Your Loyalty Is Our Strength

In this trying time, many of us look to family and friends for comfort. Over the last month, we’ve received an outpouring of unwavering support from you—our loyal Captain’s Club Members. It means the world to us, and we’d like to graciously share a few excerpts with you.

Randy and Connie Rathwell, Elite Plus members
(London, Ontario)

 

We just wanted to let you and your team know that you continue to have our highest and most sincere level of support through these most difficult times. We are proud to be members of your Celebrity family and we look forward to the time when we will all be together again.

Linda Ames, Zenith Member
(Tuscon, Arizona)

 

I will share with you that I am literally dreaming of when I can cruise again. I had hopes that this would be very much like my previous years of sailing Celebrity. Just know that I'm at home, but still thinking of Celebrity and the wonderful crews. Wishing you the best and hoping that things will get back to something normal as soon as safely possible.

Vincent and Gail Rossi, Zenith Members 
(Palm Harbor, Florida)

 

"All the reports we are reading are indicative of how hard Celebrity is working to do the right thing for its passengers and for the crew aboard the ships. The work involved must be monumental and seemingly never ending. There will be an end to this pandemic one day and we will be ready, along with thousands of others, to get back on another Celebrity ship. Until that time please know there are people who recognize the difficulties and appreciate everyone's hard work."

Helen and Robin Cook, Elite Plus members onboard Celebrity Eclipse 3/1/2020 voyage 
(Inverkeithing Fife, Scotland)

 

"Helen and I would just like to say how amazingly well Celebrity looked after us and the rest of the passengers under such difficult and unusual circumstances. Super Captain Leo was absolutely outstanding in his leadership throughout the trying situation. He would make regular updates throughout the days to keep us updated."

Philip and Vivienne Thomas, Zenith Members 
(Surrey, England)

 

 

“Just a quick note to say that we understand all of the pressures you and your colleagues are under, and to let you know we are thinking of you all…hope all at Celebrity keep safe and well. Our thoughts are with the many Celebrity staff and crew, many of whom we have known for years.”

Sue and Rob Brown, Zenith members 
(Thornhill, Canada)

 

 

"We know this is an extremely difficult time for all of you....we greatly appreciate everything that is being done. Many, many virtual hugs and thanks to the full team; in Miami, Wichita and of course on the ships themselves."

International Womens Day Update

On March 8th, in observance of International Women’s Day, we made maritime history with an all-female bridge and onboard leadership team expedition. Celebrity Edge® set sail on a seven-day journey led by Captain Kate McCue, the first American female cruise ship captain, and 26 additional women representing 16 different countries. Here’s an exclusive look.

The time to sail together again will return. In the meantime, we’re dreaming about faraway places and hidden gems that we can explore together when the time comes. Here are a few that give us a serious case of wanderlust.

The ABC Islands

Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao—often referred to as the ABC islands—are three of the most popular destinations in the Southern Caribbean. Though grouped together, these islands each have a distinct flavor. Known for its casinos, resorts, vibrant night scene, and popular beaches, the Dutch territory of Aruba is often considered the liveliest. Meanwhile divers and snorkelers are drawn to Bonaire for its low profile, pristine coral reefs, and unspoiled beaches. Lastly, but certain not least, Curacao is the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles. Its pastel-colored architecture, hidden beaches, famous caves, and wild cacti are what daydreams are made of.

Antartica

Many hope to visit the southernmost continent, Antarctica. And just as many are surprised to find out that a visit is easier than imagined. Departing right from Buenos Aires, Argentina, our ships sail through Cape Horn, to the northern regions of Antarctica. This remote destination is the coldest, windiest, and driest continent. In fact, around 90% of all the ice on our planet is found on Antarctica. And with that ice, comes some of the most spectacular sights you’ll ever lay eyes on—including mountain peaks, glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife that you'll see nowhere else in the world.

Machu Picchu

Nestled away more than 7,560 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains lies the legendary Inca city of Machu Picchu. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most incredible architectural feats known to man. The sight of this religious, ceremonial, astronomical, and agricultural center will leave you in awe. For bonus points, you may get a chance for a photo op with a llama or an alpaca.

Great Barrier Reef

The largest coral reef on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef is 1,400 miles of colorful coral, unspoiled islands, and vibrant marine life. In fact, it’s so expansive, this natural wonder can be seen from outer space. Located off Australia’s northeast coast, this World Heritage-listed habitat is host to more than 900 tropical islands and some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet. Divers can get up close with butterfly fish, luminescent pastel turkfish, teeny neon damsels, and six-banded angelfish. That’s of course in addition to the whales, dolphins, dugongs, sea turtles, sharks, and giant clams (to name a few). While the reef is the main highlight, the surrounding region offers unique adventures. The charming seaside village of Port Douglas is home to the Four Mile Beach—and just a river cruise away from the lush Daintree Rainforest. Here, discovery is seemingly endless.

