State of the Solstice

[Smmessineo]

4 hours ago, Lisah101 said:

There is a huge gap in the schedule for the Solstice.  It looks like May 26th is the last cruise, then nothing scheduled until Sept 15 so it looks like maybe it's finally going in for refurbishment and your cruise might be the last if not close the last before that.  

The Celebrity website is showing it sailing all those dates. It's RT out of Seattle to Alaska.  I would be surprised if they don't do some refurbishment before the President's cruise, but  >shrug< I dunno how.

[Georgia_Peaches]

8 minutes ago, Smmessineo said:

President's cruise,

What is this?

[tweetylori]

We just had a wonderful week on the Solstice on the Sept 2 Alaska sailing.  We have never had better service by a more positive team on any cruise we've been on.  Entertainment performers were all very talented.  

As for the wear on the ship, the only places we noticed it were in the two theaters.  Both had seats that you wouldn't want to sit it (broken, or just super worn).  But it was no big deal.  Just move to a different seat.

[cruzzzinma]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Curious if they have the morning continental available and if they serve it or whether they setup a self service like on the Revolutionized ships.    

I know they have something called “Morning Bites.” We aren’t in Michael’s at that of day. If it is like evening bites, you order off a short menu and they bring it to you.  I will ask to see a morning menu tonight.

[Northern Aurora]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I'm getting more excited by the minute.     Finally started to look for excursions etc.  

 

Curious if they have the morning continental available and if they serve it or whether they setup a self service like on the Revolutionized ships.    

 

Jim:  Are you referring to the breakfast options in Michael’s club?  If so the morning attendant has a small menu, you order and it is brought to you.  It is not self-service.

 

I checked two nights ago and both the MC bartender and the assistant bartender are scheduled to go on leave in November.  Both were also in MC in June when we spent two weeks onboard, and both are excellent.  I’ve seen folks go to the bar to watch the bartender mix their drinks as they state his version is one of the best they have ever had and want to see the brands of alcohol he is using.  

 

The current  hotel Director is Deborah Poortier.  She wasn’t on in June, and this is the first time I have met her.  While I realize that many folks are interested in who the cruise director is I am more interested in the hotel director.  My perception is that Deborah is running an excellent hotel operation.

 

Gerry

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, Lisah101 said:

There is a huge gap in the schedule for the Solstice.  It looks like May 26th is the last cruise, then nothing scheduled until Sept 15 so it looks like maybe it's finally going in for refurbishment and your cruise might be the last if not close the last before that.  

Uncertain if you were searching on the Broken Celebrity Site - really been flaky this week but when I searched on another site  It is showing Solstice is beginning  the Alaska Season beginning June 2 -and has weekly sailing scheduled after that through the full summer season.

 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

Jim:  Are you referring to the breakfast options in Michael’s club?  If so the morning attendant has a small menu, you order and it is brought to you.  It is not self-service.

 

I checked two nights ago and both the MC bartender and the assistant bartender are scheduled to go on leave in November.  Both were also in MC in June when we spent two weeks onboard, and both are excellent.  I’ve seen folks go to the bar to watch the bartender mix their drinks as they state his version is one of the best they have ever had and want to see the brands of alcohol he is using.  

 

The current  hotel Director is Deborah Poortier.  She wasn’t on in June, and this is the first time I have met her.  While I realize that many folks are interested in who the cruise director is I am more interested in the hotel director.  My perception is that Deborah is running an excellent hotel operation.

 

Gerry

 

Thanks --- We kinda got used to the buffet on all of the Retreats as Iain never gets up until after 9:00 and they are open until 10:00.    All of them had Almond, Plain, Chocolate and Nutella Croissant.  Muffins, Breakfast meats and cheeses, Yogurt (Greek and Regular), Berries, Nuts and Fruit platter.

 

We usually don't eat in our room when in a Sky Suite because the "Kelley" design removed the cocktail tables.   Good news today between Celebrity being up and down I was able to snag a CS for our upcoming second leg.    

