Celebrity unveils programme for Equinox arrival
Celebrity Cruises is gearing up for the arrival of new ship Celebrity Equinox next week.
Arriving in Southampton on July 19, the larger premium ship will open its doors to the UK and Ireland travel industry and consumers on July 25 and will then be officially christened and named in the city on July 29.
“The fact that the global launch of Celebrity Equinox takes place in the UK demonstrates the scale of the market that we now represent,” said Robin Shaw, vice president and managing director, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland.
“We have an exciting future ahead of us and look forward to setting new standards in the luxury large ship market.”
On July 25 celebrations include the first ever Pro-Am croquet tournament to take place on the high seas and female classical super-group ‘All Angels’ will perform for VIP guests onboard as Celebrity Equinox sails away from the city on a one-night taster cruise.
Celebrity Equinox will play host to thousands of UK and Ireland travel agents and cruise industry professionals at the annual Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) dinner on July 26.
CTTG, Travel Counsellors, TUI and Thomas Cook will all base conferences onboard the new ship during the inaugural celebration.
Celebrity Equinox will be officially christened and named in Southampton on 29 July by the Godmother Nina Barough, the founder of the breast cancer charity; Walk the Walk who is the brains behind the MoonWalk and Sunwalk charity marathon and half-marathon walks.
The first sailing with paying guests onboard departs Southampton on July 31 for an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise.
Celebrity Equinox is the second of Celebrity Cruises’ five planned Solstice-class ships.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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