Solstice - Bar recommendation for group of 22

We are a group of 22 who like to meet up for a drink before dinner. It is rather casual. We are all on any-time-dining.

I am looking for a recommendation as to which bar might best accommodate us from say 5:30-7:00 each night. Which bar would most likely have the space available for us to congregate, and bar staff to handle us. We don't need one big table but an area of tables that we could hang out in.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

There really isn't any area set up for a group of that size. Perhaps the aft bar of the Oceanview Cafe (the buffet)....if there were enough tables vacant....

I say Sunset bar. It's hard to get enough space for a big group in passport or in ensemble. Sunset should work.

I say Sunset bar. It's hard to get enough space for a big group in passport or in ensemble. Sunset should work.

Thanks. Based on the pictures I saw of Sunset I am not sure there are enough tables/chairs for us all. Also, it would be weather restricted so I think we need to look at an inside space.

M or S class...If S class, there's a nice space adjacent to and part of the Martini Bar where u coud meet up..tip well and they will welcome you each night!

Other spots would be overwhemled by a big group...

Title of the thread says solstice.

Title of the thread says solstice.

Sorry..I always miss the titles on my phone..so what do u think of the area I described..? We were loosely part of a roll call group on Silhouette that met there nightly...with blinking Martini Pins...great fun!

Hopefully, Solstice has a,similar area, We have not been on her since her roll out and are more familiar with Silho and EQ

I think it will be a problem wherever you go.

Martinis is already packed during that time. Pretty much the same for the Passport. I'd try the Ensemble, if your group gets there early you could fill it up. Not enough staff or drink options in World Class bar or Cellar Masters.

If they're not using it for Captain's Club each night(which they probably will) the Sky Observation would be best.

If they're not using it for Captain's Club each night(which they probably will) the Sky Observation would be best.

On our last Celebrity cruise (Silhouette if memory serves) we did meet in the Sky Observation. The Captain's Club did meet there as well most nights but it was deeper inside and there was an area close to the entrance where we could meet. The issue we ran into was when the CC met it was difficult to get service, not impossible but difficult.

If Silhouette and Solstice are basically the same then that may be the only option for us.

Cellar Masters is usually empty or close to it. And it's close enough to the Martini Bar or the World Class bar that getting a cocktail isn't a problem

On Solstice, the Ensemble Lounge is a great idea.

Sky Lounge may not be open at that time, just depends.

Cellar Masters is also a great idea - it is normally quiet with plenty of space - if you have a chat with the Sommelier there and they know you will all be coming regularly they will be available if you require them.

Martini Bar can be very popular before dinner.

If cocktails are what you are interested in, World Class Bar is open from 5pm - there are plenty of tables and it's fairly quiet at that time. And of course, nothing stopping your group accessing other drinks from other bars and meeting up there.

Agree on Cellar Masters...the tables are more grouped and social than in the ensemble lounge. Also there is frequently live music in the ensemble lounge at this time...you will not be able to hear each other and your chatter could disturb the musical pleasure of others.

Cellar Masters can be used as a meeting point for guests dining at the Captains/Officers Table on evening chic nights but there should still be plenty of room and this tends to be at a slightly later time.

Totally agree with the advice to visit the bar on boarding and chat with the manager....you never know he may be willing to cordon off an area for you for a specific time.

Before you go to too much trouble, however, I do suggest you check with your party that group get togethers is what they want every night...For example, some who have not cruised before may want to try every bar....Every few cruises we meet up with a group (not as big as yours but big enough)....We will usually organise about 5 evenings over a 10/12 night cruise where we will all agree on venues. If we meet up other nights, that is fine, but no one that way feels too tied...My apologies if you regularly cruise as a group and do have a set ‘routine’ but if you haven’t then I would suggest looking at all options.

Silk Harvest on Solstice is a great venue for a large group to dine together too and the sharing style of food enhances choices. May be worthwhile chatting to the M’D on boarding and see what sort of discount he can offer for 22 on one of his quiet evenings!