 

We also in the past have enjoyed the Captain's Club Continental which also usually stays open until 10:00

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

 

The current  hotel Director is Deborah Poortier.  She wasn’t on in June, and this is the first time I have met her.  While I realize that many folks are interested in who the cruise director is I am more interested in the hotel director.  My perception is that Deborah is running an excellent hotel operation.

 

Gerry

 

I agree we general find the Hotel Director is really important.   I would think the Deborah may still be on in December by the timing you mention.    I think my favorite HD is Nina.    

 

Did they do a Zenith lunch on your cruises?   Summit hosted on on each of our 3 cruises but the last one was a more intimate lunch with just 7 Zeniths. 

[Lisah101]

24 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Uncertain if you were searching on the Broken Celebrity Site - really been flaky this week but when I searched on another site  It is showing Solstice is beginning  the Alaska Season beginning June 2 -and has weekly sailing scheduled after that through the full summer season.

 

Yeah, I was searching on the Celebrity site.  I was thinking 4 months was a really long ti e

[Jim_Iain]

12 minutes ago, Lisah101 said:

Yeah, I was searching on the Celebrity site.  I was thinking 4 months was a really long ti e

I was thinking the same.   If I recall the other ships Revolution I believe it was only about 3-4 weeks which is a lot of work to do in that short period. 

 

I've been having trouble on Celebrity with searches all week.   First I find a cruise and search again 10 minutes later as says the full ship is sold out.

[Northern Aurora]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I agree we general find the Hotel Director is really important.   I would think the Deborah may still be on in December by the timing you mention.    I think my favorite HD is Nina.    

 

Did they do a Zenith lunch on your cruises?   Summit hosted on on each of our 3 cruises but the last one was a more intimate lunch with just 7 Zeniths. 

 

Initially staff thought that we would have 20 Zeniths, but only 18 boarded.  Several of us will continue on for the first Mexico itinerary.  Actually no Zenith lunch but a lovely evening cocktail party at Cellar Masters.  It was very enjoyable.

[cinderellen]

On 9/21/2022 at 11:46 AM, Jim_Iain said:

 

Good luck on your transition to Retirement.   All l can say is -   It's better than I ever imagined.   Prior to retirement, due to work Financial Calendars there were only about 3 weeks out of the entire year that our schedules synced and we could get away.    Now it's fun to just say I found something - wanna do it?

 

I think we like the S-Class ship (with exception of Reflection) the best.    While we enjoy the M-Class the specialty restaurants selection is really limited.  

 

We have only sailed Edge but will be doing Apex in April so will have to re-evaluate the e-class. 

Jim, 

I’m curious about your mention of the Reflection. Can you elaborate?

Ellen

[Jim_Iain]

15 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

Initially staff thought that we would have 20 Zeniths, but only 18 boarded.  Several of us will continue on for the first Mexico itinerary.  Actually no Zenith lunch but a lovely evening cocktail party at Cellar Masters.  It was very enjoyable.

That's nice.   An evening reception might be a nice change.

[cruzzzinma]

@Jim_IainMichaels morning bites

[Jim_Iain]

15 hours ago, cinderellen said:

Jim, 

I’m curious about your mention of the Reflection. Can you elaborate?

Ellen

Reflection has an additional floor than all the other S-Class ships but no additional seating for Luminae, Blu and MDR.    Causes waiting time even in Luminae when dining late.   The ship also definetly feels more crowded with an addition passengers

 

Maximum Capacity Reflection    3,480

Maximum Capacity Equinox        3, 148

Maximum Capacity Silhouette     3,182   (post revolution

Maximum Capacity Solstice         3,148

[Jim_Iain]

13 minutes ago, cruzzzinma said:

@Jim_IainMichaels morning bites

 

 

Thanks for the Menu -   Looks basically like everything that they have on the Buffet table

Edited September 24, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Thanks for the Menu -   Looks basically like everything that they have on the Buffet table

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 24, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[sbcs5390]

I think today's the first LA departure for the Solstice. I'll be really eager to hear how check-in is going and especially when check in-starts so I know when is too early to arrive for Retreat. It'll be our first time 10/15 and I know there's not a lot of history on Celebrity departures from LA. 

