Celebrity Cruises Orders Second 118,000-ton Ship

Celebrity Cruises has exercised its option to order a second 118,000-ton ship from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft. Delivery of the first (previously ordered) ship is planned for fall 2008 and this newly ordered one is slated for a summer 2009 delivery. The first new ship will be called Celebrity Solstice, and the second ship will be named Celebrity Equinox. The new series of ships will be known as the Solstice class. Terms for the second Solstice-class vessel are substantially the same as those of the first ship. Both new ships will be 2,850-guest vessels measuring 1,033 feet in length and 121 feet in width. Their added size will allow Celebrity to offer larger standard staterooms, a higher percentage of balconies and more amenities.