Mini critique of 8/15 Solstice Eastern

[Andy C]

Just returned from the 8/15 Western Caribbean sailing on Solstice. We are RCCL Diamond and Celebrity Elite. The cruise was mostly very good BUT FAR FROM PERFECT. True that this is subjective - but it is hard to deny that some (and admittedly not all) of the food was awful (this was mostly in the Ocean View Cafe buffet). The main pools are too small. The service in Grand Epernay went from great to bad (we were on select dining). The last night of our cruise in Grand Epernay I had to talk to the maître d’ about the odor emanating from our waiter's armpits and his anger/sarcasm because one in our party ordered "too much" food. This issue was quickly resolved to my satisfaction.

 

Bottom line - I enjoyed my cruise and some of the wonderful people I met. X is definitely a great cruise line and I will be back on them soon enough. It was a far from perfect cruise and while I have fond memories of it I'm not sure that I'll be back on Solstice anytime soon.

 

Ports - Cozumel is Cozumel and most have been there already. Costa Maya is poor and a complete tourist trap. Cayman was okay and more hectic than I remember it years ago - also a tourist trap of the first caliber. Roatan was a pleasant surprise, but only because we went to a nice beach and used the facilities of a good hotel.

 

*The above represent my opinion and the list could be quite longer. This is merely a commentary on those issues (of which there were several mostly dealing with our stateroom and food) that I have omitted here for purposes of brevity. Many folks will find the Solstice to be "perfect," and you may too, but many folks also wait in line and happily pay for a meal at Chili's and Applebees - it makes me wonder...

[blueboro]

Sorry it was not perfect. I have been on 14 cruises with various lines and none have been perfect. But X sure has come as close to anyone to accomplishing that in our opinion. Food is subjective but we found the food in the MDR excellent and the Ocean View to be very good. Did not use the pools much so can't really comment.

 

Our service...excellent Cabin Steward and very good MDR service. We did notice the MDR staff to be very busy and not able to spend as much time "schmoozing" as in the past. But they were very efficient.

[teajak]

Sorry it was not perfect. I have been on 14 cruises with various lines and none have been perfect. But X sure has come as close to anyone to accomplishing that in our opinion. Food is subjective but we found the food in the MDR excellent and the Ocean View to be very good. Did not use the pools much so can't really comment.

 

Our service...excellent Cabin Steward and very good MDR service. We did notice the MDR staff to be very busy and not able to spend as much time "schmoozing" as in the past. But they were very efficient.

Three times on the Solstice and going again next week. Totally agree and we don't eat at Chili's or Applebees.:rolleyes:

[Despegue]

it seems that the poster is someone who does not leave port and then complains about "tourist traps"?!:rolleyes: Here an opinion of a very experienced professional traveller:

Costa Maya is a fantastic port with History and nature just a few km. from port. How can you critisize a destination when you don't go further than the port gates?! No, Mexico is not the US (thank God) but if you refuse to open your mind on a trip, you should remain a domestic traveller.

 

The Oceanview Café has a FANTASTIC choice of food, by the way, by far the best buffet of any Mainline cruise companies.

 

As for the food, well, I hate seeing food going to waste by people ordering a bunch of dishes and not finishing them all. It is considered VERY bad manners from where I come from.:mad: Although, I don't know if this was the case here (he/she could be a big eater?)

[Andy C]

My folks are on the current sailing of Solstice and just docked in San Juan today. First thing out of mom's mouth is how lousy the food is in the Ocean View Cafe. They're sticking to Elite Lounge in Michael's for breakfast b/c of the very mediocre food in Ocean View and Bistro on Five for lunch for the same reason. And frankly the food in OVC was pretty lame and on some occasions downright nasty. And don't get me started about my stringy, tough, overcooked filet mignon in Murano's that I had to send back.

 

They are far from picky eaters. I'm more of a picky eater. Folks are Diamond+ on Royal and Elite on X. Mom says the only other time she had such bad food was on Freedom.