If you’d like to book a future sailing with us, take advantage of our special offer and save up to $400 per stateroom or $1,000 per suite.

 

In addition to our incredible offer, Captain’s Club members Classic and above will enjoy up to $200 per stateroom to spend on board. Book a 2020 departure, and we’ll double the offer up to $400.*

Our creative crew and corporate teams continue to think about ways to bring a smile to your face. We’ve pulled together a few more ideas to help you sail through this time a little more smoothly.

Cook Like a Celebrity

Last month’s recipes were a culinary hit. So, we’ve adapted two more of our favorite dishes, crafted by our Michelin-starred chefs, for you to recreate at home using easy-to-source ingredients. Bon Appetit.

Lamb Meatballs Recipe from Luminae at The Retreat®

Grilled Honey Glazed Pork Chops Recipe from Main Restaurant

Try Some Trivia

Test your knowledge on all things Celebrity with these tricky trivia questions. No cheating (and yes, a Google search counts as cheating). Scroll down to the bottom for the correct answers. Have fun!

1) Before Celebrity was owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, it was owned by:

    a)  The Chandris Group

    b)  The Chandris Fleet

    c)  The Chi Group

    d)  The Chi Fleet

 

2) What country was Celebrity Cruises founded in?

    a)  Italy

    b)  Greece

    c)  Malta

    d)  The United States

 

3) What is the name of the first-ever Celebrity ship?

    a)  Meridian

    b)  Century

    c)  Millennium

    d)  Galaxy

 

4) Name every ship class that has existed in the Celebrity fleet since operating as a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd:

    a)  Century, Millennium, Solstice, Edge

    b)  Millennium, Expedition, Solstice, Edge

    c)  Century, Meridian, Solstice, Edge

    d)  Century, Millennium, Expedition, Solstice, Edge

 

5) Which country has Celebrity Cruises not visited?

    a)  Cuba

    b)  Africa

    c)  Antarctica

    d)  Iceland

 

6) List the correct ship, date, and itinerary for our 2018 Loyalty Reunion Cruise

    a)  Celebrity Eclipse®; 12/9/18; 12-night South America sailing

    b)  Celebrity Eclipse®; 12/9/18; 14-night South America sailing

    c)  Celebrity Silhouette®; 12/9/18; 14-night South America sailing

    d)  Celebrity Silhouette®; 12/9/18; 12-night South America

 

7) Who is the current captain aboard Celebrity Edge®?

    a)  Captain Sympouras

    b)  Captain Leo

    c)  Captain Kate

    d)  Captain Costas

 

8) Our amazing Celebrity Edge godmother is

    a)  Malala Yousafzai

    b)  Lisa Lutoff-Perlo

    c)  Queen Elizabeth

    d)  Anne Hathaway

 

9) What is the only ship that features Le Petit ChefTM at Silk Harvest?

    a)  Celebrity Edge®

    b)  Celebrity Solstice®

    c)  Celebrity Eclipse®

    d)  Celebrity Silhouette®

Take a Stretch Class With Celebrity Fitness

Join us for an invigorating yoga stretch class. Let’s get moving.

This month, we interviewed Captain’s Club members, Helen and Robin Cook, who recently returned home after being on board Celebrity Eclipse® for the Argentina and Chile sailing.

 

Q: Do you remember your first Celebrity Sailing? When was it? What ship was it on? Where did it go?

A. Our first Celebrity cruise was on board Celebrity Century in November of 2002, for our 25th wedding anniversary. We still remember our first waiter and even met up with him again on Celebrity Solstice® in 2011 where he was a dining manager. We’re still in contact with him today through social media. The entire cruise was so memorable and was just the beginning of our Celebrity journey.

 

Q. What has kept you coming back to Celebrity over the years?

A. We keep sailing with Celebrity because of the warm welcome we receive when coming aboard, the overall ambience throughout the ships, the comfort we experience, and the level of service (which is second to none). The quality and presentation of food is another reason. And the crew is always so friendly. They always remember us from previous sailings, which makes the experience extra special. For example, during our sailing aboard Galaxy in 2006, we first met our waiter, Melvis. It was wonderful to see him again this year aboard Celebrity Eclipse® where he is now a dining manager. On our last cruise, it was quite amazing to find over 30 officers and crew that recognized us from previous ships.

We went to Alaska for our first Reunion Cruise aboard Celebrity Infinity® in 2015, not realizing it was a Reunion cruise when we booked it. It turned out to be quite a magnificent treat, and the Captain's Club team efforts truly took our breath away. Since then we’ve tried to sail on Reunion and President's Cruises whenever it is possible. 

