Cruise News: Celebrity Cruises 2013-14 Winter Caribbean Season Focuses on Sailings From Southern Homeports

We know the 2012-13 winter Caribbean season won't begin for months, but as Celebrity Cruises says, "There's no better time than winter to seek out sun-soaked, exotic destinations..." and they know their loyal guests like to plan ahead. That's exactly what the cruise line is offering them the opportunity to do with its newly announced 2013-14 winter itinerary line-up featuring six stunning ships sailing in the Caribbean to create the ultimate winter getaway.

A new itinerary offering will be 4- and 5-night roundtrip Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida on Celebrity Constellation, which was "Solsticized" in drydock last year to include guest-favorite enhancements such as the Tuscan Grille specialty restaurant, CellarMasters wine bar, and Cafe al Bacio and Gelateria, among other venues. Prior to the 2013-14 winter season, new AquaClass accommodations with exclusive access to the Mediterranean specialty restaurant, Blu, will be added to the ship. From December 2013 through April 2014 Celebrity Constellation will sail Bahamas cruises featuring port calls in Key West, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas; and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Key West and Cozumel, Mexico.

In addition to Celebrity Constellation's short Caribbean cruises, voyages through the region's vibrant blue waters will be offered on four of Celebrity's five Solstice Class ships and one additional Solsticized Millennium Class ship in the winter of 2013-14. Three of these ships will offer 7-night cruises:

-- Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Miami, Florida on Celebrity Reflection, currently under construction and debuting later this year with Celebrity's first-ever AquaClass Suites and the ultra-luxurious Reflection Suite and Signature Suites
-- Alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity Silhouette, the ship that introduced the interactive Lawn Club Grill and private cabanas known as The Alcoves to vacationers
-- Port-rich Southern Caribbean cruises on the recently Solsticized Celebrity Summit, roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Two Solstice Class ships will offer longer cruises with even more ways to maximize vacation time by enjoying all that Celebrity offers onboard, along with the relaxing vibe of the Caribbean:

-- Celebrity Eclipse will offer a 14-night Exotic Southern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale from November 2013 to April 2014.
-- Celebrity Equinox will repeat her 2012-13 10- and 11-night "Ultimate Caribbean" cruises sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale from December 2013 to April 2014.

Yes, you read that right. Once again there will be no Caribbean-bound cruises on Celebrity ships from the New York area next winter. We were always somewhat puzzled about the decision to base their newest ship Celebrity Silhouette in a cold weather homeport for its inaugural Caribbean season last year. The outer deck amenities are ideal for Caribbean cruising, but it takes a day or two to get into warm weather when going south from the northeast in winter months. Homeporting in Fort Lauderdale makes more sense and passengers can enjoy those features almost immediately upon boarding. Or, perhaps the Lawn Club's live grass was going dormant from the wintry winds. In either case, good move, Celebrity!

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