1st time cruise..dumb question

[tack777]

This is our first cruise and my husband keeps asking if I have reserved our shows on the ship. We don't gamble so he's figuring a lot of our time will be catching the different shows and entertainment offered. Do you have to make reservations for these or are they open as a walk in option? By the way, we will be on Celebrity Soltice if this makes a difference. Thanks!

[SparkleBee]

you just show up whenever the mood strikes!

[mapleleaves]

no reservations. BUT on some ships, if you show up 15 minutes before the show starts, you might not find a seat.

[KirkNC]

Yes on popular shows, it is best to arrive early.

[bobnjeff]

We were on the Solstice back in April. The shows in the Theater were never anywhere near full. Most nights before a port day the shows will be at 7pm for those with late dining and at 8:30 for those with early dining. We never had a problem finding a good seat even arriving just minutes before the start. For the one show called the Solstice show which is sort of like Cirque try to sit in the front row of the balcony for the best views . By far the most popular performances on the ship are a group called Top Notch. They are a Filipino group lead by two girls that are incredible. They play most nights in the grand foyer before each dinner seating. It is always standing room only when they are there. If you like to dance find a place down by the dance floor early. If you are people watchers try to get a table over looking the dance floor one deck up. I know they are still on board. Enjoy!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[frawnsay]

No reservations, but here's for planning purposes:

 

no show on day 1 (when you leave Seattle)

 

Day 2 (Sea Day): Captain's Welcome (intro of the officers and staff with some performances)

 

Day 3 (Ketchikan): Pulse (7pm, 9pm) This is a sampling of decade music, dance, and costumes by the entertainment performers. I really wanted to see this, but DH fell asleep before the late show.

 

Day 4 (Tracy Arm Fjord/Juneau): David Meyer, musician (DH was not interested, but heard he was...unique)

 

Day 5 (Skagway): Jason Bishop, magician/illusionist (7pm, 9pm) We went to the early show and enjoyed it thoroughly! He is young and a cutie! With a variety of disappearing illusions and quick hand tricks, he's fun to watch. Great card tricks, too!

 

Day 6 (Sea Day): Solstice the Show (8pm, 10pm) DO NOT MISS THIS! It's cirque-like with fantastic athleticism, agility, flexibility, and just overall ability to wow you! I know that an earlier post recommended the balcony. I have to say that our seats in the third row were amAAAAzing! They fly off the stage and over your head!

 

Day 7 (Victoria, BC): Farewell Tour (a little bit of everything from the week) This is earlier as Victoria is an evening port from 6pm to midnight. This show was at 4pm only.

 

Also, in the smaller theater (Celebrity Central), there is a nearly nightly show called Sin City Comedy. This DOES fill up. First night (day 2), the 10:30pm show was full over 30 minutes prior to showtime! We had to go the next night. It's the same show each night. There is a host, a burlesque performer, and a main stage comedian, Greg Vaccariello. Adult-themed, but not grotesque. The burlesque was tasteful, and I did not feel uncomfortable as a woman sitting next to her husband watching it. And Greg Vaccariello is hilarious!

 

FELLOW SOLSTICE PAX: fix me, if I've messed this up!

[Giantfan13]

Since this is your first cruise, there are NO dumb questions. We all have to start some where and that's what's so great about Cruise Critic and all the people who post here.

 

You have gotten most of the answers already to your question, but a lot depends on the cruise line, the particular ship, the type of crowd and, of course, the particular show. I have found that on sea days, when the casino is open all day, people tend to go to the show at night more often. On port days when the casino is closed and opens after departure, people tend to go to the casino a bit more.

 

When we go to a show we want to see, we always try and arrive about 15 minutes early. Then we usually have a choice of seats and we enjoy the show more that way. instead of coming in at the last moment and finding everyone else on the ship wants to see the show also. You might end up behind a pole or something.

 

Any more questions, please just ask away.

 

Hope you really enjoy your first cruise.

 

Cheers

 

Len

[tack777]

This was all great info., thank you so much! We are 2 weeks away from going and I can't wait. Thanks again!

[oldplayer532]

No reservations, but here's for planning purposes:

 

no show on day 1 (when you leave Seattle)

 

Day 2 (Sea Day): Captain's Welcome (intro of the officers and staff with some performances)

 

Day 3 (Ketchikan): Pulse (7pm, 9pm) This is a sampling of decade music, dance, and costumes by the entertainment performers. I really wanted to see this, but DH fell asleep before the late show.

 

Day 4 (Tracy Arm Fjord/Juneau): David Meyer, musician (DH was not interested, but heard he was...unique)

 

Day 5 (Skagway): Jason Bishop, magician/illusionist (7pm, 9pm) We went to the early show and enjoyed it thoroughly! He is young and a cutie! With a variety of disappearing illusions and quick hand tricks, he's fun to watch. Great card tricks, too!

