Investing in the Caribbean’s Past, Present and Future By Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises
T
he mere mention of the word “Caribbean” conjures up the image of warm and friendly people, palm trees, the smell of the sea, a cold drink with an umbrella, and relaxation while you hear the pulse of a kettle drum somewhere in the distance. The words “Caribbean cruise” conjure up similar images, and sometimes even palm trees onboard! Our guests are attracted to the idea of getting away from the daily bustle, enjoying time together, and experiencing the cultures of the Caribbean one destination at a time. Celebrity Cruises has been taking guests to the Caribbean for almost 30 years. We’ve seen the Caribbean change, develop, get challenged by Mother Nature and rebuild to be even better than it was before. The people who call these scenic islands “home” are fun, warm, welcoming, resilient, diverse and dynamic, with beautiful hearts and minds. We take our commitment to the Caribbean seriously and are investing in 12 THIRD QUARTER 2018 | TRAVEL & CRUISE
its past, present and future. We believe in opening up the world for our guests and crew. That includes giving them new ways to see and experience all that the Caribbean has to offer. THE PAST: A RICH HISTORY The incredible islands of the Caribbean have enticed visitors for generations. It is their rich history, culture and diversity that attract us, along with the sunshine, gorgeous beaches and the year-round scents of summer. With the very unusual year of 2017 and its active hurricane season, we do all that we can to help in recovery and regrowth of the impacted communities and tourism business. The islands are an extension of us – and of our history and cultures. Our brand and our company will always support our neighbors in the Caribbean. Anyone who has ever experienced the blue waters of the Caribbean and the warmth of its people has a soft spot in their hearts for this distinct part of the world.
PRESENT: THE CARIBBEAN WITH AN EDGE When looking at destinations for the newest addition to our family, the highly-anticipated Celebrity Edge, the Caribbean was a natural choice. She will sail over 60,000 guests to the islands in her first four months in service. With each nautical mile we sail towards the Caribbean, the eagerness of our guests continues to grow. Celebrity Edge’s first trip of many is in December this year, and we are excited to sail with our guests to the Caribbean as we bring them closer together than ever before, to amazing islands both familiar and new. While on Celebrity Edge, guests will revel in modern luxury with unique views as we bring the destination closer than ever before with her outward-facing design and Infinite Verandas, where with the touch of a button, your entire living space becomes the veranda, letting you walk right up to the ocean’s edge.