 

Another interesting point that I remember from last weeks cruise was the public bathrooms with no towels or paper towels and no attendants in site to replenish them. Mom just mentioned the same thing to me about the bathrooms.

[curtsfan]

Just returned from the 8/15 Western Caribbean sailing on Solstice. We are RCCL Diamond and Celebrity Elite. The cruise was mostly very good BUT FAR FROM PERFECT. True that this is subjective - but it is hard to deny that some (and admittedly not all) of the food was awful (this was mostly in the Ocean View Cafe buffet). The main pools are too small. The service in Grand Epernay went from great to bad (we were on select dining). The last night of our cruise in Grand Epernay I had to talk to the maître d’ about the odor emanating from our waiter's armpits and his anger/sarcasm because one in our party ordered "too much" food. This issue was quickly resolved to my satisfaction.

 

Bottom line - I enjoyed my cruise and some of the wonderful people I met. X is definitely a great cruise line and I will be back on them soon enough. It was a far from perfect cruise and while I have fond memories of it I'm not sure that I'll be back on Solstice anytime soon.

 

Ports - Cozumel is Cozumel and most have been there already. Costa Maya is poor and a complete tourist trap. Cayman was okay and more hectic than I remember it years ago - also a tourist trap of the first caliber. Roatan was a pleasant surprise, but only because we went to a nice beach and used the facilities of a good hotel.

 

*The above represent my opinion and the list could be quite longer. This is merely a commentary on those issues (of which there were several mostly dealing with our stateroom and food) that I have omitted here for purposes of brevity. Many folks will find the Solstice to be "perfect," and you may too, but many folks also wait in line and happily pay for a meal at Chili's and Applebees - it makes me wonder...

As you stated this is your opinion!!! I am an avid cruiser, and have been on many cruiselines, and have to say that Celebrity is one of my top choices. I am sailing on the Solstice next month, and will find out for myself if your opinion is justified. I did sail on the Summit in January, and have to say, it was a wonderful experience. As for the waiter with the smelly armpits, did you ever stop to think that the man may have been working for 12 hours already that day, and didnt have a chance to shower. These people wait on the passengers hand and foot. So I think that they should be cut some slack. As for the food, I found the food great on the Summit. I have a discerning taste when it comes to food, and believe me when I say that I "dont wait in line at Chili's or Applebees" But I dont put the people down that like those restaurants either. To each either own!!!

[Andy C]

As you stated this is your opinion!!! I am an avid cruiser, and have been on many cruiselines, and have to say that Celebrity is one of my top choices. I am sailing on the Solstice next month, and will find out for myself if your opinion is justified. I did sail on the Summit in January, and have to say, it was a wonderful experience. As for the waiter with the smelly armpits, did you ever stop to think that the man may have been working for 12 hours already that day, and didnt have a chance to shower. These people wait on the passengers hand and foot. So I think that they should be cut some slack. As for the food, I found the food great on the Summit. I have a discerning taste when it comes to food, and believe me when I say that I "dont wait in line at Chili's or Applebees" But I dont put the people down that like those restaurants either. To each either own!!!

 

It is not my concern if he worked 8, 12, 16 or 24 hours - I did not have to put up with his very strong, unpleasant odor (nor should any other passenger have to) and it is why I brought the issue up to his superiors. Sorry that I don't share your same kumbaya feelings on this subject.

 

The cruise is general was superb. The food - very lacking - and in some RARE INSTANCES it was actually excellent - BUT this was NOT the norm. The quality has declined. If you believe it has not - then to each his own and as I made clear this was only MY opinion (along with corroboration from those who sailed with me and from those in my family who are currently still on the Celebrity Applebee (Solstice).

 

And on the Chilis and Applebees comments - many wonderful and affordable mom and pop restaurants are going belly up in this country because of consumers that chose mass produced food from these establishments. And then everyone goes up in arms when there is a HALF BILLION EGG RECALL. If more folks supported local farmers and local restaurants (not chains) then maybe we would not have to worry so much about e coli and salmonella in our food products.

