Century vs. Solstice

[Mr. Luckytoo]

I KNOW this is a personal choice but I'm curious.

 

For those of you who have sailed both, the Century (C-Class ships) and the Solstice (S-Class ships). If you had the opportunity to choose a cruise between these ships and everything was identical - i.e., same level of cabin and same destination(s) which would YOU choose?

 

Century ship or S-Class Ship

[jackdiamond]

Please keep in mind that Century ( a very nice ship) is 4.5 stars, whereas S class is 5.5 stars. Also, S class has AQ.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

Please keep in mind that Century ( a very nice ship) is 4.5 stars, whereas S class is 5.5 stars. Also, S class has AQ.

 

I know it's almost like comparing apples and oranges. In my mind there is no comparison I just wanted to see what other's were thinking...

[A Sixth?]

I voted even though I haven't sailed on the Solstice, as much as enjoyed the Century I know I'd LOVE a newer bigger ship with Aqua Class... so

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I cruised aboard both the Century and the Solstice in 2010. Even though the Century is still a very nice ship, I absolutely loved the design and decor of the Solstice. Also, the Solstice has a larger variety of dining options and public areas. I voted for the Solstice, but like both ships.

 

Chuck

[greeneg]

We're on the Century next Monday and it will be an interesting comparison. One of my reasons for doing this short cruise is to get a first-hand look at the ship since she has tempting itineraries for next year.

 

As for the S-Class, not again for a long time.

[jackdiamond]

Our first cruise was in a Sky Suite on the Century in February 1999; and we were very pleased. Since that time we have cruised Princess, Royal, HAL, and the large balcony cabins on Celebrity M class before the advent of Concierge Class, and thereafter always CC-1. We are diamond on

Royal and elite on Celebrity. Now, our favorite cruising venue is AQ on the Equinox. As far as we are concerned, everything about this cruising experience far surpasses all of our previous cruising endeavors.

[Gonzo70]

My first X cruise was on Century and I loved the ship and had a great cruise. However my last couple of cruises were on Equinox and I was blown away by Equinox. For 2011 I had a Hawaii cruise booked on Century, but wound up transferring the reservation to a Holy Land cruise on the Silly as I felt I would miss too many features the S-Class ships have that Century lacks. While Century is a great ship for somebody who likes smaller vessels or who has not yet sailed an S-Class ship, for many who sail on an S-Class ship and enjoy larger vessels it would be a bit hard to go back to Century.

[Bridge Maven]

We're on the Century next Monday and it will be an interesting comparison. One of my reasons for doing this short cruise is to get a first-hand look at the ship since she has tempting itineraries for next year.

 

As for the S-Class, not again for a long time.

 

Greeneg, what didn't you like about the S class ship? I am curious because we are booked on Silhouette which will be our first S class ship, even though we have been on a number of M and C class Celebrity ships.

[jackdiamond]

Greeneg, what didn't you like about the S class ship? I am curious because we are booked on Silhouette which will be our first S class ship, even though we have been on a number of M and C class Celebrity ships.

If you book AQ. you will be very pleased. As a matter of fact, you will also be pleased if you book another category.

[greeneg]

Greeneg, what didn't you like about the S class ship? I am curious because we are booked on Silhouette which will be our first S class ship, even though we have been on a number of M and C class Celebrity ships.

 

There are a number of things in both the design and the philosophy of the ships that I don't like, primarily the poor design of the cabin ( the useless couch takes up valuable room, restricts access to the closets) lack of usable storage in the cabin unless you are tall enough to reach the cabinet over the bed, safe location ( too low- much better on a shelf in the closet. Of course the couch precludes that.) I also don't like the "feel" of the ship, to me, it seems that there is a clear intent to drive you out of your stateroom to expose you to shops, casino, etc to generate more revenue. Same is true, in my thinking, with the MDR experience; I think that staff levels and quality of product have been reduced with the goal of not only reducing overhead, but also increasing revenue by "encouraging " the use of the Specialty Restaurants by average passengers.

 

I know that Jack disagrees with me, but I don't think that you can make the comparison with AQ and Blu as that is not where most people book and eat. Our experience with the Specialties has been excellent; but that isn't the main product for comparison.

 

All of my comments are differences in degree from my Celebrity Experiences in the Past, but the differences are there and worry me because they represent a negative trend.

 

There is also the possibility that I am getting older and less tolerant of change than I once was.

 

I wouldn't be hesitant to try on of the S-Class ships if I had never done it: my problem is that I have tried them and don't like them as well as the other Celebrity Options.

