An illustrated guide to Constellationizing the Solstice Ambience

[C 2 C]

Celebrity has it all wrong! It's not "Solsticizing" but "Constellationizing"

 

I need some time to organize all my files but over the next couple of days I will post the pictures of the affected lounges. Many people have speculated in various threads about the upcoming dry dock but without commenting on previous posts, here is a reprint of Celebrity's website:

 

"Solsticize it:" Celebrity's Millennium Class to receive Solstice Class features

"Through our Designed for You platform, we plan to leverage our Solstice Class ships' stylish, modern design and ambience even further," said Hanrahan, revealing that Celebrity plans to incorporate iconic Solstice Class attributes across the fleet, most notably through a significant revitalization of all four Millennium Class ships. Celebrity Constellation will be the first to receive the new enhancements during scheduled drydock in April of this year. Among the Solstice Class features to be introduced on the Millennium Class ships:

 

• More opportunities to relish Celebrity's world-class cuisine with the addition of Tuscan Grille, the Napa Valley-meets-Italian-steakhouse venue found on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox
  
• Bistro on Five, the vibrant, popular creperie introduced on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox
  
• A Solstice Class-inspired, ice-topped Martini Bar paired with Crush, whose ice-filled table presents a selection of chilled, top-tier vodkas
  
• The cool Café al Bacio and Gelateria, replacing the former Cova Café
  
• As introduced on the Solstice Class, an Enomatic wine bar, the state-of-the-art, Italian designed wine serving system allowing guests to select and serve, at the touch of a button, the wines of their choice by the glass
  
• More sumptuous suites, on a par with those in the most modern hotels in Europe, with all new furniture, flat-screen TVs, upholstery, bedding and carpeting
  
• Restyled staterooms, with entirely new carpeting, flat-screen TVs, upholstery and bedding
  
• New color schemes, carpeting and upholstery reflective of Solstice Class in every public venue, from the Celebrity Theater to Seaside Grill, from the main dining room to Michael's Club
  

[C 2 C]

This is the deck plan of the Conservatory (as presently posted in brochures) that will become the Tuscany.

 

 

Deck 5 Plan:

 



 

The Champagne Bar will become Bistro on 5, the Hole will be sealed, Cellar Masters will be added, the Martini Bar will be moved to Deck 4 between Rendezvous Lounge and the Casino, obliterating the On line area. The Card room is gone, not to be replaced.

[C 2 C]

The plans for Tuscan:

 

will replace this, the stairs to be sealed.

 

[C 2 C]

This part of Cova (Port side) will be replaced by the Gelaterio:

 

 

This section will be moved to the starboard side where the card room is presently located. There is no plan to put the card room anywhere else.

[Texed]

Arno,

Thanks for posting. :)

[Lsimon]

...the Martini Bar will be moved to Deck 4 between Rendezvous Lounge and the Casino, obliterating the On line area.

 

Oh No!:eek: Not the Martini Bar!

 

We love the Martini bar on the M-class. While it is large and takes up a lot of space it is a fantastic lounge and as large as it is, it is always so busy around dinner time. This is one aspect we'd really prefer not to see Solsticized! While the Martini bar on the Equinox looked "neat" aside from sitting at the cool but noisy bar it wasn't nearly as nice a place to enjoy a drink and conversation as the Martini bar on the M-class ships.

 

I guess that lounge also has a lot of sentimental value to us as we've made some great cruise friends during pre-dinner drinks and conversations there.

 

It is hard to believe that the area on deck 4 could be nearly as nice. I sure hope I'm wrong.

[parrothead1]

Oh No!:eek: Not the Martini Bar!

 

We love the Martini bar on the M-class. While it is large and takes up a lot of space it is a fantastic lounge and as large as it is, it is always so busy around dinner time. This is one aspect we'd really prefer not to see Solsticized! While the Martini bar on the Equinox looked "neat" aside from sitting at the cool but noisy bar it wasn't nearly as nice a place to enjoy a drink and conversation as the Martini bar on the M-class ships.

 

I guess that lounge also has a lot of sentimental value to us as we've made some great cruise friends during pre-dinner drinks and conversations there.

 

It is hard to believe that the area on deck 4 could be nearly as nice. I sure hope I'm wrong.

 

Larry - I couldn't agree more. Having been on the Solstice last year, it was pretty "neat" being at a frozen bar, but it was too modern/techno an area for me. The M Class Martini Bar is just an amazing area. I know most people don't like the hole in the floor, but I tend to enjoy hearing music from downstairs while 'sipping' my martini!! :D

[gracecarmo]

I wish they would do something about the deck 11 forward lounge, The Bar at the Edge.

When we were on the Connie in Jan. we had a conversation with one of the senior officers, and she said nothing would be done there....even the rags on the ceiling would remain...

[greeneg]

Arno, or anyone who knows, is it correct that the Thal pools on the M class ships are going to be removed/replaced??

[LMKohler]

If they move the Martini Bar to Deck 4, what is going in its place? Bistro on 5 will be in the Champayne Bar area.

