing, so it will be nice to see many of our community partners. It’s a chance to chat with many friends and neighbors.

Who has been most proud of you receiving this honor?

I know it is my father, who I am sure is looking down from Heaven. I have his work ethic and his drive to help people and make our communities better. He would be so proud of this achievement. My mom, my sisters and my friends are also very proud of me.

Celebrity Reflection Lookbook

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:30:51 -0500

Celebrity Cruises is committed to making your vacation everything you wanted – and then some. Follow us on Instagram to enjoy an insider’s view of the luxurious on-board experience.

Celebrity Cruises Reflection docked in port.

A nighttime view of Celebrity Reflection’s pool deck.

Celebrity Cruises Reflection art installation outside the entrance to specialty dining.

Escape to the adults-only Solarium for some alone time.

Savor just-made fare at The Porch.

Modern luxury comes in an array of flavors.

The expanded Persian Garden on Celebrity Reflection holds 15 heated tile loungers.

Escape into a good book or magazine in Celebrity Reflection’s library.

Enjoy a uniquely unordinary experience at Celebrity Reflection’s Qsine.

The entrance to Blu, a “clean cuisine” restaurant that’s exclusive to Aqua Class guests.

Join us in the Sky Bar for music, dancing and drinks.

Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Reflection’s Atrium Tree

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:12:00 -0400

Like our other Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Reflection will have her own living, suspended tree in a uniquely designed vessel. We spoke with art consultant, Mariangela Capuzzo, Curatorial/Artistic Director at International Corporate Art in Miami, who chose the artist to create the container. Then, we caught up with Bert Rodriguez, the artist himself.

How is the artist chosen who creates the art installation for the tree?

We reach out to established artists whose work is conceptually and aesthetically strong and complements both the existing art collection and our brand. First, we establish a curatorial direction, an umbrella, for the selection of the art collection. In this case, the curatorial direction on Reflection explores the “Seductiveness of a Reflection,” where artworks capture and reveal the magical sense of wonder created by Reflection.

How far out from launch do you start the process of selecting the artist?

The process begins a year and a half from the launch.

Where do you search to find the artist?

We have over 20 years of experience in the art world and our international network of artists affords us with a wide range of options to select from. We stay current with the pulse of the art market by traveling to art fairs and exhibitions all over the world.

Why was this artist chosen for Reflection?

Bert Rodriguez’s installation, Reflections, perfectly juxtaposes the conceptual with the magical. His proposal for Reflection was above and beyond what other artists presented.

What made his submission/vision uniquely right for Reflection?

Bert Rodriguez’s stunning installation in the Upper Grand Foyer consists of a tree reflecting upon itself. The tree above is a living, natural tree and below, hanging upside down, is a tree made of cast aluminum and electrical lighting. The combination of both the living and the crafted tree, and its reflective composition, creates a mesmerizing demonstration of grandeur and brilliant engineering. Its scale and magnificent sculptural elegance draws the viewer’s gaze up and down the vertical to ponder not only how this piece was created, but also what it symbolizes.

By using physical reflection, shiny surfaces, and a living tree mirrored by a man-made tree, the notion of accessibility is addressed. The artist’s intent is to allow viewers an easy entry-point into a more complex investigation of their own self-reflection or willingness to learn more about their fundamental essence, purpose and nature.

Bert Rodriguez earned critical acclaim for his appearance at the 2008 Whitney Biennial in New York. He is known for his conceptual and performance-based artwork, subverting art world conventions, poking fun at himself and notions of Celebrity through his provocative oeuvre.

Next, we spoke with Bert Rodriguez, the artist himself, to find out more.

What was your inspiration for the creation of the art piece for the Atrium tree on Reflection?

Well, I basically took the name of the ship, “Reflection,” and started from there. The fact that the ship had included a living tree as a pre-requisite element within each of the Atrium projects also was also a point of departure for me. The first image that came to mind was what it looks like when a tree is mirrored in a still lake and it doubles the tree. I also really liked what that means as a metaphor for self-reflection. The order of all the ship names in this particular fleet seemed to suggest some process of lunar or solar phases. I wanted this piece to include that, as well, as a means of tying all of the ships in the fleet together somehow. So, I took that idea of the tree reflected in the water, but changed the bottom tree so it could have a life as the sun goes down on the ship. The living tree on the top grows and comes to life while the sun is out and the bottom tree, with each of its branch ends housing lights, comes to life as the sun disappears and becomes a sort of ghost chandelier doppelganger of its living reflection above.

