MustBCruzn

Wow. I can't thank you enough for this great review...and your photos are incredible. I haven't had the pleasure of doing a TA yet, but it's most definitely high up on the list. :)

You'll find some vote for the S class, and some vote for the M class, so you'll really have to try both and decide for yourself. I'm in the S class camp hands-down. I find they have more intimate spots for relaxing around the ship, both inside and out, and the buffet has a much better lay out. In fact, I'm holding ff on doing the Panama Canal in the hopes that an S class (or maybe an Edge?) runs that itinerary in the not-too-distant future.

We have a group of five couples going on an "accidental" reunion cruise on the Solstice Honolulu - Vancouver in April 2018. We met on a wonderful and very active roll call for our Amsterdam - Rome cruise on the Silhouette in Sept 2015. That cruise was fabulous, and everyone was just as much fun in person as they were on the the roll call. As it turned out, a couple of us booked the upcoming HNL cruise and reconnected on our current roll call. Friendships were rekindled instantly, and through the marvel of social media, we convinced a few of our other former cruisemates to join us. An unplanned reunion cruise, but we're all thrilled that we'll be reconnecting next year.

Wish I did! Amazing! And easy on the eye too!! He was on the Connie with us in the Adriatic last year. Best ever. So entertaining too! His Greek Dancing was fantastic.

Hahaha, you got that right! ;) Not only that, but he's hilarious. His morning updates will have you laughing out loud.

The only strategy that works for me is to not cruise. Oh, wait...I do cruise! :D

By leaps and bounds, S class ships are so much better. Just the layout for the OVC is sooo much better than the Millie for starters. Things are newer and work better. S1 corner aft suites are fantastic! Need I go on and on...shower doors rather than curtains in all cabins except suites!!!

I will not sail an M class again!

Wow...you're in my head. Exactly what I was going to type! :D

Thank you for your great review. I'm so glad you enjoyed your cruise, the ship and Celebrity. It's sometimes easy to forget that the very vocal nay-sayers are a minority of the passengers--or CC posters. :D

Celebrity has denied all rumours.

 

We are more than just mildly interested as we are booked April 29, 2018, on the Solstice from Honolulu to Vancouver. Will closely follow this developing issue.

Come join our great roll call! We're proceeding full speed ahead until we're officially told otherwise. :)

Just came back from Celebrity Solstice 2 days ago. No sushi in buffet. Was told they discontinued it since Sushi on 5 started operating.

That must be a very recent change. We were on the Solstice Aug 19th sailing and sushi was served every evening in Oceanview Café...even with Sushi on 5 open.

The October 25th 13 night transatlantic on Celebrity Equinox is $611pp! :eek: :D ;)

Thank you teecee60! I love the fact that you keep track of specials for me! :D My vacation days usually aren't flexible enough to take advantage of the last minute specials, but this is too good to let slip by. I'm going to try to make this one work. Thanks again. :)

Thank you for taking the time to do this great review. DH and I were on this sailing as well, and we really enjoyed seeing College Arm Fjord due to excessive ice in Tracy Arm (we've sailed Tracy Arm many times). So glad you enjoyed your cruise--you really "scored" with the weather in Seattle! :D

As others have said, it really depends on what you're interested in...the ship or the itinerary. I'm of the camp that when it comes to the Caribbean it's all about the ship, so for me the Silhouette wins hands down. I will always choose an S class ship in the Caribbean because we've been so often that the ship is the vacation not the islands. In fact, on our last couple trips we didn't even get off the ship (and it was pure bliss!). Not the case in Europe or other places where it's all about the itinerary. But even when itinerary is the focus I would pick an S class over an M class, but others feel just as strongly the other way.

I'm so glad you made it home safe and sound, but I'm going to miss being part of your wonderful journey! You have such a way with words...it was so enjoyable to follow along. I live just outside Seattle and I had never heard of Artful Ashes or Rainbow Bridge Hearts, but so glad you shared with us. Thank you. :)

The Lamb Shank in BLU - that's a don't miss!