 

Day 6 (Sea Day): Solstice the Show (8pm, 10pm) DO NOT MISS THIS! It's cirque-like with fantastic athleticism, agility, flexibility, and just overall ability to wow you! I know that an earlier post recommended the balcony. I have to say that our seats in the third row were amAAAAzing! They fly off the stage and over your head!

 

Day 7 (Victoria, BC): Farewell Tour (a little bit of everything from the week) This is earlier as Victoria is an evening port from 6pm to midnight. This show was at 4pm only.

 

Also, in the smaller theater (Celebrity Central), there is a nearly nightly show called Sin City Comedy. This DOES fill up. First night (day 2), the 10:30pm show was full over 30 minutes prior to showtime! We had to go the next night. It's the same show each night. There is a host, a burlesque performer, and a main stage comedian, Greg Vaccariello. Adult-themed, but not grotesque. The burlesque was tasteful, and I did not feel uncomfortable as a woman sitting next to her husband watching it. And Greg Vaccariello is hilarious!

 

FELLOW SOLSTICE PAX: fix me, if I've messed this up!

thank you Melinda! i am not a first time cruiser,but first time planning Alaska trip on Solstice. Any tips about what to do, transportation in Seattle (airport to port, hotels? Whats to pack? I am from Florida

[mort&fran]

As everyone has said, reservations are not needed for the (stage) shows. The same holds true for the other venues on board, which you should check out. We have been on a number of cruises where some of the lounge offerings were at least as enjoyable as the shows.

[frawnsay]

thank you Melinda! i am not a first time cruiser,but first time planning Alaska trip on Solstice. Any tips about what to do, transportation in Seattle (airport to port, hotels? Whats to pack? I am from Florida

 

No problem! :)

 

In regards to Seattle, I utilized the "West Coast Departures" forum under "North American Home Ports". There are threads on Seattle, Vancouver, SanFran, and so forth. Just use the search function for specific topics.

 

We stayed at the Inn at the Market, which is located downtown in Pike Place Market...the only hotel at the market. It's seconds to walk from the hotel to the market and only 5 minutes from a Target, in case you forget anything. It's recently been refurbished, and it's top of the line in luxury. We will always stay here in the future!

 

We used AlreadyThere town car service for our transportation from the airport to the hotel, and we would use them again. We used EastSideForHire for our taxi transfer from our hotel to Pier 91. And, we used Orange Taxi for transportation after the cruise (pier to the Space Needle and from the Space Needle to the airport). Most companies, whether it be a car service or taxi service, have a flat rate when downtown and the airport are concerned. All of the companies we used were clean and safe.

 

Here's my review, if you wish for more detailed information: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2056218

[frawnsay]

thank you Melinda! i am not a first time cruiser,but first time planning Alaska trip on Solstice. Any tips about what to do, transportation in Seattle (airport to port, hotels? Whats to pack? I am from Florida

 

Also, on another thread, I've posted my pictorial packing list. We did carry-on only...and I'm happy to say that it can be done! Of course, it depends upon your choice of excursions. We had a rain forest hike, but that was the most active excursion we had booked. If you were planning on snow or water encounters, you may need to adjust your packing.

 

Here's the list...page 5 post #100

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1880858&page=5

 

Layers are good. We invested in 3-in-1 jackets from The North Face that were wind and waterproof, and they were fantastic. I also planned for nicer things to wear at dinner (dresses or embellished tops and slacks), and I was glad that I did this; I found that guests were dressed nice for dinner, whether it was formal night or not. My DH didn't bring a suit or jacket as we were in Blu, which is smart casual every night. He wasn't breaking code in his polo and khakis on formal night, but he was under-dressed by comparison. I don't know if this is typical of Alaska, Celebrity, or both.

[Giantfan13]

thank you Melinda! i am not a first time cruiser,but first time planning Alaska trip on Solstice. Any tips about what to do, transportation in Seattle (airport to port, hotels? Whats to pack? I am from Florida

 

There are many threads here on what to wear, what to pack etc. etc. try doing a search and you will find many of them.

 

Being from Florida you will feel the chill a lot more then we did, with us being from NYC area. As has been said countless times, LAYERS< LAYERS< LAYERS are the key. Being from Florida, I wouldn't invest in any sort of warm coat or jacket, but a decent waterproof windbreaker would be great. People here seem to feel the need to have brand names which cost a lot, and then they rarely use them again. I would look online for a decent windbreaker, or else check out Walmart. I would bring along, maybe a hoodie (or you can buy a nice one in any of the ports). If you enjoy sitting outside, watching the scenery, you will need some sort of thing to keep you warm, depending on the weather.

 

You don't need the thermals, but you might want a thin pair if gloves and a hat, and you don't need earmuffs. :D:D:D:D

 

Did I mention dressing in layers. :D

 

Cheers

 

Len