Last week I attended a two-night inaugural cruise to celebrate the arrival of Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice to Seattle. Below are some of the photos that I took while onboard. If you want to see the other photos click here.

Celebrity Solstice departs Seattle to a Seattle Fire Boat display, 15 May 2013. Photo by Celebrity Cruises.

Innovative: solar panels on Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Solstice was the industry’s first ship to use solar energy, with 216 solar panels spread throughout the ship. Read more here.

Celebrity Solstice solar panels help reduce energy costs on the ship. Photo by Carrie Finley.Bajak.

Public displays of art are plentiful

Cruise passengers wanting to learn about the contemporary art collection on the ship can check out the art tour via an iPad. Check at Guest Relations to get started.

Sculpture greeting guests arriving to the Sky Lounge.

The Hot Glass Show is in partnership with the Corning Museum of Glass.

Food is also a work of art on Celebrity Solstice

The Celebrity Solstice has ten different dining options, which includes four specialty restaurants.

Aqua Sap cafe cuisine served pool side.

Celebrity Solstice Silk Harvest sample tasting.

Celebrity Solstice – Tuscan Grille Restaurant

Celebrity Solstice has arrived to her summer home in Seattle. This is the first time a Solstice-class ship is sailing in Alaska and it is very exciting.  I am thrilled to be part of the welcoming committee for the next couple days sailing out of Seattle on a cruise to nowhere. This two-day event will host members of the media and travel professionals who will experience the 122-ton wonder-ship.

Lawn Club and Downtown Seattle. Photo by Carrie Finley.Bajak.

Welcome to Seattle.

Celebrity Solstice alongside Pier 91 in Seattle for the first time.

A few of my favorite things ….

One of five sister ships, Celebrity Solstice has been recognized for her unique interior designs and architecture, which includes a two-story library, an engaging entertainment program, an amazing art collection as well as a handful of specialty restaurants inspired created by Chef Jacques Van Staden’s who has taken cruise ship food to a whole new level.

Focal point in the Grand Epernay main dining room.

Time to sit by the pool…

Smile….

I took the opportunity to take a photo of the photographer who captured my smile upon embarkation.

The Celebrity Cruises brand has all my favorite features: specialty restaurants, a wellness program, and modern-luxury touches. I have waited to meet Celebrity Solstice since her inaugural in 2008. The ship received nods from the travel community for her innovations: Solstice was the first ship to have a Lawn Club and a Hot Glass-blowing studio at sea.

Cruise news from social media: Facebook post from Silversea Cruises features a link to a slideshow showcasing the renovations to Silversea  Silver Cloud.

From Silversea Cruises Facebook page

The 296-passenger Silversea Silver Cloud completed the renovation during the end of 2012.

From Silversea Cruises press release dated November 6, 2012

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud completed a three-week dry dock in Palermo, Italy, where extensive renovations were made.

Silver Cloud’s interior decoration has been completely renovated, including all the suites, public spaces and dining venues, in order to introduce a fresh and contemporary classic atmosphere. Silversea made a significant financial investment in this refurbishment to ensure its guests experience a renewed sense of luxury and comfort when sailing aboard Silver Cloud.

As previously announced, the enhancements include:

Refreshed Public Spaces: A totally renewed lobby now displays a colour palette of warm earth tones that is carried throughout most areas of the ship with the installation of stylish new carpets, wall treatments and artwork in the corridors, staircases and public spaces. Providing contrast to the main colour scheme of the ship is The Bar, now decorated in cooler shades of teal mixed with neutral tones of brown and beige. All new furniture, carpet, curtains and reconditioned wood flooring give the Panorama Lounge a refreshed contemporary look, while The Spa and Beauty Salon also received makeovers.

Dining Enhancements:

Le Champagne, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea, has been completely transformed with an upgraded entrance design, the addition of gleaming, backlit wine displays, a redesigned seating layout, and new wood flooring, fabrics and window treatments.

The Grill, with its unique interactive dining concept, is now featured aboard Silver Cloud. 