Agree completely! The lamb shank in Blu is my very favorite meal! :D

I'm loving your review and your photos are beautiful! We cruise the Equinox next year and I can't wait. Thanks for taking us on your journey. :)

Until you have been on Connie and seen Liar's Club with Captain Tasos, all others pale in comparison. His many ex-girlfriends and frequent references to the "Greekipedia" made me laugh so hard I was crying. Then again, that guy could make me laugh just saying "good morning".

 

 

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Captain Tasos took over the Solstice for our Alaska cruise May 20-27, and you're absolutely right--he's hilarious! Even his morning announcements had us laughing!

Your review made me smile--it had so many parallels to my family's experience. DH and I took our children (then 17 and 18) on the Solstice to Alaska in 2013. DH and I had cruised with Celebrity many times, but our family cruises had always been on Carnival and Royal thinking they would appeal more to the children. Well from that very first Solstice cruise both my son and daughter insisted "never again anything but Celebrity!" Hooray--that works for me! In fact, my family and I were on the Solstice to Alaska again from May 20-27, so we were getting off as you were boarding. :D

We often cruise on HAL...not because we particularly like the line, but because of their oft fantastic itineraries and longer cruises. The most popular itinerary of that line is called the Voyage of the Vikings...and they only do it once a year on a smaller ship. That cruise sells out quite fast, and is marketed at the highest prices per passenger day of all their cruises. It is simply a 34-38 day round trip cruise from Boston that does Greenland, Iceland, and then spends some time in Northern Europe (the ports vary from year to year).

 

We would love to see Celebrity do something similar. That itinerary can easily be marketed as 2 segments (you could do half the cruise by flying to or from a Northern European port).

 

Hank

Wow. This would be perfect on an S class ship, especially if they offer it as two segments! As I'm still a member of the working world I couldn't get enough vacation days to do the whole thing, but one half of the trip would be wonderful. :)

I'm loving your review and your photos. Thanks for taking us on your journey! :)

I'd love to see an S class do Norway, Arctic Circle, perhaps Iceland. A nice 12-14 day cruse would be great.

If they sell them ... then they really don't have to offer new itineraries, do they? I, for one, and I am sure I cannot be the only one, go for the deals that are offered ... even more so than the itinerary. I just enjoy being on the ship even if I don't get off in any of the ports. I just wish X would have more sailings on the west coast, especially out of San Francisco and San Diego.

Nope, you're not the only one...there are at least two of us! I love just being on the ship--that's a wonderful, relaxing vacation to me. And I also agree that we could use an S class ship making west coast sailings to give Princess a run for the money.

I have thoroughly enjoyed your review, it was like reliving mine of the week prior. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I completely agree with you about Victoria. It's such a wonderful city and deserves a whole day...which is why we booked the 9-day Solstice Alaska cruise sailing May 17, 2017. Not only do we get a day in Victoria but Hubbard glacier and Sitka--join us! :D

We were on the Solstice 5/20 - 5/27 and had a wonderful experience. Food is subjective, but we found lots of great (free) options all over the ship--including the delicious burgers at the pool grill--Burger King they most definitely are NOT. We did not experience the tipping issue, and I've never run across that on any of our many =X= sailings. And Captain Tasos was by far the most enjoyable Captain we've had the pleasure of sailing with. For those folks considering the Solstice, don't let this review dissuade you, you'll have a great time.

1A all the way for location.

Ditto! The extra large balcony is wonderful!

Day 5, Skagway

Important tip: when you get off the ship, you will see a golf cart sort of vehicle coming and going. Take it!! It is a free (tips appreciated) shuttle available to everyone which takes you to the other end of the dock. The dock is a long walk and this cart will save you time and mileage. We always see so many people walking who aren’t aware of this free service and feel badly for them.

DH and I are just the opposite...by the time we reach Skagway we're desperately in need of a long walk and always enjoy the trek to and from town. :D