What went into the creation process? Please describe for us.

I started out with several really simple sketches of what I imagined it could look like, and then worked with an architect to take my basic idea and refine it into a realistic rendering of what I initially imagined. After several revisions, as well as feedback from engineers and the shipyard, we came up with a final design. It still kept the core elements and themes of my initial concept, but it was also realistically possible given all of the variables that need to be taken into account when creating something for a moving vessel.

Were there any challenges or restrictions you had to deal with?

Creatively or conceptually? Never. But when it came to physically translating those concepts into a workable and stable object that could withstand the constant motion of a moving ship, yes. There were certain fabrication techniques that are common on land that just cannot work on something that is constantly moving and shifting. There were certain materials and paint finishes that I thought the piece could be made of that just weren’t suitable for the highly corrosive quality of ocean air. A lot of adjustments and modifications had to be made to make it right for that environment. Some things just couldn’t be done and the piece itself had to be changed a little. It was a challenge to allow for all those changes, but still find a way to maintain the work’s conceptual integrity. In the end, I think it came out stunning.

What inspired you to become an artist?

It’s been so long now that I’ve been making work that I’m not even sure I remember. It sounds a bit silly and stereotypical, but I think I’ve always been one. I think maybe things changed when I realized that you could make a living being an artist, which happened when I was in high school. I had a really great teacher who was very encouraging and exposed me to the idea that you could be a professional artist. She taught me how to archive and photograph my work, write a C.V., and how galleries and museums functioned within that process. It gave me a great deal of confidence.

How do you feel knowing this piece will be featured in the Atrium of Reflection?

It feels great! Frankly, this is the first work of this kind that I’ve ever made and it was an incredibly humbling and exciting learning experience. It’s opened my practice to a whole new level of possibilities. It’s given me an opportunity to grow and added a completely new approach to making work using materials and solving problems I never would have considered otherwise. It’ll be on Reflection conceivably for years, and it will be a part of so many travelers’ experiences for years to come. I owe many thanks to everyone who worked on this and helped me realize this piece.

Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Reflection’s Preview Sailing

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:01:00 -0400

Celebrity Reflection is officially a member of our fleet, and we couldn’t be happier to share photos from her preview sailing out of The Netherlands. For months, you’ve followed us on this incredible journey and enjoyed an insider’s view of the development process. Now, take a look at the finished result – a world-class ship that will dazzle you with luxurious suites, state-of-the-art amenities and unrivaled cruise dining options.

Enjoy a floor-to-ceiling view of the ocean in the relaxing, new Reflection Suite.

Unwind in the Spa and enjoy a circuit of sensory experiences.

Savor just-made fare at The Porch just off The Lawn Club.

Need alone time? Escape to the adults-only Solarium.

Relax, eat and gaze out over the green grass at The Lawn Club Grill.

Explore the Art Gallery.

Start the evening off with a soothing backdrop of instrumental or vocal sounds in the Ensemble Lounge.

Enjoy music, dancing and drinks at the Sky Bar.

Experience a whole new level of relaxation in the Spa.

AquaClass® guests can enjoy dining at Blu, where “clean cuisine” is on the menu.

Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Reflection’s Game On

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:57:00 -0400

As a first time blogger for Celebrity, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Ivonne Paris and I am preparing to celebrate my 8th anniversary with this fine organization. I often have a hard time explaining what I do as Manager of Product Development, because the list is so long and varied. My friends and family think my job is fun… and it certainly is!

Game On, one of my favorite all-time projects, has just come to life aboard Celebrity Reflection. Nothing is as exciting to a creative mind as to be given a blank slate with which to dream. So, when our team was assigned this project… Well, let’s just say our painter’s palette went Technicolor!

The journey began way back in the summer of 2011, when it was announced that the space known as the Card Room was to get a revitalization with something vibrant and exciting to mirror the modern direction our brand was going in.

Step one was to gather a group of brilliant minds and put them in a conference room for a couple of hours with nothing but white flip pads and markers. The ideas started to flow and I attempted to capture them all. We had so many amazing concepts, from a Man Cave outfitted with its very own beer bottle vending machine to a Ship Navigation Simulator and beyond. Then, the ideas were vetted for feasibility.

