Solstice Mexican Riviera March 4th-11th...Finally...let the saga...ahem, I mean live review begin!

[Northern Aurora]

We are traveling toward our an embarkation port, so despite reading in airline lounges, was following as close as I could.  So glad you made that ship.

[Georgia_Peaches]

Good morning from the beautiful Celebrity Solstice!

 

With our first sea day well under way, it's time to bring everyone up to speed...

 

Like a scene from the movie The Hangover...I must say DH and I got nothing short of plastered after yesterday's precarious embarkation!  When I say we made up for lost time, it's because I may have literally lost some time 😁. Following is what I think went down:

 

I don't really think I drank that much...but here's the order so let's see...  a glass of bubbles from Michaels, mai thai from Sunset bar, espresso martini from the martini bar, bourbon and peaches from the bar down stairs, champagne in our stateroom, bottle of wine with dinner...Slept like a rock and woke up with a marching band playing in my head.  This I fixed with a bottle of vitamin water I didn't think I would need.  Needless to say, we're taking it a little slower today...

 

Solstice is in great shape! Others have reported that her décor is dated and I have to agree but she is sparkly clean and well cared for.   Her spaces are just as comfortable as I remember S class ships to be and I have no complaints.  Our stateroom is also nicely equipped (A/C works great) with all of my pre-boarding requests right down to the fan that I wasn't certain I would receive.  Glenn, our Butler has been nothing short of wonderful!

 

I think last night's dinner in Murano was delicious!  We ordered the chateaubriand for two along with the lobster tail.  I had the scallop as an appetizer but, sadly, I don't remember eating it 🤦‍♀️.  We skipped dessert in favor of gelato and I'm fairly certain it was great as well!  (In my defense, my last meal was Thursday!)  

 

I set a goal of winning a hand pay in the casino on this cruise and so after dinner I got immediately to work.  I'm not sure how long we stayed or even which machines I played, but this morning a voucher for $300 was on our coffee table.  DH says it's his ticket but I can't be certain.

 

There are two things that I will say that I can remember with a lucid amount of clarity:  the first is that if the comedian in the theater is any indication of what's in store for entertainment this week, we are in BIG trouble.  Just saying.  

 

The other thing is that I didn't know  a visit to Persian Gardens is not included with a spa treatment such as a massage.  I'm not sure why I assumed that one could visit PG if you have a massage, but I was given an emphatic no, such is not the case.  And to the PG end, I don't think we will be purchasing a pass for the week.  We receive a free visit on a port day with our Elite status and I think that's enough for me.

 

Tonight is chic night and we are dining in Tuscan Grill.  On our stroll to visit the posted menu outside the restaurant, DH mention that we passed the lady we danced with last night.  I looked at him and said, "we danced?"

 

More to follow...

[DaKahuna]

@Georgia_Peaches Don't you just hate it when you have a great time but don't remember it. 

I have to admit, it's happened to me more than a couple of times.  

 

Just keep having fun but tell your DH to keep good notes and take lots of pictures so he can show and tell you all about it later. 

 

[hcat]

So happy you made it to the ship..I would have folded early on!

 

We use limo service at LAX..hope they  can still come in to the luggage area with their litttle cards to greet their pax.???

 

Glad Cruisecritic friends could help you.. They usually come through...

 Hope you de-stress, win big and have a great cruise!

[LaCal]

42 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Good morning from the beautiful Celebrity Solstice!

 

With our first sea day well under way, it's time to bring everyone up to speed...

 

Like a scene from the movie The Hangover...I must say DH and I got nothing short of plastered after yesterday's precarious embarkation!  When I say we made up for lost time, it's because I may have literally lost some time 😁. Following is what I think went down:

 

I don't really think I drank that much...but here's the order so let's see...  a glass of bubbles from Michaels, mai thai from Sunset bar, espresso martini from the martini bar, bourbon and peaches from the bar down stairs, champagne in our stateroom, bottle of wine with dinner...Slept like a rock and woke up with a marching band playing in my head.  This I fixed with a bottle of vitamin water I didn't think I would need.  Needless to say, we're taking it a little slower today...

 

Solstice is in great shape! Others have reported that her décor is dated and I have to agree but she is sparkly clean and well cared for.   Her spaces are just as comfortable as I remember S class ships to be and I have no complaints.  Our stateroom is also nicely equipped (A/C works great) with all of my pre-boarding requests right down to the fan that I wasn't certain I would receive.  Glenn, our Butler has been nothing short of wonderful!

 

I think last night's dinner in Murano was delicious!  We ordered the chateaubriand for two along with the lobster tail.  I had the scallop as an appetizer but, sadly, I don't remember eating it 🤦‍♀️.  We skipped dessert in favor of gelato and I'm fairly certain it was great as well!  (In my defense, my last meal was Thursday!)  