[Tiki_Man]

Andy

 

Thanks for your review.

 

Tiki

[Andy C]

Andy

 

Thanks for your review.

 

Tiki

 

And thank you for your review Tiki. It was most informative and helped me map out some things before boarding Solstice. Your wife's review was also helpful.

[Snorkel2Much]

My folks are on the current sailing of Solstice and just docked in San Juan today. First thing out of mom's mouth is how lousy the food is in the Ocean View Cafe. They're sticking to Elite Lounge in Michael's for breakfast b/c of the very mediocre food in Ocean View and Bistro on Five for lunch for the same reason. And frankly the food in OVC was pretty lame and on some occasions downright nasty. And don't get me started about my stringy, tough, overcooked filet mignon in Murano's that I had to send back.

 

They are far from picky eaters. I'm more of a picky eater. Folks are Diamond+ on Royal and Elite on X. Mom says the only other time she had such bad food was on Freedom.

 

Another interesting point that I remember from last weeks cruise was the public bathrooms with no towels or paper towels and no attendants in site to replenish them. Mom just mentioned the same thing to me about the bathrooms.

Thanks for the review. We did the Eastern on Solstice in June, but only had one meal(lunch) in the cafeteria. The cafeteria food was rather ordinary, while we really enjoyed the main dining room food and service. I had an ugly encounter with a rude bartender at the OVC bar, but that was the only unpleasant experience for me on what was otherwise (hands down) the best cruise we ever had.

 

It's not always the case, but bad managers generally make bad products/employees.

 

Based on my (limited) sample and if half the reports here are correct, I suspect the Solstice F&B manager for the Cafeteria(OVC...whatever) isn't up to par with his/her counterparts.

[metsjetsfan]

Sorry for the mini hijack. but what is the hotel pool you went to on honduras?

 

Thanks!

[bryanjaync]

I find the sliders and fajitas at Chilis and Applebys quite tasty !:rolleyes:

[The Big Booper]

...>>>SNIP<<<...

 

And on the Chilis and Applebees comments - many wonderful and affordable mom and pop restaurants are going belly up in this country because of consumers that chose mass produced food from these establishments ...>>>SNIP<<<...

 

Your clarification of your first post regarding Chilis and Applebees changed the meaning of your first post. In particular, the thread from last week titled (paraphasing here) "Is Celebrity a snobby and snotty Cruise Line"?

 

If you hadn't put in the second post, then based on your first post, the answer would have been a resounding YES !!!

 

I have a client who started a restaurant near my house in 2006 and after a total $ 260,000 loss to himself and his widowed mother, threw in the towel and went back to being a General Manager at a restaurant, one of a family owned chain of 5 locations in the NY/DC area. He couldn't get younger patrons to come in as they have all been conditioned to think only national chains.

 

He is still paying off my bill for the two year period he had the restaurant and is doing quite well as the GM.

 

BTW Applebees has good burgers and is across the street from a local bar/restaurant that has the best burgers in our county. So a well managed local operation can survive just as local pharmacies can survive Walgreens, CVS, et.

 

 

<<<edit>>> We were on the Solstice Eastern in mid June, right after a portion of the F&B staff rotated on and off and an older, well traveled couple at our table said, after several days, that the food and service on the Oasis was superior to the Solstice.

[GeorgeL]

No, Mexico is not the US (thank God) but if you refuse to open your mind on a trip, you should remain a domestic traveller.

 

No, Mexico is definitely not the US and the US is not Belgium (thank G-d)

[Moomintroll]

... I had an ugly encounter with a rude bartender at the OVC bar, ...

 

I read that as 'nude bartender'... sorry to derail, but it made me chuckle.

[Andy C]

Mets can't remember the exact hotel beach we went to in Roatan - I'm thinking Mayan Beach maybe? Not sure will try to find out.

