Solstice to Alaska: Should I switch

[sleepless]

I am thinking of switching my cruise to Alaska from the Explorer of the Seas (currently booked), to the Celebrity Solstice, in July of 2016. This will be my first cruise on Celebrity; past cruises have all been on Royal Caribbean.

 

Convince me why I should switch from the Explorer to the Solstice. (I am being swayed by the current beverage/tips/OBC package currently being offered).

[Teach2AZ]

Hi Sleepless! We took the Solstice to Alaska last July - our first cruise ever! We LOVED it. We booked Aqua class cabin and enjoyed all the perks that came with it. Loved Blue dining. Food was fantastic, service even better and the maitre'd was extremely helpful guiding us through booking our restaurant package. EVERYONE on board ship was friendly, courteous, well mannered. I can't say anything about the trip that we didn't like. Unfortunately for us, my husband came down with liver failure while we were in Vancouver. We feel that it may have been caused by wearing the seasick patches too long. That said, the stewards grabbed a wheelchair, rushed him to medical and the Drs. were great. His condition had absolutely nothing to do with the ship. It is immaculate and there are stewards with sanitizer wherever you go onboard and as you renter the ship from port. We loved our time so much that we are booked for the Mediterrenean in October on the Silhouette.

[Chicogirl]

I'm taking the Solstice in July 2016, and from all the recent reviews I know I'll love it. I booked during the 123go, but I have a royal suite and I get all three with the suite and extra. There are still a lot of rooms available.

[XtaSea]

We started cruising with Royal Caribbean in 1988 and for a long time that was our only cruise line. We eventually tried others (some no longer in business), but have stayed with Celebrity for several years now, mainly because it reminded us of why we loved cruising in the first place. We've cruised on both M and S class (we prefer the size of M, but both are great). We did go back to RCCL this past October for a Canada/New England cruise on the Brilliance of the Seas and to be honest, we felt it was lacking in comparison to Celebrity. The food in the MDR was just okay (the specialty restaurants were much better), the shows were disappointing, and the smoking in the casino left a pretty thick cloud throughout (and smoking doesn't really bother us). We also both felt that, overall, service on Celebrity was a bit better. I don't think we'll book again with Royal Caribbean; however, we've already booked two more on Celebrity. Don't know if this helps, but if you've never cruised Celebrity, I would suggest you give it a try.

[sleepless]

Thanks for the replies. They are helpful. DH and I will decide if we want to switch tonight.

 

We have always enjoyed Royal, but sometimes trying something new is nice.

We have been on the Explorer already; trying the Solstice will give us something new.

[elizabethbp]

I originally looked at explorer and celebrity for next year as have only cruised

Royal and many years ago Norwegian

I ended up booking with princess during its current sale as I got a great deal on a suite at a great price.

I still am watching the other lines for deals as well, but you may want to check princess out.

[pspercy]

Thanks for the replies. They are helpful. DH and I will decide if we want to switch tonight.

 

We have always enjoyed Royal, but sometimes trying something new is nice.

We have been on the Explorer already; trying the Solstice will give us something new.

 

 

I'd pick Solstice, I'm not sure a Voyager class ship is the best choice for something as scenic as Alaska - and I want to try one of the Solstice class:D

[Gig103]

Is it the same itinerary? Which one has the longer days in port? Which one is cheaper? Solstice is beautiful but for Alaska pick by the other factors since all will have naturalists and similar tours, few of which are inexpensive in Alaska.

[nekzaadvakil]

My cruising experience is limited to Royal's Voyager Class ships (Mariner and Adventure) and Celebrity's S Class ships and I can safely say, you won't be disappointed with Celebrity Solstice.

 

We absolutely love RCCL and are loyal to Royal, but the Celebrity S class ships are our new favorite. The sizes are nearly the same.

 

If the itinerary is the same, I'd pick the one with the better deal. I'd be happy to sail on either one of those ships. Slight edge to the Solstice, since it looks newer.

[Mr&MrsBee]

Sailing on the Solstice to Alaska was very disappointing. The ship is wonderful. AVery little time was spent cruising the inner passage. Much better sightseeing on the Millennium. The itinerary on very was not good and would not recommend it versus other inner passage cruises.

[Wickets]

We were on the May 1 cruise this year and were told we were the first to do the inside passage out of Vancouver in ship that size. Not sure if this has continue during the season or not. I have not seen anything on other trips. Brent Nixon is doing talks this year, not sure about next year.

 

We like the suites on celebrity for the extras, and wife loved the hot glass show.

[TickledBlue]

Been on several RCI cruises and 1 Celebrity cruise.

 

Last summer, we took a Mediterranean cruise on the Equinox after I originally booked the Adventure of the Seas.

