Solstice LIVE (3/18) Suite Review w/ Kid: Mexican Riviera w/ Mini Me

[cruzzzinma]

The retreat concierges have envelopes as well.

[MarEll1]

Charla, we ate in Tuscan on Solstice 3 weeks ago. Husband had beef carpaccio - it was excellent. I had calamari - it was ok but too fried tasting. We both liked our salads - he had Caesar, I had the beet salad. We both had filets - they were delicious, and husband insisted we split the lasagna. I thought we can get lasagna anywhere, but it was really good! Waiter recommended the polenta fries. I love polenta but we weren’t impressed - they tasted like mozzarella sticks without the mozzarella. I don’t remember the desserts but they were great as well. We were stuffed! Also the sommelier paired wines with each course for us which was nice, including port with dessert. And we had an assistant waiter named Audrey I think. She was delightful!

[zitsky]

I think perhaps this is a frog, but it reminds me of Henrietta Hippo from the New Zoo Revue show in the 70s.

 

 

 

 

[Azulann]

Mini Me is having a school Spring break  to remember forever! She is a lovely young girl who has the most winning smile.  I wish I had daughters, only sons.  And my granddaughter  does not want to cruise and she is 20. My other Granddaughter is 11 so there is still hope. 

thank yo so much to this wonderful live report. 

[MarKay525]

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

 

 

 

 

She looks like a Princess! 

Beautiful gowns.

 

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

@GenerationX  If you do not mind, would you advise the disembarkation process for Suite guest?  We will be getting off our next cruise in Los Angeles/San Pedro and headed to Long Beach airport.  This will be the first time since September 2008 that we will be getting off a ship there. 

 

I tried zooming  in on the letter in the above picture but could not make all of the words.  

 

Thank you,

 

John

 

John -   I was able to pull up the disembarkation letter.   They don't include any information for Suite Guest.   From my past cruises on Solstice -  You go to Retreat and once they complete walk off's the concierge will escort those wanting to disembark.     They have Camera Immigration which takes seconds and Suite Luggage will be available and waiting.

[h20cruzer]

4 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Good morning from the solarium.  Well kids, we’re not in Cabo anymore.  The temperature on the pool deck is about 59 degrees and windy.  The pool attendants seem to be expecting a busy day in here because chair saving prevention is in full effect.

 

There are also pool servers providing drink service which is nice.  I remember on our Alaska cruise having to jump out of my nice warm solarium hot tub and brace myself against the glacier breezes to go stand out at the pool bar to get a drink.

 

Picking up where we left off yesterday, after a great lunch at Sushi on 5 (as you can see, Mini Me is over me taking photos of all her food 😂), Gen Z and I went back to the cabin for some family puzzle time then napped until it was time to dress for chic night dinner.  Gen Z had her usual shrimp cocktail and salmon from the MDR. I went with the Luminae menu and had the kale soup, then both the lobster and scallop entrees.  For dessert we split the baked Alaska.  The portion sizes on the soup and dessert were like double what they were in Luminae on Apex but the lobster and scallops were much smaller.  I couldn’t help but think of those massive delicious scallops I was given on the side of my veal my first night on MSC Divina (sorry, Jeremy had told me I really need to stop with the MSC comparisons).  Anyway, despite the smaller sizes, both were cooked well.

 

After dinner Gen Z was conflicted between the magician show and going to a pajama party at kids club with her friends.  She decided to go PJ party and see the matinee magician show after lunch today.

 

Gen Z’s cruise bestie’s parents and I decided to let the girls stay at kids club late while we got some martinis together.  Complimentary kids club hours end at 10pm but if you let the staff know in the morning, they offer extended hours till as late as 1am for an extra charge of $6 an hour.  Total charge for an hour and a half of extra martini time: $9.  I charged more than that when I was babysitting as a teenager.

 

When we got back to our room, the bad news was on our bed.  Gen Z took it even harder than Jeremy did on Apex.  Sharing the disembark and future cruise offer info for anyone interested:

 

As I suspected, Gen Z decided that she wants to do Tuscan Grille again for dinner tonight.  Folks who were on Solstice recently and dined there, please feel free to share recommendations!  Since my go to’s were a bit of a dud last time I think I’ll use tonight to try some new things.

