The 3,200 passenger ship is 20 metres larger than any other ship in Celebrity’s fleet, with 179 more suites and staterooms than sister ships Apex or Edge.
Beyond also features 40% larger deck space, with 32 restaurants, bars and lounges – more than any other Celebrity ship.
New venues include the 50-seat speciality restaurant Le Voyage while Luminae has been redesigned. Meanwhile, all-inclusive restaurants include Cosmopolitan, which Celebrity describes as “the next evolution of our current main restaurants”; Italian eatery Tuscan; French restaurant Normandie; and Cyprus, which Celebrity said represented its Greek heritage.
Beyond also boasts two Iconic Suites, which are the largest in Celebrity’s fleet.
The ceremony saw Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and chief executive of Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Group president and chief executive, Jason Liberty, and Beyond’s captain, Kate McCue, officially took ownership of the new vessel from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
They were joined by Beyond’s 1,400 crew members from more than 60 different countries.
“This incredible ship, on this long-awaited day, signifies our commitment to investing in the future of the travel industry, as well as the shipbuilding industry in Europe,” said Liberty.
“We are so grateful to the Chantiers de l’Atlantique team; our own Newbuild and Celebrity Cruises team; our loyal guests and trade partners, and everyone who has contributed their time, resources, creativity and loyalty.”
The Celebrity Eclipse is heading to South America for a four-month deployment program, December 2023 – April 2024, visiting 16 destinations offering a 14-night Antarctica cruise and a 12-night Argentina and Patagonia sailing.
Destinations on the deployment program include Valparaiso, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and even the tip of Antarctica.
Those who want to visit Machu Picchu will enjoy the 16-night repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Chile which includes two overnights in Lima, Peru.
“The power of travel expands our horizons, introduces us to other cultures, and opens us up to truly fulfilling experiences. Celebrity takes its guests to far-reaching corners of the globe while enjoying unrivalled luxury travel adventures,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “We have so much planned for 2023, and we’re really looking forward to sharing the culture and charm of the world with our guests as they Journey WonderFULLSM with us.”
With its cruise restart plan picking up pace, the Royal Caribbean Group will achieve a major milestone in August.
By the end of the month, more than half of the group’s 61-ship fleet have will be back in commercial service.
The 34 vessels sailing around the world mean 56% per cent of the company’s fleet is now operating with passengers in several destinations.
This fall, more ships, homeports and itineraries are set to return. Here are the latest plans, brand by brand:
Royal Caribbean International Status: 13 ships in service; three more to follow through October Ships: Quantum of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas in service; Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas set to follow Regions: Asia, Caribbean, Bahamas, Mediterranean, United Kingdom and Alaska
More than half of the Royal Caribbean International 25-ship fleet has now returned to commercial service.
With 13 active vessels, the brand is currently sailing to several destinations around the world, including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Asia and Alaska.
In September and October three additional ships are set to resume service, including the Oasis of the Seas.
Celebrity Cruises Status: Seven ships in service; two more to follow in September and October Ships: Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Equinox in service; Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Xploration set to follow Regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, United Kingdom and the Galapagos
In North America, the Celebrity Summit recently completed a series of Caribbean sailings from St. Maarten.
The vessel is now poised to return to the United States, offering short cruises to Mexico and the Bahamas.
The Celebrity Edge, the Celebrity Equinox and the Celebrity Millennium are also in service in Europe, while other ships are in operation in Europe and the Galapagos.
TUI Cruises Status: Six ships in service Ships: Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff 2, Mein Schiff 3, Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 Regions: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Greece and Italy
Silversea Cruises Status: Three ships in service; two more to follow Ships: Silver Origin, Silver Moon and Silver Muse in service; Silver Shadow and Silver Spirit set to follow Region: Galapagos, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe and British Islands
After completing its first season in Iceland, the brand is now ready to add new itineraries in the Mediterranean, British Islands and Northern Europe.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Status: Five ships in service Ships: Europa 2, Europa, Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Inspiration and Hanseatic Spirit Region: the Mediterranean and Northern Europe
Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises currently has all of its five-ship fleet in commercial operations. The luxury brand is presently offering several different itineraries in the Baltic, the Norwegian Fjords and the Mediterranean.
The new Hanseatic Spirit was the most recent addition to the active fleet. Recently delivered, the expedition vessel departed Hamburg on its inaugural cruise on August 26.
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