Celebrity Reflection Leaves on Its First Voyage

(New video appears at the end of this item.)
The fifth and final Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Reflection, left Meyer Werft at Papenburg (Germany) this afternoon. The ship is different from the rest in that it is a little larger (one deck higher, one meter wider) than its four sisters.

The ship is traveling very slowly down the Ems River to the Dutch port of Eemshaven from which it will embark on a series of sea trials before delivery. The journey is very precarious due to the shallow clearance and very narrow passage in most places. To improve maneuverability, the ship travels down the river backwards with the assistance of two tugs.

The ship left the yard about 5pm (local time), about twelve hours after the original schedule due to forecasts of windy conditions which would make the ship more difficult to control.

Celebrity Reflection backs away from the finishing dock at Meyer Werft today at about 5pm (LT). It will move backward through the barrier that separates the lagoon at the shipyard from the river (seen here just beyond the ship's stern).

Having cleared the first barrier, Celebrity Reflection can be seen in the first part of the river headed toward the next barrier at Weener. To date, Celebrity Reflection is the largest ship Meyer has ever delivered, all of which must make the transit down the river before delivery.

Photos and video courtesy of Meyer Werft

Celebrity Reflection Sees the Light of Day

Meyer Werft floated out Celebrity Reflection on Sunday (August 12, 2012) and positioned the ship at the yard's finishing docked where it will remain until its river conveyance which is scheduled for the weekend of September 16-18.

The video below will give you a feeling for the atmosphere during the operation and show you some aspects you don't normally see.

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft

Video Update on Celebrity Reflection

Celebrity Cruise Line executives give a video update on the construction of Celebrity Reflection at Meyer Werft and discuss the necessity of adding some new features on Reflection since it is a bit different design from the rest of the Solstice-class and a number of new features were added to Silhouette.

Of course Celebrity is also thinking beyond Celebrity Reflection, because Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity's SVP of Hotel Operations, says, "A lot of the things we've done on Reflection give us a nice springboard for the future as well."

Time Lapse Video Shows Celebrity Reflection Having Bow Attached

Meyer Werft has put the final block in place on Celebrity Reflection, as shown in this video. The final block was the ship's bow. Celebrity Reflection is the final ship in the Solstice class although it is a bit wider and taller than the others in the class. The next big event will be the float out, which is scheduled for mid-August. Celebrity Reflection is scheduled to enter service on October 12, 2012.

Celebrity Reflection Half Way Finished

Construction is well under way on Celebrity Reflection, the fifth and final in the Solstice class, at Meyer Werft in Papenburg (Germany). Actually it's about at the half-way stage. The keel was laid last September 13. Celebrity Reflection is scheduled to be delivered about six months from now and enter service on October 12, 2012.

The ship's next event will be the float out from the building dock, scheduled for mid-August, and its conveyance down the Ems River scheduled for mid-September.

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft

Celebrity to Expand Suite Selection on Reflection

Celebrity Cruises said this morning that Celebrity Reflection will enter service next fall with an expanded selection of suites, including two new suite types.

The five Signature Suites will be located in a private area of the 14th deck, accessible only with a key card. The 441-square-foot suites will maximize the sea views and have floor-to-ceiling windows and doors which open out onto a 118-square-foot veranda. They will accommodate four people and offer 24/7 butler service.

The Reflection Suite will occupy a corner location of Deck 14 and be the line's first two-bedroom suite. Included in the 1,636-square-foot suite will be a bathroom with a rain shower in a bathroom that extends out over the side of the ship. The 194-square-foot wrap-around veranda features a private whirlpool tub. The Reflection Suite is also in the exclusive private area of the ship requiring key card access, and also offers 24/7 butler service.

Celebrity has opened the new suites for sale to their Captains Club members and will open them for bookings from the general public on December 12.

The complete story appeared in the December 7, 2011, edition of Cruise News Daily.

Keel Laying for Celebrity Reflection

The last ship of Celebrity's Solstice class has begun to take shape. The first block of Celebrity Reflection was put into place today at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

The block is 20 meters long and 36 meters wide with a weight of approximately 500 tons.

Celebrity Reflection is the fifth in the Solstice class. It is scheduled for delivery in November 2012.

Video: Cutting Steel for Celebrity Reflection

The cutting of the first steel is the beginning of construction of a cruise ship. In this video, Meyer Werft cuts the first steel for Celebrity Reflection, the fifth Solstice Class ship.



Celebrity Reflection will be slightly wider and taller than her sisters with new features on the top deck and a deck of new staterooms types. Delivery is scheduled for the fall of 2012.