Condition of Solstice - Looking for Opinions

[Sascol]

We have been very fortunate over the last few years to have Sailed on some VERY new Celebrity ships. The Eclipse, the Silhouette and the Reflection were all at (or under) a year old when we sailed. In between those, we sailed on the Summit AFTER it was Solsticized. While it was OK, it did not really live up to our expectations because many of the areas on the ship still seemed worn out/drab or still in needed refurb that was not done while the solsticizing was taking place. We noticed old/worn pool furniture, window film that was peeling and scratched walls as just a few examples. Obviously none of this ruins a vacation, but the ship did indeed lack the 'wow factor' that all of the new ships noted above have.

 

Next year, we have an opportunity to sail on the Solstice which will be just over 6 years old when we board. For those of you that have been on this ship recently, how is it holding up? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on things like wear and tear on the carpets and furnishings. Do things throughout still look shiny and new or are things starting to show their age like they are (in our opinion) on the Summit? At 6 years old it is by no means an 'old' ship but there are still things that probably still need attention I am sure. We spend a lot of time at the Martini Bar and I have read in multiple places that the ice surface there is not currently working and has not been working for quite some time. This would not spoil a cruise but it would be a bit of a letdown.

 

Any thoughts on your recent experiences would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Edited November 12, 2013 by Sascol

[gek]

I was last on Solstice at the start of this year and apart from the issue with the Martini Bar it was in "almost as new" condition. I can't think of anything that looked worn or dated and I've been on newer ships which didn't look as good.

[siouxcitysue]

I was on the Solstice this year, March 4 cruise from Sydney to Auckland. I have also been on the Equinox (in 2010). We enjoyed both ships equally and noticed very few differences between them.

[H2OH!]

we were on June 2013 for a 7 night alaska and aside fromthe martini bar being broken, we found the ship in great condition.

 

we were also on Summit in September 2012 and thought she was in good shape as well. The bathroom in our cabin was older but did not detract from a great vacation

[travelglobetrotter]

How do you break a martini bar? Just curious as we'll be sailing Solstice in early May. Glad to read the positive comments.

[lara68]

We were just on the solstice for an 18 day cruise. We felt it was in wonderful shape. Other than the club chairs in the sky lounge, which is nitpicking, it is still a lovely ship to sail on. The millennium, on the other hand, is really showing wear and tear in our opinion.

[boeckli]

Just came off the Solstice last week and generally found her to be in a very satisfactory condition. The only thing that springs to mind is the odd chair that you can feel has been sat on a lot but otherwise she celebrated her 5th birthday in fine form. :)

[jelayne]

How do you break a martini bar? Just curious as we'll be sailing Solstice in early May. Glad to read the positive comments.

 

The bar top is no longer able to be frozen. Now it is just a metal bar top.

[keesar]

We were on the Solstice the first season and then just recently. It is still in great shape. Nothing to worry about in my opinion. Enjoy!

[wv4891]

Just got off the Solstice the beginning of October. The ship is in great shape. But the Martini Bar top was still broken. Nothing wrong with the Martinis!:)

[boeckli]

Just got off the Solstice the beginning of October. The ship is in great shape. But the Martini Bar top was still broken. Nothing wrong with the Martinis!:)

 

I had read about the ice bar top being broken but there certainly was ice there on our recent (Oct 23) cruise - I meant to take a photo but didn't get around to it in the end ... will double check when we sail on Dec 10 and report back

[gw2fll]

Sailed Solstice in May for Alaska. Thought she was in beautiful shape. Did not see any issues - except for the Martini Bar, the bar top was not freezing. Not sure if it has been fixed, but that did not keep the crowds away. The bar was packed every night.

 

Sailed in 1610 (Aqua Class) - beautiful cabin. Furniture in great shape, carpets looked good, balcony furniture looked good (did not get to use it much - cold).

 

I don't think you will have any issues.

[msweebee]

Sascol, I think you will find the Solstice in very good condition - shiny new, not exactly but everything was clean and staff was great at end of June in AK. We took 17 kids and g'kids and had RS 1239 and 8 Concierge cabins all on Deck 10. Not a complaint from any of our family and they are a pretty spoiled bunch. All the cabin staff was attentive and there were several teams as I scattered the cabins between midship and forward elevators on both port and starboard. G'kids ranged from 10-27 and their parents from 42-52. I believe every venue in ship was utilized by our family except for Kids Club. I can not say enough about how much they enjoyed the ship. Dinner was late seating in MDR; waiters even handled the 3 tables having a changing set of faces each night and never missed a beat! Hubby and I have cruised X pretty much exclusively since 2005 but for family outing we have chosen RCCL previously but now I think I raised the bar... I think Solstice is still a good choice and you will enjoy the experience; I had never been on Solstice b4 but have been on all other S class and looking forward to sailing on Eclipse on Sat for 3rd time. If no ice on Martini Bar that is a small sacrifice if the Solstice has the itinerary that you are interested in sailing.

[ozark74]

The Ice Bar was broken when we boarded the Solstice in April in Sydney. Sounds like the is not much hope of it being repaired.

