World's biggest cruise sets sail

The most widely heralded ship to enter the cruise market this year, Celebrity Solstice, departed Meyer Werft shipyard yesterday in Papenburg, Germany, as the largest ship ever built by the longtime shipbuilder. In a milestone event known as "The Conveyance," the 2,850-guest Celebrity Solstice made its way down the River Eems, as tens of thousands of area residents lining the river banks cheered and photographed the historic event.

-- The industry's first Lawn Club, a lush, half-acre recreation area with real, growing grass.

-- The industry's first Hot Glass Show, with live glassblowing demonstrations presented in association with The Corning Museum of Glass.

-- Larger staterooms, with design inspirations offered by a panel of five women, hand-picked for their unique travel and hospitality insights.

-- 10 varied restaurants, ranging from the dramatic, two-level "Grand Epernay" main dining room with a sweeping wine tower, to four exquisite specialty restaurants, to several stylish, casual venues.

-- An entirely new category of accommodations, "AquaClass," designed to offer a spa vacation experience at sea rivaling the best of those on land.

-- A state-of-the-art theater and stage design, with three new leading- edge shows custom-designed for Celebrity with Poet Theatricals, in their first cruise line partnership.