Celebrity Eclipse designed to sail far into the 21st century (From Daily Echo)

Celebrity Eclipse designed to sail far into the 21st century

12:50pm Tuesday 20th April 2010 in News By Keith Hamilton, Shipping & Heritage Reporter

Celebrity Eclipse is one of the new generation of cruise ships which is fuelling the present the rapid rise in demand for the high life on the high seas.

The third is a series of five ships ordered by top-end operator, Celebrity Cruises, the vessel has been designed to sail far into the 21st century and is equipped with the latest, leading-edge technology.

Able to accommodate up to 3,100 passengers, Celebrity Eclipse was built in Germany and is the first of the company's ships to leave the builders' yard and enter service for the first time in Southampton.

Celebrity Eclipse's presence in Southampton reflects the major role the port now plays as northern Europe's number one centre in the global cruising industry.

The ship, which boasts a real grass lawn on the top deck, has a distinctive "X'', a Greek symbol, as part of the vessel's livery, recalling the company's origins in Greece, has a modern, contemporary design and is crowned by two slim funnels, set one behind the other.

Celebrity Solstice was the first ship in this class of ships, followed by Celebrity Equinox, which was officially named in Southampton last year, and now the arrival of Celebrity Eclipse marks the next stage in the company's expansion plans.

Her 14 passenger decks have a total of 1,426 cabins, of which 1,216 have a private balcony, while the ship's principal dining room has sweeping views across the sea on both port and starboard sides, and Celebrity Eclipse's theatre is large enough to seat an audience of 1,115 passengers.

The 122,000 ton, Celebrity Eclipse has a total of 1,253 crew, which is a larger number than some other ships of roughly the same size