Celebrity Solstice - the ship and about it

[Sutho]

Appreciate from Sutho the great, additional visuals from the Solstice. From one photographer to another, had a couple additional technical questions. You mentioned using a tripod, right? Were most pictures shot that way? At roughly what shutter speed and opening did you use for the interior and theater action shots? Any other insights, tips from shooting in and around on this classy ship?

 

Also am glad you shared some added impressions on the ship, its conditions, what you liked most, etc. Will share with those on our roll call. Very helpful and interesting!!

 

THANKS! Keep sharing more!! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at 2,481 views for this shorter version started late last week of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

 

 

The theatre was shot at f/5.6 for 1.3sec at ISO800.

 

I stop the camera from ever going over ISO800 (too much noise). I used a tripod. After port days I came back and did the rounds when it was quiet and also after Milford Sound when we left people were still on deck and the ship was quiet so I did the rounds then with the tripod. I sometimes semi-extend the tripod and put it on a table as it is more sturdy.

 

Grand Foyer f/5 1/30 ISO800, Grand Epernay f/10 1/15 ISO800, Molecular f/10 1/8 ISO800 Blu was f/10 1/8 ISO800

 

Also the white balance needs to be looked at manually changing it after shooting on auto helps. drop it to about 3000K and fine tune the levels from there.

 

I prefer always shooting at f/10 but have to make exceptions. Most of my lenses are limited to f/4 but I dont like using that for interior as the edges are too soft. I will only use it if I focus on a central subject.

[Sutho]

Sky Observation Lounge is next with stunning views from the front of the ship.

 

 

 

It did have a lively dance and band up here most nights and was quite active.

 

Moving back and outside was the adult only solarium. Good to see there is no fee for it as some lines would charge.

 

 

 

Note you can see the small square solar panals on the top glass.

 

 

[Sutho]

At the top of the ship was some nice shaded deck areas with fancy furniture. Again other lines charge to use this kind of stuff.

 

 

 

The pool was centralised to one area in adition to the solarium this was the main outdoor pool area.

 

 

 

 

It had a wrap around deck above it with jogging track, sheltered deck cairs and open deck chairs.

 

[Sutho]

Also a first for this cruise ship was the lawn club.

 

 

 

 

 

Going back inside this is what the view from an obstructed balcony looks like

 

 

Then this next photo you can see the path of the jogging track.

 

 

The next updates I will do exterior of the ship in ports as well as some exploring I did ashore.

[TLCOhio]

The theatre was shot at f/5.6 for 1.3sec at ISO800. I stop the camera from ever going over ISO800 (too much noise). I used a tripod. After port days I came back and did the rounds when it was quiet and also after Milford Sound when we left people were still on deck and the ship was quiet so I did the rounds then with the tripod. I sometimes semi-extend the tripod and put it on a table as it is more sturdy. Grand Foyer f/5 1/30 ISO800, Grand Epernay f/10 1/15 ISO800, Molecular f/10 1/8 ISO800 Blu was f/10 1/8 ISO800. Also the white balance needs to be looked at manually changing it after shooting on auto helps. drop it to about 3000K and fine tune the levels from there. I prefer always shooting at f/10 but have to make exceptions. Most of my lenses are limited to f/4 but I dont like using that for interior as the edges are too soft. I will only use it if I focus on a central subject.

 

Appreciate so much from Sutho this added info, technical details on your great pictures. Doubt that I'll take a tripod for our upcoming trip. Have taken it in the past on other cruises and ended up not using the tripod. I'm more of a "grab-and-go" type of shooter, leaning against solid objects to get things at slower shutter speeds, etc. You are more for getting the place. That's great. I like to get more of the people-in-the-place/context types of shots. All can work well and be fun for sharing and keeping the wonderful memories alive.

 

Keep sharing more of your pictures! Looking forward to visiting Australia and NZ in early January 2014.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 126,419 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[TLCOhio]

I can only echo what Sutho said. Food was good (as someone that has eaten all around the world in all styles and at all price points). I've even seen people complain about Silk Harvest as if they were expecting original and authentic Asian food.....ummm your on a ship cater mainly to middle class mono culture palates. Real original stuff as they serve in China will not go down with that sort of crowd....so the restaurants cater to a generic mass palate and do it very very well. Never had a bad meal I would have handed back (with maybe the exception of the pizza and disappointment in the hamburgers...not that there was anything wrong with them just expected they would be better on a ship catering to Americans). Crew, cabins, standard of ship, maintenance, food, all impressed me enough to rebook.

I can not for the life of me....apart from the shows, remember any loud music being played in the background. So either there wasn't or my mind automatically tuned it out. Also funny you mention a promenade deck....didn't miss one. There was, for me, plenty of open deck space to stroll and see the sea....and at the front both in front of the gym and above the Sky lounge ( in front of the children's club ) that gave a complete wrap around of the ship ( albeit with some stairs to climb).

 

Appreciate these above and added, good summary points about the Solstice from our experienced friend in Melbourne. Will share with those on our Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014 roll call. Very helpful to those who have not yet been on the Solstice. Your comments fit with our experiences From June 2011 in the Med and what we expect in about nine months on this ship.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at 2,481 views for this shorter version started late last week of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

[CCC's]

Also a first for this cruise ship was the lawn club.

 

 

 

 

 

Going back inside this is what the view from an obstructed balcony looks like

 

 

Then this next photo you can see the path of the jogging track.

 

 

The next updates I will do exterior of the ship in ports as well as some exploring I did ashore.