 

Looks like the port webcam is down, unfortunately. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

5 minutes ago, sbcs5390 said:

our first time 10/15 and I know there's not a lot of history on Celebrity departures from LA.

We are doing this sailing in March.  I hope you will report out on your experience.  I am so looking forward to the Mexican Riviera!  I'm not familiar with Celebrity's history with LA departures.  Do you mind expounding on that?

[Jim_Iain]

19 minutes ago, sbcs5390 said:

I think today's the first LA departure for the Solstice. I'll be really eager to hear how check-in is going and especially when check in-starts so I know when is too early to arrive for Retreat. It'll be our first time 10/15 and I know there's not a lot of history on Celebrity departures from LA. 

 

Looks like the port webcam is down, unfortunately. 

I think you are correct I just looked on Cruisemapper an shower her at the Port in LA

 

[Jim_Iain]

I've never sailed out of Port of LA either so looked at a couple YouTube Videos.  While not Celebrity I suspect it will be as chaotic.   Looks like there is no priority or checking of times to get into the terminal and the security lines but from what I could see they then have different area for different priorities and Suites.

 

I suspect that 11-11:30 will be very chaotic and then may calm down.

 

We are on a B2B so will be able to give a last minute update after we board for the 12/3 cruise.

 

 

 

And here's another

 

 

Edited September 24, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[sbcs5390]

51 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We are doing this sailing in March.  I hope you will report out on your experience.  I am so looking forward to the Mexican Riviera!  I'm not familiar with Celebrity's history with LA departures.  Do you mind expounding on that?

What I mean is that it's easy to ask "when should I arrive in Fort Lauderdale if I'm leaving form Terminal 25" or similar because there's constantly cruises going from there. Conversely, I don't think there's been a post-pandemic regular season in/out of LA for Celebrity. When we went through the canal on Millennium last spring, we disembarked in San Diego. I will definitely report back here - we are B2B 10/15 and 10/22. 

[lovecruzin]

Disembarkation this morning at Berth 93 was quite easy. We left the ship at 8:15  (groups 1,2 3) had our bags and were curbside by 8:30, the only line seemed to be for taxis. Made it to LAX by shortly after 9am. Highly recommend Midwil shuttle if you need transportation.

[sbcs5390]

21 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I've never sailed out of Port of LA either so looked at a couple YouTube Videos.  While not Celebrity I suspect it will be as chaotic.   Looks like there is no priority or checking of times to get into the terminal and the security lines but from what I could see they then have different area for different priorities and Suites.

 

I suspect that 11-11:30 will be very chaotic and then may calm down.

 

We are on a B2B so will be able to give a last minute update after we board for the 12/3 cruise.

Too funny - a couple weekends ago, my Mom and I put these same two videos up on the TV at my place and watched them as well to try and figure out what to anticipate. I keep telling myself that these are bigger, much more full ships. The poor sales on the Solstice itineraries will only help us. My mom's mobility challenged so we were trying to strategize on what we do as far as wheelchair, rollator, etc. We were hoping to get there ahead of the wave but maybe that's not such a good idea. 

[Jim_Iain]

4 minutes ago, sbcs5390 said:

What I mean is that it's easy to ask "when should I arrive in Fort Lauderdale if I'm leaving form Terminal 25" or similar because there's constantly cruises going from there. Conversely, I don't think there's been a post-pandemic regular season in/out of LA for Celebrity. When we went through the canal on Millennium last spring, we disembarked in San Diego. I will definitely report back here - we are B2B 10/15 and 10/22. 

You asked in the Solstice thread which is the reason for my answer.

FLL -

Terminal 25 Suites can arrive any time after around 11:00 -   There is a separate door to enter with no lines and they zip you through security and up to a private lounge where you sit down and they check you in.  As soon as the ship is released you are invited aboard or escorted if in an upper suite.

 

Even if you were to leave from the other terminal in FLL they have it setup so Suite Guests have no delay.