New Decor for Suites: The sofas and chairs have been updated with new fabrics. All carpets, headboards, curtains and outside veranda furniture have been replaced. Each suite has a new custom-made matress.

Upgraded Outdoor Spaces: The jogging track features all-new synthetic turf and the pool area is outfitted with new deck furniture.

Celebrity Solstice Cruise News: the first Solstice-class ship is en-route to Seattle as she sails on a 9-day wine-themed repositioning cruise.

Celebrity Solstice photo from the cruise line.

Full-steam ahead for Celebrity Solstice

As I prepare to go to Seattle next week to help celebrate the arrival of the first Solstice-class ship to the West Coast, I have been reading how the ship is causing a lot of buzz. For starters, the Port of San Diego reports that Celebrity Solstice was the longest ship to dock in port; and apparently there had to be some modifications to the mast to allow for clearance under the Lions Gate bridge in Vancouver due to the the height of the 19-deck vessel (read more here).  When Solstice arrives to Seattle next week after a 9-day repositioning cruise, she will sail a  7-day roundtrip Alaska Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise itinerary.

I cant wait to check out my first Solstice-class ship next week.

The naming ceremony on Norwegian Breakaway was held this week in New York City under slightly rainy skies. But the weather could not wash away the smiles on the faces of the people boarding the ship for a two-night preview cruise or who were onboard for the christening ceremony.

Norwegian Breakaway alongside her new home in New York City.

Let the Good Times Roll

Blues guitarist kicks off the naming ceremony.

The ceremony was broadcast live via the Internet for those that could not be on the ship and the team at Norwegian Cruise Line did a great job producing a lively production that featured performances filmed at the various venues: Fat Cats Jazz Club was the location for the opening number “Let the Good Times Roll”and there was a performance from the Spiegel Tent featuring the Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy; The Rockettes and singers from the other entertainment venues also got in on the act.

Live from New York

Live from New York, it’s me at the Kimpton Hotel the night before the ceremony.

Lucky for me, I was in New York and managed to find my way onboard for the festivities. However, I was only on the ship for less than five hours so I had limited time to enjoy all the features on Breakaway. My game plan was to search out the spa, the water park, and to look at the public spaces before heading into the theater to watch the naming ceremony.

I will say that this new ship looks great. The interior decor reflects a more modern palette, one that I would not normally associate with Norwegian Cruise Line, which I usually associate with bold colors, and large screen tv’s. I can say that the New York theme is not overdone and that most cruise visitors will not be overstimulated by lights and noise, which could happen if designers wanted to go to that extreme.

Norwegian Breakaway Rocks New York

Norwegian Breakaway Rocks New York

Interior shot – focal point – 3-story cascading LED chandelier

Norwegian Breakaway photos from naming day in NYC. Photos by Carrie Finley-Bajak.

Meet Peter Max (and by the way, he painted the hull)

The naming ceremony included a video welcome filmed from the streets of New York.

And, just in case you missed it…. The opening bell of the NY Stock Exchange was rung by Norwegian Cruise Line today.

What cruise line got to ring the bell at the Nw York Stock Exchange?

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan

Kevin Sheehan welcomed guests onboard New York’s ship. His connection to the city is real. As a former student who worked as a cab driver in New York City, this hard-working CEO is very passionate about Norwegian Breakaway’s New York theme.

Foodie Alert

Geoffrey Zakarian, a Food Network Iron Chef, has three restaurants on Norwegian Breakaway.

Cake Boss Buddy Valastro and Geoffrey Zakarian

Let them eat cake

While the theme of the ship is all about New York, Hoboken, New Jersey pastry chef and star of the show “Cake Boss” Buddy Vlastro served as emcee (and his bakery Carlo’s Bakery made a cake). There is a Carlo’s Bake Shop onboard for Breakaway, with a la carte pricing.

The Spa and Gym: standing by to provide opportunities to get fit@sea

Kids (and some adults) will love the water park. Patrick and some of the SpongeBob gang are in the water park, which is below the web of water slides, and the three-story sports complex.

