Celebrity Cruises is launching a Twitter-based campaign to allow access to an exclusive preview of the new ship, Celebrity Eclipse.

Any UK and Ireland twitter user can enter the competition simply by stating why they want the chance to sail with the new ship on its first ever trip - the dramatic 26 mile journey from the Papenberg ship yard in Germany along the River Ems to Eemshaven in The Netherlands.

Jo Briody, head of marketing, Celebrity Cruises commented:

“We’re offering avid cruise fans online the chance to extend their social media interaction to the ultimate cruise lover’s experience. Anyone using twitter can tell the @CelebrityUK twitter feed why they should get the chance to see new ship, Celebrity Eclipse, before anyone else. We’re looking for succinct creativity, recognition of the innovations onboard the ship, and to engage with the biggest fans of Celebrity Cruises. It really is the chance to tweet your way to the trip of a lifetime.”

Entrants have just 140 characters, the normal twitter posting limit, to tell the @CelebrityUK twitter profile about, why they should be given the chance to be one of the very first to see the new Celebrity Eclipse and what it would mean to them.

The River Ems trip - termed a conveyance by Celebrity Cruises - takes place in mid-March 2010, over a month before the new ship arrives in the UK for the first time for its inaugural celebrations and naming ceremony in Southampton.

The sailing takes place backwards, and the new ship must navigate locks in the River Ems where there are only a few meters to spare either side.

The once in a lifetime experience will only be available to a handful of people, and the one lucky winner plus their guest will join the Celebrity Cruises management team and a few VIPS for the transit on the River Ems.

Celebrity Eclipse is scheduled to arrive in Southampton on 20 April 2010. The ship will be named in the city on 24 April 2010.

Onboard features on the new ship include a real grass lawn at the Lawn Club, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 unrivalled dining venues, and widely varied entertainment, including shows with breathtaking aerial acts.

The twitter competition to win a chance to be onboard the new Celebrity Eclipse on its conveyance from the ship yard to Eemshaven is open to any UK and Ireland resident over 18 with a valid passport.

The competition launches on 25 January 2010 and no tweets posted before 00.01 on this date will be counted. The competition closes on 14 February 2010 at 23.59.

Tweets will be judged by Jo Briody, head of marketing UK and Ireland, Celebrity Cruises, the tweeters from the @CruiseCriticUK twitter feed, and cruise tweeter and blogger @CaptGreybeard.

The judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. There is no cash alternative, and the winner and one guest must be available to travel on 12, 13 and 14 March 2010.

Prize includes return flights (economy class) from the UK to the ship, return transfers from airport to ship, and meals and drinks onboard the ship.

Winner must be willing to take part in publicity photographs.