 

I likened the experience as Buick vs. Chevy or Mercury vs. Ford. It's an upgraded experience. I guess I'd view Azamara as the Cadillac or Lincoln experience, but never taken that line.

 

Nothing wrong with the Chevy/Ford but it's nicer in the Buick/Mercury. You generally pay for the upgraded experience though.

 

If it's of any consequence, been on Brilliance of the Seas last April and have 2 Celebrity cruises planned for fall and next spring.

[Cruise a holic]

I am thinking of switching my cruise to Alaska from the Explorer of the Seas (currently booked), to the Celebrity Solstice, in July of 2016. This will be my first cruise on Celebrity; past cruises have all been on Royal Caribbean.

 

Convince me why I should switch from the Explorer to the Solstice. (I am being swayed by the current beverage/tips/OBC package currently being offered).

While both are nice ships, the Solstice is newer. We sailed on the Infinity and loved it about 12 years ago. The obc and drink package are great on Celebrity Upgrade to the premium drink package and you can enjoy a large selection of martini's from the Martini bar and other premium drinks from the drink package.

 

Enjoy your cruise

[ljk76]

We've been on the Explorer and the Solstice. Bothe were great cruises but we prefer the Solstice and Celebrity in general. But I agree with the poster who said consider your itinerary. Our one trip to Alaska was on Princess where a very low fare drove a last minute decision($399 inside) and that was fine too. Our regret was that we didn't do Denali or land touring. We do need to go back! It's majestic whatever you decide.

[Turtles06]

While the ship is important, I personally think that for Alaska, the itinerary is even more important. Also, in terms of an Alaska cruise, the best thing of all (if you can swing it) is to take one that is one way to or from Alaska, so that you can spend time on land in Alaska pre or post-cruise. What you see of Alaska on a round trip cruise out of Seattle or Vancouver is beautiful, to be sure, but it doesn't beat spending some time in the interior.

[sleepless]

While both are nice ships, the Solstice is newer. We sailed on the Infinity and loved it about 12 years ago. The obc and drink package are great on Celebrity Upgrade to the premium drink package and you can enjoy a large selection of martini's from the Martini bar and other premium drinks from the drink package.

 

Enjoy your cruise

 

 

I was looking at the BBB packages being offered. I can sail Celebrity, in a balcony cabin for $50.00 more, with the upgraded drink package and $150 OBC per person then what I can sail on the Explorer. (not to mention the included internet package that I won't use much.) Plus, one additional port stop and a new ship to explore.

 

I think the cost may be worth the change.

[caritsa]

I would choose Solstice for Alaska for the naturalist Brent Nixon. We just did the cruise in May. He was a highlight. We loved everything about the ship and cruise.

[TickledBlue]

I was looking at the BBB packages being offered. I can sail Celebrity, in a balcony cabin for $50.00 more, with the upgraded drink package and $150 OBC per person then what I can sail on the Explorer. (not to mention the included internet package that I won't use much.) Plus, one additional port stop and a new ship to explore.

 

I think the cost may be worth the change.

 

Presuming that is $50pp (or per cabin) more on the total price of the cruise, that would be a no-brainer to me to go with the Solstice. With the OBC and drinks, the Solstice will be a bit cheaper for a more upscale experience.

 

Solstice is not nearly as large as the Voyager-class EOS and won't have an ice rink, for example, but you'll still have plenty to see and do.

[sleepless]

Presuming that is $50pp (or per cabin) more on the total price of the cruise, that would be a no-brainer to me to go with the Solstice. With the OBC and drinks, the Solstice will be a bit cheaper for a more upscale experience.

 

Solstice is not nearly as large as the Voyager-class EOS and won't have an ice rink, for example, but you'll still have plenty to see and do.

 

 

I recognize that each ship offers something different. That is the fun of cruising. As far as the ice rink on Explorer goes, I don't ice skate, and DH is not allowed (accident prone :eek:), so the ice rink has no interest for me. The ice skating show is okay, but I can live quite nicely without it.

 

I am kind of excited to try something different, and a smaller ship to Alaska will be nice.

[snyniew]

I will start with that fact that I've never sailed Royal so this is all from a co-worker. He has always sailed Royal and enjoyed it but decided to change this summer and sail on the Solstice as the Royal ship was the same he sailed on on March.

 

He was very happy with his experience on Celebrity and had some slight differences that made him say they may have found a new line to cruise with. He is a taller guy and said on all the Royal ships he's had to duck to shower. He was surprised to find that on Celebrity he didn't have to duck in order to shower. He also said the service was slightly above what he's experience on Royal. And for him the most important was he thought the food was just a bit better as well. All in all he really loved the Celebrity experience and thought it was more of luxury cruise (I know marketing playing a role) than what he's experienced before.