 

I set a goal of winning a hand pay in the casino on this cruise and so after dinner I got immediately to work.  I'm not sure how long we stayed or even which machines I played, but this morning a voucher for $300 was on our coffee table.  DH says it's his ticket but I can't be certain.

 

There are two things that I will say that I can remember with a lucid amount of clarity:  the first is that if the comedian in the theater is any indication of what's in store for entertainment this week, we are in BIG trouble.  Just saying.  

 

The other thing is that I didn't know  a visit to Persian Gardens is not included with a spa treatment such as a massage.  I'm not sure why I assumed that one could visit PG if you have a massage, but I was given an emphatic no, such is not the case.  And to the PG end, I don't think we will be purchasing a pass for the week.  We receive a free visit on a port day with our Elite status and I think that's enough for me.

 

Tonight is chic night and we are dining in Tuscan Grill.  On our stroll to visit the posted menu outside the restaurant, DH mention that we passed the lady we danced with last night.  I looked at him and said, "we danced?"

 

More to follow...

Good Luck in the casino today 🍀🍀💰💰🍀🍀😜🍹🍹

 

I read the Solstice got some new slot machines recently….Did you find this to be true? 

 

Looking forward to following the rest of your review…..We board the Solstice 4/1 🍹🍹😜

[MarEll1]

GeorgiaPeaches I almost walked out of the comedian’s show last Sunday. He was the worst of the entertainment aboard, but I have to say I wasn’t too impressed with any of it, nor with the entertainment in the lounges unfortunately.

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Have a great time!

[Northern Aurora]

I suspect a number of us are curious — how much time did you have to spare?  What time did you  set foot on that ship and when did you depart?
 

We flew from Fairbanks to Anchorage, and then onto Honolulu yesterday to stop for 48 hours before proceeding to Sydney.  While our first flight left 20 minutes early the second flight was about an hour late.  While waiting to board that flight folks at the gate next to us were  experiencing a three hour delay as they were waiting for a crew member.  Airline scheduling is becoming so tight it almost most makes you wonder if even flying in the day before embarkation is sufficient.  
 

In any event — have a great vacation.
 

[Georgia_Peaches]

3 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

I suspect a number of us are curious — how much time did you have to spare?  What time did you  set foot on that ship and when did you depart?
 

We flew from Fairbanks to Anchorage, and then onto Honolulu yesterday to stop for 48 hours before proceeding to Sydney.  While our first flight left 20 minutes early the second flight was about an hour late.  While waiting to board that flight folks at the gate next to us were  experiencing a three hour delay as they were waiting for a crew member.  Airline scheduling is becoming so tight it almost most makes you wonder if even flying in the day before embarkation is sufficient.  
 

In any event — have a great vacation.
 

A day ahead is a thing of the past, I’m afraid. 
We arrived at the port at 2pm. Our Uber driver put pedal to the medal and the traffic was very cooperative. In fact, for everything that went wrong on Friday, it was the complete opposite yesterday. The boat was away from the dock by 4:15. Much too tight for my comfort but we weren’t the last ones to board. I saw a handful more come after us. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

55 minutes ago, LaCal said:

Good Luck in the casino today 🍀🍀💰💰🍀🍀😜🍹🍹

 

I read the Solstice got some new slot machines recently….Did you find this to be true? 

 

Looking forward to following the rest of your review…..We board the Solstice 4/1 🍹🍹😜

There is a pretty good mix of vintage machines and the typical new ones. There are also several machines with multiple games from which to choose. There’s a good vibe as well. I see people getting into bonus rounds and even say o w lucky lady get a hand pay!

[abbydancer2003]

Just now, Georgia_Peaches said:

A day ahead is a thing of the past, I’m afraid. 
We arrived at the port at 2pm. Our Uber driver put pedal to the medal and the traffic was very cooperative. In fact, for everything that went wrong on Friday, it was the complete opposite yesterday. The boat was away from the dock by 4:15. Much too tight for my comfort but we weren’t the last ones to board. I saw a handful more come after us. 

In 2018, my sister and I were flying in a day early for a Caribbean cruise on the Equinox from New York.  Our flight got cancelled on the way to the airport.  The best Jet Blue could do for us was a flight to Boston that night, and a 7am flight to Ft. Lauderdale, arriving at 10 am.  Because we didn't know if we'd get to Boston (all NY flights were dicey that day), I found tickets on United for 7:30 pm (it was about 1:30) out of Newark.  We booked them and then took an Uber from JFK to Newark.  The Uber took about 3 hours (I hope my sister tipped well).

