What do you like best about Celebrity? Solstice?

I booked my first Celebrity cruise on the Solstice to Alaska. I have a balcony cabin on deck 6 (it does not have an obstructed view). We decided to try Select Dining for the first time. (Past cruises have been on Royal Caribbean - Jewel, Explorer, Oasis, Allure).

What do you like best about Celebrity? What do they do better then the other lines. What do they do better then Royal Caribbean?

What is your favorite thing about the Solstice?

I am really looking forward to trying Celebrity, and the Solstice.

We have cruised on more then 60 different ships (of 14 cruise lines) and the Solstice-class ships are among our favorite large ship designs. The ships have a spacious feel and lots of public rooms/spaces to please most folks. We also like the open design of their Lido and the Aqua Class concept.

We should also mention, that like all the mass market cruise lines, we have noticed some cut-backs on Celebrity in terms of food selection. Anyone who has shopped for food in the recent couple of years should be able to understand the dilemma faced by all the cruise lines.

Hank

Have done both lines many times.

The biggest difference we find is that the Celebrity ships somehow seem so much calmer and quieter. Even areas like the buffet restaurant and pool side are more relaxed and laid back.

Also prefer the food on Celebrity. Just generally a higher quality. Finally we usually book suite rooms and the perks on Celebrity are much better than RCCL.

I am not saying I wouldn't book RCCL again just that generally Celebrity suits us better.

We were on Solstice last year Hawaii to Sydney and return in March for another Pacific cruise. We find her to be very welcoming and well maintained. Solstice is the newer class of ship although I think the oldest in this class. We also love the M class ships which are smaller.

Hope you have a great cruise.

We just returned from an Alaskan cruise on the Solstice. We have been on a couple of Royal Caribbean cruises, but once we tried Celebrity ships we have not returned. The experience just seems nicer. It starts off as you enter the ship and they hand you a glass of champagne or mimosa. I am not much of a drinker, but it just sets the tone for a more upscale feeling. In our experience food is better, staff is great. The Solstice is our favorite ship for design of the cabins and it doesn't feel like a large ship (except at busy times in the Buffet!).

You will have a wonderful time on the Solstice and Alaska is amazing!

Of all the cruise ships I've been on I do like the Solstice ship the best. Followed by her 2 sisters Equinox and Eclipse. I love watching the Glass Blowing.

I booked my first Celebrity cruise on the Solstice to Alaska. I have a balcony cabin on deck 6 (it does not have an obstructed view). We decided to try Select Dining for the first time. (Past cruises have been on Royal Caribbean - Jewel, Explorer, Oasis, Allure). What do you like best about Celebrity? What do they do better then the other lines. What do they do better then Royal Caribbean? What is your favorite thing about the Solstice? I am really looking forward to trying Celebrity, and the Solstice.

While we have not sailed with RCL, we have had two wonderful sailings on the Solstice. Below is a link that I pulled together for a larger number of visuals on this nice ship, plus many tips/ideas, etc. Lots of good and comments from super-experienced Hank, chemmo, etc.

Below are just a small sampling for some of my personal favorites on this classy ship. Keep the good questions rolling along. The friendly people on these CC Boards are happy to share more, answer added info needs, etc.

Good choice with the Select Dining as it gives you good flexibility.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a “Solstice: Visuals, Highlights Shared!” summary from two different adventures on this ship with many pictures and other details on its many options. This includes our recent Australia to New Zealand sailing. Check it out, including these early 2014 updates, at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

Now at 33,408 views for this posting.

Here is a photo highlight from our ship's production show called "Ghostlight--The Spirit of Broadway". Lots of great tunes, including many from the Four Seasons as done on Broadway with Jersey Boys. Nice lighting, staging, sets, etc.

I liked to ride one of the eight glass elevators in the mid-ship courtyard with nice views out to the different floors, enjoying the ship architecture, people being active, etc. You can see the relaxing library in this shot. Classy design on this ship! Some tradition, but not too dated or old.:

The Solarium was one of our most favorite areas. Food and drinks were nearby and it was very relaxed and sophisticated. Quieter, too, as it is an adults-only area. Two hot tubs here. Not crowded, especially in the evenings. Nice art and design with this facility. Wonderful setting for relaxing and watching the outside water/shore views, enjoying subtle inside action, etc.:

On the top, back of the Solstice, here is a wider view of Corning Hot Glass show area, plus the green grass and the unique covering designs for this special area of the ship. Classy design touches and style!!:

For dining in Tuscan Grille on the Solstice in January while sailing from Australia to New Zealand, we started with a nice glass of sparkling Italian wine (Prosecco Spumanti). The best is always saved for last . . . a nicely designed and super tasting of this Italian favorite, Tiramisu.:

TLCOHIO,

Thanks for the photo's. I did see your review, and loved your photo's. Frankly, it is what helped me to make up my mind about sailing on the Solstice, and cancelling my upcoming Explorer (RCI) cruise.

On a side note, my DH grew up in a small (at the time) country town outside of Columbus, called Canal Winchester.

I agree to what everybody said.

I loved the design and the feeling of never being on a crowded ship (well - except for muster drill :D).

