Any nice places to sit, read and enjoy the view on the Solstice?

[ilovefridays]

This being our first time on Celebrity, we really don't have any idea what to expect apart from all the info gathered from CC (which by the way are great!).

We don't drink much (maybe a glass of wine here and there) and are trying to keep our spending to a minimum on the Solstice so that we can splurge on excursions. We've scheduled a private tour in almost every port on our 10 day E. Med. cruise.

So here's the thing. Where can we enjoy the wonderful view onboard the ship (preferably indoors) without having to order drinks/food? Besides the library, are there areas where we can just lounge around, read, people watch, or enjoy some peace and quiet with a hot chocolate/ ice tea in our own insulated mugs without feeling guilty? Or is that kind of thing frowned upon on a ship like the Solstice?

Any info or advice would be appreciated. We'd much rather take advantage of the beautiful public areas on the Solstice than stay inside our room all the time.

[cruisebunny32]

Solstice...you are going to just die when you see her!

Lawn club is fabulous....lots of areas to sit and just look around...clear panels so you can see everything. We sailed in to Puerto Rico and it was just a great view!

There are some great lounge seats on the pool deck with coverings. They look like beds..big enough for 2!

I always like the covered pool area and they have open windows. I have spend many a days sipping a non alcoholic frozen drink and watching the world go by!

On Deck 5 there is a coffe area with tables and some of the offerings are free.

And you have to try Bisto on 5....only $5 but very intimate and quiet and yummy!

There is just so many things to see and do...you won't be disappointed. I loved that it was a huge ship...yet the way it was laid out if felt Intimate. Lots of small areas to just sit...you will see and LOVE IT!!!

Enjoy your cruise...I am sooooooo Jealous!!!!

[hcat]

some nice quiet areas on the fringes of the outdoor or indoor pools...

[Ma Bell]

The best place to do that indoors would be the Sky Observation Lounge on the Lido Deck forward. There are panoramic views and it is usually quiet there. They do have some activities during the day, but there is plenty of room and the seats by the windows are still available, even during activities.

[Host Anne]

My favorite place, although not quite indoors, is the Oceaview Cafe at the very back of the ship. It is almost all under cover. They have comfortable love seat couches and tables; close to the Lido so you can grab a snack or coffee/iced tea/lemonade at no charge and at certain times of day they have a guitar player out here playing mellow music.

Other spots you may want to check out are Cellar Masters (usually quiet during the day); Michael's Club; Cafe Al Bacio; and the Sky Lounge Ma Bell mentioned.

I actually think Solstice has more quiet, comfortable spots to sit, relax, and read that other ships we've been on.

Have a wonderful cruise!

[tom_uk]

We'll be on Solstice in a couple of weeks or so, and we're interested in the same thing. To me, the obvious place for sitting & enjoying the experience would be the Observation Lounge. However, I remember that the equivalent lounge on Galaxy, the Stratosphere Lounge, was a bit too quiet - it was probably the most deserted place on board, even on sea days.

This seems very odd to me. We also cruise with P&O, and they have a similarly-located lounge on several of their ships, generally called The Crow's Nest. This is always quite busy, and is very much one of the places to meet other passengers. They usually have a coffee & cakes counter set up, and that does good business during the day. Why aren't these locations as popular on Celebrity ships?

[jackdiamond]

I would imagine that the most relaxing venue would be your balcony.

[Friscorays]

My vote would be for the spa relaxation lounge, unlimited access for Aquaclass guests: nice loungers in a peaceful enclosed environment and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the front of the ship. Ice water, cold tea, etc also available.

[Denny01]

We cruise in late Nov on a B2B, so we are very interested in quiet areas to sit and relax. We have friends with us who love to play cards (Wizard) so we will be using these spots also. I'll try not to yell and scream when my wife takes my tricks.