Hope you and your group have a fantastic cruise!

All very good ideas, thank you all. Our get togethers are informal, people in our group are free to come or not and come whenever it is convenient. At some point we will peel off in groups to head to dinner. Again, all very casual. Speaking to the M'D or manager for the venue is also a great idea.

It will probably be trial and error when you get on board, honestly. We only sail with the two of us, and like to do the same thing as you, and the only thing I'd say is you might not be able to have seats all together. Might have to break into smaller groups in different bars and switch it up each night. Or grab drinks and meet out in the solarium pool or somewhere else without an actual bar. Or get someone to have the Penthouse Suite ha ha.

We had a situation once at the Martini Bar (I think on Eclipse?) where we were sitting there enjoying our adult beverages and a woman kindly asked us if she could have our seats because they had a group that wanted to sit together. She was very nice but she also was determined if you know what I mean. She was reserving seats if she could, the people weren't there yet! In all honestly she pretty much wanted all of the bar area reserved for her group if we would be so kind as to accommodate that!

Well there were no other seats and we didn't want to sit in the alcove areas nearby (there were no seats there anyway) and honestly we like to sit at the actual bar and watch the "show." We were seated and happy. So we declined politely. She proceeded to go up and down and try to get everyone to leave so her little group could be together, and soon was making a big fuss (she was getting frustrated that people didn't seem to understand that her group NEEDED to be together). I'm not saying this would be you, but just know that because there's a whole ship full of people wanting to do the very same thing at those same hours, it *could* be difficult/challenging. You might not get 20+ seats in the same area. There's no reserved seating, just like there's no reserved seating at the pool.

I do hope you get something worked out but in any case, have a wonderful cruise.

As others have said, a large group meeting and ordering at the same time will be a problem everywhere on the ship unless you make some advance plans - and that could be difficult if you don't now how many will show up each night. Cellar Masters on Solstice was usually almost empty on our last trip, but the problem we had there was that there was only one bartender with no other wait staff. If someone wanted a drink other than wine, the bartender had to go to another bar to get it. Maybe that's changed recently, or maybe with advanced arrangements they would provide additional servers, so check onboard.

My vote if open is the Sky lounge. You will never have issues getting seats before dinner but is the bar open. If not as others have said the Cellars Masters and you have 3 bars around you to get drinks from. Find a bartender that is not just behind the one of the bars, tip him letting him know you will be back the next night and you will be well looked after.

Enjoy your cruise!

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Hate all the suggestions to go to Cellar Masters but will admit we are partial to that venue for wine. I agree they are not always busy but they are not set up to provide drinks beyond wine, and now beer. The staff is not a bar tender, he/she is a sommelier who will provide wine and beer that are available in CM. If too many guests want different beverages the sommelier will have to go to a bar to get them. Not only would the group of 22 have to wait for service, someone like us would also have to wait for the service for which CM is set up for. If your group just wants wine or beer then there might not be an issue.

The sky lounge may not be closed to others during the Captains Club happy hour and is a full service bar that could accommodate a larger group. The Ensamble Lounge and Passport Bar are also better choices for drinks.

Just my opinion on the issue and I do have a vested interest although we are not sailing on Solstice.

It has been a few years since we have been on the Solstice so not sure if this is a option on that ship. Some of the S class ships we have been on recently have a bar in the Entertainment Court -Deck 4 between the theater and the shops. There were about 6-8 seats at the bar & some other seating. It was staffed with a bartender every evening. I think people used it mainly to grab a drink on the way into the show.

You might want to check when you get on the ship to see if the Solstice has a bar in that area.

It will probably be trial and error when you get on board, honestly. We only sail with the two of us, and like to do the same thing as you, and the only thing I'd say is you might not be able to have seats all together. Might have to break into smaller groups in different bars and switch it up each night. Or grab drinks and meet out in the solarium pool or somewhere else without an actual bar. Or get someone to have the Penthouse Suite ha ha.

