When it comes to launching a brand-new cruise ship, there’s a lot more that goes into it than just raising the anchor and setting sail. Recently, a special group of VIPs took to the high seas on what’s called a shakedown cruise, a unique testing phase for the Celebrity Excel. This isn’t your typical cruise with beachwear and piña coladas; it’s a rigorous final examination before the ship opens up to the traveling public. The passengers? A mix of Royal Caribbean employees and their guests, each armed with a mission: to push this floating resort to its limits.
This floating giant is undergoing an incredible trial by fire, or rather, trial by ocean. Every detail of the ship is under scrutiny. Imagine being on board as the team discovers that the costumes for a lively carnival performance need a bit more pizzazz. With feathers missing from the ensemble, they worked on ensuring that every costume could flutter like it was made for the grandest of celebrations. It’s just one example of the fine-tuning that goes into making sure each onboard experience is as thrilling as possible. After all, nothing says “welcome aboard” like a dazzling show!
As part of the stress test, the shakedown guests really got into the spirit of things. They were given the green light to explore all the culinary offerings aboard. However, they didn’t just savor the scrumptious dishes; some took it a step further and pretended to be difficult customers. What’s a more challenging scenario than dining with someone who asks for “just a little more salt” after every course? This was a clever way for the ship’s crew to prepare for the quirks of future guests. It’s all about perfecting the finer points of service, even if it meant some playful role-playing.
More surprises awaited when it came to the ship’s aesthetic. In a bold move, one of the restaurants even got a splash of fresh paint. Initially intended to be a calming brown (can you say snooze?), it was swiftly painted blue after a few discerning eyes noted the need to up the excitement. Clearly, creativity and vibrant colors are as vital to a cruise’s ambiance as the beautiful ocean views outside.
Perhaps one of the most amusing tidbits of the shakedown cruise was the challenge of toilet flushing. Odd as it sounds, the ship’s president emphasized the importance of checking that all systems were working in harmony. They tested how well hundreds of toilets could flush at once. Picture it: a massive ship in the middle of the ocean with a cavalcade of curious testers all pushing the buttons at the same time—who knew sailing could involve such whimsical chaos? It’s all about making sure everything is shipshape and Bristol fashion.
As the countdown to the Celebrity Excel’s official launch continues, one thing is abundantly clear: this testing process is no laughing matter. Every detail, from costume flair to flushing toilets, contributes to a memorable experience at sea. While some might see cruising as simply relaxing with a drink in hand, the behind-the-scenes work is essential to ensure that passengers have the time of their lives. So, as this impressive new ship makes its way into the sunset, it does so with the confidence that it has been meticulously prepared for whatever waves may come its way. Happy cruising!
