Celebrity Solstice, the first of the Solstice-class ships, offers one of the most elegant mainstream cruising experiences at sea. Its style blossoms from the root of its name, "sol," meaning "sun," and the sun plays an important role on the ship, from powering the 216 solar panels that contribute to the ship's electrical grid, to nurturing what is perhaps the most unusual feature of this, or any other, ship: a full half-acre of lush living grass. Called the Lawn Club, this area features the Hot Glass Show, where passengers can delight in seeing the creation of complex works of glass art from raw materials to the finished objects. There are also six private cabanas, available for rent for those who want shade and a little privacy but don't wish to be near the pool area. The Lawn Club is a delightful spot to relax, play a game of boules or catch a movie on the ship's new outdoor movie screen.
Pros
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Bottom Line
Cool sophistication is the unmistakable vibe onboard, from the chic shopping boulevard lined with attractive boutiques to the Martini Bar, famous for its entertaining bar staff and elegant cocktails. Passenger flow is excellent, creating a leisurely feel throughout and a refreshing absence of long lines. On our completely sold out sailing the ship felt half-empty, except for an occasional lack of seating at the elegant Cafe al Bacio.
Solstice is an extremely easy ship to navigate, even for first-time cruisers. Everything is clustered: all the entertainment is forward, the food is aft and -- insiders are quick to point out -- the money (casino, reception, shops) is in the middle. Between the main atrium and the Solstice Theater on Deck 4 is an attractive mini-atrium, dubbed "Entertainment Court." It is the nexus for nighttime entertainment. Midship, in between the dining and entertainment venues, are the casino, reception and boutiques and shops, covering every genre and price point. Even the specialty restaurants are all clustered on a single deck (Deck 5).
Whether they are enjoying a meal or walking around the ship, passengers should brace themselves for the widespread upselling of drink packages and specialty dining, particularly during the first 48 hours of the cruise. While a polite 'no thank you' is usually (but, unfortunately, not always) sufficient to curtail the sales pitch, this can be rather off-putting for those seeking a relaxing cruise vacation.
Celebrity espouses the virtues of "modern luxury," and there are touches of that throughout Solstice -- from the chaise lounges with their oversized cushions on the pool deck to the glass-enclosed Solarium and individually rolled cloth hand towels in public bathrooms. Entertainment is a hit, from engaging "edutainment" lectures on a diverse range of topics to big production shows and more low-key options, such as a guitar and vocal duo. Service is also a highlight, with cheerful, professional staff who frequently go above and beyond to not only meet, but exceed, passengers' expectations. With the addition of an outdoor movie screen and private alcoves, a Japanese sushi restaurant and "A Taste of Film," the line's new film and food experience, this elegant ship is more attractive than ever before.
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For more details about cabins, dining and things to do, see the separate sections of this review.
Inclusions
Included with your cruise fare:
- Meals in the main dining room, the Oceanview Cafe buffet, select snacks and room service (except late at night when a surcharge applies)
- Nearly all activities unless noted below or in the daily program
- Most onboard entertainment including all production shows in the theater
- Use of the gym (excluding yoga and most fitness classes)
- Gratuities (but only for those from Australia or New Zealand and paid in AU and NZ dollars)
Not included with your cruise fare:
- Gratuities ($15.50 per person, per day for passengers in standard cabins; $16 per person, per day, for Concierge Class and AquaClass; and $19 per person, per day for suites)
- Automatic 20 percent gratuity added to all beverage, spa, salon and mini-bar purchases
- All drinks onboard except water, tea (including iced tea), basic coffees and select juices from the Oceanview Cafe buffet
- Meals at five specialty restaurants and snack venues
- Spa treatments
- Fitness classes
- Access to the Persian Garden thermal suite (except for those in AquaClass staterooms, for whom entry is free)
- Daily activities including, but not limited to, alcohol tastings, select game shows, bingo and art auctions
- Shore excursions
- Wi-Fi packages
- Select theme parties
- Casino play and tournaments
- Artwork and onboard photos from the photo gallery
Fellow Passengers
The typical Celebrity passenger is mid-50s, traveling as a couple, sophisticated and appreciative of the better things in life, although the ratio of couples to families can shift during school holiday periods. The majority are from the United States when sailing in Alaska, and Australia and New Zealand when in the South Pacific.
Celebrity Solstice Dress Code
Daytime:During the day, dress is casual and you'll see plenty of shorts, jeans, capris and T-shirts.
Evening:Celebrity passengers tend to dress up for dinner -- typically button-down short- or long-sleeved shirts and slacks for men and dresses or smart-casual pants and blouses for women. Formal night on Celebrity has been replaced by "evening chic" in the main dining room. This means that men can ditch the full suit and tie in favor of a sport coat and collared shirt, with designer jeans. Women can wear cocktail dresses, sundresses or designer jeans or nice pants. In the buffet, almost any form of dress is allowed except swimwear, spa robes and bare feet.
Not permitted: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, tank tops, caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main or specialty restaurants at any time. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed during evening hours.
For more information, visit Cruise Line Dress Codes: Celebrity Cruises.
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