MIAMI, June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/

Four days after launching a privately developed rocket plane into history, its creator, aviation legend Burt Rutan, will sail with guests on Celebrity Cruises' Mercury.

Rutan has teamed with investor and philanthropist Paul Allen to attempt the first non-governmental flight to leave the earth's atmosphere. "SpaceShipOne" will rocket 62 miles into sub-orbital space above the Mojave Civilian Aerospace Test Center on June 21. If the flight is successful, according to Rutan, it will demonstrate that the space frontier is open to private enterprise, expanding space access for future generations.

An adventurer, entrepreneur and engineer, Rutan designed the record- breaking "Voyager," the first airplane to circle the world non-stop without refueling. His company, Scaled Composites, developed the catamaran for Dennis Connor in the America's Cup challenge and the gondola for Virgin Atlantic's CEO Richard Branson in his attempt to fly non-stop around the world by balloon.

As a featured speaker in Celebrity's "Celebrity Discoveries" enrichment lecture series, Rutan will talk with guests onboard Mercury's seven-night Alaska cruise departing roundtrip from Seattle on June 25.

Rutan joins a number of other notable speakers participating in Celebrity's expanded lecture circuit this year, including Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, CNN financial correspondent Myron Kandel, NBC News veteran Irving R. Levine, airline industry veteran Howard Putnam, political consultant Dick Morris, film critic Leonard Maltin, sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and actors Ernest Borgnine, Arlene Dahl, Gloria De Haven, Beverly Garland, Michael Learned, Regis Philbin and Alan Thicke.

Celebrity's expanded enrichment lecture program is one component of the line's series of brand enhancements introduced in 2003, including such amenities as frosty towels, sorbet and fashion shows poolside; a Sushi Cafe and made-to-order pasta and pizza bar; sunset yoga and Pilates classes, and "ConciergeClass," a class of plush accommodations in a category between Celebrity's stylish staterooms and lavish luxury suites.

The industry's highest-rated premium cruise line with a taste of luxury, Celebrity Cruises' 10-ship fleet is the youngest of any major line. Celebrity sails in the Arctic, Antarctic, Alaska, Bermuda, California, the Caribbean, Europe, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal and South America. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit the Celebrity web site at http://www.celebrity.com.

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