Celebrity Solstice sets sail with Martin Professional
Celebrity Solstice sets sail with Martin Professional
Celebrity Cruises has completed a major entertainment technology upgrade aboard Celebrity Solstice, installing Martin Professional's new MAC Encore Two fixtures during the vessel's 45-day dry dock refurbishment in Singapore.
The project was delivered to replace the ship's original Martin MAC 700 fixtures, which had been in service since the vessel entered operation in 2008. In addition to the MAC Encore Two luminaires, Martin MAC Aura XIP fixtures were also installed to complement the new lighting rig.
As the first vessel in Celebrity Cruises' Solstice-class fleet, Celebrity Solstice underwent a comprehensive refurbishment that included upgrades to accommodation, public spaces and entertainment facilities.
“The Celebrity Solstice was born in 2008 and was specified with MAC 700 fixtures, which were best-in-class at the time," noted Tania Ordoñez Prieto, director of entertainment technical production for Celebrity Cruises. "The MAC 700s were workhorses for many, many years and we are very happy to now be welcoming the MAC Encore Two to our family as our new workhorses."
The theatre hosts three to four performances daily, with lighting systems operating continuously for up to eight hours. According to Celebrity Cruises, reliability and serviceability were key considerations when specifying the new fixtures.
“There are a lot of constraints about doing theatre on a ship,” Ordoñez explained. “Not only the daily performances and constant crew changes, but we are also in a harsh environment with vibration, power fluctuations and constant use. When we select products for our ships, we need to make sure they will deliver because the show really doesn't stop on cruise ships.”
Celebrity Cruises received the first production MAC Encore Two fixtures from the factory, with the new system selected to support a programme of Broadway style productions, concerts and dance performances.
“When we first turned on the MAC Encore Two fixtures, all we heard was ‘wow’. Not just from me but from everybody in the room – every tech, every stagehand,” noted lighting designer Simon Hary. “The output is so bright, the colour mixing is amazing and the gobo package is great for what we need. We produce a wide range of shows and the versatility of the fixtures gives us the flexibility to support each one.”
“One of the most important things for us is giving our onboard teams the best possible tools and ensuring they can operate them day in and day out without running into issues,” added Sacha Schneider, fleet technical director for Celebrity Cruises. “We rely on our long term relationship with Martin and Harman for support, spare parts, technical knowledge and repairs when needed.”
Following the Singapore refit, Celebrity Solstice has returned to service with its upgraded entertainment systems supporting the vessel's latest onboard productions.
