Celebrity Flora

Celebrity Flora cruise ship in Celebrity Cruises Galapagos fleet. It belongs to the company's small-sized "Galapagos expedition" fleet - with fleet mates Celebrity Xpedition, Celebrity Xperience, and Celebrity Xploration. Entering service in May 2019, Celebrity Flora is the most innovative, newest and largest cruise ship operating in Galapagos National Park.

History - construction and ownership

Celebrity Cruises line was founded in 1988 as the Greece-based Chandris Line (cruise shipping operations between 1974-1996). In 1997, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to become "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL). The "X" on ship funnels is the Greek letter chi (standing for "Chandris"). Common features of Celebrity Cruises ships include aft located glass-walled dining rooms, signature alternate dining venues, bars and lounges, spacious Atrium lobby areas, a large number of balcony staterooms, large sundecks with swimming pools, The Retreat (adults-only sundeck with full-size swimming pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas, poolside full bar service). Rooftop Terrace (top-deck outdoor lounge-restaurant-cinema), large Spa (with Thermal Suites), premium retail shops selling top-brand merchandise.

The 100-passenger Galapagos cruise ship Celebrity Flora is the first top-luxury newbuild vessel designed for operations in the Galapagos Islands. The ship has environmentally-friendly systems, such as anchorless technology (Dynamic Positioning) maintaining the ship's position while protecting the sea floor. The ship is energy-efficient with fewer air emissions and a 15% reduction of fuel consumption due to its unique hull configuration, specially designed marine diesel engines and advanced propulsion system. The vessel converts air-conditioning condensation and sea water into fresh water and also provides in-cabin water filtration stations for further purification.

Cruise itinerary program

Celebrity Flora itinerary program is based on year-round, round-trip 7-day top-luxury Galapagos Islands cruises with roundtrip departures from Baltra Island (year-round). The maiden voyage was scheduled for May 26, 2019.

Next map of Galapagos Islands cruise ship itineraries shows the park's two main routes (inner loop and outer loop) and the archipelago's all-island stops (ports/landing sites).

Cabins

Celebrity Flora is an all-suite ship, with a total of 50 rooms that feature oversized bathrooms and actual or virtual balconies/Infinite Verandas (almost 50% of all accommodations, first introduced on Celebrity Edge) as well as personal suite attendants. The accommodations include:

• 2 Penthouse Suites - the biggest in the Galapagos (1,288 ft2 / 120 m2) with living space featuring comfortable chairs flat-screen TV, as well as a separate bedroom with king-sized bed and large, floor-to-ceiling windows. The bathroom has a spa-like shower, double vanity, toilet area plus spa tub facing a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. The 321 ft2 (30 m2) balcony features chaise loungers and telescope for wildlife spotting or stargazing.
• 2 Royal Suites (559 ft2 / 52 m2) with a living area, separate bedroom, and 129 ft2 (12 m2) balcony, with similar furnishings and layout to the Penthouse Suites.
• 1 Ultimate Sky Suite with Infinite Veranda (365 ft2 / 34 m2). The layout features coral-like glass divider separating the bathroom and bedroom into 2 distinct spaces. The bedroom has a king-sized bed that faces outward and a large flat-screen TV, while the bathroom features a glass-enclosed spa tub and shower facing the floor-to-ceiling window.
• 7 Premium Sky Suites (337 ft2 / 31 m2) with Infinite Verandas (nearly identical to the Ultimate Sky Suites).
• 16 Sky Suites (330 ft2 / 31 m2) with Infinite Verandas (nearly identical to the Ultimate Sky Suites).
• 22 Sky Suites with balconies (330 ft2 / 31 m2) feature a 75 ft2 (7 m2) balcony with lounge furniture and table, as well as a king-sized bed which faces the floor-to-ceiling windows. The bathroom has a large vanity with 2 faucets.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Celebrity Flora cruise ship is among the highest rated in the Galapagos Islands. She offers excellent service and food, intimate setting for exotic voyages, together with many of the larger ships’ amenities. Celebrity Flora cruise fares include beer, liquor, soft drinks, house wine, and all gratuities and shore excursions. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the Seaside Restaurant. The alfresco Ocean Grill is a casual dining space with an option to dine under the stars. The 24-hour room service menu includes fries, hot sandwiches, drinks and part of the Restaurant dishes.

