Another one back from Solstice pre-innaugural

[flagger]

We just arrived home after stopping for lunch and picking up the dog from the kennel. I am in the process of downloading pictures from my camera and video from my Flip.

 

Any questions, fire away.

[judie43]

It may have been answered before but I have not found anything definative.....do the slots take actual cash and what happens when you cash out...I am not so concerned about cashing out because I rarely have to worry about thst aspect. I am concerned that I have to use my sea pass to play. I dont keep many secrets from my DH,but I usually "downplay' how much I am spending in the casino.

Thanks

Judie

[flagger]

I will be honest in that I did not play the slots. I did however see people putting cash in. The SeaPass card was used to track play for points.

 

Pay was a TITO (ticket in ticket out system) and they had a TITO pay machine in one corner of the casino. I saw at least one, but there may have been more.

[judie43]

Thanks for that info....I like the idea of cash being accepted in the machine and the tito is good too....most of the casinos around here do that...better that all those dirty coins.

[flagger]

I will say when I write my review I may come across as hyper-critical, but I want to say I enjoyed my time onboard. It had been since January of 2006 since we were onboard a Celebrity vessel, and we missed the experience.

 

They have designed a wonderful ship, but what many who are critical of it before even sailing are forgetting that this is a PROTOTYPE ship. There are four more coming and as each one comes online there will be more and more refinements.

 

For a PROTOTYPE, Celebrity Solstice is an outstanding ship. As more and more experience this ship, you will find several critics. What I did find as I listened over my two night experience was more and more people just raving about the ship. I also found a management team willing to listen to its critics and make adjustments when necessary that met operational and revenue needs.

 

Not everything was 100% perfect, but there was so many things that Celebrity did right. I will share more in-depth thoughts as I compose my notes and photos.

[tech-lab]

I have not seen a list yet of all officers and "key" people on the ship. Do you happen to have one

 

Thanks

[rmharvey8]

We are booked on a Sunset Veranda cabin in March 2009, in room 8347. I am a little nervous that the view of the wake will be somewhat blocked by the slope of the rear of ship. Did you get a good look off the balcony - what do you think? Am I up high enough or not? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Rob Harvey

 

Lots of cruises, lots of shiplines, lots of fun.

[dmk]

We are booked on a Sunset Veranda cabin in March 2009, in room 8347. I am a little nervous that the view of the wake will be somewhat blocked by the slope of the rear of ship. Did you get a good look off the balcony - what do you think? Am I up high enough or not? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Rob Harvey

 

Lots of cruises, lots of shiplines, lots of fun.

 

We are booked in #8347 for our Dec. 6th cruise. I also hope we will be high enough. I will report back.:)

[Andy]

It may have been answered before but I have not found anything definative.....do the slots take actual cash and what happens when you cash out...I am not so concerned about cashing out because I rarely have to worry about thst aspect. I am concerned that I have to use my sea pass to play. I dont keep many secrets from my DH,but I usually "downplay' how much I am spending in the casino.

Thanks

Judie

 

Hi Judie !

 

I also saw the Slot machines, and they use both Cash and SeaPass cards. Enjoy your Cruise !

[Amlee]

We are booked on a Sunset Veranda cabin in March 2009, in room 8347. I am a little nervous that the view of the wake will be somewhat blocked by the slope of the rear of ship. Did you get a good look off the balcony - what do you think? Am I up high enough or not? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Rob Harvey

 

Lots of cruises, lots of shiplines, lots of fun.

 

I was in room 7312 in a Sunset Veranda and I had no problem seeing the wake. Now you can not look directly down to it. For whatever reason, they placed a ledge that prevents you from doing this. But you can see out and see the wake just fine.

 

Here is a picture of my veranda and the blue ledge that will prevent you from seeing directly down.

 

[Host Anne]

Here is a photo from the Oceanview Cafe aft area looking down at the aft verandas. You can see that you will have a mostly unobstructed view of the wake from the aft balconies. However, on the lower aft decks (6 & 7 primarily), you'll also have a good view of the blue extension off the back of the ship below these balconies while looking at the wake. The blue section you see is the top or roof of the Tuscan Grille. I have no idea why they did not extend the balconies so you wouldn't have to look at this area on deck 5 - it is already dirty. And it would have given you a little more balcony space, which is kind of tight on some of the balconies. Not all balconies back here are of the same width and I believe the Conceirge cabins on the upper deck also have a wider balcony

 

http://solsticepreinauguarlnov12142008.shutterfly.com/26

[flagger]

I rode down an elevator with one of the Maitre'D D'Hotel and mentioned the odd waffle, syrup, toppings placement. He agreed with me that it should be reversed from the way it was on your sailing on the one I just got off. I did not go upstairs to see it this morning, but I did mention it.

[Amlee]

I rode down an elevator with one of the Maitre'D D'Hotel and mentioned the odd waffle, syrup, toppings placement. He agreed with me that it should be reversed from the way it was on your sailing on the one I just got off. I did not go upstairs to see it this morning, but I did mention it.

 

My FAVORITE thing about Celebrity is the pancakes and waffles. I can not begin to express to you how upset I was about them on this ship. I did let the staff know about it. The pancakes were so hard that I couldn't cut them. I asked the staff if they used them after breakfact to skeet shoot off the back of the ship? I let several different Celebrity people know about them. That is by far my biggest complaint.

[flagger]

I head several cries of shock and horror that the preview Sky Suite #2120 had a SCALE on the floor of the bathroom!

