Celebrity extended an invitation to me to attend one of their two night agent inaugural sailings from Fort Lauderdale on the Solstice. Celebrity operated two night agent introductory sailings for approximately two weeks prior to the first full revenue sailing. I was on board November 19th disembarking on the 21st.
She will sail the Western Caribbean before deploying to Europe for the Summer season where she will do the Eastern Mediterranean itinerary. Her "sister" ship the Equinox will join her in Europe.
These are completely new classes of vessels for Celebrity and the first new build since the Constellation, a 91,000 Gross Registered Ton "millennium" class vessel was introduced in 2002. The "Solstice" class is 122,000 Gross Registered Tons with approximately 2850 passengers at double occupancy.
This is truly a new breed of ship for Celebrity and quite magnificent. They have maintained Celebrity's contemporary interior design. What strikes you immediately is how open the ship is laid out; on the boulevards, by the casino, on the promenade, all walkways are very wide making the ship never feeling crowded or creating a bottleneck.
The main dining room, two tiered, is fixed seating, early and late. The Seaview Cafe Buffet will be open for casual dining in the evening. There are four alternative restaurants charging an additional fee. Blu is dedicated solely to those passengers in the Aqua Class Cabins located near the Spa Facilities. They will open reservations if not full. The Tuscany Grille is a steakhouse with an Italian flair, an Asian restaurant, Harvest Silk and, my favorite, Murano, a continental cuisine offering. Those all carry additional charges of $20 to $30 per passenger.
They have introduced a specialty coffee and gelato bar (for a fee) and Bistro on Deck 5, a casual restaurant charging $5 per passenger open for breakfast, lunch and dinner specializing in crepes. Michaels Club is strictly a lounge now as the only smoking permitted is in four locations, all outdoors. They have even eliminated smoking in the casino.
The Sunset Bar is up on Deck fourteen with the lawn bowling and Bocce Ball courst on real grass with a glass blowing demonstration. The Passport Lounge is a great place to meet for a quiet drink, very well appointed, located across from Guest Relations.
I cannot begin to list all the small subtle things Celebrity has incorporated in this ship that truly add a touch of class. Bedding is very comfy, great baths and showers, not a bad cabin as they have screened elevators and no cabin is exposed to stairs or an elevator. I only hope the interior designer who chose white leather for sofas in the cabins and in many public areas does not regret that decision at some time. New, it was gorgeous!!
Shopping is extensive on board and you can get in trouble real quickly. Deck four is the more customery logo shops, sundries and liqour. Up on Deck Five is fine shoping with high ticket jewelry, Lladro, and delightful evening ladies jeweled handbags for only $1500 and above. Great cosmetic and perfume selections. Good hubby was safely at home!
I am happy to respond to any questions and have posted a link to a photo slidshow I have posted on Photobucket below. Enjoy!!
Celebrity Solstice Slideshow
