Here's a twist…a cruise ship is being un-Solsticized before it's Solsticized.
You won't find that word in the dictionary, and you won't find that news in Celebrity's news channels…or even see that it has been validated by the cruise line.
However, here are some facts…
• The last time we were on a Celebrity ship (the Reflection) it was crystal clear from cruise-line officials that the entire fleet was going to be raised to the standards of the remarkable and popular Solstice.
• The Century, oldest ship in the fleet (age 18), had four sailings canceled for next February, when it was scheduled to go into dry dock for a month to be refurbished.
• Yesterday, Celebrity confirmed that the Century will be in dry dock for just seven days — long enough to change the carpets and the upholstery, polish the marble and paint the walls — while simultaneously re-scheduling three sailings.
So much for Solsticizing the Century.
It could still happen, of course, but what's more likely is that the last ship of the Century Class will be sold…just as the Galaxy (2009) and Mercury (2011) were. With the success that Celebrity has had with its classy ships, this doesn't sound like a financial issue.
It sounds like the Century is an 18-year-old ship that just lost its chance to drink from the fountain of youth.
Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam
14 nights
October 13, 2013
Barcelona, Cartagena, Malaga, Cadiz, Ponta Delgada, Fort Lauderdale
Inside: $699
Cost per day: $49
www.hollandamerica.com