Celebrity Mercury to leave fleet
Wednesday, 28 May, 2010
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Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Mercury is to leave the fleet early next year to become the second ship run by TUI Cruises of Germany.
The 1,898-passenger vessel, which entered service in 1997, will be renamed Mein Schiff 2, and become sister ship to Mein Schiff, formerly Celebrity Galaxy.
TUI Cruises is a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and TUI AG tailored for the German market.
Celebrity Mercury will enter service with TUI Cruises in May 2011 following an extensive refurbishment resulting in additional balconies, an expanded spa and fitness area, a teen bar, and other elements similar to Mein Schiff.
Mein Schiff 2 will spend its first season in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Full itinerary details will be published when bookings open on June 1.
Celebrity Mercury will complete its scheduled sailings through to its February 14, 2011 itinerary.
Passengers with bookings on or after February 26 will have the option to either cancel their booking or move to any Celebrity Mercury sailing from Baltimore from October 18, 2010 until February 14, 2011, with the exception of the Christmas sailing on December 20.
Those who switch will receive an onboard credit of $75 per cabin for inside or ocean-view accommodation; $100 per cabin for veranda or Concierge Class, and $200 per suite.
Celebrity president and CEO Dan Hanrahan said: “Celebrity Mercury has been a cherished member of the Celebrity family since she entered service in 1997, and has offered countless guests outstanding holiday experiences.
“We are dedicated to offering the same impeccable service our brand is known for right up until the ship transitions to TUI Cruises, and we are confident that the ship’s future with TUI Cruises is very bright.
“With the rapid growth and momentum of the Celebrity brand, and the fourth member of our five-ship Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Silhouette, launching in July 2011, we have abundant opportunities for the fine crew on Celebrity Mercury to transfer to another Celebrity ship.”
Celebrity Mercury joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet in November 1997, and was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.
TUI Cruises CEO Richard Vogel said: “The timing for expanding the TUI Cruises fleet could not be better.
“Mein Schiff has firmly established its place in the German market, and now, it is time to broaden and further develop the concept.
“The cruise industry has shown its resilience in the midst of the economic crisis, and we look forward to growing it further, with our expanded fleet and our unique ‘premium all-inclusive’ concept.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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