A Quick Tour of Celebrity Solstice
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Thinking of booking a cabin on Celebrity Solstice? She may be an older ship, but she’s still capable of wowing you. Read on to find out how.
We recently sailed to Alaska on Celebrity Solstice and had a wonderful time. Because we’d only cruised on Celebrity’s newer Edge-class ships previously, we were a little apprehensive about embarking on the Solstice, concerned that a fifteen-year-old ship might lack the sophistication and pizzazz we’d come to enjoy on the Edge, Beyond, and Apex.
Not to worry! The Solstice blew us away, and we found there were some things about her that we preferred to the newer ships. We experienced a blend of elegance, comfort, and entertainment that satisfied our every need, and we were sad when our week onboard was done.
Overview of Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Solstice is the first of the Solstice-class ships launched by Celebrity Cruises between 2008 and 2012 that includes the Solstice, Eclipse, Equinox, Silhouette, and Reflection. When the Solstice made her inaugural sailing in November 2008, she was the first cruise ship to have a grass lawn, as well as the first to feature a hot glass studio.
With 1,426 staterooms capable of housing 2,852 passengers at double occupancy, the Solstice is a medium-sized cruise ship and has fifteen passenger decks, eight of which have cabins. A crew with over 1,000 staff members works hard to be sure everything about your cruise is perfect.
Suggested Reading: Norwegian vs. Celebrity: Which Cruise Line is the Perfect Fit for You?
At 1,041 feet long and 121 feet wide, she’s the perfect size, large enough that it doesn’t feel crowded, but small enough to seem intimate. As we noticed while on our cruise, the Solstice delivers an incredibly smooth cruise experience, even when the sea is rocking a bit.
One bank of eight elevators and another bank of four provide plenty of help for passengers to move about the ship easily. The bank of eight is centrally located and features glass-walled elevators that move up and down a jaw-dropping central atrium with a live tree hanging at its center.
The Solstice was last refurbished in 2016 and is due for revolutionizing soon.
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Culinary Delights
Any palate can be satisfied onboard between the ten dining options available. Choose from the buffet, the expansive main dining room, four specialty restaurants, two exclusive restaurants, plus two small eateries…including a gelato shop. Whether you want a simple hot dog or succulent beef short ribs, you’ll find it on the Solstice.
The main dining room presents a sumptuous menu, featuring a fusion of international flavors prepared by world-class chefs. Specialty restaurants like Murano, Tuscan Grille, and Sushi on 5 offer delectable cuisine in elegant settings, Le Petit Chef at Silk Harvest offers an interactive dining experience, and the Oceanview Café provides casual buffet dining with panoramic views.
Vibrant Bars and Lounges
I counted eleven bars and lounges on the Solstice, giving you plenty of choices for making one your favorite watering hole during your cruise. Whether you prefer the cozy club feel of Cellar Masters, where you can also watch your favorite games on TV, the mixologists at the World Class Bar, sitting outside at the Sunset Bar and watching the ship’s wake, or the high energy of the martini bar, you’re sure to find a comfortable spot to enjoy a cocktail or two and chat with friends.
Luxurious Staterooms
As for accommodations on Celebrity Solstice, they range from inside cabins to balcony cabins to spacious suites in the Retreat, an upscale cruising experience. Every cabin is meticulously designed to create a serene and inviting atmosphere. Each stateroom offers modern amenities including a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, mini fridge, room safe, ample storage space, and a cozy bed you’ll look forward to snuggling in at the end of a long fun day.
Fun fact: Eighty percent of the cabins aboard the Solstice have a balcony.
Engaging Entertainment
It’s hard to get bored on the Solstice with all the entertainment available. In the theater, enjoy Broadway-style stage shows, comedians, solo performers, and lectures. Find a comfortable seat on the lower level or on the balcony, whichever view you prefer. Daytime or evening, you’ll find something entertaining to enjoy when you’re not ashore.
Fortunes Casino is an exciting place to test your luck on any of the 200+ slot machines or 15 table games. You’ll find your favorite slot machines, both old and new, as well as table games such as blackjack, Texas Hold’em, craps, roulette, and more.
Fun Activities
The cruise director and their team devise fun activities to keep you hopping on sea days. From pool volleyball to safe archery to bingo to Deal or No Deal—where you can win a free cruise!—activities are going on all over the ship all day long. Enjoy trivia? There’s bound to be a trivia challenge at some point during the day that you can excel at. And the pool volleyball game with officers versus guests is not to be missed.
