Is it just me...?

[jerseygirl3]

Or does the Solstice, while lovely (and I do love the design of the stateroom bathrooms, looks to have loads of storage space), appear cold? Everything just looks so angular and white...almost sterile looking. I've always liked the elegant look of Celebrity's ships, and while I'm sure Solstice is no exception, she just doesn't appear very "warm" to me. Perhaps in person it comes through differently?

 

Jo-Ann

[drfun48]

Or does the Solstice, while lovely (and I do love the design of the stateroom bathrooms, looks to have loads of storage space), appear cold? Everything just looks so angular and white...almost sterile looking. I've always liked the elegant look of Celebrity's ships, and while I'm sure Solstice is no exception, she just doesn't appear very "warm" to me. Perhaps in person it comes through differently?

 

Jo-Ann

 

It's just you....Fill it with people having fun and everything will be just fine.

[ocngypz]

Jersey - you are right. The use of blues and whites... are cold colors. Perhaps it will warm up when the whites get dirty...lol.

 

I found the ship cold in appearance as well.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Hubby and I had opposing opinions on the subject of the interior of Solstice. He thought the ship lacked an overall "coziness" and that it was too much of a designers' and interior decorators' showpiece.

 

I disagree and would point out that there are places on the ship that are cozy--you just have to search. One place would be the area between the Bacio Cafe and the Gelateria. They face each other. There is a variety of seating there.

 

My favorite seats there were the high-backed mustard colored arm chairs. You could almost dispappear in them. The carpet is a warm mocha brown with cafe con leche color paisley print. If you look up, the ceiling repeats that exact motif and coloring but it is a cut out of light weight wood, a sight to behold.

 

Another cozy area is known as Michael's Place, deck five near the premium restaurants. It seems part library, part men's club with comfortable leather chairs and heavily upholstered sofas. There is even a fireplace--not a functioning one however. The walls are dark wood, the draperies are rich brocade and there is a baby grand piano.

 

The art work and sculpture are wonderful. I could have fallen alseep in this welcoming and totally unoccupied space, but the jazz pianist arrived, needed to practice and told us the area was closed. Oh well.

 

I thought our cabin was cozy. I really liked the bathroom design. It is the best bathroom I have had on a cruiseship. The bed was so comfortable. The leather sofa was great too.

 

The blue restaurant "Blu" is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever seen on a ship. No photo can do it justice. The chandelier, the matching crystal wall trim, the blue carpet with a white linear gardenia motif that matches the two fabulous gardenia walls that are sculpted to give the impression of petals, the white table linens and blue water glasses, the ocean's glow through the large windows all combine to create a unique and elegant impression.

 

Too bad only suite guests can eat there. If I were "king" of Celebrity cruise lines, I would move the suite guests to the Murano restaurant and let everyone who wishes to pay the premium price of Murano eat in Blu.

 

The libray seating area looks cozy and inviting. The book shelves go two stories high, but at the second story of shelves, the books are decorative only and cannot be accessed. I sat at one of two table game areas overlooking the library seating. I could clearly see that the hard-to-get books were old Encyclopeida Brittanicas and other similar fare.

 

I will say this, while the libray looks cozy, anyone using the glass elevators going up and down there can see you and the readers must listen to those elevators constantly going up and down.

 

 

There definitely are areas that have a colder, high-tech, futuristic vibe, however. One would be the generously sized dance area near the top of the ship. It seems that every surface is designed in that area to reflect light. I never made it up there at night when a full-scale light show was going. I'm sure it is spectacular, but by day, I do agree that it is what hubby called sterile. The seating is very comfortable though and the day time view of the ocean is amazing.

 

The martini bar is another high tech area with many reflective surfaces and a whitish, almost icey atmosphere. It was a very popular gathering place.

 

I found the ship, overall, a dazzling experience. Everywhere one looks there is some whimsical or some surprising decorative touch to enjoy. That may not be for everybody, though.

[hylasgirl]

I have not heard from anyone that has actually been on board that they did not find something about this ship that was spectacular! Everything I hear is how beautifully done everything is. I think it has turned out much better than ever expected. I think the shopping area and the casino look better than anything I have seen onboard a ship. Blu was something that looked very strange in the renderings and I think it is a gorgeous restaurant. While I am not interested in the "Clean Cuisine", I do think they have made a fantastic dining space.

 

And there is NOTHING cold and sterile about the Solarium pool. I think that area looks very nice. I can't wait to be onboard!!!

 

I have not been hearing a negative thing by those that have been lucky enough to sail so far. Everyone says that it has exceeded expectations. I can't wait for my turn.

[YOW]

Nope, not just you. I have made similar remarks in this forum as well.

 

As others have advised, however, I'll watch for more photos with people aboard. Still, I've seen plenty of ship pics (some very well done, such as those on shipparade.com) with few/no pax where the interiors seemed much warmer and more welcoming than what we've seen of Solstice thus far. Yet again, I'll agree that there's no substitute for being there (though we have no immediate plans to do so).

[Karynanne]

I think I'll reserve my opinion until I board in 2 weeks.

[Texed]

I think I'll reserve my opinion until I board in 2 weeks.

 

Sounds like a smart idea Karyn, and I will be on her not long after you. :)

[eroller]

I think SOLSTICE looks amazing. The decor is very unique and unfortunately I think it will be lost on many cruisers used to something more traditional. I have always thought of Celebrity ships (and their decor and art) to be somewhat forward thinking, contemporary yet sophisticated. From what I have seen of SOLSTICE she looks to be all of the above and more. Decor wise, she just might be the most sophisticated cruise ship sailing today.

 

I guess if I want "warm and cozy" I will pick Holland America or Princess.

 

Personally I am just thrilled that SOLSTICE is something completely different and not more of the same. There are enough ships around that really play it safe in the decor department. I'm glad SOLSTICE is not one of them.

 

Ernie

[jerseygirl3]

Several photos have now been posted of Solstice and I have a question. The M-Class ships on Celebrity have stairs leading into their main pools. From the photos I've seen of Solstice, it apears that there are only metal ladders leading into the main pools. Does anybody know if there are stairs or just ladders? I really like that the M-class ships have steps. It always surprised me that HAL, which tends to cater to an older population, doesn't have stairs leading into their pools. Now it looks like Celebrity is going in that direction with Solstice. Can anybody comment?

[cvat]

Perhaps it will warm up when the whites get dirty...lol.

This will give the ship a more warmed up aspects, esp.during sprig break - the ship will reiceve a very new interior!

[micmacmissy]

Some people on these boards have compared the look of Solstice to an IKEA store...I thought that was funny.

 

It does look really different and not as nautical as the older ships, but I think it looks very design forward and fresh.

[jackdiamond]

Ah! Blue is the most dominant color in the world.

[BurBunny]

What's interesting when you see her in person is that what appears totally stark white in photos is actually varying shades of light beige and taupe. With the exception of the truly white interiors of Blu and Crush (the Martini Bar), the designers warmed up the "white" quite a bit. Unfortuantely, that doesn't translate well in photos. Still cool overall, the whites are almost all in the tan (red) hues rather than blue (cool) tones. Very clever design to give a clean look without becoming as stark as it could easily have been.