The Celebrity Cruise Lines' Celebrity Solstice is one of the most beautiful and innovative new large cruise ships launched in the past decade. The good news for cruisers is that she is the first of five in a series of ships to be built for Celebrity over the next several years.
I attended the Celebrity Solstice christening and stayed onboard for a two-night preview cruise. While on the ship, I didn't get the opportunity to try many of the dining or entertainment venues, but I did thoroughly explore the decks of the ship and took over 100 photos, which are linked to the sections below.
1. Celebrity Solstice Cabins and Suites
Celebrity Solstice Penthouse Suite (c) Linda Garrison
Celebrity used input from five women to help design the cabins on the Celebrity Solstice. The cabins are decorated in neutral colors, which provide a very relaxing atmosphere. The new cabins also include double-doored connecting cabins and balconies for family cruisers, more spacious bathrooms with glass showers equipped with a foot rail for easy leg shaving, individual reading lights at each nightstand, a shelf next to the bed for personal items, increased storage, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs in every cabin.
The only thing I missed in the cabin was a lighted magnifying makeup mirror.
The Solstice also includes 130 AquaClass cabins, which include many extra amenities that should appeal to those who like extra pampering.
The only thing I missed in the cabin was a lighted magnifying makeup mirror.
The Solstice also includes 130 AquaClass cabins, which include many extra amenities that should appeal to those who like extra pampering.
2. Celebrity Solstice Dining and Cuisine
Celebrity Solstice Blu Restaurant (c) Linda Garrison
Celebrity partnered with some of the world's best designers in the hospitality business to create the ten diverse restaurants onboard Celebrity Solstice. The vision of these designers is evident in the spectacular venues they created.
Four of the cover-charge specialty restaurants are grouped together aft on deck 5. One of these, Blu, is for the exclusive use of AquaClass passengers. The other three specialty restaurants reflect a variety of dining options - Asian, Italian steakhouse, and Continental.
I was a little disappointed in the main course at the christening dinner at the Grand Epernay, but I am sure it was just new ship jitters. My second dinner in Silk Harvest was excellent, more like we enjoyed on the Celebrity Infinity.
Four of the cover-charge specialty restaurants are grouped together aft on deck 5. One of these, Blu, is for the exclusive use of AquaClass passengers. The other three specialty restaurants reflect a variety of dining options - Asian, Italian steakhouse, and Continental.
I was a little disappointed in the main course at the christening dinner at the Grand Epernay, but I am sure it was just new ship jitters. My second dinner in Silk Harvest was excellent, more like we enjoyed on the Celebrity Infinity.
3. Celebrity Solstice Interior Common and Public Areas
Celebrity Solstice Library (c) Linda Garrison
The interior of the Celebrity Solstice is as interesting as the dining venues. The ship seems open and has numerous nooks for sitting or people watching.
The Celebrity Solstice public areas are enhanced by 480 pieces of original art, most of which by well-known artists. The art director worked for three years to select the 4,750 pieces of art, totaling almost $6 million. According to the designers, the ship was to have an "edgy sensibility" that would appeal to more sophisticated cruisers who know what they want and like. I think they've succeeded.
The Celebrity Solstice public areas are enhanced by 480 pieces of original art, most of which by well-known artists. The art director worked for three years to select the 4,750 pieces of art, totaling almost $6 million. According to the designers, the ship was to have an "edgy sensibility" that would appeal to more sophisticated cruisers who know what they want and like. I think they've succeeded.
4. Celebrity Solstice Exterior Common Areas - Pool, Solarium, and Lawn Club
Solarium at Night (c) Linda Garrison
The Solstice Lawn Club received a lot of attention prior to the christening, and it certainly is an innovative idea -- real grass growing on the top deck.
The Celebrity Solstice also has the first glassblowing demonstration area at sea, in the middle of the Lawn Club.
You would expect a large cruise ship like the Solstice to have beautiful swimming pools, and this one has three. Two are outdoors--the family pool and the sports pool--and the third, the adults-only Solarium is indoors. The atmosphere is decidedly different at the Solarium. It is quiet, with luxurious lounges and a waterfall fountain that changes colors at night. The family pool has a fun fountain of its own, the Wet Zone.
This ship is ready for some warm weather cruising!
The Celebrity Solstice also has the first glassblowing demonstration area at sea, in the middle of the Lawn Club.
You would expect a large cruise ship like the Solstice to have beautiful swimming pools, and this one has three. Two are outdoors--the family pool and the sports pool--and the third, the adults-only Solarium is indoors. The atmosphere is decidedly different at the Solarium. It is quiet, with luxurious lounges and a waterfall fountain that changes colors at night. The family pool has a fun fountain of its own, the Wet Zone.
This ship is ready for some warm weather cruising!
5. Celebrity Solstice Lounges and Bars
Martini Bar and Crush (c) Linda Garrison
The Celebrity Solstice has numerous bars and lounges, enough for everyone to find a either a quiet table to chat with friends or a high-energy nightclub to dance and party the night away. For example, the quiet Passport Bar has a casual, relaxed atmosphere whereas the Quasar nightclub has a 60's retro look, filled with white leather, funky chairs, suspended from the ceiling.
I especially liked the outdoor Sunset Bar, aft on the Lawn Club deck. It has terrific views of the ocean and serves up an excellent Eureka, the Lawn Club's signature cocktail.
Martini and vodka enthusiasts will enjoy the Martini Bar and Crush, and wine enthusiasts need to seek out Cellar Masters.
Past Celebrity cruisers will be glad to see old favorites like Michael's.
I especially liked the outdoor Sunset Bar, aft on the Lawn Club deck. It has terrific views of the ocean and serves up an excellent Eureka, the Lawn Club's signature cocktail.
Martini and vodka enthusiasts will enjoy the Martini Bar and Crush, and wine enthusiasts need to seek out Cellar Masters.
Past Celebrity cruisers will be glad to see old favorites like Michael's.
6. Celebrity Solstice Itineraries and Summary
Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
Although it's difficult to say much about a ship after only two nights onboard, I think the Celebrity Solstice will be a big hit with vacationers. She will be sailing the Caribbean during the winter months and crossing the Atlantic to sail the Mediterranean in the spring, summer, and fall. Wherever she cruises, the passengers are in for a wonderful large ship cruise experience!
Find a Celebrity Solstice Cruise Using Kayak
Find a Celebrity Solstice Cruise Using Kayak
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
