Celebrity Cruises has officially launched the new 100-guest Celebrity Flora all-suites mega yacht, which will be based in the Galapagos Islands. (Click here to view LATTE‘s recent ‘first look’ inside Celebrity Flora).
The ship was welcomed to the brand’s award-winning fleet with a sustainability-focused ceremony where executives and travel advisers joined the ship’s Godmother, environmental advocate and former World Wildlife Fund International President Yolanda Kakabadse, in blessing the ship.
At the event another partnership was announced with EarthEcho International, a nonprofit organisation founded by Philippe Cousteau. Jr., to inspire young people to act now for a sustainable future.
“Every once in a while, a unique ship comes along in the industry and changes things, and Celebrity Flora is that ship,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
“The Galapagos is a truly unique destination and deserved a ship with sustainability at its core. Today was an incredibly special day, with a very special Godmother.”
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises, said: “Our guests have never seen a destination quite like the beautiful Galapagos Islands and the islands have never seen a ship quite like Celebrity Flora, perfectly blending intimate luxury with sustainability”.
“The ship is designed to showcase this amazing destination, giving our guests incredible memories and underscoring the critical importance of protecting our planet’s fragile ecosystems.”
Both Fain and Lutoff-Perlo, as well as Kakabadse, delivered passionate remarks about the ship’s sustainability, cutting-edge design and the brand’s commitment to this awe-inspiring region. In a nod to these themes, the traditional bottle-breaking was triggered by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting that used a hand-crafted ribbon made from green banana core.
The most energy-efficient ship of its kind in the region, Celebrity Flora was designed specifically to explore the Galapagos. The all-suite luxurious accommodations surround guests with every creature comfort, including service provided by personal attendants. Unique to Celebrity Flora are the first-ever glamping experiences at sea in the Galapagos, new dining venues, an open-air stargazing platform, expert-led ecological seminars and custom-designed Novurania yacht tenders that ensure a seamless sea-to-shore experience.
Celebrity Flora will sail from Baltra year-round, making its first trip on 30 June 2019.
More at www.celebritycruises.com/galapagos/ships/celebrity-flora