[Cruiser Susie]

If they move the Martini Bar to Deck 4, what is going in its place? Bistro on 5 will be in the Champayne Bar area.

 

If I read this correctly, it looks like Cellar Masters will go where the Martini Bar currently is.

[C 2 C]

I wish they would do something about the deck 11 forward lounge, The Bar at the Edge.

 

The halloween "decorations" will soon be history:

 

[ellbon]

Arno

 

thanks for the updates and pictures. Now i get to compared the Millie and the Connie this year.

 

I perfer the Cova for the teas and the snacks but i will get over it.

 

looking forward to more updates.

[Andy]

Arno, or anyone who knows, is it correct that the Thal pools on the M class ships are going to be removed/replaced??

 

Hi Ed !

 

I asked about it last week, and was told they had not heard of any plans to remove the T-Pools. This is not confirmed, but I would think that if it were true, the folks I asked, would have known something about it.

 

On another note, I have to believe that if the T-Pool were to be removed, it would take far longer than 2 weeks to accomplish. Another argument for keeping it. We will see what happens.

[Andy]

Hi Arno !

 

Thank you for posting. For the most part, I like what Celebrity is planning, though it seems that Tuscan Grille is going to be very small, and may be a tough reservation. I think there were a couple of better (and larger) locations for it.

 

Quick Question : I know you said the Internet Cafe is being replaced, but are there any plans to relocate it ? I'd be surprised if Celebrity dropped it altogether. Your thoughts ?

[C 2 C]

Other pictures of the soon to be renovated conservatory:

[Lsimon]

...Quick Question : I know you said the Internet Cafe is being replaced, but are there any plans to relocate it ? I'd be surprised if Celebrity dropped it altogether. Your thoughts ?

 

Andy - I think they still have the interior computer lab by the mid-ship elevators on the Penthouse Deck. I'd presume that might become the sole location for the internet cafe.

[C 2 C]

 

Quick Question : I know you said the Internet Cafe is being replaced, but are there any plans to relocate it ? I'd be surprised if Celebrity dropped it altogether. Your thoughts ?

 

Hi Andy:

 

I believe that the "on line room" on deck 6 will be used instead and I'm hoping for more hot spots for people lugging their own computers.

No one on board could tell me if the two level library will be altered.

 



 

[C 2 C]

Arno, or anyone who knows, is it correct that the Thal pools on the M class ships are going to be removed/replaced??

 

There was no hint that anyone would dare touch this wonderful area. I consider this location a major advantage of M over the S-class. The spa cafe and eating area on board Connie is also superior.

[Andy]

Andy - I think they still have the interior computer lab by the mid-ship elevators on the Penthouse Deck. I'd presume that might become the sole location for the internet cafe.

 

Hi Larry !

 

I realize the computer lab is still around, but my concern is that this room often has classes, and at other times, is locked. I'm fine with the computer lab being the sole location, as long as it's far more accessible than it currently is. Hopefully, Celebrity will find a way to make this location work.

 

I agree with Arno, that Celebrity must have more hot spots. I would take it one step further, and upgrade the M-Class ships, to have full Wi-Fi access. This will encourage many to bring their laptops. This upgrade, would greatly reduce demand for the computer lab area, and is long overdue.

 

For those who are about to say "why bother with the internet while on vacation" ?, some of us must be available to their business and clients, and for others.... their family members. I always make myself available to clients, even when on vacation. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[usha]

There was no hint that anyone would dare touch this wonderful area. I consider this location a major advantage of M over the S-class. The spa cafe and eating area on board Connie is also superior.

Well, I'm so glad to hear that they're not talking about ditching the Tpool! I also really love having the spa lunch. It's such a nice break from the grill or the hog trough cafe:D, as we lovingly call it.

BTW, it was so nice to finally meet you & your lovely wife in person. :)

[ellbon]

There was no hint that anyone would dare touch this wonderful area. I consider this location a major advantage of M over the S-class. The spa cafe and eating area on board Connie is also superior.

 

i realy missed trying out the T-pool -since it left Century but will try it in Alaska.

 

Without ever seeing an M class ship i know anything is better than the S class AQ spa cafe.

[Karynanne]

Arno, thank you for update regrading Connie's renovations.

 

Karyn

[darrencantwait]

There was no hint that anyone would dare touch this wonderful area. I consider this location a major advantage of M over the S-class. The spa cafe and eating area on board Connie is also superior.

 

Agree completely!!!

[C 2 C]

Well, I'm so glad to hear that they're not talking about ditching the Tpool! I also really love having the spa lunch. It's such a nice break from the grill or the hog trough cafe:D, as we lovingly call it.

 

BTW, it was so nice to finally meet you & your lovely wife in person. :)

 

It was nice meeting you as well... at our favourite place, the Rendezvous dance floor. Nothing about the S-class irritates me more than a design that ignores the people who love to dance and the lack of seating areas for those people who just want to sit and listen to a live band.