[smtcan]

In November we did a 'B2B', getting off the Eclipse TA and onto a Century 5 day Caribbean. We wanted to try Century before booking for Australia/NZ. The two ships offer very different experiences. S class offers a sophisticated ambience, with lots of different choices and very comfortable cabins, but is rather impersonal. Century has a warm, friendly atmosphere but lacks the glitz factor. The service on Century was the best we had experienced, until we went on Mercury in January.

 

We had anticipated a real let down when transferring to Century, especially since we went from CC to an inside cabin, but that was not our experience. Each cruise was special, but for different reasons. I would cruise on either again in a heartbeat.

Sheila

[greeneg]

Interesting, we're doing it the other way, having done the TA on the Equinox plus an 11 night Caribbean on the same ship in 2010 and we're on the Century next Monday, again because we want to see the ship before considering a commitment for AU/NZ next year. I think that it will be very interesting.

 

A chaque on....

[Aquahound]

I just got off the Century yesterday. We considered staying on board as a B2B. Funny thing, the thought crossed my mind what would I prefer to do in the future....a B2B with 9 nights on Century, or a 7 night on Solstice Class. For me, there wasn't much thought. I would much rather be on a Solstice class ship. We had a nice cruise on Century, but there was nothing about the ship that impressed me. Many of the Century faithfuls on board swore by the ship and thought it was so impressive after the 2006 refurb, but I just didn't see it. In fact, I thought it was due for another refurb, especially in the main theater.

[jackdiamond]

As I earlier indicated, our first Celebrity cruise was on the Century, when it was new; and, we were pleased. However, we were in a Sky Suite; and, that made quite a difference. In view of our cruising experiences since that time, I would not again sail on this ship in anything less than a Sky Suite, in view of the size of the lesser cost cabins. For example, even the C-1 cabins are only 175 square feet; and, the balconies are smaller than those on the S class. Of course, if you have a hump cabin on the S class then you are in a different world vis-a-vis balcony size.

Lastly, and I am not certain of this, but I do not believe that the Century has AQ; hence, no dining in Blu which we love.

If the Century had AQ; and, Michael's Club with the early morning goodies for elites, and the happy hour we might be tempted to sail her again. Also, we would be interested in ten night cruises out of Port Everglades.

Additionally, I cannot recall whether their pool (s) was sufficient for vigorous pool walking and swimming laps. If not, then that would be another reason, inter alia, to remain with the Equinox, which we love.

[Aquahound]

If the Century had AQ; and, Michael's Club with the early morning goodies for elites, and the happy hour we might be tempted to sail her again. Also, we would be interested in ten night cruises out of Port Everglades.

 

You are correct. Century does not have AQ. However, there is a Michael's Club on Century, and they did do morning specialty coffees and continental breakfast and evening happy hours for Elites.

[sandyh422]

We have done 2 cruises on the M class Millenium in sky suites. This past November we did a 5 day Caribbean cruise on Century in a Sky suite also. The differences were overwhelming, so much so that we have changed our plans to cruise to Hawaii on Century.

 

The reasons being:

 

No T pool on Century - just a very small outdoor pool

 

Sky Suite on Century was much smaller than on Millenium and furniture was old and worn.

 

Tables in the MDR were so close that it was difficult to get in and out of the chairs.

 

Lounge entertainment - we found Century sadly lacking on this. The 20th anniversary party was to be held poolside, but because of bad weather it was moved inside to a very small lounge outside the dining room. So much of the party was dancing but the dance floor was very small. On the top floor of the century was a large lounge with a bigger dance floor which would have better accomodated this celebration, but was ONLY used for a DJ.

We attended the same party on the Millenium and it was held in the large lounge on the top floor with many more available seats and a much larger dance floor, with more food offerings.

 

Variety of Music in Lounges on Century - The Stingrays had a limited repetoire on the music they played. We requested several current songs plus some from the 50's and 60's and they said they did not know them. Same thing with the Century orchestra.

 

 

 

On the Plus side for the Century was the service from the crew. And the specialty dining in Murano

[Aquahound]

On the top floor of the century was a large lounge with a bigger dance floor which would have better accomodated this celebration, but was ONLY used for a DJ.

 

This is a great point. On the second to last night of my cruise, the CD made a comment about the DJ in Hemisphere Lounge. DW and I looked at each other and said "Where the heck is the Hemisphere Lounge?" There had been no evening activity up there all cruise. We went to the lounge and found it was a huge, beautiful venue just like the Sky Lounge on Solstice Class. You hit the nail right on the head. It made no sense the lounge wasn't used for anything better. That was the nicest lounge on the ship.