 

The flight almost didn't go, but it did very late, and we got to Miami at 1:30 am.  Now we go two days early, except for cruising out of LA, because there, if there's a flight issue, we can drive in 6 hours.

 

So glad you made it - I'm seeing lots of posts on Facebook on both Princess and Celebrity for people who didn't.

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, abbydancer said:

So glad you made it - I'm seeing lots of posts on Facebook on both Princess and Celebrity for people who didn't.

Oh no!  I really hate that for them. I know how disappointed I would have been not to have made the boat. And speaking of that, our experience really drove home for us how important insurance is when it comes to vacations that go on with or without you. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

After walking off our morning fog, DH and I decided to make ourselves presentable and go for lunch in Luminae. The menu offered lots of nice selections and it was hard for me to choose. Both DH and started with the parsnip soup (something I’d never make at home). DH is a fussy eater often ruling something out based on the name alone. I was surprised he ate the soup because he doesn’t like the word parsnip. I thought it was good but didn’t care so much for the added raisins. I followed the soup with an arugula and feta salad and grilled salmon. The salad was great but the salmon was more done than I like. DH had the Luminae burger and he said he enjoyed it. 
 

I will say that I had food envy as our neighbors to the right had the petit filet and crab cake while the neighbor to the left had the petit filet with a rice noodle bowl. Both looked and smelled delicious. 
 

After lunch we returned to the casino for an afternoon spin. Breaking the voucher from the night before, DH and I each took a 20 and had ourselves a contest to see who could win the most.  Guess who won?

 

 

[kwokpot]

6 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

The salad was great but the salmon was more done than I like.

You can always request it to be done medium rare.

[Chase101]

Georgia _Peaches, was the comedian Cole Parker? A British guy? If it was, he was on my January 28 Solstice cruise & was awful! My DF & I were sitting way at the back & had to get up & leave. We didn’t find anything funny in the first 10 minutes. All he did was jump around the stage. I couldn’t find one person the whole cruise who thought he was any good. Lots of people were bummed they were closer to the stage & figured they’d suck it up & hope he got better! But he didn’t. We are cruising Solstice again April 15 & hope he isn’t still onboard!

Barbara

Edited March 6, 2023 by Chase101

[duffer16]

So glad you made it, at our ages we can not imagine what you went through.  We got off the Solstice on 4 March.  We did the cruise in celebration of my 80th B-day and were in an RS and also had Glenn as our butler and he was superb.  By chance are you in the same #1624 RS that we were.  We did dinner once in Tuscan and Murano and lunch once in Sushi on 5.  We found the Luminae food better for our tastes.  We liked the pasta dishes better and the filet was superior to the Murano chateau for two.  Nitin was our superb Luminae waiter and we had the wine steward select our wine each night—fantastic.  Be sure to talk to the Luiminae  maitre d’ about basketball as he played professionally and as you can see is 6 feet 7 inches tall.   Do not pass up the Luminae tomato soup on I believe the third or fourth night as all who tried it were raving about it the rest of the cruise.

We did our nightly martinis in Michaels, a more sedate atmosphere for us.

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, Chase101 said:

Georgia _Peaches, was the comedian Cole Parker? A British guy? If it was, he was on my January 28 Solstice cruise & was awful! My DF & I were sitting way at the back & had to get up & leave. We didn’t find anything funny in the first 10 minutes. All he did was jump around the stage. I couldn’t find one person the whole cruise who thought he was any good. Lots of people were bummed they were closer to the stage & figured they’d suck it up & hope he got better! But he didn’t. We are cruising Solstice again April 15 & hope he isn’t still onboard!

Barbara

The “comedian” was a woman. We gave her 10 minutes and then slipped out the back. Love the high top bar seating in the last row for that very reason. Judging from the quiet theater, I’m guessing we weren’t the only ones who didn’t get her humor. I’d steer clear of her as well if she is on board during your cruise. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

56 minutes ago, duffer16 said:

So glad you made it, at our ages we can not imagine what you went through.  We got off the Solstice on 4 March.  We did the cruise in celebration of my 80th B-day and were in an RS and also had Glenn as our butler and he was superb.  By chance are you in the same #1624 RS that we were.  We did dinner once in Tuscan and Murano and lunch once in Sushi on 5.  We found the Luminae food better for our tastes.  We liked the pasta dishes better and the filet was superior to the Murano chateau for two.  Nitin was our superb Luminae waiter and we had the wine steward select our wine each night—fantastic.  Be sure to talk to the Luiminae  maitre d’ about basketball as he played professionally and as you can see is 6 feet 7 inches tall.   Do not pass up the Luminae tomato soup on I believe the third or fourth night as all who tried it were raving about it the rest of the cruise.

