Gavin Smith, managing director Celebrity Cruises Australia, has announced the Sydney home-porting of luxury superliner Celebrity Solstice from December 2012 in a media conference this morning.

Built for $750 million less than three years ago, the largest and youngest superliner to “call Australia home” will service ports around Australia, the South Pacific and New Zealand in approximately 10 voyages over summer.

Offering her 2850 passengers between 12-13 night cruises, mainly between Sydney and Auckland, Celebrity Solstice will also feature a circumnavigation of Australia and cruise to New Zealand.

With fares and itineraries set for release later this month, the 122,000 tonne, 317 metre vessel offers groundbreaking innovations in both design and amenities including the 1-acre fresh grass lawn club and the world’s first ice top Martini Bar at sea.

Designated to replace Celebrity Century, currently set for home-porting in Sydney later this year, the deployment of Celebrity Solstice is a move supported by the high level of advanced bookings.

Expecting to attract an equal share of local and overseas guests, Celebrity Cruises aims to maximize the number of Australians on board, however is aware that the Celebrity global brand will attract guests from around the world.

“We’re bringing one of the world’s best ships to a destination that much of the world wants to see and they’re seeing it in a great way,” Mr Smith stated.

With Solstice unable to sail beneath the Harbour Bridge, Celebrity Cruises will be working closely with Sydney Ports to negotiate itineraries based on other ships requiring berthing at OPT, including Carnival Spirit currently set for Sydney-porting in October 2012.

Mr Smith was very clear in his support of the new Passenger Terminal at White Bay amidst the controversy that the development has created.

“I don’t believe having a cruise terminal in Barangaroo where you’re going to have mixed residential, retail and commercial is the place for a cruise terminal. I don’t agree that it should be at Barangaroo so we fundamentally support it going to White Bay.”

In an announcement that follows one of the largest months of cruise ship visits to Sydney, the deployment of a superliner of such a standard bodes well for the ever growing cruising industry in Australia.