 

Agenda for the rest of the day:

 

-A little more indoor pool and mimosa time (perhaps while making some dining reservations for my Beyond cruise next month, don’t judge me)

 

-Shower, dress and hit the atm and guest services for thank you envelope supplies

 

-Lunch in Luminae

 

-Mommy and Me Hot Glass Class

 

-Matinee Magician Show

 

-Packing and Sulking before one last dinner and show at sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter what age you are, I think we all pout when we see the it’s time to get off the ship paperwork. The only time I don’t pout is if I’m on a BKB. 

 

 

[DaKahuna]

48 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

John -   I was able to pull up the disembarkation letter.   They don't include any information for Suite Guest.   From my past cruises on Solstice -  You go to Retreat and once they complete walk off's the concierge will escort those wanting to disembark.     They have Camera Immigration which takes seconds and Suite Luggage will be available and waiting.

 Thanks Jim.  That is what I thought I recalled from your live review. 
 We have a 1325 flight out of San Jose so time is not an issue.  We may wait for last call to leave the ship. 
 

[Lena11033]

4 hours ago, GenerationX said:

 I couldn’t help but think of those massive delicious scallops I was given on the side of my veal my first night on MSC Divina (sorry, Jeremy had told me I really need to stop with the MSC comparisons).  Anyway, despite the smaller sizes, both were cooked well.

 

lol I don't mind the comparison, I decided last minute to book a MSC cruise from the UK as Yacht club was going to cost the same as the hotel in London.

[GenerationX]

Quick Update:

 

If you see me on a cruise ship with a cosmo in my hand and I’m NOT smiling, it’s probably because tomorrow is disembarkation day.

 

Just a heads up for those sailing this itinerary soon, when I went to the ATM after lunch to pull some extra tipping funds, neither the casino nor guest services one was working. When I reported it to guest relations, the gentleman behind the counter said that the satellite link is down and that “this often happens on our sail back to California” and there’s nothing to be done but see if/when it comes back online.

 

Fortunately I keep some emergency cash in the safe so worst case if it’s not working by tomorrow morning, I can use that for additional gratuities envelopes, but will be sad not to be able to be as generous as I’d like to be.  
 

For those sailing soon who usually give extra tips, as much as I prefer not to have large sums of additional cash around for any significant period of time, you may want to hit the ATM while the ship is in its last port and then keep the money in your safe rather than waiting until the last day sail back to LA.

 

Gen Z is having one last row at camp at sea with her friend group (some of them won’t be in the evening session goodbye party due to early disembark and flights tomorrow) and since I’m holding off a little on envelope stuffing in hopes of an evening ATM resurrection, I’m using the time to do some of our packing while there’s only one salty woman in the room souring the mood.

 

Our hot glass appointment got moved to 5:20pm so once I get a couple of suitcases tackled, I’ll go get another resentment  martini and maybe burn a little bit of OBC on a slot machine till it’s time to pick her up.

[phoenix_dream]

9 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Quick Update:

 

If you see me on a cruise ship with a cosmo in my hand and I’m NOT smiling, it’s probably because tomorrow is disembarkation day.

 

Just a heads up for those sailing this itinerary soon, when I went to the ATM after lunch to pull some extra tipping funds, neither the casino nor guest services one was working. When I reported it to guest relations, the gentleman behind the counter said that the satellite link is down and that “this often happens on our sail back to California” and there’s nothing to be done but see if/when it comes back online.

 

Fortunately I keep some emergency cash in the safe so worst case if it’s not working by tomorrow morning, I can use that for additional gratuities envelopes, but will be sad not to be able to be as generous as I’d like to be.  
 

For those sailing soon who usually give extra tips, as much as I prefer not to have large sums of additional cash around for any significant period of time, you may want to hit the ATM while the ship is in its last port and then keep the money in your safe rather than waiting until the last day sail back to LA.

