Meyer snaps up Celebrity order

Celebrity Cruises, part of Royal Caribbean Cruises, has ordered a new cruise ship from the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft. The letter of intent includes an option for a second ship.

Celebrity incorporates many features typically associated with luxury cruising in its new ship. More than 90% of the ship?s staterooms are outside cabins, and more than 90% of those rooms have balconies. The standard stateroom on this ship is much larger than the standard stateroom in the cruise industry. The average standard stateroom on Celebrity?s new ship is 215 square feet.

The new 117,000 GT ship, Celebrity?s first post-Panamax wide-body construction, will have a length and width of 317.8 metres by 37.2 metres and carry 2,850 passengers in 1,425-stateroom ship accommodates. Delivery is expected in autumn 2008 and the all-in cost of the ship is estimated at approximately $225,000 per berth. The exercise date for the second ship is March 15, 2006, subject to certain conditions.