26 January 2010

Tweet to win a preview cruise

A Twitter campaign to win a preview of new ship Celebrity Eclipse is to be run by Celebrity Cruises.

UK and Ireland Twitter users can enter the competition by saying in 140 characters why they want the chance to sail on the 26 mile journey from the Papenberg ship yard in Germany along the River Ems to Eemshaven in Holland.

Entrants have the normal twitter posting limit to tell the @CelebrityUK twitter profile why they should be given the chance to be one of the first to see the new vessel and what it would mean to them.

The River Ems trip takes place in mid-March 2010, more than a month before the vessel arrives in the UK for its inaugural celebrations and naming ceremony in Southampton.

The sailing takes place backwards, and the new ship must navigate locks in the River Ems where there are only a few meters to spare either side.

Celebrity Eclipse is scheduled to arrive in Southampton on April 20 with the naming taking place on April 24.

The competition closes on February 14 at 23.59.

Tweets will be judged by the line’s UK and Ireland head of marketing Jo Briody, tweeters from the @CruiseCriticUK twitter feed, and cruise tweeter and blogger @CaptGreybeard.

Briody said:"We’re offering avid cruise fans online the chance to extend their social media interaction to the ultimate cruise lover’s experience.

"Anyone using twitter can tell the @CelebrityUK Twitter feed why they should get the chance to see new ship, Celebrity Eclipse, before anyone else.

"We’re looking for succinct creativity, recognition of the innovations onboard the ship, and to engage with the biggest fans of Celebrity Cruises. It really is the chance to tweet your way to the trip of a lifetime."

by Phil Davies