Solstice 9/9/22 Seattle to Vancouver

[Peasy24]

Weather has been way better than I expected. The crew is incredible. The room service eggs are not. The live jazz band last night was enchanting. The gumbo in the MDR was fantastic. The pool bar is like Cheers. 

[SusieV]

Keep her ready for us!!! SO excited to board soon!

[Peasy24]

Totem heritage center isn't very big but the river & park around it are gorgeous 

[Peasy24]

Getting off the ship in Ketchikan was almost surreal. We walked off, no line. I've never experienced such a smooth debark before. Ketchikan is quaint.  I find the Solstice to be showing a hint of her age but it's hardly anything to be concerned about. We are in a regular verandah room. The bed is comfortable. All of the staff have been incredibly nice & accommodating. Breakfast in the MDR stops at 9:00, which some on board felt abrupt/early. I only know because I heard mumbles about it. Ship is fairly full and sometimes there is a line at the bars but it's never felt daunting. Biggest problem in the buffet are the indecisive wanderers that don't look where they're walking 😛

[AnnaNicole]

Have a wonderful trip!!

[lovecruzin]

Boarding on Friday, have fun!

[Peasy24]

Menu @ the pool bar 9/10

[Peasy24]

Comedian Al D. was fun. Very interactive & rolls with what the crowd throws at him. Glacier presentation with Dr. Steve was informative. Pic of the Solstice sitting pretty in Ketchikan 

[Northern Aurora]

We are also boarding on September 16th for a B2B.  We spent two weeks on the Solstice last June, and are looking forward to returning.  A number of the staff who were onboard in June expect to still be on the ship.  While the ship is showing her age she is very clean, and the staff were so upbeat and happy.

[eyecantwait]

Our first trip on the Solstice was to celebrate our daughters college graduation in 2010. Out next trip was supposed to be August 2020 to celebrate my retirement. Happy to say we're finally going next August to Alaska.

Just curious if you're seeing anyone renting the cabanas? Thanks!

[irvington]

Looks like a fun trip. 

[Fly and Sail]

Since when is Solstice going to Vancouver?

[lovecruzin]

13 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

Since when is Solstice going to Vancouver?

Sept 16 cruise is from Vancouver to Los Angeles. It was switched from Millennium to Solstice.

Edited September 12, 2022 by lovecruzin

[Northern Aurora]

And after the September Pacific Coastal cruise the Solstice will start its seven night Mexican "Riviera" cruises.  We are on for both the September 16 and 24 cruises.

[Peasy24]

About to go solo on the kayak glacier trek.  Weather is still simply gorgeous. Made to order omelettes in MDR are very good. Burgers @ the mast grill are also excellent. Staff couldn't be more upbeat & helpful. Our entire group (3 couples) has been pretty blown away by this experience.  

[OrcaGirl]

I need to know the story behind the Nicholas Cage magnet! 🤣

[cruzzzinma]

We can’t wait to board on Sep 14 for a b2b!

[Peasy24]

8 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

I need to know the story behind the Nicholas Cage magnet! 🤣

Im kind of a prankster with my friends & he makes them smile. I left it on their door. Just finished the liquid Alaska glacier tour. She's receding a lot. Great tour though. Not through Celeb. They say it will be a lot different next year. 

[Peasy24]

Forgot to take a picture but the burgers & fries at the mast grill are great! My husband had a shave & a haircut at the spa. He said he feels like a redneck, still not sure about the whole experience, lol. He looks great though. 

[Peasy24]

The tender in Skagway is a pita. If I did it again, I would just get off/tender without going through the cluster frack of the "Celebrity Excursions cattle call in the sauna of a theater. There's a pretty good ramp once you exit the small boat. 

[Peasy24]

White pass train is pretty interesting.  If you are going to go outside, do it on the way up. It's very loud on the way down. 

 

Edited September 13, 2022 by Peasy24

[Peasy24]

It rained a little in Skagway. Red Onion Saloon & Klondike brewing were both very accommodating. Archery game targets. Rice noodles & key lime pie from MDR lunch. Both were very good. It's cloudy here in Vancouver. We brought dominos & they let us play in the world class bar. 

[Peasy24]

Getting off the ship was a breeze. $15 flat cab rate to downtown. We dropped our bags at the hotel & walked around for awhile. There are security officers pretty much everywhere. Selected a couple of chicken sandwiches & truffle fries from Tap & Barrel. Had a lovely meal outside watching the sea planes. Watched Top Gun Maverick at the Scotiabank theater & grabbed a late night sandwich at Breka. 

[Peasy24]

One note about Solstice: no one warned me about Abba night. Staff told us on board it would be popular and they were not kidding. I had no idea people loved Abba that much. The entire middle of the ship from deck 4-11 was singing and dancing. Great time. Don't miss it! 

[Peasy24]

Sunset last night was breathtaking. We enjoyed a free walk around Stanley Park. Top of Vancouver for happy hour. Cab fare from the downtown blue horizon hotel was $40 with tip. Took a little under a half hour. Security @ YVR is no joke. Line after line after line. I was really glad we were in business class.