Celebrity Cruises' beautiful Celebrity Solstice has finally reached her new Australian home port, docking at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal at 6.30am yesterday morning, Sunday 9 December.
Launched almost four years to the day, she is the youngest and most modern superliner to make Australia her home. She is also the highest-rated Australian-based cruise ship, according to cruise industry bible The Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2012.
Her arrival is a hallmark moment as Celebrity Solstice brings a new level of sophistication to the Australian cruising scene. She offers an elegant and contemporary style of cruise holiday, with unique features like the Lawn Club, half an acre of real lawn where guests can enjoy the luxury of feeling real grass under their feet in the middle of the ocean; spa-resort inspired AquaClass accommodation; a glass-blowing studio; and restaurants and bars that equal the best on land.
Celebrity Solstice arrived in Sydney at the end of a 16-night Asia and Australia cruise, which began in Singapore on the ship's fourth birthday, 23 November 2012. There were 2,800 guests on board – 60 per cent of whom are international guests hailing mainly from the US and the UK.
With the ability to carry 2,850 guests per cruise and weighing in at 122,000 tonnes, the 317-metre long Celebrity Solstice becomes the second largest cruise ship ever to be based in Australia – only surpassed by Voyager of the Seas from sister cruise line Royal Caribbean International. In her debut summer 2012/13 season, Celebrity Solstice will carry over 30,000 guests from Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Celebrity Solstice's inaugural program features 17 Australian and New Zealand cruises from Sydney, Perth and Auckland calling at 28 ports in seven countries.
Ship facts
Tonnage 122,000
Capacity 2,850 guest (double occupancy)
Crew 1,250
Length 317.2m
Width 36.8m
CELBEBRITY SOLSTICE INAUGURAL SYDNEY VISIT - TIMES AND DETAILS
(approximate times only)
Sunday 9 December
06.30AM
Celebrity Solstice arrives at the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT), Circular Quay
20.00PM
Scheduled time of departure on one-night 'cruise-to-nowhere'
Monday 10 December
06.30AM
Celebrity Solstice arrives at the OPT, remaining docked in Sydney overnight
Tuesday 11 December
16.00PM
Scheduled time of departure on 13-night cruise to New Zealand
Helicopter images of Celebrity Solstice arriving in Sydney captured by Eugene Tan from Aquabumps and images of Celebrity Solstice at the Overseas Passenger by Richard Birch.