For all you Celebrity lovers

[dakrewser]

Lately it seems we're constantly being told how much better the X brand is than HAL. Well check this thread (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=109854) from the Celebrity board -

Evidently they are removing the X equivalent of the Crow's Nest, covering up the windows and destroying the view for their new Cirque de Soleil "experience" (which, at least according to the early attendees, is a real fiasco).

-dave

[bepsf]

Lately it seems we're constantly being told how much better the X brand is than HAL. Well check this thread (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=109854) from the Celebrity board -

Evidently they are removing the X equivalent of the Crow's Nest, covering up the windows and destroying the view for their new Cirque de Soleil "experience" (which, at least according to the early attendees, is a real fiasco).

-dave
Its only on Constellation and Summit so far - but if it's a permanent thing that can't be removed for daylight viewing, its a bad idea...

Don't get any ideas, HAL!!!

[TedC]

How long do you think it'll be before Carnival Corp buys or merges with RCI?

[dakrewser]

How long do you think it'll be before Carnival Corp buys or merges with RCI?
Um, not in my lifetime? It would be far more likely for RCI to be bought up by Star Lines (the parent of NCL)

-dave

[sail7seas]

Dave....


Where is Star headquartered? Is it in Asia?

[jhannah]

I trust that HAL will leave well enough alone. Tampering with the Crows Nest in any way will get them in big trouble with their faithful guests.

I guess Cirque is a novelty to most people. However, living where I do where there is a Cirque de Soleil show in every other major casino, they're old hat.

[TedC]

I think Star is based in Malaysia.

[dakrewser]

Right, Star is a Malaysian company -

http://www.starcruises.com/About/index.html

-dave

[tcocktail]

There have been rumors that rcl is looking to purchase star/ncl. I have heard the rumor in several different places. it really makes more then then the other way around. i hope that we are not seeing a decline in celebrity it is a fantastic line.

[gizmo]

tcocktail,

I agree. I have read about the rumor that RCL may buy Star also. I think dakrewser may have it backwards.

[tommy]

I dont think theres much chance of star buying RCCL.I do hope that Celebrity doesnt go the way of Holland and start cutting back,and lowering standards. TOM

[Arubalisa]

Celebrity Cruises' Horizon Moves to Island Cruises Fleet
(http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041214/fltu006_1.html?printer=1)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041214/fltu006_1.html?printer=1 (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041214/fltu006_1.html?printer=1)
Press Release
Source: Celebrity Cruises

Tuesday December 14, 2:00 am ET
MIAMI, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Celebrity Cruises' Horizon will move to the Island Cruises fleet in October 2005 under a six-year lease agreement arrangement with the British-based cruise line.
Island Cruises, created in May 2000, is the brand name of Sunshine Cruises Limited, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and First Choice Holidays PLC, one of the United Kingdom's largest integrated tour operators.

"Island Cruises has performed well in its first three years," said Jack Williams, president and chief operating officer of Celebrity Cruises. "By adding a ship, Island Cruises can continue to grow its brand and overall presence in Europe and South America. Horizon has served our Celebrity Cruises guests very well during the past 14 years and will continue to do so for the guests of Island Cruises."

Since its first sailing in spring 2002, Island Cruises has attracted a high number of first-time cruisers with its casual ambiance. The cruise line offers informal, flexible and affordable cruise vacations with open-seating dining and a relaxed dress code. It currently offers two transatlantic, six Brazilian and three Mediterranean itineraries on the 1,740-guest Island Escape. The line also offers combination cruise/hotel packages with 20 resort hotels in Majorca, Sao Paolo and Rio De Janeiro, as well as air/sea packages originating from 16 regional airports. Island Escape previously sailed as Royal Caribbean International's Viking Serenade.

"We couldn't be happier about the expansion of our fleet, especially with such a wonderful ship," said Michael Bayley, managing director of Island Cruises. "We look forward to growing our cruise line and providing our guests with even more alternatives for their cruise vacations."

Horizon will complete its current winter sailings to the Caribbean from the Port of Tampa and its summer 2005 Bermuda sailings from the Port of Philadelphia. The ship will be turned over to Island Cruises in late October. It will then enter drydock in Freeport, Bahamas, where it will undergo extensive refurbishment, including the addition of two restaurants, 59 staterooms and 50 balconies.

The ship will enter service for Island Cruises in December in Brazil under a new name. The ship will sail from Brazil during winters and in the Mediterranean during summers.

Horizon joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet in May 1990 and was built by Jos. L. Myer GmbH & Co. of Papenburg, Germany. It was refurbished in October 1998. The 47,000 gross-registered-ton ship carries 1,700 guests and 642 crew members. Celebrity Cruises currently operates the ship primarily in Bermuda in summers and in the Caribbean in winters.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined total of 29 ships in service and two under construction. The company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruise-tour division. Additional information can be found on http://www.royalcaribbean.com (http://www.royalcaribbean.com/) , http://www.celebrity.com (http://www.celebrity.com/) or http://www.rclinvestor.com (http://www.rclinvestor.com/) .

[uncialman]

Well, the RCI stock is at an all time high right now and they are attempting to monopolize competition just as Carnivore is. Remember, it was first RCI that attempted to buy Princess...


The 'word' on the street is that Celebrity will be coming out with a few more ships in the mid-size category of Mercury and Galaxy, but with many more balconines. While I'm sad to see the Horizon leave my market here in Tampa, I hope that she is replaced by a more updated ship in the Celebrity fleet. We had heard for the past year that the HAL Noordam might be positioned here, but that has apparently fallen through as the Noordam will be spending an awful lot of time in the lucrative NY market.