First filter – Will our guests love it?
Second filter – Does it mirror Modern Luxury?
Last filter – Can we execute consistently in a shipboard environment?

Several weeks later, We Were given the green light to proceed with the following direction: Create a state-of-the-art, interactive, digital environment where guests can play on their own or socialize with friends.

Our blank slate consisted of this floor plan on Deck 9.

We turned to our design team as a source of inspiration and were delighted to find that their concept boards were a magical assortment of deep, rich colors with a fanciful motif.

To build this creation, we chose to go with a company in Hamburg, Germany, that had done similar installations. We collaborated with their team to develop game offerings that would provide a balance of nostalgic games in a modern digital platform. We also included others geared to offer hours of fun with the side benefits of stimulating the mind and improving cognitive abilities.

In April of this year, we sent out an invitation to a broad group of colleagues and received fantastic participation in, what we dubbed, The Game On Lab. It’s amazing the kind of results you get when you invite a group of adults to come play games and enjoy refreshments in the middle of the afternoon!

From this exercise, we determined that people’s taste in games is about as varied as their taste in art, which meant that in order to be able to please the largest amount of guests, we needed more games. These eight made the cut:

Bumpers - A modern twist on the traditional game of marbles, where you cast your game piece onto a moving platform to earn points. Bump your opponents out along the way, but watch that you don’t end up falling in the void.

Snag ‘Em - A fast and fun game for up to 4 players, where the object is to collect like colored gems in the allotted time. Having five of a kind earns you more points. Bonus rounds let you steal from your opponents and add to the frenzy.

Checkers - You have to jump a couple of frogs before you become crowned prince in the digital version of this classic favorite.

Team Draw - Find your inner Van Gogh as you challenge your opponent to interpret your art on the screen.

Word Power - Sharpen your mind, expand your vocabulary, and challenge yourself to solve a puzzle with this innovative, interactive, and addictive play on a classic word search game.

Memory - The Memory Game works your brain with spatial layouts and pattern recall. You must take a quick mental “snapshot” of the grid so you can select the correct squares. Speed + Accuracy = Success!

Think Faster - Race against the clock to improve your reaction time, increase alertness and awareness, and enjoy the benefits of faster cognitive processes. It’s as simple as matching the current symbol to the one before it… or is it?

Moving Puzzle - A visual brain twister awaits those who dare attempt to put the pieces of these fast moving videos back together again.

And, yes, you can still play a basic card game here if that’s among your favorite pastimes.

Next, we set to work creating the storyboards that would animate these games. Taking from the whimsical tone set by the ship’s designers, we were inspired to frame them in such as way as to be reminiscent of an old time amusement park juxtaposed with the high-tech, touch-screen environment of the tables.

As the programmers began to bring the games to life, we received delivery of our very own touch-screen setup, so that we could commence testing them and developing the instruction screens. It’s great to know that we have so many friends at Celebrity who are willing to help me out!

Now that the ship is completely finished, we’re pleased with the final installation of this fun, new space.

As you may have surmised by now, I’ve got about the coolest job anyone could ask for. However, my favorite thing about what I do is coming back and watching all of you have fun and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Now you know the secret of why I am always smiling.

Ivonne Paris
Manager of Product Development

Celebrity Cruises: Q&A with Celebrity Reflection’s Cellarmaster

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:11:00 -0400

We recently sat down and spoke with Cellarmaster Mike Perreira, who will be aboard Celebrity Reflection. He was happy to answer all of our wine-related questions.

Q: What activities take place during the Riedel tastings? What makes it a great program to participate in?

A: The Riedel tasting is an incredible wine experience. Participants are guided through an itinerary that plays to all of the senses, each of which is engaged when enjoying wine: sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing.

The seminar begins with the 250-year history of the Riedel family, highlighting their deep roots in, and connection to, glassmaking, as well as their incredible passion for it. Further on, participants in the seminar will enjoy four grape varietals, drinking them from an assortment of different glasses. These steps truly show what a great impact a specifically designed varietal glass has on the taste and aroma of the wine.

By being the first in the wine industry to discover that the size and the shape of the glass influences the taste and aroma of the wine, Riedel has the privilege to introduce participants to a first-hand experience and take their wine appreciation to a different level. It’s a great seminar, as you’ll never approach a glass of wine in the same way again.

Q: What are the highlights of the various wine packages available onboard?

