Celebrity Cruises Encourages Vacationers to Take a Deep Breath and 'Exhale'

MIAMI, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- There's nothing sleepy about Celebrity Cruises' "Solsticizing" program. One of the most ambitious revitalization initiatives in the history of the cruise industry, the $140-million program will add to the line's Millennium Class ships a host of the venues and experiences guests love most on the Solstice Class ships, all within less than two years, with each ship completing the massive transformation over the course of an only three-week drydock period. And now, the line plans to complement the program further by rolling out an entirely new and ultimately fleetwide bedding program, "eXhale (SM)," beginning with Celebrity Infinity when the ship emerges from Solsticizing on December 3, 2011.

Celebrity's eXhale bedding program will include in every stateroom on the newly-Solsticized Celebrity Infinity new mattresses designed exclusively for Celebrity in partnership with Reverie®, a leader in the field of luxury bedding. Hand-made in the U.S. with natural raw materials such as bamboo and sustainable natural rubber, the mattresses are almost entirely recyclable and biodegradable. With more than a dozen patents granted, the unique technology of the Reverie mattress features removable, hypo-allergenic, antibacterial and dust mite-resistant covers, and a breathable, plush pillow top with a patented air flow design that helps circulate air through the mattress and keep guests cool as they sleep.

Celebrity's guests in Penthouse Suites, Royal Suites, Celebrity Suites and Sky Suites will enjoy a particularly unique sleep experience. In those spacious, luxurious accommodations, complete with 24/7 butler service, Celebrity will offer a premium Reverie mattress allowing guests to customize their sleep experience. With the expert help of their butler, guests sailing in those suites will be able to have their mattress tailored to their liking, within a range of options from extra plush to extra firm, all with the goal of precisely meeting their individual comfort preferences.

Rounding out Celebrity's eXhale bedding program in each stateroom and suite will be custom-embroidered, 100% Egyptian cotton linens.

"We know how precious our guests' vacation time is, so we set out to ensure that every moment of their vacation offers them the opportunity to do as much or as little as they choose – and that very well may include relaxing in bed to read a book, watch TV, or, of course, sleep," said Celebrity's Senior VP of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. "We are just as committed to offering a modern luxury experience with our bedding program as we are throughout the entire ship. It's very exciting to introduce our new, premium, Reverie bedding system on a Millennium Class ship, as just one component of our vast Solsticizing program, and an appealing prelude to what guests in select suite categories will enjoy on Celebrity Reflection when she launches in Fall 2012."

"Reverie is thrilled to provide Celebrity Cruises with an exclusive mattress design for their staterooms, and the Reverie Dream customizable luxury mattress for their suite guests," said Reverie CEO Martin Rawls-Meehan. "We use the finest natural materials and patented technology, which we believe will enhance guests' sleep experience. Celebrity cares about offering their guests a customized experience, and Reverie's unique sleep system is a way to offer just that. Reverie is proud to be a part of Celebrity's continuous efforts to deliver modern luxury in every aspect of their guests' vacation experience."

Celebrity also has confirmed that guests on the Solsticized Celebrity Infinity also will offer guests access to Wi-Fi throughout the ship (fee applies).

To gain ongoing, behind-the-scenes insights into the Solsticizing process – which includes the new eXhale bedding program – on Celebrity Infinity, visit Hotel Director Ryan Kingston's blog at http://celebritycruises.tumblr.com/

Revisiting Celebrity's Solsticizing story

"Solsticizing is an incredibly exciting initiative for us – and more importantly, for our guests, as indicated by their response to our already-Solsticized Celebrity Constellation, whose positive comments are consistently through the roof," said Celebrity's President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "The Millennium Class ships already have a large and loyal following, having repeatedly ranked at the top of many of the world's most prestigious consumer surveys, and those ships' style, design and ambience served as significant inspiration for the design of the Solstice Class, and now, we're bringing it full circle – and in just two years' time – incorporating on the entire Millennium Class what our guests enjoy most on the Solstice Class. It ties the whole fleet together in a very meaningful way."

One of the many Solstice Class features resonating powerfully with vacationers – and therefore being added to Celebrity Infinity and her sister ships – is Celebrity's trendsetting AquaClass, spectacularly designed to enhance that all-important feeling of well-being. The modern, luxurious, spa-inspired staterooms include spacious, private verandas; exclusive access to the stylish specialty restaurant, Blu; complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room in the AquaSpa; a personal Spa Concierge to book exotic AquaSpa treatments; use of plush Frette bathrobes and slippers; enhanced personal care products, and plentiful in-room amenities, including Hansgrohe shower heads, fog-free bathroom mirrors, aromatherapy selections, and daily deliveries of complimentary bottled water and teas.

Another Celebrity exclusive – "Qsine," the novel restaurant introduced on Celebrity Eclipse in 2010 and Celebrity Silhouette this year – will also dazzle guests on Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Millennium following each ship's revitalization. The first restaurant at sea to present a menu and wine list on an iPad (TM), Qsine serves a blend of classic and contemporary dishes in custom-made serveware, such as spring rolls served in vertical springs, and popcorn shrimp in theater-style popcorn boxes. Described in press reviews as "the latest and most innovative restaurant," "cutting-edge," and "appealingly quirky," the creator of the concept, Celebrity's VP of Culinary Operations and Master Chef Jacques Van Staden, says the restaurant and menu were designed to take what guests expect of a specialty restaurant and "turn it upside down" in a captivating, entertaining and flavorful way.

Joining AquaClass, Blu, Qsine, the new eXhale bedding and pervasive Wi-Fi in the "Solsticizing" of Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit and Millennium will be:

• the hip Celebrity iLounge, which debuted on Celebrity Eclipse and made Celebrity Cruises the industry's first Authorized Apple Reseller
• the "cool," ice-topped Martini Bar and Crush
• Celebrity's vibrant creperie, Bistro on Five
• the inviting Cafe al Bacio and Gelateria
• Cellarmasters wine bar, complete with the "Enomatic" state-of-the-art wine serving system – an industry-first when it debuted on Celebrity Solstice – allowing guests to select wines by the glass, at the touch of a button
• entirely new verandas added to the ship's spacious, luxurious Celebrity Suites
• additional new oceanview and inside staterooms
• an expanded collection of original, contemporary art

Each of Celebrity's Millennium Class ships will be Solsticized at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas. As previously announced, Celebrity Infinity will emerge from Solsticizing December 3, 2011, followed by Celebrity Summit in January 2012 and Celebrity Millennium in May 2012.

About Celebrity Cruises:

Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers' precious time. In addition to offering vacations visiting all continents, Celebrity also presents immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. One of the fastest-growing major cruise lines, Celebrity is one of five cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). Celebrity's fleet currently consists of 10 ships, with an additional Solstice Class ship, Celebrity Reflection, scheduled to join the fleet in Fall 2012. For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent. Follow the brand socially at www.facebook.com/celebritycruises.

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises