Dawn of a new Century

Celebrity Cruises has announced a major, $55 million makeover for the Century in April 2006, expected to take five weeks. The biggest structural change will be the addition of 314 verandas to current ocean view staterooms. The verandas truly are additions, meaning that the staterooms keep their existing square footage while gaining the extra balcony space.

Other cabin upgrades include 14 new suites, 10 new staterooms and an expanded number of upgraded-service-and-amenity Concierge Class staterooms.

New and improved public spaces will also be unveiled. A to-be-named elegant specialty restaurant will catch the trend of delivering truly gourmet fare to those willing to pay an additional fee. A spa cafe, like those on Celebrity's larger Millennium-class vessels, will deliver light and healthy spa cuisine.

A coffee bar modeled after Cova Cafe in Milan will please java junkies by day, while converting into a romantic, lamp lit wine bar at night. A new martini bar and outdoor bar, which will serve tapas during sailaway, round out the major additions.

Century will be returning to Europe in 2006, plus introducing shorter 4- and 5-night Caribbean sailings from Miami for the winter 2006/07 season. These itineraries go on sale shortly.