Loved the size and design of the stateroom.

Solarium was great during all the bad weather we had on this cruise and I loved Sky Lounge for the same reason - great views during a rainy day at New Zealand´s fjords!

The music - there are so many guest artists who perform so many different styles of music that there is something for every taste. Loved the Solstice orchestra - all my other cruises only had canned music (with live singers).

What makes it best are the crew. Very helpfull, friendly, showing their passion for caring for their guests.

Thanks for your responses.

I should rant about RCI (we have been Diamond for many years) which used to be our line of choice, and is now our line to avoid! RCI has tried to create a Carnival (no pun intended) atmosphere on their ships with waterparks, rock climbing walls, and lots of other carnival things. We wonder when they will put a roller coaster and ferris wheel on their ships :). There is a market for that kind of thing, but it is not for us. We prefer a more sedate adult atmosphere like we find on Celebrity, Princess, HAL, Azamara, etc. The last time I was on RCI (Voyager of the Seas) the atrium felt like a local shopping mall. They had so many tables set-up selling all kinds of junk that it was hard to squeeze past to get to a bar :).

Hank

Sorry, wrong thread

I should rant about RCI (we have been Diamond for many years) which used to be our line of choice, and is now our line to avoid! RCI has tried to create a Carnival (no pun intended) atmosphere on their ships with waterparks, rock climbing walls, and lots of other carnival things. We wonder when they will put a roller coaster and ferris wheel on their ships :). There is a market for that kind of thing, but it is not for us. We prefer a more sedate adult atmosphere like we find on Celebrity, Princess, HAL, Azamara, etc. The last time I was on RCI (Voyager of the Seas) the atrium felt like a local shopping mall. They had so many tables set-up selling all kinds of junk that it was hard to squeeze past to get to a bar :).

 

Hank

Each cruise line, and cruise ship offers something different. That is the magic of cruising.

Only Celebrity experience so far has been on Eclipse, but I found her specialty restaurants, Tuscan Grill and Murano's, to be superior to any I have experienced on any other ship.

The offer of a Mimosa or Sparkling Wine upon embarkation is a very nice touch. But, when one is juggling carry-ons at the same time and there really wasn't anyplace to sit down, take a breath, and enjoy the moment, it seems like it is a nice gesture, but at the wrong place/time.

My partner and I cruised on solstice for the first time in March, and loved it so much we booked another two!

We loved all the little luxury touches, a much quieter environment with no belly flop contests etc, not as pushy for photos and shopping, less kids, amazing standard of dining in the main dining room, and the specialty restaurants another level above!

I've listed the link to my review below if you'd like to check it out. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2192606

I have cruised on the Solstice 5 times. In July we did Alaska and we just returned from Vancouver to Hawaii cruise. The crew are so friendly. Murano`s and Tuscan Grill meals were wonderful. We were in a suite so we dined in Luminae. While it was good I like the smaller venue on the M Class ships for Luminae.

TLCOHIO, Thanks for the photo's. I did see your review, and loved your photo's. Frankly, it is what helped me to make up my mind about sailing on the Solstice, and cancelling my upcoming Explorer (RCI) cruise. On a side note, my DH grew up in a small (at the time) country town outside of Columbus, called Canal Winchester.

Appreciate your nice comments and follow-up. I will be looking for that "commission check" in the mail from Celebrity. It has not arrived in the mail, yet!! Glad that I helped to encourage your sailing with this cruise line.

Yes, know Canal Winchester well. Nice community, but growing fast as things in the Columbus suburbs move out that way.

Let us know any added question, info needs, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 122,920 views for this posting.

We sailed on X for the first time to Alaska this past May and had a wonderful time. We are fairly loyal to Royal but have also cruised with Princess and HAL. It took a few days to get oriented, if you will, as we kept comparing to RCI (no offense - I think it's natural to do so). Once we settled in, we found we loved her. :)

What I loved best about Solstice:

~ NO indoor smoking! The casino was wonderful and smoke-free the entire cruise! What a difference.

~ Eggs Benedict station in the buffet - made to order. Delicious!

~ Ice cream bar in the buffet, with many flavors of homemade ice cream and lots of toppings. I had a different flavor every day and Reese's Pieces every day. :p

~ The Hot Glass Show was phenomenal. Only three ships have it right now and Solstice is one of them. Glorious.

~ Attentive service, clean ship, pleasant staff

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  Some things we like
   
  
• The ships in our opinion have a very attractive profile, maybe we are biased but in Rome this year we thought the Eclipse looked the best ship out of the other 3 non celebrity cruise ships in port that day.
  
• The solarium pool is fab
  
• Great buffet
  
• Balcony rooms have a decent sized balcony and are reasonably spacious for 2
  
• Glass shower doors
  
• Good choice of food in the MDR, my wife is a very fussy eater and can always find something to eat and enjoy eating. My wife loves the Caesar Salad and Chocolate cake.
  
• For smokers ( my wife is) the relatively few places to smoke work well as all the regular smokers get to know one another!
  
• The relatively relaxed dress code
  
• We're early risers and relatively early to bed so the slightly more subdued evenings suit us well.