A: The various wine packages available onboard offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a great, worry-free wine selection that our Cellarmaster put together to match various tastes. The wine packages also offer a great value when compared to the regular wine list price for the same wines individually. Wines can be enjoyed in many locations onboard, and the various forms of the Classic and Premium packages are tailored to suit shorter or longer itineraries. We even offer a “Build Your Own” wine package, where guests can create their own package (range of $75 and above per bottle).

Q: What are the best wines that Celebrity offers?

A: The best wines that we offer come from the major wine regions in the world. The winemakers that we host on our crafted wine lists are boutique wineries, renowned chateaux, or signature brand names. We also try to offer a great selection of the destination wines, so our guests can enjoy a taste of the places that they are visiting while still being onboard. Some of our wine highlights are ones from Super Tuscany, Burgundy, and Bordeaux – and, of course, the leading Cabernet Sauvignon from California - Screaming Eagle.

Q: Where did you develop your love of wine?

A: Coming from a country where the hospitality business flourished, fine dining and wine are an inevitable part of it. My passion for wine started the moment I stepped aboard one of the Celebrity ships 15 years ago, and this love is still growing. I developed a true commitment to treat our guests as gold, and knowing, understanding and appreciating wine was an important chapter. And now, through our vast array of wine events, we try to help our guests develop a greater appreciation for wine, as well.

Q: Where did you train?

A: All of my training and development came from a lot of seminars, training sessions, and winery visits sponsored by Celebrity Cruises.

Q: What are some surprises about wine that cruisers might not expect?

A: Onboard, we have some wine treasures that will be appreciated by wine lovers from around the world. We host classic grape varieties, along with some lesser known varieties that will capture the attention of passionate wine lovers and get those excited who would like to try something new.

Another surprise for our long-time guests may be the wine-by-the-glass program. We’ve enlarged its selection, and it now offers the opportunity to taste different wines and change the selection of the wine during each dinner course.

Another great surprise is our Wine Bar – the Cellar Masters, where wine lovers or guests that would like to discover more things about wine, on their own, have a great wine treat. Fantastic selections are constantly changing and there’s an abundant tapas menu to complement their picks.

Q: What is your favorite flavor profile and pairing?

A: When it comes to food and wine pairings, there is such a broad spectrum of choices that it would be hard to name just one. Among them are the fantastic pairings of a goat cheese soufflé with white Bordeaux, or the outstanding match of blue cheese (the cheese board selection in Murano) and dessert wine, like Klein Constantia or even Sauternes.

Q: What is the meaning of the wine tower? What does it symbolize?

A: The wine tower is a wonderful architectural piece that emphasizes the great commitment of Celebrity Cruises toward delivering a fantastic wine experience, as well as an outstanding food selection in our restaurants. Being the central piece of the dining room, it draws the attention of our guests to wine as an important part of the dining experience. You can see it from anywhere in the Main Restaurant and its bubble motif symbolizes Champagne and the Champagne wine region.

Q: Is there an order to the wine arrangement in the tower?

A: The arrangement in the tower is done by grape varieties. All of the pinot noirs that are from Burgundy/France, Oregon, and New Zealand, for example, will stay together, making them easily identifiable during busy service hours. The very high-end wines, on the other hand, have a separate section and encompass different grape varieties. Guests visiting the tower have the opportunity to see what a large variety of wines we accommodate onboard.

Q: So, how many selections of wine do we have onboard?

A: With the latest wine list from all countries, we have a total of 487 different labels. We’re the only cruise line in the world with such a vast selection of wines from all different appellations.

Q: What are the greatest challenges to managing the guest wine experience?

A: The greatest challenge is accommodating guests who request what they consume back home, which sometimes is not available on our wine list. Of course, we are always there to assist with a suggestion for something similar. It takes a lot of professionalism and great communication skills to convince those guests to try something new and different. However, when some of our guests discover a wine that they like (after a sommelier recommends it to them), they stick with that particular one.

Q: What is your recommendation for cruisers to select the best wines for their dining experience?

A: All of our guests need to have full confidence in our certified sommeliers who will guide them to try new wines and help them expand their comfort zone. Explain to the sommelier what wines you like, so that they can recommend something similar. Trust their taste and knowledge, and open yourself up to try new grape varieties. Look for food and wine paring recommendations either in the menu, or ones expressed by your sommelier.