Celebrity Eclipse, the third-ship in the new Solstice class from Celebrity Cruises, will go on sale at noon on March 10. The ship, which will be first to sail for a full season from Southampton, will operate five different European and Mediterranean itineraries from April 2010. The new ship will go on sale to loyal and repeat Celebrity Cruises bookers through its Captain’s Club from March 3.

Sailings range from four-night taster cruises to Cork to 16-night Eastern Mediterranean cruises. The first season features new ports of call for Celebrity Cruises including Toulon, Malaga, and Cagliari in Sardinia.

In summer 2010 Celebrity Cruises will base all three of its new Solstice-class ships in the European region as the brand seeks to grow outside North America.  Sister ships Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox will operate from one of Europes biggest cruise ports, Civitavecchia (Rome).

Robin Shaw, vice president and managing director, Celebrity Cruises, UK and Ireland explained: “We have steadily seen a greater proportion of guests choosing Celebrity Cruises as a real alternative to traditional cruising. With the commitment of a dedicated ship from Southampton, we are hoping to see a continued rise in this trend.

Celebrity Eclipse will change the face of premium large ship cruising from the UK.”