[DCT61]

Im in 2122...and will be offering our scale for anyone that wants it. We wont be using it this trip. Just the kinda guy I am.

[Amlee]

Here is a photo from the Oceanview Cafe aft area looking down at the aft verandas. You can see that you will have a mostly unobstructed view of the wake from the aft balconies. However, on the lower aft decks (6 & 7 primarily), you'll also have a good view of the blue extension off the back of the ship below these balconies while looking at the wake. The blue section you see is the top or roof of the Tuscan Grille. I have no idea why they did not extend the balconies so you wouldn't have to look at this area on deck 5 - it is already dirty. And it would have given you a little more balcony space, which is kind of tight on some of the balconies. Not all balconies back here are of the same width and I believe the Conceirge cabins on the upper deck also have a wider balcony

 

http://solsticepreinauguarlnov12142008.shutterfly.com/26

 

Well I can tell you, that crew members will use this area to walk around, so they can maintain and clean the side of the ship. People on deck 7 with aft verandas have to make sure their curtains are pulled when changing. As several times I caught crew walking around just outside the plixie glass of my veranda. It also had me looking for the lock to the sliding doors. As it wouldn't take much for a thief to get from one cabin to the next.

[fancymeetingyouhere]

I head several cries of shock and horror that the preview Sky Suite #2120 had a SCALE on the floor of the bathroom!

 

 

This is just another cost saving method by X. They are hoping that people will eat less once they step foot on the scale lol.

[flagger]

You long time posters will be pleased to know that I did in fact tip like a drunken sailor this trip. In the casino I was not at the the level of toking as the very nice woman who played next to me at the $5 table at BJ Tuesday early afternoon. She had a $20K marker taken out and was playing $1-2K a hand and putting up the dealer for $500-$1000 every other hand or so.

 

The dealers were so happy and she was one of the nicest people I have met on a ship. One engaged dealer couple said that their wedding was now paid for based on this trip alone! The dealers split tokes at the end of every cruise so every two days was payday otherwise it is every seven days.

[Ma Bell]

You long time posters will be pleased to know that I did in fact tip like a drunken sailor this trip. In the casino I was not at the very nice woman who played next to me at the $5 table at BJ Tuesday early afternoon. She had a $20K marker taken out and was playing $1-2K a hand and putting up the dealer for $500-$1000 every other hand or so.

 

The dealers were so happy and she was one of the nicest people I have met on a ship. One engaged dealer couple said that their wedding was now paid for based on this trip alone! The dealers split tokes at the end of every cruise so every two days was payday otherwise it is every seven days.

 

Very clever Flagger. They might not invite you back for another freebee if you don't take care of the employees.;)

[flagger]

I am not sure of the meaning of the ants printed on the tiles leading into the Ensemble Lounge and Specialty Restaurant areas.

[I Fly]

We are taking the 2-day Solstice cruise on November 21st, and I was wondering if you know where you sailed while on your cruise? Did you see land most of the time, and was it anywhere toward the Keys? Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

Steve

[Carol Anne]

When we sailed on 11/4 and 11/15 we seemed to sail up and down paralel to the coast. I several times recognized Ft. Lauderdale the the opening into the turning basin and John Lloyd State Park and then Hollywood Beach. On Saturday late in the day I could even make out two of the cruiseships in port. Just how far North and South they went I can't say but I know they went atleast as far South as Aventura, I recognized that also.

[Lois R]

When we sailed on 11/4 and 11/15 we seemed to sail up and down paralel to the coast. I several times recognized Ft. Lauderdale the the opening into the turning basin and John Lloyd State Park and then Hollywood Beach. On Saturday late in the day I could even make out two of the cruiseships in port. Just how far North and South they went I can't say but I know they went atleast as far South as Aventura, I recognized that also.

 

Hi Carol, didn't see much land;) walking around the ship most

of the time:D...except for when were all eating and drinking:)

She is a beauty:)

[Host Anne]

Amlee ~ I think you mean deck 6 aft as they are the veranadas just above the blue extension. I don't think anyone can see into the deck 7 aft veranda as they sit above deck 6 (don't want to confuse anyone). Also, my waffles were great the first day as they were just coming off the griddle when I got them; not so with day 2. I'm guessing when the ship is sailing full, this will be less of a problem. Anytime waffles or pancakes sit in a warming try, they are going to become rock-like quickly. Ask for fresh ones off the griddle.

 

Flagger ~ I commented on the same thing....can you imagine everyone getting food and then trying to butt in between the line to get butter and sryup. I'll let you know if this has been fixed.

 

On the ants....the art is very subjective and we could debate the art around the ship all day long. I too, didn't get the ants especially with the lovely roses on the wall and vase in this area. I just chuckled.

[hylasgirl]

Here is a photo from the Oceanview Cafe aft area looking down at the aft verandas. You can see that you will have a mostly unobstructed view of the wake from the aft balconies. However, on the lower aft decks (6 & 7 primarily), you'll also have a good view of the blue extension off the back of the ship below these balconies while looking at the wake. The blue section you see is the top or roof of the Tuscan Grille. I have no idea why they did not extend the balconies so you wouldn't have to look at this area on deck 5 - it is already dirty. And it would have given you a little more balcony space, which is kind of tight on some of the balconies. Not all balconies back here are of the same width and I believe the Conceirge cabins on the upper deck also have a wider balcony

 

http://solsticepreinauguarlnov12142008.shutterfly.com/26

 

I will bet the first dry dock includes a re-fit to correct this problem and give people MUCH better balconies and them much more money that they will charge for the new cabins. This is one of the strange parts of the ship IMO.