Morgan christens Celebrity Silhouette in moving ceremony

By Donna Tunney

HAMBURG, Germany — The 2,886-passenger Celebrity Silhouette was christened July 21 at the Port of Hamburg, in an emotional ceremony that honored not only the new ship but also the efforts of its godmother, Michelle Morgan, to overcome breast cancer.

Morgan, the CEO of Signature Travel Network, is the first travel industry executive to serve as a ship’s godmother.

Celebrity CEO Dan Hanrahan called Morgan an inspiration. Richard Fain, chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (Celebrity Cruises’ parent company), called her extraordinary, citing her many professional successes and her personal bravery in battling breast cancer.

“We’re fortunate to support a wide range of causes,” said Fain, “and we are passionate about supporting this cause.”

Morgan, he noted, has undergone chemotherapy, radiation treatments and surgery, “and she has not let the disease define her life.”

A 33-year travel marketing executive, Morgan joined Signature Travel in 1991, when the company had 30 locations in Southern California. Today, its membership has grown to 350 locations in 38 states and two provinces in Canada, with sales exceeding $5 billion.

Morgan was inducted into CLIA’s Hall of Fame earlier this year.

In a further show of support for breast cancer survivors, Fain surprised the hundreds of people who had gathered for the naming ceremony by bringing on stage the three godmothers of the other Solstice-class ships in service: Sharon Smith (Celebrity Solstice), Emma Pontin (Celebrity Eclipse) and Nina Barough (Celebrity Equinox). All three are breast cancer survivors.

Morgan, who was moved nearly to tears when she took the podium, said she “felt blessed” to be part of the Celebrity Silhouette’s launch into service. She referred to the other godmothers as her “Solstice sisters.”

Morgan cut a ribbon to name the vessel. The ribbon had been draped through the ship from the bow, where it held a champagne bottle. When the ribbon was cut on stage, the champagne bottle crashed against the ship, as viewers watched on live video.

The Silhouette left Hamburg shortly after the naming, and operated a two-night inaugural cruise for press and other invited guests.

On July 23, the Silhouette will begin a series of 12-night Mediterranean/Holy Land cruises roundtrip from Rome, with calls at Santorini and Athens, Greece; Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel; and Naples.

Norwegian Cruise Line reveals new brand for suites: The Haven

By Arnie Weissmann

NEW YORK — A keycard entry-only, two-deck suite complex for Norwegian Cruise Line’s new “Project Breakaway” class ships has been dubbed The Haven, Norwegian’s CEO Kevin Sheehan announced at a reception celebrating Conde Nast Traveler’s first cruise-theme issue.

And, he said, the name will be retro-branded onto the existing high-level suites on Norwegian’s Epic, Gem, Pearl, Jade and Jewel.

Norwegian’s “ship within a ship” — not only suites, but exclusive use of various recreational areas — was launched with the Jewel in 2005.

On the Breakaway ships, the Haven will comprise 42 suites located on Decks 15 and 16 forward, and will be the first ships to include a restaurant for Haven guests only. It will also feature a cocktail bar and concierge desk.

An interior two-story courtyard area in the Haven will have a pool, two whirlpools, a private sundeck, two private massage rooms and a sauna. Guests will also have a private entrance to the ship’s spa and fitness center.

The two largest suites in the Haven will be called Deluxe Owner’s Suites. The two can be joined to the Owner’s Suites to create a complex that can sleep up to eight guests.

There will also be 21 two-bedroom Family Villas and 17 one-bedroom Courtyard Penthouses.

These will be in addition to 16 Spa Suites, first introduced on the Epic, and eight aft-facing and 10 forward facing penthouses.

On the Jewel-class ships, 18 suites will be under the Haven brand, including the 5,000-square foot, three bedroom Garden Villas, currently the largest suites at sea.

The Epic’s Haven will consist of 60 suites on two private decks at the top of the ship. In addition, 15 other suites on the ship will have access to the Haven’s pool, whirlpools, gym, saunas and sundeck.

Haven guests will also enjoy priority embarkation and disembarkation, including priority boarding of tenders.

Responding to a question, Sheehan said that although it had not yet been announced, single-guest Studio cabins will be on the Breakaway class ships.

He was also asked if the Haven suites were built with families in mind. “They’ll be upscale,” he said. “If you’re upscale and you want that experience with a family, then yes. If you go with an upscale line — I shouldn’t really say this — it’ll be an older demographic.”

More Royal Caribbean ships to receive Oasis-class features

More Royal Caribbean ships to receive Oasis-class features

By Donna Tunney

Royal Caribbean International will invest $300 million to bring Oasis-class innovations to more of the cruise line’s ships.

The Royal Advantage revitalization plan, which began with upgrades to Radiance of the Seas last spring, will be expanded to include Splendour of the Seas in November, Rhapsody of the Seas in March, Grandeur of the Seas in May and Serenade of the Seas in November 2012.

The revamps will continue in 2013 and 2014, when revitalizations will take place for Legend of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas.

Less extensive enhancements are planned for Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and the Enchantment of the Seas, said Royal Caribbean.

Each ship will enter drydock for approximately a month.

“The Royal Advantage revitalizations takes many of the best features that we have created in recent years and introduces them across our fleet, offering our guests enhanced vacation choices around the world,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Among the upgrades will be: Wi-Fi; digital wayfinding systems; outdoor video screens on the pool decks; nurseries for babies and toddlers, and new levels of accommodations for families.

On the dining front, several specialty restaurants will be added, including Chef’s Table; Izumi; Chops Grille; Park Café, Rita’s Cantina; and Boardwalk Doghouse.