Celebrity Reflection's North America Debut

Godmothers cut the ribbons to release the bottle &
christen Celebrity Reflection 

Last Saturday, Celebrity Reflection, the fifth and final ship in Celebrity Cruises' Solstice class, was formally christened in a gala ceremony in Miami, following its transatlantic crossing from Europe.

Held in the ship's Reflection Theater, the event was filled with music, solemnity, and joyous tradition. After Celebrity Cruises executives entered the theater, led by the St. Andrews Pipe Band of Miami, the ship's Godmothers, four employees of the line whose lives have been changed by their quest to conquer breast cancer, were presented. They are:

-- Jovanka Goronjic, Celebrity Solstice AquaSpa manager, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. In her mother's honor, she donated her hair for the creation of wigs for cancer patients.
-- Megan Mathie, a glassblower in the Hot Glass Show aboard Celebrity Solstice whose mother and sister were diagnosed with breast cancer. On every cruise she hosts a Hot Pink Glass Show as a tribute to them.
-- Helen O'Connell, the manager of community relations for Celebrity, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She serves as the corporate liaison with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
-- Rosey Rodriguez, a 17-year employee of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines who manages the company's special events team and was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.

Celebrity Reflection's Greek Officers

In a tribute to Celebrity Cruises' original Greek owners, the Chandris family, the Greek national anthem was performed by Captain Nicholas Pagonis and Celebrity Reflection's Greek officers, followed by a moving a capella version of the Star Spangled Banner, performed by the ship's entertainers Uncommon Ground.

Richard Fain, Chairman & CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, parent company of Celebrity Cruises noted that the Song of Norway, the first ship in the Royal Caribbean International line, was named at the same pier 42 years ago. The company has certainly come a long way in more than four decades. The beautiful new 126,000-ton, 3,046-passenger Celebrity Reflection is a testament to the company's growth and vision.

Images (c) CruiseDiva.com