Celebrity ship made for Galapagos

Liner designed to protect islands’ ecosystem

Miami-based Celebrity Cruises is aiming to give nature lovers and adventure seekers a higher level of luxury when exploring the Galapagos Islands.

The cruise operator’s next new ship — Celebrity Flora — will be the first vessel especially built to cruise the famed island archipelago near Ecuador, known for its unique landscape and wildlife, the line has announced.

When the 100-passenger ship debuts in early 2019, it will sport an outward-facing design to give travelers 360-degree views of the island chain. Onboard offerings will include all-suite accommodations with personal attendants, several dining venues and lounges and an open-air stargazing platform.

The ship’s two Penthouse Suites — touted as the largest available for cruises in the Galapagos — will offer separate indoor and outdoor living areas, customized lighting and shades and a telescope for stargazing or sea lionpeeping.

“From the luxurious all-suite accommodations to industry-first, eco-friendly innovations, we created a ship that brings a new level of luxury, sustainability and natural exploration to the region,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity president and CEO. “Guests will feel as though they’re boarding a highend yacht for a week of unparalleled adventures.”

As for its environmentally friendly attributes, Celebrity Flora will use 15 percent less fuel and emit fewer emissions than other ships in its class due in part to an advanced propulsion system, hull configuration and specially designed diesel engines. A dynamic positioning system will allow the ship to stay in place without an anchor to avoid damage to the sea floor, and zero speed stabilizers offer a smoother sailing experience — two firsts for ships sailing in the region, Celebrity said.

Celebrity Flora also will have in-room water filtration stations that convert sea water and air conditioning condensation into fresh water and will adhere to a strict waste management system to recycle or reuse materials.

Walter Bustos, director of Galapagos National Park, applauded the new ship’s design and Celebrity’s efforts to protect the Galapagos.

“This proposal is a mix of expe-

riences and education so that each visitor returns to their country with a different mindset, more committed to the conservation of the environment, which is one of the objectives of the Galapagos National Park, “Bustos said in a statement.

Celebrity Flora will be built for an undisclosed sum at the De Hoop shipyard in the Netherlands, a Celebrity spokesperson said Tuesday.

Celebrity, the premium “modern luxury“brand of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., has been operating cruises in the Galapagos since 2004. The line’s three ships now sailing in the Galapagos are Celebrity Xpedition, Celebrity Xperience and Celebrity Xploration. Together they can accommodate 164 passengers.

“One thing that we have learned from being there is how special, beautiful, wonderful and life-changing it is to experience the Galapagos,” Lutoff-Perlo said.

Celebrity Flora will operate year-round sailings from Baltra Island, Ecuador, starting on May 26, 2019. Prices for a 10-night all-inclusive cruise with airfare from Quito, Ecuador, to Baltra and overnight accommodations in both cities, begin at $10,949 per person, the spokesperson said.

To book a Celebrity Flora cruise, visit celebritycruises.com.