Other highlights inlcluded The Rockettes, who are the Godmothers of the ship, and seeing Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Catholic archbishop for New York who blessed the ship.

Norwegian Breakaway coverage

Read more about Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Breakaway

• Norwegian Breakaway to offer cakes by Buddy Valastro
• Norwegian Breakaway’s Aqua Park and Recreation Area
• Breaking cruise buzz: Norwegian Curise Line and Katie Couric show
• Instagram Contest with Norwegian Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Lines announces Norwegian Breakaway Godmother(s)
• This week on Pinterest: Norwegian Breakaway
• Q&A with Norwegian Cruise Line about Breakaway Buzz
• Norwegian Breakaway Generating a lot of Cruise Buzz Online

Norwegian Breakaway is scheduled to arrive in New York today and will will be christened in the city on May 8.

Live from New York: Norwegian Breakaway

Watch the Christening of the new Norwegian Breakaway on Wednesday, May 8th, 2 p.m.

VIP INVITATION

Norwegian Cruise Line is inviting you to join them in the celebration of Norwegian Breakaway’s christening! So, mark your calendar for 2pm EST on Wednesday and click: http://www.breakaway.ncl.com/latest/christening be part of history!

Tweets about “norwegian breakaway”

Keep up with the Norwegian Cruise Line buzz via social media

Norwegian Cruise Line

Learn how Norwegians cruise like no other people on Earth!

• Webstite:  Norwegian Cruise Line
• Facebook:  Norwegian Cruise Line
• Twitter:  ‏ @CruiseNorwegian
• Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/norwegiancruise/
• Instragram: http://instagram.com/norwegiancruiseline#
• YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/NCLFreestyle

This week, I will be reporting live from the Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Breakaway, which represents the newest ship in the NCL family. And…. I will also be participating in #TWchats, a monthly Twitter chat about top trends in travel news. (https://twitter.com/chatstw)

The consistent theme playing out this week for me while on assignment in New York is Experiential Travel. This travel niche refers to how today’s traveler is seeking experiences that go beyond the routine hotel and cruise ship amenities. Instead, the trend for providing guests with unique and one-of-a-kind experiences is on the rise.

While I am in New York this week, I will be checking out Norwegian Breakaway for her christening ceremony. To top off that exciting adventure, I will also be tweeting live from the ship for the monthly Travel Weekly Twitter Chat #TWchats and guest what? The topic is Travel Trends and one of the emerging themes revolves around experiences.

What comes to mind for you when you think about travel trends and experiential travel?

Following the cruise news from Norwegian Breakaway.

I am headed to New York City to meet Norwegian Breakaway, New York’s new ship.  I am excited to help celebrate the arrival of the ship and to take some photos of her purpose-built public spaces, the Peter Max hull-art, and to see the finished product.

While I am in New York, I am also going to be doing some research for cruise visitors who will be sailing from the region on a cruise. I plan to fly into Newark and out of JFK so that I can give cruise guests the details about the logistics involved with cruising from the area. I am trying to keep my journey as close to the real scenario most cruise visitors will encounter with limited time in port.  You will see the finished report here.

In the meantime, below are some of the places you will discover my posts about Norwegian Breakaway:

Norwegian Breakaway Pinterest board

From Pinterest.

Norwegian Breakaway coverage

Read more about Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Breakaway

• Norwegian Breakaway heads to New York City
• Norwegian Cruise Lines takes delivery of Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Breakaway to offer cakes by Buddy Valastro
• Norwegian Breakaway’s Aqua Park and Recreation Area
• Breaking cruise buzz: Norwegian Curise Line and Katie Couric show
• Instagram Contest with Norwegian Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Lines announces Norwegian Breakaway Godmother(s)
• This week on Pinterest: Norwegian Breakaway
• Q&A with Norwegian Cruise Line about Breakaway Buzz
• Norwegian Breakaway Generating a lot of Cruise Buzz Online