By
Rebecca Gibson |
Celebrity Cruises is to introduce its new Suite Class programme, a refurbished ship, new cruise destinations and various shore excursions in 2015.
Next April, the cruise line will introduce the Suite Class experience, which will enable suite guests to take advantage of exclusive new benefits including a suites-only restaurant, VIP lounge, complimentary premium drinks and more.
Before returning to the UK to begin her sixth consecutive summer sailing from Southampton next May, Celebrity Eclipse will be fitted with new signature spaces and experiences currently only available on her sister ship, Celebrity Equinox. New food and drink venues will include Gastrobar, a premium craft beer and comfort food venue, and Slush, a poolside frozen drinks bar.
In addition, five Celebrity ships will sail in Europe in 2015, calling at 94 destinations in 28 different countries. The ships’ itineraries include more late night departures and overnight stays in destinations such as Ibiza and Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; Mykonos, Greece; St. Petersburg, Russia; Venice, Italy; and Istanbul, Turkey.
A number of these voyages will coincide with renowned international events including the Cannes International Film Festival, the Redentore Festival in St Mark’s Bay in Venice, and The Open Championships at St Andrews, Scotland. Celebrity’s president and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, will also host a cruise to destinations in Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, more shore excursions have been added to the line’s 2015 programme. Designed exclusively for families with children aged 12-17 years old, Celebrity’s Family Tour Challenge offers a range of interactive group activities including a Family Flamenco Dance Off in Barcelona, Spain. Families can also participate in the Venetian Gondoliering Challenge in Venice.
Back by popular demand, Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures will return in 2015, enabling guests to enjoy various unique experiences, such as snorkelling with salmon in Norway, biking through Dubrovnik in Croatia, and travelling by bike, kayak and RIB boat in Fogle’s triathlon, before creating bespoke ice cream in Capri.
In addition, guests can continue to take advantage of the Celebrity Exclusives adventures, which can be customised to suit groups of two to 15 people. As part of this offer, guests can sail on a private luxury boat around Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Positano. They can also drive a convertible Ferrari above the French Riviera and Monaco Bay, and enjoy a helicopter ride over the French countryside before arriving at Alain Ducasse’s Provencal Inn for a four-course meal.