Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Celebrity's 2017 Europe has new ports, tours, a French Open sailing

b554bf24d3cde1d8fb1d2ce8f88bd67d_XL
Villefranche - a stop on new 11-night 'Best of the Western Mediterranean' itinerary (Photo: Celebrity Cruises)
Celebrity Cruises' 2017 Europe program has several new itineraries, overnights in 24 ports, the line's first visits to Monte Carlo and Sète, France, and new excursions and events-themed sailings.

The five-ship lineup stays the same as in 2016: Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Silhouette.

Celebrity Reflection will sail to top spots on the French, Italian and Spanish rivieras on a new 11-night 'Best of the Western Mediterranean' cruise. It visits four ports in Spain plus La Spezia (for Florence/Pisa), Villefranche (Nice) and Gibraltar, with an overnight stay at Barcelona.

Celebrity Equinox will operate new week-long cruises visiting Cannes, Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast, Livorno and Santorini, plus a new port for Celebrity, Sète, a beach resort. Overnights will be at ports like Barcelona or Ibiza.

Celebrity Constellation will sail a variety of new nine- and 10-night Mediterranean itineraries that also visit Sète and another new port for Celebrity, Monte Carlo.

On one of the line's new Signature Event Sailings, a Celebrity Eclipse cruise featuring the French Open will include VIP tickets to the men’s and women’s final matches. Other Signature Event Sailings focus on the British Open, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Cannes Film Festival.

Celebrity ships will offer more local foods on board, and new chef-hosted excursions allow travelers to accompany the chef to markets and shops in preparation for that night's dinner.

Adventurer Ben Fogle, the line's regional destination expert for Europe, has collaborated with Celebrity to develop experiences that include his personal appearances and talks on select sailings and special excursions. 'Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures' include a Sicilian gastronomic tour and a Croatian adventure.

Among the other new excursions developed for Celebrity is 'Merchants in Venice,' an opportunity to mingle with the locals and learn about authentic Venetian cuisine at the colorful Rialto market. 'Paella Lunch at a Traditional Barraca' delves into Valencia food/farm traditions, and 'The Ultimate Greek Indulgence' whisks participants to secluded coves and remote beaches aboard a luxury boat.

A 'Go Big, Go Better, Go Best!' offer available with nearly all sailings gives travelers who book an ocean-view or higher stateroom and 'Go Big' one perk from the choice of Classic beverage packages, unlimited Internet packages, gratuities or $150 to spend on board. Those who 'Go Better' get their choice of two perks. And travelers who 'Go Best' get all four perks, plus a Premium beverage package upgrade.

 Bookings opened Tuesday for Captain's Club members. General bookings will open Friday.