I think this is one of the major things I love about Celebrity ships - all of them. So many quiet off-the-path areas to sit and relax. Watch the world walk (and sail!) by. I was surprised that large ships such as these can be so 'intimate'. Cruised on a small Cruise West ship and enjoyed it, but no real area to get away from the 150 people with us - cabins weren't conductive to staying in and only a few common areas. So I found it funny that a larger-capacity ship would have so much more 'personal-space' areas.

Thanks for asking the question, and for all the responses. Looking forward to trying each of these areas, especially for the 6-day Atlantic crossing.

Denny

[bardstowntraveller]

My absolute favorite spot on the Solstice is the Solarium. It has very comfy lounge chairs. They play spa-like music. No children under 16 allowed. The temperature is perfect. Oh, I miss it!

[ilovefridays]

Originally Posted by Denny01

We cruise in late Nov on a B2B, so we are very interested in quiet areas to sit and relax. We have friends with us who love to play cards (Wizard) so we will be using these spots also. I'll try not to yell and scream when my wife takes my tricks.

I think this is one of the major things I love about Celebrity ships - all of them. So many quiet off-the-path areas to sit and relax. Watch the world walk (and sail!) by. I was surprised that large ships such as these can be so 'intimate'. Cruised on a small Cruise West ship and enjoyed it, but no real area to get away from the 150 people with us - cabins weren't conductive to staying in and only a few common areas. So I found it funny that a larger-capacity ship would have so much more 'personal-space' areas.

Thanks for asking the question, and for all the responses. Looking forward to trying each of these areas, especially for the 6-day Atlantic crossing.

Denny

Hi Denny,

Loved looking at those great stats you provided on our roll call. Thanks! Plus, the info on OBC you posted a while back has me looking into getting some shares for myself. RCI should really start paying you commission!

[FinelyCruising]

The Library is multi level. Its an amazing location and a beautiful venue and I'd take it to read in a heart beat. It is extremely comfortable and they thought about this area when they built this amazing ship. It deserves not to be overlooked.

[ilovefridays]

Really appreciate all the advice and suggestions so far from all the wonderful people from CC!

Here's a list of nice places to sit on the Solstice (to date):

Solarium
Spa relaxation lounge (for Aquaclass guests and spa-goers only)
Your own balcony (LOL)
Back of Oceanview Cafe
Sky Observation lounge
Cellar Master
Michael's Club
Cafe Al Bacio
Fringes of indoor and outdoor pools
Lawn Club
Covered pool areas
Library

Please keep them coming!

cruisebunny: I'll definitely try out Bistro on 5. Everything on the menu sounds yummy! Any recommendations for non-alcoholic drinks worth our while on the Solstice?

[ellbon]

i read in PG's on my tile lounge chair. alos read on solstice deck durng the day

[zoncom]

Love the Solarium covered pool area. I can swim laps or enjoy a book on padded chaises, no children either.

[jwattle]

If you don't mind a short walk, up on the Solstice deck are some nice chairs of various sorts, and it's usually fairly empty as it's off the beaten path; great views of everything you're passing. Also very quiet and relaxing.

[ilovefridays]

I'll be sure to try them all out! Thanks so much!

[Longboysfan]

Dam... Everything is covered here that I thought of.

I was thinking the library area in the late afternoon evening as they had the music ensamble playing in there.

[ilovefridays]

Thanks for the info!

[cruisebunny32]

Originally Posted by ilovefridays

Really appreciate all the advice and suggestions so far from all the wonderful people from CC!

cruisebunny: I'll definitely try out Bistro on 5. Everything on the menu sounds yummy! Any recommendations for non-alcoholic drinks worth our while on the Solstice?

I have tried most of the frozen non alcoholic drinks (I have cruised pregnant 2 times) I love them all. My favorite is a Kiss...it is the strawberry puree and the pina colada puree in one glass. My least favorite is the Kiwi one. They have drink specials every day and there is always one that is non-alcoholic. I didn't notice the specials on Solstice as I really didn't pay attention.