Celebrity Cruises has completed a major premium entertainment technology upgrade aboard Celebrity Solstice, installing a new Martin Professional lighting system as part of the ship’s extensive 45-day dry dock modernization in Singapore. The project replaced the onboard theater’s original MAC 700 lights fixtures after nearly two decades of service with the newly released MAC Encore Two, providing updated lighting capabilities designed to support daily theatrical productions in one of the cruise line’s most demanding performance venues.
As the first ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice-class fleet, Celebrity Solstice has served as a cornerstone of the company’s entertainment program since its launch. The vessel underwent a comprehensive refurbishment as part of Celebrity Cruises’ broader fleet modernization initiative, which included upgrades to accommodations, public spaces and onboard entertainment facilities. Central to the theater renovation was the replacement of the original Martin MAC 700 fixtures that had supported performances for over 18 years.
“The Celebrity Solstice was born in 2008 and was specified with MAC 700 fixtures, which were best-in-class at the time,” said 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 ship’s theater hosts multiple productions every day, with lighting systems operating for six to eight hours continuously and supporting three to four performances daily. Because cruise ship environments place unique demands on technical systems, reliability and serviceability were key considerations throughout the specification process.
“There are a lot of constraints about doing theater 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.”
The upgraded rig is anchored by MAC Encore Two fixtures to support the next generation of onboard entertainment, with Celebrity Cruises receiving the very first units produced and delivered from the factory. MAC Aura XIP fixtures were also selected to complement the Encore Two profile fixtures and provide additional creative flexibility throughout the theater. Together, the system delivers improved brightness, color consistency and effects capabilities while maintaining the reliability required for continuous operation at sea.
“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,” said Simon Hary, the lighting designer for the install. “The output is so bright, the color 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.”
The new lighting rig was selected to provide the flexibility required for a diverse entertainment schedule that includes Broadway-style productions, rock performances, contemporary shows and dance presentations. Support and long-term serviceability also played a significant role in the fixture selection. Celebrity Cruises has worked with Martin Professional products across its fleet for many years and relies on a combination of preventative maintenance programs, global service support and integration partners to keep entertainment systems operating throughout the vessel’s deployment schedule.
“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,” said 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.”
The installation was completed during a 3-week dry dock schedule that required coordination among technical crews, programmers, designers and performers preparing new productions for the ship’s return to service. Following the completion of the refurbishment, Celebrity Solstice resumed operations with updated entertainment offerings supported by the new lighting system.
“With all of the upgrades completed during dry dock, we hope guests will be amazed when they come back on board and experience the new entertainment we’ve produced for them,” Ordoñez said. “The latest technology now in place helps support those experiences and allows us to continue delivering the level of entertainment our guests expect.”
The project marks the next chapter for a theater that has operated continuously since the ship entered service in 2008. By replacing the original MAC 7000 rig nearly after two decades of use with Martin MAC Encore Two and Martin MAC Aura XIP fixtures, Celebrity Cruises has equipped Celebrity Solstice with a modern lighting platform designed to support the demanding schedule, operational requirements and creative ambitions of onboard entertainment for years to come.