 

Gen Z is having one last row at camp at sea with her friend group (some of them won’t be in the evening session goodbye party due to early disembark and flights tomorrow) and since I’m holding off a little on envelope stuffing in hopes of an evening ATM resurrection, I’m using the time to do some of our packing while there’s only one salty woman in the room souring the mood.

 

Our hot glass appointment got moved to 5:20pm so once I get a couple of suitcases tackled, I’ll go get another resentment  martini and maybe burn a little bit of OBC on a slot machine till it’s time to pick her up.

You probably already know this but in case not, you can use your OBC for tips as well.

[phoenix_dream]

47 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 Thanks Jim.  That is what I thought I recalled from your live review. 
 We have a 1325 flight out of San Jose so time is not an issue.  We may wait for last call to leave the ship. 
 

Not sure when your cruise is, but we are doing a b2b and next week's and I think the one after (not 100% sure) are arriving at a different dock in San Pedro.  Apparently you have to be shuttled to the regular dock to pick up your luggage before departing. There is no terminal,  no cover so completely exposed to the elements,  and no walk off allowed. I've heard horror stories of one hour wait for taxis and diffulty arranging Ubers. We do have a fairly early flight so I am crossing my fingers.

[cruzzzinma]

Gen X, you can also fill out the tip form by name and/or place and list your desired tips for each. The retreat concierges have them as does guest services. The tips are charged against your on board account.

[Stem to Stern]

8 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Complimentary kids club hours end at 10pm but if you let the staff know in the morning, they offer extended hours till as late as 1am for an extra charge of $6 an hour.  Total charge for an hour and a half of extra martini time: $9. 

Late checkout from Adult Camp at Sea = PRICELESS.  Also very tactful parenting by not putting a damper on the little ones’ Social Lives at Sea with a ten o’clock curfew.  See what I did there?  For kids’ sake; not just martinis’ sake.😂

After following GenZ’s week of relaxed luxury, I am eager to witness her reactions to MSC Seascape aka City at Sea.  Tonight I watched The Secret Life of The Cruise on Prime featuring MSC Seaside.  Can you say Sensory Emersion Overload?  Thanks again for taking us all along.  Safe travels home.

[GenerationX]

2 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

Late checkout from Adult Camp at Sea = PRICELESS.  Also very tactful parenting by not putting a damper on the little ones’ Social Lives at Sea with a ten o’clock curfew.  See what I did there?  For kids’ sake; not just martinis’ sake.😂

After following GenZ’s week of relaxed luxury, I am eager to witness her reactions to MSC Seascape aka City at Sea.  Tonight I watched The Secret Life of The Cruise on Prime featuring MSC Seaside.  Can you say Sensory Emersion Overload?  Thanks again for taking us all along.  Safe travels home.

I will ALWAYS drink martinis at 11pm for the sake of the children. That’s just the kind of compassionate person that I am. 😂

 

I have that documentary in my prime queue and have been debating whether to watch it before we sail. I feel like it’s either going to make me very excited or terrified about our Seascape cruise.  

[GenerationX]

Current Situation:

 

Gen Z is having her last kids club hurrah and I’m having my last martini bar social.

 

While sitting here I was messaging with Jeremy about plans to pick us up from the airport tomorrow and just how salty I am about another great cruise coming to an end.

 

He was quick to remind me that his sympathy for me is very slightly north of zero because 2 weeks after he picks me up from the STL airport he’ll be dropping me off there again to sail solo on Beyond.

 

I was prepping my thumbs to rapidly type a text back accusing him of being dramatic till I actually looked at my calendar.  Yep, I will literally be turning around and flying out for my next celebrity cruise precisely 2 weeks from tomorrow.

 

What can I say? My personal motto is “If a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing” and Metaverse cruising ain’t gonna do it for me.

 

 

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by GenerationX

[Stem to Stern]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

debating whether to watch it before we sail

Watch it before.  Loved the behind the scenes look. Very interesting.  Literally a city at sea.

[LouChamp]

11 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Quick Update:

 

If you see me on a cruise ship with a cosmo in my hand and I’m NOT smiling, it’s probably because tomorrow is disembarkation day.

