Celebrity Flora, the newest ship from the company best known for its premium megaliners, has begun her inaugural sailings around the Galapagos.
Known for its abundant wildlife and rugged terrain, Galapagos is a naturalists dream. Small wonder, then, that Celebrity Flora is as environmentally friendly as she can be.
But that doesn’t mean she can’t be luxurious. The 100-passenger ship boasts an expansive Penthouse Suite which has up to 1,288 square feet of space and the ship’s Royal Suite even has its own separate living area, bedroom and private veranda.
CEO and president of Celebrity Cruises Lisa Lutloff Perlo says the main end game for the line was to create an environmentally friendly ship.
“Our primary focus when designing Celebrity Flora to preserve and celebrate the unique ecosystem in which she sails,” Ms Lutoff-Perlo told Forbes.
“We incorporated features and technology that would be friendliest to the region’s treasured ecosystem, with its wildlife in mind.”
For example, to ensure that the superyacht remains energy efficient, Celebrity Flora features anchorless technology to maintain the ship’s position, and at the same time, not greatly impacting the Pacific Ocean floor and its inhabitants.
The ship will also have in-room water filtration systems that convert seawater into safe drinking water. And as part of the waste management plan, the line will recycle, reuse or donate materials that has gone through the system.
While the ship might be environmentally friendly, the superyacht has plush additions for guests. Celebrity Flora will have the first ever glamping experience at sea, new dining venues, an open-air star gazing platform as well as custom-designed Novurania yacht tenders.
The surroundings of the Galapagos was a key feature in designing the ship said Ms Lutloff-Perlo.
“We chose a natural colour palette that matches the terrain of the region, and we sourced sustainable, natural [and] regionally inspired materials where ever possible.”
Ecuadorian designer Adriana Hoyos was the mastermind behind the furnishings of the ship, and the artwork adorning the walls was sourced from local artists. Even the bathroom products are from Ecuadorian producers.
There are also two onboard areas that will teach guests more about the Galapagos – the Darwin’s Cove and Naturalist Centre will provide information about the wildlife and environmental efforts to conserve the region.
The ship will also be the first in the Galapagos to have cutting-edge oceanographic equipment called Oceanscope. According to Ms Lutloff-Perlo, Celebrity Flora’s consistent itinerary and route will mean scientists can collect data on surface temperatures, circulation dynamics as well as critical information on the prediction of El Niño and La Niña.
“All findings gathered by Celebrity Flora will be brought back to the ship for guests to view on board and become open source data, globally accessible, a first for scientists and anyone with a passion for information,” she said.