 

Q. Are there any memories that stand out from your many years of cruising that you’d like to share?

A. There are too many to count!  As we said, the crew and the people are what makes each journey so special.  One of our favorite Guest Relations Directors is Julie. We got to spend some time with her once when her ship was visiting Scotland and she had some time off.  She had us join her on a visit to a nearby charity shop so she could restock the library on board. 

Another memorable moment is from the 2018 President’s Cruise on Celebrity Constellation® in Dubai and India when we met Lisa Lutoff-Perlo while walking through the shops on Deck 5. 

 

Q. You recently returned from the Celebrity Eclipse® Argentina and Chile sailing.  It was scheduled to return to Chile on March 15—but was rerouted to San Diego due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  What was it like to be on board during this particular sailing? How did the Captain and crew comfort you?

A. We had heard of COVID-19 before going on the cruise but chose to continue with our vacation plans. The first two weeks were completely normal—from the excellent swift check-in at Buenos Aires to a spectacular itinerary with great shore excursions. On the last morning of our sailing, Captain Leo made an announcement that we no longer had permission to dock at our returning port. Captain Leo worked tirelessly dealing with the situation while keeping passengers updated at the same time. We received updates at least every 2 hours—and I don't think he slept at all. By the end of the second day it became clear we had to anchor offshore.

The whole team on board did exceptionally well given the extra workload. We really appreciated all the efforts made by Celebrity Cruises to get everyone home safely. If anyone had told us before that we would enjoy 17 days at sea (without any stops) we would have never believed them. We were also very appreciative of CEO and President, LLP’s video message on March 17, from her home. It was a message from her heart. We also appreciated her letter on the last day.  All senior officers—including Captain Leo; Hotel Directors, Danuta and John; and Housekeeping Manager, Georgios—were continuously out and about talking to passengers, answering questions, and always smiling. Jann and the guest relations team worked tirelessly. The chefs and restaurant staff worked so hard, especially in the few days before the ship was restocked, to make sure we had the same quality and variety of meals. The crew involved in restocking supplies worked throughout the night and seemed to never complained.

Our outstanding Cruise Director, Alejandro, should have disembarked in Buenos Aires but did not get off the ship. His dedication was tremendous.

 

Q. Is there any message that you want to send to back to the Crew on EC?

A. To our super Captain Leo, officers and crew: Thank you for taking such great care of us. We appreciate that you organized our flights and travel home, even providing us with packed lunches for the journey in case food was not available at the airports. It’s just another example of Celebrity going the extra mile. Our thoughts are with any crew that may still be on board. We wish you all a safe and healthy journey home.

 

Q. What are you doing to keep yourselves busy while social distancing?

A. We’ve been in self quarantine since returning home and are catching up on tasks around the house. Our daughter, Fiona does all of our shopping and drops groceries off at our doorstep. Fiona, along with our son Kenneth, have been delivering meals, cakes, and even some surprises for us.  We talk to all the family on social media, but still miss being able to hug our grandchildren.

 

Q. What is the first cruise you will take when we return to service??

A. We’re currently looking at our Celebrity Cruises brochure to see when and where the future Reunion Cruises will sail!

Terms & Conditions

Visit www.celebrity.com/cruise-deals for full terms and conditions. Cruise must be booked 04/06/20 – 05/04/20. Offer applies to select sailings departing 09/03/20 – 05/04/22 and excludes sailings less than 4 nights and Galapagos.

Captain’s Club Savings offer: Onboard credit (“OBC”) amount is $50 per person for an interior or ocean view stateroom and $100 per person for a veranda stateroom or higher. OBCs are doubled when booking sailings that depart in 2020 to $100 per person for an interior or ocean view stateroom and $200 per person for a veranda or higher. Offer applies to Captain’s Club Members, Classic and Above. Preview members are not eligible to participate in this offer. Offer can only be applied to a maximum of two qualifying guest per reservation. Offer is not combinable with Exciting Deals. Not applicable to Cruisetours. Enter Promo Code: CAPTAINSCLUB to apply.

Savings offer: Savings amounts are per stateroom, based on double occupancy, and vary by stateroom category: $200 for inside and ocean view; $400 for veranda, Concierge Class, and AquaClass®; $1,000 for suites. Offer applies to first two guests in the stateroom and will be applied automatically. Offer excludes Galapagos cruises. 50% Off Cruise Fares Offer: Applies to the cruise fare of third, fourth and fifth passengers, booked in any stateroom category. Not applicable to Cruisetours. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, and to change or update fares, fees, and surcharges at any time without prior notice.

©2020 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ship's registry: Malta and Ecuador.

Trivia Answers

1. a, 2. b, 3. a, 4. d, 5. a, 6. b, 7. c, 8. a, 9. b