Celebrity Solstice is the first ship in the Solstice class of ships by Celebrity Cruises and is by no means an ordinary cruise ship. Did you know that the Solstice Class was named “Best Cruise Ships” by Frommer’s 2011? Celebrity Solstice accommodates 2850 guests and was first launched in 2008. With the trademark “X” on her funnel just above the Lawn Club, the Celebrity Solstice introduced new innovative design and concepts to the brand. I previously toured the Solstice back in 2011, but this was the first time I had the chance to sail on the Solstice. Follow me on this photo tour of some of the public areas, bars, and restaurants on the Celebrity Solstice to see that she’s not only as beautiful as the first time I visited her, but even better.
The Grand Foyer on Deck 3 is the central hub of the ship. Activities take place here like dance lessons or cooking demonstrations during the day or live music in the evening.
Just off this area you’ll also find Guest Relations and the Shore Excursions desk. The staircase is popular for photographs and is beautifully decorated during the holidays.
Sit back and enjoy the view, play a game of bocce ball, or watch the Hot Glass Show up on the Lawn Club, the first real half acre of grass on a cruise ship.
The Sunset Bar is a popular spot on the Celebrity Solstice. Sitting on one end of the Lawn Club, you’ll find spectacular views and a relaxing atmosphere whether sipping on a drink watching the sunset or listening to live music.
Easily my favorite bar on Celebrity Cruises, the Molecular Bar was created by mixologist Junior Merino, aka “The Liquid Chef.” This is no ordinary bar with wine, beer, and martinis. Visit one of the many other bars onboard if you want one of those, but if you want to try something completely unique and different, like the Cazarita or Mr. B, then the Molecular Bar is for you. It’s a great meeting place before dinner or even for a few drinks after the evening entertainment.
Another bar on the Celebrity Solstice that inspires conversation and fun is the The Martini Bar on deck 4. With a frosted bar top, plenty of seating around the bar as well as little nooks for privacy behind it, this is definitely a place you’ll want to visit. I highly recommend trying the Martini Flight or the 20 Year Martini — amazing drinks with a great show to boot! On our cruise the bar top wasn’t working, but no one seemed to notice as it was one of the first cruises out of Australia.
Just off The Martini Bar, Crush offers additional seating with an ice-filled table center. If you love Caviar and if you love Vodka, consider Crush for a pairing. I was excited to see that they had one of my favorite Icelandic vodkas on hand, Reyka.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a novice, Cellar Masters is great for anyone. The best part is that they have a state-of-the-art Enomatic® wine-by-the-glass dispensing system, which pours your choice directly from the bottle in a 1-ounce, 2.5-ounce or 5-ounce portion after you swipe you SeaPass® card.
Inspired by the relaxed living space of large, oceangoing yachts, the Passport Bar is an ideal place to take a break, plan your next excursion, or share stories with others.
Whether you’re hanging out at the pool and need a quick bite or want to sit at the bar and grab a drink, the Mast Grill and Bar is the convenient option.
The main dining room on the Celebrity Solstice is the Grand Épernay. With a two-story glass wine tower and dazzling chandeliers, modern luxury is exuded from all corners of this restaurant. The light fixtures in the dining room are supposed to give you the feeling of bubbles and champagne.
For light fare, you can visit Bistro on Five located on yes – deck five. Choose from crepes, paninis, salads, and dessert in a truly casual, but fun atmosphere.
Aqua Class guests dine in Blu, a specialty dining restaurant that features fresh and delicious cuisine. Think lighter and healthier fare that tastes delicious and that’s Blu!
The first Asian restaurant in the Celebrity fleet, Silk Harvest takes you on a journey to the Far East, offering authentic Asian hospitality perfectly paired with a contemporary blend of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
If you’re looking for lighter fare during the day, stop by the AquaSpa Café for fresh, simple and flavorful dishes that exemplify “spa cuisine,” including fresh fruit smoothies, crisp salads, lean cuts of meat, and succulent seafood.
Fresh espresso in a high end coffee shop setting at sea? You bet! Enjoy a pastry or two with your coffee or splurge and try a freshly made gelato. Either way, you can’t go wrong at Café al Bacio.
Perhaps you’re in the mood for a casual meal. Head on over to Oceanview Cafe and enjoy one of the many international dishes available. No matter what you decide on, the views can’t be beat if you’re outside in the Oceanview Bar. Grab your food and head outside and enjoy a drink, too and watch the amazing scenery float on by.
In case you’re feeling like you’ve maybe treated yourself a little too much, you can always hop on over to the onboard Fitness Center. One of the largest I’ve visited at sea, there is an abundance of cardio equipment, including a line of treadmills that offer the best view at sea. In addition to all of the cardio equipment, you can also make an appointment with a personal trainer or take a fitness class. There was always enough room to work out and we never had to wait in line or come back later to use the equipment. For me, that’s a huge plus!
One of the biggest treats I’ve ever had on a cruise was to not only meet the Captain, but tour the bridge. Granted, I have no idea exactly how this equipment works, but to see it up close and personal is pretty amazing.
The Celebrity Solstice is an amazing cruise ship that sails part of the year out of Alaska and then she heads off to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, all great destinations for any cruiser.