 

 

Hey Sutho, You are literally burning the midnight oil (12.27 am) !!! I am transfixed by your pictorial review. I can't wait for the next instalment. Absolutely beautiful photos, very professional. I will check my computer throughout the day...... no pressure, of course. Bye for now.

[MargoK]

Great pictorial Sutho.

 

My problem is we have to wait until Feb 2014 for our 18 Days aboard Solstice!:(

 

But the photos help alot! :cool:

[mutare]

This is amazing. Thank you so much. We are on our very first cruise on the Solstice in Dec and also have a cabin on Deck 6. Really looking forward to it and even more so now!

[Icerecon]

Great photo's once again Sutho many thanks.

[gaechann]

Great photo's once again Sutho many thanks.

 

I second that! Your wonderful photos show a beautiful ship!

 

I just might have to pencil in a trip on her next year to experience it for myself!

 

Cheers - Gae

[rexymeow]

Loved the pics of the Celebrity Solstice. My husband and I and 2 of our friends are sailing on her in Dec. -Sydney to Auckland- can't wait! Thanks again for the wonderful pics. :)

[Sutho]

Now that I have done the ship I will go over exterior and ports.

 

 

 

 

It was very windy that night and I had great difficulty getting these shots without the ability to go below f/4 and my refusal to use any ISO greater than 800.

 

Shore excursions get priority on disembarkation. Similarly found out in one port where there was a massive line due to one gangway. I only did one organised shore excusion to the Great Ocean Road.

 

 

 

[Sutho]

 

 

 

I have been to Melbourne before but never to the Great Ocean Road.

 

Next up was Fiordland in New Zealand.

 

 

 

[Sutho]

In Akaroa I hired a mountain bike and rode it from the summit back into town and around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sutho]

 

 

 

In Wellington I did my own thing again by going to the botanic gardens and mount Victoria lookout.

 

 

 

[Sutho]

In Wellington we were lucky enough to have the QM2 docked behind us.

 

 

 

 

 

In Tauranga port which is closer to the city of Mount Maunganui I decided to do my own thing and climb the mountain.

 

 

[Sutho]

 

 

 

[fanoforion]

Thanks for the photos of Wellington Sutho...my G.G.Grandparents lived at the top of the botanical gardens in Tinakori Road from the 1850's until their passing...what wonderful views they must have had overlooking the harbour.

 

 

kind regards, Lorraine :):)

[lovedecruise]

Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and your thoughts on the Solstice. Could you please give me your thoughts on your trip to the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne. How long was it? Were there lunch/tea stops on the way? Was lunch included in price? etc do you know if anyone did the tour privately? Many thanks.

[sagittarius]

Thanks for the great photos of this ship, and your comments regarding how it felt with the number of passengers it carries.

 

It has made me wonder if I could afford to try at least one trip, although would love to do her current itinerary to Hawaii, so had better start saving.

[Sutho]

Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and your thoughts on the Solstice. Could you please give me your thoughts on your trip to the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne. How long was it? Were there lunch/tea stops on the way? Was lunch included in price? etc do you know if anyone did the tour privately? Many thanks.

 

That tour was close to a ten hour day. I forget the price but lunch was included but it was a lousy lunch. They made a few stops for snacks and lunch was just a packaged sandwich in a lunch bag that was supplied to the bus and distributed to passengers. Most of the sandwiches were not to passengers liking and had side salads on that people do not wish to eat as well as sauces that people do not like. I wish I had bought my own lunch when we had the stop. Giving people sandwiches is not ideal as you cant cater to everyones tastes.

 

I do not think anyone did it privately and I would not really have considered doing something that distance privately as it is too high risk of not getting back to the ship on time.

 

It was an excellent tour for scenery with plenty of time to get out and see the sights. They did stop the bus on themany stops along the coast. The drive back felt longer as it was non stop all the way back to Melbourne. It is a good think Celebrity have free drinks on offer to hand out to passengers on the wharf as I really needed one that day after refusing to eat lunch.

[6andy6]

Wonderful pictures Sutho.

 

And it was you I saw on sail away from Wellington taking snaps, recognise your face now.

 

So clear......brings back memories. That ride up from Akaroa looks one hell of a climb on a bike...still if your fit. We walked up the back way to the French Cemetery overlooking the town and that was steep enough...although in retrospect we prolly went at it from the wrong direction.

[Sutho]

Wonderful pictures Sutho.

 

And it was you I saw on sail away from Wellington taking snaps, recognise your face now.

 

So clear......brings back memories. That ride up from Akaroa looks one hell of a climb on a bike...still if your fit. We walked up the back way to the French Cemetery overlooking the town and that was steep enough...although in retrospect we prolly went at it from the wrong direction.

 

That was me at the back, I look different from the other photos I posted last year because I have grown my hair longer. Still trying new styles and working through the change as I have never had it long in my life. It is naturally curly and will go like an afro if I do not put product in it.

 

Akaroa was nice. The bike was easy coming down and very quick. Bit disappointed with the weather that day. Though I felt it was harder doing the climb of Mauo in Mount Maunganui or Tauranga. After Akaroa I was feeling weak with strange symptoms and cough but not full on flu like. Just felt very weak in Wellington.

 

My favourite place on that ship was the Martini Bar. Loved their drinks. I was also impressed with the acrobatic style theatre shows. They are not like what P&O and Princess do and it was great to see a whole new style of show.

[pattyj 1204]

I see that you did the Ocean River Road tour from the ship tours. I went to look at the excursion site and saw that it is ranked as Strenuous. Did you feel it was difficult or hard to do?? It surely doesn't sound like a lot of walking or climbing. Riding on a bus.

Your photos are awesome and it really looks like something we would want to do. Thanks for answering. Pat