 

We had a situation once at the Martini Bar (I think on Eclipse?) where we were sitting there enjoying our adult beverages and a woman kindly asked us if she could have our seats because they had a group that wanted to sit together. She was very nice but she also was determined if you know what I mean. She was reserving seats if she could, the people weren't there yet! In all honestly she pretty much wanted all of the bar area reserved for her group if we would be so kind as to accommodate that!

Well there were no other seats and we didn't want to sit in the alcove areas nearby (there were no seats there anyway) and honestly we like to sit at the actual bar and watch the "show." We were seated and happy. So we declined politely. She proceeded to go up and down and try to get everyone to leave so her little group could be together, and soon was making a big fuss (she was getting frustrated that people didn't seem to understand that her group NEEDED to be together). I'm not saying this would be you, but just know that because there's a whole ship full of people wanting to do the very same thing at those same hours, it *could* be difficult/challenging. You might not get 20+ seats in the same area. There's no reserved seating, just like there's no reserved seating at the pool.

I do hope you get something worked out but in any case, have a wonderful cruise.

This post does not apply to the OP who sounds considerate in all respects, but your story reminded me of a past cruise.,,when there were fixed dining times, fixed tables etc..

Something like what you described happened to us on a Royal C cruise some years ago, On Day 1 of the cruise DH and I were at a very nice table for 8..There was another couple seated at the table on their own, plus 4 who were together, arrived late, and were apparently associated ( but not linked) with folks at another table,,. Their very pushy " leader" dragged over 2 more seats, then 2 more.. while orders were being taken..It was quite tasteless..The waiter was completely flustered & the maitre d looked at a loss...

I decided we were not going to be happy and did not want to make a big scene...so I asked the other couple if they'd like to dine with us,,They said yes and the maitre d gave us a great table for 4, and was very appreciative throughout the cruise, They were wonderful tablemates and we were rid of the pack..

Reality is that larger groups who travel together do impact others..at bars, the pool and dining...even in BLU, but how it is approached makes the difference! Hope it works out for the OP..

Yes, we certainly do not want to intrude on others enjoyment. That's why I was looking for recommendations that would suit us. There have been some great recommendations. I think a conversation with the ships staff once I board would be the best way to approach this.

Again, thanks to all of you.

It has been a few years since we have been on the Solstice so not sure if this is a option on that ship. Some of the S class ships we have been on recently have a bar in the Entertainment Court -Deck 4 between the theater and the shops. There were about 6-8 seats at the bar & some other seating. It was staffed with a bartender every evening. I think people used it mainly to grab a drink on the way into the show.

 

You might want to check when you get on the ship to see if the Solstice has a bar in that area.

I'm pretty sure that's the Casino bar on the S Class ships. Pretty busy most of the time, especially if there is a sporting event on. A decent place to grab a drink and go, but not really to visit and hangout.

Quasar is also in that area but hardly ever open. One of the most completely underutilized areas on the S class ships.

No, I think the bar mentioned is the one that backs up to the Casino. It is in the area just past all the shops, by the Celebrity Central room, by the circular glass stairs that go from deck 5 to deck 4...before you get to the forward elevators and the theater. But it is a small bar and the area certainly would not work for a party of 22.

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On our recent cruise there was a large group that was always at the Crush bar. It is basically a long bar type table a little isolated and adjacent to the Martini Bar. It has about 10 seats or more and basically was a place for them to meet, mingle, hangout and have a space to set down their drinks.

It worked for them and usually is a not place where most would sit if other areas are available.

Drink up 🍺🍸🍹🍷🍻🥂🥃🍾

No, I think the bar mentioned is the one that backs up to the Casino. It is in the area just past all the shops, by the Celebrity Central room, by the circular glass stairs that go from deck 5 to deck 4...before you get to the forward elevators and the theater. But it is a small bar and the area certainly would not work for a party of 22.

 

 

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Interesting, but not on the deck plans for Solstice. I don't remember any bar there.