The launch celebrations for the new Celebrity Cruises ship, Celebrity Eclipse, are turning into a full-scale Southampton affair as Mayflower Park is transformed into an experiential taste of the new ship on Saturday 24 April.

It will be the first time that cruise line Celebrity Cruises has based a ship from Southampton, and the whole of Southampton is invited to the party on 24 April 2010. Kicking off from 9am in Mayflower Park there will be music and bands to warm up walkers taking place in the first ever Celebrity SunWalk.  This charity fundraiser aims to have thousands power walking the city for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk. Walkers and their guests will be geared up for action by Wave 106 presenters Simon Clarke and Roy Gayle, as well as TV presenters Colin and Justin.

 

The extra festivities throughout the day in Mayflower Park will ensure that life onboard Celebrity Eclipse is transported to the city for the day. Three large tents titled ‘Discover’, ‘Savour’ and ‘Renew’ will offer food tasting, spa consultations, free language learning lessons and lots more. There will also be the chance to win a huge range of prizes such as Elemis spa products, Riedel wine glasses and Corning Museum of Glass artefacts. All prizes and experiences on offer are all a taster of the facilities available onboard the new Celebrity Eclipse ship.

 

Celebrations taking place throughout the day on Saturday 24 April coincide with the christening and naming of the new ship. For the first time the onboard ceremony will be broadcast on a giant screen to the rest of the public.

 

Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager, Celebrity Cruises UK and Ireland, explained:

 

“This summer will be the first time Celebrity Cruises has based a new cruise ship from Southampton and it is a fitting celebration to ensure that the whole of Southampton has the chance to be included in the party. The little tasters of life onboard available in Mayflower Park will hopefully increase the excitement and show that Celebrity Eclipse really is a unique experience for our guests and a wonderful ship to be based in Southampton.”

Activities in Mayflower Park on Saturday 24 April in the Celebrity Cruises ‘Discover’, ‘Savour’ and ‘Renew’ tents include wine tasting, sample learning a new language with Rosetta Stone, and interactive demonstrations on how to use Apple gadgets such as iPhones; food tasting of Mediterranean Paella, American bagels and good old fashioned English fish and chips; and spa consultations and foot sprays for those who need to rest their feet after the walk.

There is no charge for any activities, although visitors can make a donation to the Walk the Walk charity.

All activities and free entertainment give a taste of life onboard Celebrity Eclipse. Guests when joining the ship will enjoy a choice bars and restaurants such as an ice martini bar and contemporary restaurant, Qsine, a huge onboard spa offering everything from hot stone massages to Botox, and even a real grass lawn for relaxing or enjoying lawn games, picnics and concerts on. 

A bar tent will also be available and serve cocktails made from the recipes created onboard Celebrity Eclipse.

At 5pm the naming ceremony of the new ship will be broadcast live via a giant screen into the park. Guests in Mayflower Park can take part in the celebrations for the first time and watch local yachtswomen, Emma Pontin name the ship. Celebrity Eclipse will welcome its first paying guests on 26 April 2010 before offering cruises through the summer to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.