 

It's undeniable from my own experience and everything that I have read here that the quality of the food on Solstice appears to be different from other X ships. Another update from folks last night while in port in San Juan - other fellow cruisers they met were also complaining about the very mediocre food on the Solstice.

 

I would love to sit down with some of you who say all the food on Solstice is excellent and see what you normally consider an excellent meal.

[kicker]

Valid points, though your comments about the ports reminded me of a fellow cruiser on our last cruise. He wrote a review saying he never left the ship because he was afraid of crime in the ports we visted.

 

Two comments on that:

1). why choose a cruise itinerary if you're afraid to leave the ship?

 

2). spent several days in Atlantic City last week. Personally, I think Belize, Costa Maya, St Thomas, etc. are safer than being two blocks off the Boardwalk!

 

I'll be cruising Celeb in January for the first time (loyal RCCL'ers). Since I'm a hot dog - hamburger type of guy anyways, I'm not worried about the food, but I do appreciate your comments along with everyone else who offers their honest opinion.

[BWaterCruiser]

Andy C, could it have been the Mayan Princess?

[Andy C]

Andy C, could it have been the Mayan Princess?

 

Just checked and it was the Mayan Princess. Great little spot and $10pp. One of the ladies in our group could not use the facilities b/c - it was that time of the month - and they had no problem not charging her. They took credit cards as well for the payment. The pool area was great.

 

On the safety issue with the ports - this is really an issue just about anywhere you go - that becomes a real personal choice. I really like the ships and the value I get from cruising. I live in Miami so the whole beach thing is a bit overrated for me. Most of those islands are nothing more than beach and t-shirt shops.

 

On the food, like I said, there were some notable exceptions and some meals that were quite tasty - but again - this was not consistent or the norm. The food on Liberty of the Seas two summers ago was much better - although the MDR did suffer in quality there as well.

 

My family are dining in Murano tonight and are looking forward to - and I quote - "finally having a good meal on the ship."

[The Big Booper]

...>>>SNIP<<<...

I'll be cruising Celeb in January for the first time (loyal RCCL'ers). Since I'm a hot dog - hamburger type of guy anyways, I'm not worried about the food, but I do appreciate your comments along with everyone else who offers their honest opinion.

 

There is a burger/hot dog spot on the upper pool deck that is great. Wish RCI would retrofit their ships.

 

We also are RCI types who have pretty much avoided Celebrity in the past because of the very quiet environment. You will find many activities on the Solstice that are RC staples, such as 50's, 60's,70s and 80's nights as well as a lively Love & Marriage show and the Sizzlin' Bacardi late night pool deck party.

 

We feel that RCCL is trying to move some of the RC experience to the S class to keep veteran RC cruisers from straying who want a more sophisticated cruise experience but also do want a livelier environement then the traditional Celebrity environment.

 

JMHO

[mringenoldus]

AndyC

 

I believe by the ports you have listed this is actually a Solstice WESTERN review. Correct?

[Gracie115]

Your statements about being Diamond on Royal have me very confused...I am also Diamond on Royal so obviously I've enjoyed my cruises on that line but their food REALLY is unbelievably average, except for Chops. We went back to X this past January on Solstice and the buffet food was far superior to what Royal puts out. We were in Blu so our dinner meals were different than the MDR but find it hard to believe that the MDR was horrible. Teajak has been on 3 Solstice cruises this year and praises the MDR food, Blu was wonderful for us. We've booked two more cruises on this style ship and have no desire to go back to Royal as they have become so very average in the food dept. I have a little 4 nighter booked on Navigator for a friend's birthday celebration and we are booking all but one night in a Specialty Restaurant because I just can't deal with one more "onion cruisted tart".....

 

So I guess my confusion is that if you are satisfied enough to cruise that often on Royal what in the world was so bad about the food on X in the MDR...(I got the part about the stringy beef in Murano's..but specifically what was bad in the MDR?) Don't get me wrong I know this is all subjective but I'm comparing the two lines here....which is better in your opinion Royal or X as far as food is concerned? Please be specific. Thanks

[DanManBob]

I appreciate the review. Although my upcoming cruise will be on Equinox, I assume there are strong similarities.

