3 Le Boreal T


2 Moment Of Eclipse


As if one big Southampton ship launch in April wasn’t enough, the city saw the sparkling launch of the new Celebrity Eclipse as well, underlining the increasingly diverse and high-quality choice there now is in UK cruising.


Pontin, another cancer survivor (like Nina Barough, Godmother of the Celebrity Equinox last year), and the festivities included Britain’s fi rst Celebrity Sunwalk charity-raising event, in the waterfront Mayfl ower Park. Eclipse is the third of what will


T


eventually be a series of fi ve 122,000-ton Solstice-class ships, and Pontin was chosen in recognition of her determina- tion to beat breast cancer whilst continu- ing her sailing career. In a spectacular ceremony in the Eclipse


Theatre, the choir Only Men Aloud (recent winners of the TV competition Last Choir Standing) performed a Robbie Williams song and an aerial acrobat ‘fl ew’ on wires around the theatre with a pink ribbon. Pontin then cut the ribbon, linked to a large blue champagne bottle suspended above the forward funnel. The bottle, which smashed in picture-book style against the funnel (above), was made by the Corning Museum of Glass, which operates the Hot Glass Show on the Solstice-class ships. In keeping with her sister vessels,


Eclipse features the unique turf of the Lawn Club, the glass-blowing studio and state-of-the-art AquaSpa; there are 10


he CELEBRITY CRUISES vessel was christened by plucky round-the- world British yachtswoman Emma


different restaurants, including the sophisticated Italian cuisine of the Tuscan Grille, the all-new style of tapas venue Qsine, the multi-course feast of Murano Restaurant and the classic wine bar of Cellar Masters; and the extra-large bathrooms in every cabin (thanks to a clever design innovation by the shipyard). However, all the inaugural celebra- tions actually followed a more serious ‘mission’ when the ship was called on to scrap a pre-maiden cruise and act as a rescue ship for British tourists stranded in Spain by the Icelandic volcano that halted all fl ights in mid-April. Celebrity CEO Dan Hanrahan insisted:


“We’re proud of our tradition of planning and implementing meaningful and memorable ship launches, but the launch of Celebrity Eclipse is truly unique. The atmosphere has been fantastic among the guests and our crew. Everyone feels they are part of something truly special.” Eclipse sails to northern Europe and the Med this summer, and then crosses back to Fort Lauderdale in October for a Caribbean winter season before returning to Europe and Southampton in May 2011. More info: in the UK, call 0844 493 2043 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk; in the US, call 1800 647 2251 or www.celebritycruises.com.


Summer 2010 I WORLD OF CRUISING 11


C’Est Magnifi que!


he new jewel in the crown of French line COMPAGNIE DU PONANT entered the cruise cosmos


in May with her grand arrival in Marseilles for the inaugural voyage. Le Boreal is the fourth ship in the fl eet,


boasting racy, pure lines and a wonderful balance between chic and casual from Stirling Design International of Nantes in France. With just 132 stylish staterooms, she remains faithful to Compagnie du Ponant’s ‘Yacht Cruises’ philosophy of small ships and unique ambiance that combine luxury, intimacy and well-being. There is a boutique, two restaurants – including a specialist gastronomic one – two lounges, a theatre, library and a games room.


Compagnie du Ponant has also joined


forces with several well known partners to enhance the onboard experience with Nespresso coffee, Palais des Thés teas, Swarovski lighting, fl oral decorations by Emilio Robba and Mumm champagnes… Nearly all cabins have a private balcony,


while some are available as triples, or as inter-conecting cabins for families, who will also enjoy the leisure area equipped with Wii consoles and other games. There is also a special children’s menu. Le Boreal will spend the summer and autumn in northern Europe and the Mediterranean, with a series of 7-night cruises in both regions, and then heads for a winter of adventuring in South America and the Antarctic. More info: Call 0808 234 3802 or visit www.ponant.com.


photo by Peter Newall


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