Have spent 7 weeks on the Solstice this year all in Aqua and loved it. The ship is in very good shape and the service was excellent.

[Aloha 1]

Just off Solstice this past Saturday. The ship is in EXCELLENT shape. Restaurants were top notch and I never noticed any excessive wear and tear. The Freeze mechanism that make the martini bar more special is indeed broken and since it would involve removing the bar frame to replace the unit, it won't happen until dry dock in 2015 as that is a major traffic area for the ship. However, as someone above noted, the martini bar was hopping every night and the staff were a delight...as were the martinis!

[Cruise Raider]

We have been very fortunate over the last few years to have Sailed on some VERY new Celebrity ships. The Eclipse, the Silhouette and the Reflection were all at (or under) a year old when we sailed. In between those, we sailed on the Summit AFTER it was Solsticized. While it was OK, it did not really live up to our expectations because many of the areas on the ship still seemed worn out/drab or still in needed refurb that was not done while the solsticizing was taking place. We noticed old/worn pool furniture, window film that was peeling and scratched walls as just a few examples. Obviously none of this ruins a vacation, but the ship did indeed lack the 'wow factor' that all of the new ships noted above have.

 

Next year, we have an opportunity to sail on the Solstice which will be just over 6 years old when we board. For those of you that have been on this ship recently, how is it holding up? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on things like wear and tear on the carpets and furnishings. Do things throughout still look shiny and new or are things starting to show their age like they are (in our opinion) on the Summit? At 6 years old it is by no means an 'old' ship but there are still things that probably still need attention I am sure. We spend a lot of time at the Martini Bar and I have read in multiple places that the ice surface there is not currently working and has not been working for quite some time. This would not spoil a cruise but it would be a bit of a letdown.

 

Any thoughts on your recent experiences would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

We sailed on the Equinox in March and WOW!! We then sailed on the Solstice and while we knew they were sister ships with the Solstice being older, we thought the Equinox was in much better condition. The wear and tear of the pool furniture was showing its age on the Solstice and yes, the martini bar freezing mechanism was not working two months ago. As you mentioned, nothing that really was going to ruin our cruise, it was just a teensie bit of a let down as those little things make everything so very special. However, maybe it was the difference in itineraries but the lawn on the Solstice was in much better condition than that on the Equinox.

If you are a frequent visitor to the casino, you might also notice they didn't seem to have the raffles and games set up on the Solstice, whereas they were abundant on the Equinox. Don't get me wrong, we had a blast on the Solstice and have actually booked her again for next year -- but more due to the itinerary....and she is in ok shape ... but yes, missing the nuances of the newer everything.

[nijh]

The Freeze mechanism that make the martini bar more special is indeed broken and since it would involve removing the bar frame to replace the unit, it won't happen until dry dock in 2015 as that is a major traffic area for the ship. However, as someone above noted, the martini bar was hopping every night and the staff were a delight...as were the martinis!

 

Celebrity have replied on a previous thread to say they are hoping to fix it in January -

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=40255308&postcount=34

 

:)

[Honeybearhollow]

We were on the Solstice in March 2011 and again two months ago. We were in AQ both times. The only thing I noticed is that the beds were not as comfortable. They were so comfortable earlier, but now they seem a little hard. I'm sure it was because they were pretty new the first time.

[The_Big_M]

I noticed niggly things e.g. the cabin peephole cover was broken - only noticed because it meant hallway light was streaming in directly to my eye in bed. Had to rig up a towel to cover the door so I could sleep! And their internet computers hadn't been updated since installed so you couldn't access Celebrity's own website...

 

Condition would be better than Summit, but equally not as impressive as the other ships when you were on.

[Sascol]

The bar top is no longer able to be frozen. Now it is just a metal bar top.

 

Just curious - can recent cruisers tell me if the iced bar top at the martini bar has been fixed?

[Martinjjd]

Just returned from New Zealand cruise on Solstice. Ice bar is now working fine. We cannot speak highly enough about the Solstice as the service was excellent & we could not fault anything. Loved it so much we have already book for the 8 night South Pacific on Solstice.

 

 

 

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[dlcruising]

Just curious - can recent cruisers tell me if the iced bar top at the martini bar has been fixed?

 

We were on the Solstice in Jan and they were working on the Martini Bar. It opened while we were on the ship.

[Karin&Isaac]

We just got off the Solstice on Apr 28, and it was very clean but looking tired. Some areas of carpet had seams fraying and deck furniture needs to be replaced, white lounge furniture in the Sky Lounge very stained. Lots of peeling and rusting on aft balconies. It needs a dry dock. That said, they were constantly cleaning and doing a good job of it.

[obxgirl]

We were on the Solstice for 35 days this year. We have been on all of the S class ships except the Equinox which we will sail on in January 2015. We found the Solstice to be in excellent shape and would not hesitate to sail on her again. Great crew.

[InTheWASide]

Just returned from New Zealand cruise on Solstice. Ice bar is now working fine. We cannot speak highly enough about the Solstice as the service was excellent & we could not fault anything. Loved it so much we have already book for the 8 night South Pacific on Solstice.

 

 

 

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I'm so happy to hear this. I get on 5/8

 

 

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