 

Just a heads up for those sailing this itinerary soon, when I went to the ATM after lunch to pull some extra tipping funds, neither the casino nor guest services one was working. When I reported it to guest relations, the gentleman behind the counter said that the satellite link is down and that “this often happens on our sail back to California” and there’s nothing to be done but see if/when it comes back online.

 

Fortunately I keep some emergency cash in the safe so worst case if it’s not working by tomorrow morning, I can use that for additional gratuities envelopes, but will be sad not to be able to be as generous as I’d like to be.  
 

For those sailing soon who usually give extra tips, as much as I prefer not to have large sums of additional cash around for any significant period of time, you may want to hit the ATM while the ship is in its last port and then keep the money in your safe rather than waiting until the last day sail back to LA.

 

Gen Z is having one last row at camp at sea with her friend group (some of them won’t be in the evening session goodbye party due to early disembark and flights tomorrow) and since I’m holding off a little on envelope stuffing in hopes of an evening ATM resurrection, I’m using the time to do some of our packing while there’s only one salty woman in the room souring the mood.

 

Our hot glass appointment got moved to 5:20pm so once I get a couple of suitcases tackled, I’ll go get another resentment  martini and maybe burn a little bit of OBC on a slot machine till it’s time to pick her up.

Aloha. On every holiday whether lad or sea, I keep a tip fund separate from my regular funds which I can adjust accordingly. I also have the tips in the local currency if by land. Just in case I encounter a problem like you did. Plus it doubles as emergency money also. It may seem neurotic but I have had it happen on a few occasions so if I don’t use all the funds in the various currencies I save it for next time and it doubles as an informal vacation fund lol.

[bjahil47]

Safe travels home!  Loved your review!  Thanks!

[Jim_Iain]

17 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

Not sure when your cruise is, but we are doing a b2b and next week's and I think the one after (not 100% sure) are arriving at a different dock in San Pedro.  Apparently you have to be shuttled to the regular dock to pick up your luggage before departing. There is no terminal,  no cover so completely exposed to the elements,  and no walk off allowed. I've heard horror stories of one hour wait for taxis and diffulty arranging Ubers. We do have a fairly early flight so I am crossing my fingers.

That's really a good point that alternate pier I understand can be a real mess.  -  Luckily I didn't have to use it.

[hcat]

Great Review....

  Charla, I think  you  have been  displaced as Cruise Critic's  Favorite cruiser!

 

What a star she is...yet hopefully kind and  modest like her mom!

[Cruising89143]

19 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

Not sure when your cruise is, but we are doing a b2b and next week's and I think the one after (not 100% sure) are arriving at a different dock in San Pedro.  Apparently you have to be shuttled to the regular dock to pick up your luggage before departing. There is no terminal,  no cover so completely exposed to the elements,  and no walk off allowed. I've heard horror stories of one hour wait for taxis and diffulty arranging Ubers. We do have a fairly early flight so I am crossing my fingers.

We will be on the 4/01 cruise departing from pier 50 and returning back to 92 at the end of the cruise. Celebrity has given out zero information for those of us embarking on 4/01 other than the address of pier 50. The port gave us more info. At least we’re going to be debarking from the regular terminal on our return.

[abbydancer2003]

18 hours ago, cruzzzinma said:

Gen X, you can also fill out the tip form by name and/or place and list your desired tips for each. The retreat concierges have them as does guest services. The tips are charged against your on board account.

I've been told that you directly tip your room steward (and butler if you have one) this way, but for dining stuff, it goes into the pool.  I sometimes tip butler and room steward through the account and cash for the dining team.

[cruzzzinma]

1 hour ago, abbydancer said:

I've been told that you directly tip your room steward (and butler if you have one) this way, but for dining stuff, it goes into the pool.  I sometimes tip butler and room steward through the account and cash for the dining team.

The tips for the dining staff do go into the pool. If you are in the Retreat, the tips go to the Luminae pool. Our experience is that all the Luminae tips are pooled on most ships. We do ask each time.  

[Jim_Iain]

Charla - enjoyed another wonderful live post.   Safe travels home.