Celebrity Cruises kicked off its 20th anniversary by announcing a new motto: “Designed for You”. Additionally, the company announced a multiyear plan to revitalize other ships in the Celebrity fleet with the very popular Solstice-class features.

Celebrity president and CEO Dan Hanrahan dubbed the makeovers as “Solsticize”. Hanrahan stated that because the Solstice-class ships have been a big game-changer for the line it will now focus on giving its four Millennium-class ships an overhaul. The cruise line will renovate one ship per year starting with Constellation, which will enter dry-dock in April 2010. The price tag for the four ship makeovers is a whopping $200 million.

Celebrity Cruises’ Millennium is set to return to the seas today after getting a $10 million makeover. The vessel completed a 12-day drydock at British Columbia’s Victoria Shipyards. The updates include new carpeting, new upholstery in every stateroom and refreshments to the Lido Deck and public rooms.

Marble and stone floors and counter areas are being refinished, and outdoor woods varnished. Bolidt deck coverings are being installed across the pool area, outdoor stage, dance floor and jogging track.

Suites will gain 32-inch LED flat-panel TVs, and ConciergeClass staterooms will get 26-inch versions. New drapes, bed skirts and bed throws in warm, natural hues will be added to all accommodations.

By October, new upholstery also will update furnishings in the retail areas, the Grand Foyer and every lounge, including the Martini Bar, and all staterooms will be equipped with 26-inch LED flat-panel TVs.

The newly refreshed Celebrity Millennium will sail in Alaska until mid-September.

Carnival Sensation has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation that added 98 balconies to existing staterooms, a new Circle ‘C’ facility for 12- to 14-year-olds, a water park and an adults-only deck retreat. The makeover was part of the $250 million ‘Evolutions of Fun’ refurbishment program for Carnival Cruise Lines’ eight Fantasy-class vessels. Carnival Sensation is the fourth ship to receive the upgrades.

Big enhancements included the addition of Carnival WaterWorks, a park with water slides and water spray attractions, and the redesign of the main pool to give a resort-style ambiance with oversized umbrellas, thatched-roof shading and other tropical elements. A Serenity retreat for adults was added to the aft area of Promenade Deck.

New balcony staterooms measure 230 square feet and 24 of them are located midship, 12 near the stern, and 62 are aft. Additionally, a number of suites were modified making balconies larger. All of the 1,026 staterooms were remodeled with new wall coverings, tile work, carpeting and light fixtures. And nearly all public venues received cosmetic enhancements.

The Sensation sails year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral.

The 3,080-passenger Caribbean Princess has just emerged from drydock with added features that are popular on Princess Cruises’ newest ships. The vessel now offers a piazza themed atrium with International Café and Vines, the wine, seafood and cheese bar, the adults-only Sanctuary, seven new suites and a more centrally located casino. Other changes include a new location for the sports court, a new Limelight boutique, new shore excursions and Captain’s Circle desks, new Internet café and library, and the addition of flat-screen televisions in all staterooms. Work is also nearly complete on a new Crown Grill restaurant.

These amenities were launched aboard Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess over the last three years, and are being added to a number of ships, including Golden Princess in May. Many of the features were already introduced on Star Princess and Grand Princess.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that it has completed the $40 million refurbishments of Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager. The work — which included the creation of a new restaurant, Prime 7 — was completed prior to the start of the world voyages for both 700-passenger ships. Voyager was finished in December, with Mariner just completed, both at Grand Bahama Shipyard.

Prime 7 is the line’s contemporary interpretation of a traditional grill restaurant and replaces Latitudes, which offered an Indochine menu. Other work included the re-design of lounges and public rooms to create more spacious areas for relaxation and the creation of new lounge and dining areas around the Pool Grill.

More casual dining options are now available with the installation of a pizza oven and an ice cream bar. An extended coffee and snack bar area was created on Seven Seas Voyager, similar to the Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner.

The second phase of the refurbishment program, a similar makeover for Seven Seas Navigator, is scheduled for April 2010.

Holland America Line announced plans to transform the aft Lido Decks on five ships into resort-style pool areas dubbed “The Retreat.” The focus will be a shallow pool area with 44 lounge chairs and built-in benches. ‘We’re creating an area where guests can relax outside in a sophisticated environment, and we’re adding other fun and convenient features such as a whirlpool, a band and DJ stand and even a pizzeria,’ said Rick Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line.

The area is slated for Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam and Rotterdam.

The Retreat’s pool will be divided into three main sections separated by low, curving walls. The middle section is 16 inches deep so passengers can sit on benches in the water. The two side sections will place lounge chairs in eight inches of water. Waterfalls and spouts will enhance the décor. At one end of the pool will be a hot tub.

A pizzeria will be incorporated, serving whole pies and slices. A stage will be added, and an LED screen and sound system will be integrated into each ship’s infrastructure.

This continued phase of Holland America’s “Signature of Excellence” upgrades is scheduled to begin with Veendam’s drydock in the spring, with completion on the Maasdam in early 2011.