We did our nightly martinis in Michaels, a more sedate atmosphere for us.

Congratulations on your 80th!  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. Agree with your assessment of Glenn…superb. We are in room 1116. 
 

Appreciate the tomato soup tip. I will be on the lookout. 😊

[Georgia_Peaches]

From day to night…not necessarily in that order. 

 

Edited March 6, 2023 by Georgia_Peaches

[hcat]

Looking good!

Hope the stress is now behind you.!

 

One yr  we were booked to arrive in FL a few days ahead  for a winter  cruise   flying from  NY...Due to ice storm delays, we had to fly in the day of..very nerve

Wracking but we also made it in time,, Other yrs we had to go way ahead ....

All these changes were costly and lucky to find accomodations, . Another time we cruisedbto Carib  from Bayonne, NJ,  and returned to cars all snowed in.,they lent us shovels to dig out!    Now we never cruise in winter if are flying in from the north...As snowbirds,  we drive over to Pt Ev a day ahead, but snow is no longer an issue.

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Love the high top bar seating in the last row for that very reason. 

Those are our favorite seats. 

[Chase101]

Georgia _Peaches,

Love the high top bar seating in the last row for that very reason.

My DF & I love those seats too! They are our go to seats for shows!

Barbara

[Georgia_Peaches]

Happy to report that I have full recollection of yesterday’s sea day!  
 

I’ll recap the afternoon and evening by first pointing out once again how wonderful and hard working the crew are on board Solstice….with a special shout-out to our Retreat concierge, Mar. Her grace and professionalism are assets to the Celebrity brand…they are lucky to have her!

 

After a leisurely afternoon, DH and I returned to our room to get ready for Chic night. With a few hours to spare before the 7 pm show, I set to filling our tub on the balcony. Nothing says relaxation like a hot soak, a glass of wine and a sunset. I could romanticize this further by saying we were enchanted by the sight of dolphins leaping out of the water as we sipped, wind gently cascading across blue white caps, the crashing waves making music…but that’s nooot quite how it went. The reality is our tub took nearly 40 minutes to fill and there was a slow leak making it necessarily for a periodic refill to keep the waterline above the jets. Additionally, if anyone were to say that there’s a shortage of hot water on this ship, they’d clearly not been to our balcony. The water temperature was so hard to control that I’m certain DH and I were as red as the lobster salad we ate for dinner by the time we finished. But we loved it just the same. 
 

The main theater show was entitled Broken Strings. We enjoyed the song and dance but if there was a storyline, I’m not sure I could describe it. No matter, we were entertained. 
 

After the show we made our way to Tuscan for our 8 pm reservation. I already knew what I was going to order and was looking forward to the meal all day. At 5 minutes to 8 we positioned ourselves in front of an empty host stand at Tuscan. Now, I’m going to tread lightly here because I learned that CC members are not the only ones reading this thread. When the host approached the stand and asked how he could help, I informed him that we were there for out 8 pm reservation. The gentleman informed me that a private function was occurring and that we didn’t have a reservation until later in the week. I told him our reservations were made in advance by shoreside concierge and my point was not to insist that he seat us but that we should have been notified so that we could make other arrangements. This happened to us one other time on Silhouette and in that case we were immediately escorted to Murano and seated. In this circumstance we were just turned away with no offer of a solution. Here’s where Mar comes in. After explaining the situation, she apologized profusely about the mix up and immediately went to Murano to see if they could accommodate us. Aaannd… they could not. DH and I agreed that it was a missed opportunity on the part of management. 
 

The silver lining is that we went to Luminae and met two lovely ladies who had been following this thread. It seems that we are all booked for the same whale watching tour suggested by @Jim_Iain so we’ll be walking over together for the excursion. 
I will put a lid on the first sea day by saying that Despite a full ship, I didn’t one time feel service was compromised by the ratio of staff to passengers. They are taking great care of us. 
 

[Norwaylady]

Very happy to hear that you are relaxing and enjoying your cruise. Really hope you get a excellent dinner in Tuscan later in the week🥰

Mr Norwaylady can't hear of this tub in the balcony..... then we will be stuck in a suite the entire sailing😂 No need to go ashore or see a show.....

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 minute ago, Norwaylady said:

Very happy to hear that you are relaxing and enjoying your cruise. Really hope you get a excellent dinner in Tuscan later in the week🥰

Mr Norwaylady can't hear of this tub in the balcony..... then we will be stuck in a suite the entire sailing😂 No need to go ashore or see a show.....

It seems that Mr. Georgia Peaches and Mr. Norwaylady would get along well as they certainly think alike 😊.