This article was first published in the 2019 issue of Cruise & Ferry Interiors. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
For the past 30 years, Celebrity Cruises has built its position as a leading premium cruise line by consistently raising its luxury standards. Continuing this philosophy, while seeking to unify its standards around its revolutionary new ship, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity is undertaking the largest overhaul project in its history. Commencing this year with the Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Summit, the Celebrity Revolution will invest more than US$500 million to create a new sense of modern luxury.
“Celebrity Edge lifts the fleet, but it is not all we are about,” says president and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. As she explains it, Celebrity’s objective is to elevate the décor of the nine current cruise ships to create interiors that have the feel of a boutique hotel.
Much of the focus is on revitalising spaces such as the casino, a lounge with its bar, and the shopping area. But this isn’t all. Celebrity has solicited the views of repeat passengers to create the interior spaces they desire. “Historically the focus was on the public side of the ships during the refurbishments,” says Brian Abel, senior vice president of Hotel Operations. “Our guests told us that this time they wanted us to focus on where they stayed and where they eat.”
Reflecting this input, Celebrity is stripping to the steel more than 1,100 staterooms and suites – and their associated bathrooms – onboard each Millennium-class ship. It will also refurbish all the staterooms on the Solstice-class vessels. Kelly Hoppen, who designed the suites on Celebrity Edge, created similar modern designs with clean lines, warm neutral tones, and an understated ambience for the current suites. Executed by Trimline, Hoppen’s designs are replacing the older dark woods, earth tones, and bulky built-in furniture. Similarly, all the staterooms are also being redone by HBA in a complementary design with cool grey tones, new furniture and improved storage. “We want guests to have the same brand experience across the fleet,” says Lutoff-Perlo.
In addition to redesigning accommodation, Celebrity is extending its ‘Retreat’ area for suite guests to all ships. Suite guests requested an exclusive outdoor deck area that Celebrity is adding to the top deck, while Hoppen’s contemporary designs are also replacing the wood-panelled Michael’s Club on the Millennium-class with a new exclusive Retreat Lounge.
Another element of the redesign focuses on the ships’ main dining spaces. “About 80% of guests go to the OceanView Café for breakfast or lunch,” says Cornelius Gallagher, associate vice president of Food and Beverage Operations. As a result, Celebrity decided to invest US$6 million to replace the older cafeteria-style space. Additionally, the main restaurant’s dark colours and wood are also being replaced with a lighter, more open design created by BG Studio.
Lutoff-Perlo is confident that Celebrity is elevating the premium passenger experiences, while also extending the life of their current ships. “We have created something that will be unique in the cruise industry,” she says.
Subscribe to Cruise & Ferry Review for FREE here to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox or your door.