 

I am not a picky eater, so my hope is that I will not have the strongly negative food experience that you had.

 

1. You mention the awful meal in Murano, then mention your parents looking forward to a great meal in Murano. I hope they have a better experience than you did.

 

2. I like Chili's and Applebee's. They are what they are, but nothing wrong with them at all, imho.

 

3. You said you are a picky eater, so it is difficult for me to relate. My hope is that the food is reasonably good. I guess I will find out in October.

 

I do appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

[Andy C]

Gracie and Dan, let me clarify some points on the food...

 

First, Murano, it was very good. I had the foie gras and the sweet bread appetizer. Excellent. I ordered the surf and turf with the steak rare. The filet was smaller than the stand alone filet and it came medium-well (which is for me is repulsive both in taste and in what the heck was the chef thinking), the lobster was tough and overcooked. I sent the dish back without barely touching either of the two items (garbage) on the plate. I asked for the menu again and ordered the stand alone filet which was done to my liking, table side. I also ordered the venison (both rare and they were perfectly done) and it was also very good. I had the Grand Marnier Soufle and it was not as good as others I've had. Throughout this ordeal the waiter seemed annoyed - there is never (short one being disrespectful or insulting) any excuse for service staff to give a paying customer attitude.

 

MDR - Lamb shank was tough (not cooked long and slow enough) and extremely gamey (and old or not well bred animal). I eat a lot of lamb and I know when I've been duped with the bad stuff. Pastas generally were always overcooked. Sauces were not good (marinara definitely came out of an industrial tin). I had the unfortunate luck of watching them make sushi one night and saw that the shrimp (for the shrimp nigiri) came pre cooked and sliced in vacuum sealed bags as did the fish sashimi. This explained the amonia type, and very fishy flavor of the sushi - gross.

 

My last cruise on Royal was Liberty two years ago. The MDR on Liberty was pretty average and not great. I remember the Windjammer buffet on Liberty being much better than the OVC on Solstice.

[Gracie115]

Throughout this ordeal the waiter seemed annoyed - there is never (short one being disrespectful or insulting) any excuse for service staff to give a paying customer attitude.

 

MDR - Lamb shank was tough (not cooked long and slow enough) and extremely gamey (and old or not well bred animal). I eat a lot of lamb and I know when I've been duped with the bad stuff. Pastas generally were always overcooked. Sauces were not good (marinara definitely came out of an industrial tin). I had the unfortunate luck of watching them make sushi one night and saw that the shrimp (for the shrimp nigiri) came pre cooked and sliced in vacuum sealed bags as did the fish sashimi. This explained the amonia type, and very fishy flavor of the sushi - gross.

 

My last cruise on Royal was Liberty two years ago. The MDR on Liberty was pretty average and not great. I remember the Windjammer buffet on Liberty being much better than the OVC on Solstice.

 

 

I DO understand about the attitude problem you experiened at Murano's as we had a similar experience there and although the maitre d' more than made up for what we considered not acceptable service it still left a bad taste in our mouths for Murano's. But I'm not blasting Murano's here as I've heard too many people sing its praises, I'm assuming we hit a bad night(it was swamped the night we were there).

 

I don't eat sushi so can't comment on that. I also love lamb and must say that what I had in Blu was great. Have always loved the lamb served in Chops on Royal, in fact one of the main reasons we eat there when on that line. But it was also good in Blu on Solstice. Guess maybe I don't eat enough in land based restaurants to be a real critic but I HATE anything that tastes gamey and haven't encountered that, sorry you did.

 

As far as the buffet I can only say my husband who is definitely NOT a buffet eater was very impressed with what we found on Solstice and commented several times on how much better it was than what we'd had on either the Jewel or the Mariner on Royal. So to each his own I guess.

 

Sorry you had such a problem with food, hopefully next time on X will be a better experience for you.