Let’s not forget about parties like the Silent Disco in the Grand Foyer—a fan favorite—and the ABBA party. And the evening game shows, where you can be pitted against other passengers, all in good fun, of course.
If you enjoy enrichment on your cruises, you can take a three-part cooking class, learn how to blow glass, take in a food and wine pairing workshop, or attend a lecture given by the ship’s naturalist.
Challenging Fitness
On the Solstice, wellness abounds with opportunities to stay in shape while onboard.
Want to keep up your exercise routine? Not a problem! The fitness center is open daily with an array of machines to challenge your body, and instructors available for group classes, personal training, and consultations.
Run a few laps around the jogging track with the best view around. Take a calorie-burning Zumba class or an HIIT class, or slow it down with yoga. Attend a pain management class. Shoot some hoops on the basketball court. Swim a few laps in the lap pool in the solarium. You’ll find plenty to keep you active aboard Celebrity Solstice.
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Space to Relax
If you want to just relax, the Solstice has you covered there as well. Between the Lawn Club, the pool deck, and the solarium, you’re sure to find a restful spot, maybe in one of the Solstice’s six hot tubs.
The Lawn Club is the first grass lawn on a cruise ship, a surprising oasis at sea. You can watch a movie on the large screen at one end, have a picnic on the grass, or play bocce ball at one of the two designated areas.
The pool deck features two pools divided by a walkway, four hot tubs, and a wet zone for the kids. Abundant lounge seating, both sunny and shaded, is available.
The solarium is one of our favorite spots on any Celebrity ship. Its glass ceiling allows natural sunlight but also allows the space to be enclosed, its temperature regulated. It has a nice-sized lap pool and two hot tubs, plus plenty of lounge seating.
Meditation and relaxation classes are also available each morning in the Sky Observation Lounge.
Fun fact: There are 61 solar panels on the solarium’s glass roof.
Pampering at the Spa
The spa has a long list of hair, nail, skin, and massage services designed to spoil you, and free consultations for medi-spa treatments like acupuncture and body sculpting. Don’t miss the spa giveaway on Day 1, and later in the week when the spa gives away massage tasters, a quick shoulder massage that will have you signing up for the full-body experience.
Also, check out the Persian Garden at the spa, a restful area with heated loungers, a sauna, and a steam room.
The Retreat Suites Experience
The Retreat facilities available to suite guests on Celebrity Solstice include the exclusive Luminae restaurant and Michael’s Club bar and lounge, where the Retreat concierge team is based to help with any issue that might arise. Both are elegant and welcoming, the perfect size to handle the Retreat guests with ease.
Retreat suites range from sky suites of about 300 square feet with a veranda of 79 square feet, to a penthouse suite of 1,291 square feet with a veranda of 389 square feet!
Shop Till You Drop
If shopping is your happy place, you’ll find seventeen retail options awaiting you on the Solstice. From art to T-shirts to watches, you’ll find something worth taking home as a souvenir of your cruise. Be sure to check out Serendipity for gifts, Effy for fine jewelry, and Alaska-themed items and souvenirs at Alaska Native Northwest.
Destinations and Itineraries
Celebrity Solstice takes you to some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, offering a chance to explore and immerse yourself in different cultures. From the stunning fjords of Alaska to the sun-drenched beaches of the Caribbean, each itinerary is carefully planned to provide a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Whether you prefer snorkeling in crystal-clear waters or simply basking in the beauty of nature, Celebrity Solstice has a voyage that will suit you.
Currently, the Solstice is in Alaska, but soon will be repositioned to Asia, where new adventures await.
For the Kids
Celebrity’s Camp at Sea is a program designed to keep your children active and engaged while onboard. Between sports, parties, art, and scavenger hunts, your kids will have a ball. There’s even a Teen Camp at Sea for the older kids with activities designed just for them.
On Deck 15, there are three special spaces for kids: the XClub for teens, the Fun Factory for younger children, and Ship Mates for ages three to five. And the pool area on Deck 12 has a wet zone for kids.
Final Thoughts on Our tour Of Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Solstice is a delightful cruise ship that delivers an extraordinary experience that combines impeccable service, luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining, and captivating entertainment. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, or a blend of both, this remarkable vessel promises to exceed your expectations…as it did ours.
So, book a cruise on the Solstice and prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey that will leave you with memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Happy cruising!
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