Follows the complete list of Celebrity Flora restaurants and food bars.

• Seaside Restaurant (100-seat forward Dining Room) offers world-class cuisine, with a menu reflecting ships Galapagos itinerary, locally grown organic fruits, vegetables, fresh fish.
• Ocean Grill (aft buffet restaurant) offers casual breakfast, lunch grill, and burger bar. Once per cruise, Ocean Grill doubles as Dining Room with fresh seafood and barbeque specialties.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Discovery Lounge (ship's theater) has a stage for presentations and lectures given by naturalists accompanying guests during the voyage. With Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Cruises targets younger and well-educated travelers with an expanded onboard enrichment programming. Other popular public areas and venues are the SPA, hot tub, Sauna Room, sunbathing area on Sun Deck. In comparison to the Galapagos fleet mates, the mega-yacht has more crew space and provides 1 naturalist per 12 passengers.

The new "camping" experience "Galapagos Glamping" is available on top deck, where passengers can drink, dine and even sleep under the sky. With capacity 4 passengers per night, here can be booked two private cabanas - fitted with double beds and served with al-fresco meals.

Galapagos Glamping is complemented by a naturalist available during the evening to provide campers with professional information on stars and constellations visible in the night sky. Campfire-inspired dishes are served for dinner by dedicated staff. In the morning is served full bedside breakfast.

Follows the complete list of Celebrity Flora lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Gift Shop (toiletries, clothes, lotions, sundries, logo merchandise)
• Beauty Centre (Beauty Salon for cosmetics and treatments)
• Beach Club (marine platform for launching Zodiacs and storing snorkel/diving equipment)
• Internet Cafe (Internet computers room)
• Observatory/Library (Deck 7, books and board games; with comfy chairs and tables, wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows)
• Discovery Lounge and Bar (Deck 4, main lounge and entertainment area, with its own full bar, Wi-Fi, dance floor. The program features films, trivia games, karaoke, live piano performances, dance parties. The lounge hosts Galapagos Islands related lectures by certified naturalists and various discussions)
• Naturalist Center (Deck 3, features displays of the environmental efforts of Celebrity Cruises)
• Darwin's Cove (Deck 3, houses the Guest Relations area; also serves as the spot for cold towels, infused water and refreshments. During the day passengers will find the naturalist team here and can ask about activities or talk about Galapagos).
• Bar (indoor complimentary bar, with canopied seats for panoramic sea views; most of the drinks served are complimentary)
• Spa and Fitness area: Exercise Room (small fitness/gym with stationary bikes, walking/running treadmills, steppers, free weights)
• Massage Room; Sundeck area with the Sunset Lounge (swimming pool, hot tub, sun loungers)
• 4 stick-style cabanas available for a day rental and sleeping out under the stars
• Stargazing Platform (Deck 8, with telescopes for astronomy lessons)
• "Galapagos Glamping" camping experience (via top-deck private cabanas)
• 3 Zodiacs (large-capacity inflatable boats), rinsing station.

On December 15, 2017, was vessel's keel laying ceremony held at Shipyard De Hoop (near Tolkamer-Lobith, Holland). During the ceremony, a 49-ton keel block was lifted and placed in the yard's drydock facility.

The boat was launched (floated-out from drydock) on January 19, 2019. The ship is scheduled for delivery in May 2019, entering service on May 26, 2019 (inaugural cruise date).

Next table shows ship's inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) as call ports. Prices started from USD 10800 pp (double occupancy rates).

7 days, one-way from Galapagos Islands to Baltra Island Galapagos Islands$10799

Godspeed to the new ship!