Planned differences between Solstice and Equinox

[Drew B]

Has X made any announcements as to anything that will be different between Solstice and Equinox? The Solstice reviews sound so fabulous, but the Equinox itineraries are so much better -- I don't know which to plan..

[FinelyCruising]

Hi Drew - I had hoped we'd have heard from Hari on all that, but I haven't heard yet about anything being different on board. In terms of length of cruise.... I am pretty convinced that in terms of cabin storage a 7 day with no change in the next ships design, that there might remain a tight squeeze for the ladies. (Sadly, guys are already used to getting what ever space we give them). Arguing that the storage limits were based on luggage, I don't buy into that, the limits do not really exist on the airlines for a TA, and the design was before fuel debacle. I think it was a mistake in design that is not being acknowledged. On another note, I think that there are plenty of dining options right now that on a 7 day there might not seem to be enough time for to try, but on a longer cruise there would be with a more leisurely pace, but I do think the addition of the other venues are similar to other lines with that quantity of varied venues, and that it moves this class to a different genre for better or worse.

 

Mostly, I think this class of ship has been a real adjustment and I think its still a pretty even split between thumbs up or no thumbs up. It almost seems like there is little to tie this class of ship to the Celebrity brand that was pretty solid, reliable and predictable despite its continuing customer service shortfall issues (that were pretty solid, reliable and predictable). :cool:

 

It is a shame, at least to me, since had it been built on past success I am sure it might have been a concept that was meant to be more than the conundrum it is. Being open to the idea that there is tweaking that needs to occur is consideration given based on past performance, and I think that there has been a pattern of ignoring certain design impacts and avoiding things that cost money to improve. So I am not one who is overly optimistic about issues that I feel from the feedback and insight of others to date will improve to my liking, and of course X does not make commitments to such things anyway.

 

Now...if the casinos pay out better on one ship to another, well...only time will tell. ;)

[Drew B]

Mostly, I think this class of ship has been a real adjustment and I think its still a pretty even split between thumbs up or no thumbs up. It almost seems like there is little to tie this class of ship to the Celebrity brand that was pretty solid, reliable and predictable despite its continuing customer service shortfall issues (that were pretty solid, reliable and predictable). :cool:

 

Interesting perspective. I personally think that Celebrity's image was a bit stolid and boring and needed to be shaken up a bit. I think Solstice has done that. And I think that in most areas, I have seen MANY more "thumbs up" reports than "thumbs down". I don't think I've seen a single review that has denied that the ship is gorgeous. While design may not be the single biggest criterion, I have to admit that it makes me much more anxious to try a Solstice class ship instead of another M-Class or C-Class ship...

[FinelyCruising]

Interesting perspective. I personally think that Celebrity's image was a bit stolid and boring and needed to be shaken up a bit. I think Solstice has done that. And I think that in most areas, I have seen MANY more "thumbs up" reports than "thumbs down". I don't think I've seen a single review that has denied that the ship is gorgeous. While design may not be the single biggest criterion, I have to admit that it makes me much more anxious to try a Solstice class ship instead of another M-Class or C-Class ship...

 

Drew...I recognize what you are saying, and I agree that that most agree that the ship is beautiful. I think now I that have seen it in photos from top to bottom, I find myself thinking show me the bones, the glitz has been the superficial body that I have seen for months and my take way is that something really big is missing.:o

[FinelyCruising]

Interesting perspective. I personally think that Celebrity's image was a bit stolid and boring and needed to be shaken up a bit. I think Solstice has done that. And I think that in most areas, I have seen MANY more "thumbs up" reports than "thumbs down". I don't think I've seen a single review that has denied that the ship is gorgeous. While design may not be the single biggest criterion, I have to admit that it makes me much more anxious to try a Solstice class ship instead of another M-Class or C-Class ship...

 

 

On another note..any decision yet on the 11/05/09 Equinox???

[Drew B]

On another note..any decision yet on the 11/05/09 Equinox???

 

Yes, I've reached a decision, but the decision is a "no", sadly. However, I'm suddenly considering the next Equinox sailing on 11/23/09. My boss unequivically asked me not to take off two consecutive weeks this year. I may or may not comply, but with the 11/23 sailing, at least two of the days I'd be taking off would already be holiday days. It should make things slightly easier for her to accept... The TA would actually involve me taking off MORE than 2 consecutive weeks, given the time it would take to get to Rome...

[ccletzgo]

Two major areas I am curious about are the lawn (that is always resting), and the solarium (with no T pool & reported as just an indoor pool).

[RJL58]

Two major areas I am curious about are the lawn (that is always resting), and the solarium (with no T pool & reported as just an indoor pool).

 

Big thumbs up for the Solstice.

 

Lawn issue- the grass sown was European in variety, it is on trial to test to see if it will survive in Caribbean climate. If not it will be replaced with a variety that thrives in that climate.

 

Solarium pool- on my two cruises it was soooooo cold that I did not use. It was said that the pool was not heated, but temp was 29 degress NO WAY. I HOPE on Equinox and Eclipse the bring back the thermal pool.

 

RICH

[cvat]

The Solstice reviews sound so fabulous, but the Equinox itineraries are so much better -- I don't know which to plan..

Exactly!

I agree with you completeley with the itinerary.

 

They are sailing nearly the same time frame,as to vacation,this has to be annaounced early, alike.

[BAPON]

Several reports that in fact the Solarium pool is heated. Carol Anne claims to have been in it 3 times on a recent cruise and it was warm.

[BAPON]

Here's Carol Anne's information about the pool:

 

"The Solarium Pool is heated. Yes, heated . We checked it on the 3rd day out as I really wanted to swim. Being from So. Florida the pool in the winter at our clubhouse is at a constant 85. I figured there was little hope that I would be swimming based on other past posts. Well its heated, I would say at about 80.

 

Bob and I had a nice 20 minute chat with Simon Weir the Hotel Director about several things. He explained that while a part had malfunctioned on the first cruise that indeed the pool is heated. He said that now its deciding where to keep the temperature. One person request it warmer and them someone comes along and says can it be made cooler. Also the water is fresh not salt. There are stairs into the pool in addition to ladders."

[marinearchit]

As far as design changes go, I think Equinox will definately have a more traditional welded X on the forward funnel.

 

Otherwise, I doubt we'll see anything besides some design changes to the lawn, different artwork, maybe some different public space decor (I don't know if Equinox will have the suspended tree, etc.) and, judging by past X ships, maybe different decor in Silhouette.

[FinelyCruising]

Yes, I've reached a decision, but the decision is a "no", sadly. However, I'm suddenly considering the next Equinox sailing on 11/23/09. My boss unequivically asked me not to take off two consecutive weeks this year. I may or may not comply, but with the 11/23 sailing, at least two of the days I'd be taking off would already be holiday days. It should make things slightly easier for her to accept... The TA would actually involve me taking off MORE than 2 consecutive weeks, given the time it would take to get to Rome...

 

I know!!! The 11/5 is like a 3 week trip. It will be my first TA and my first 3 weeks too.:D

 

Good luck with your plans for the 11/23 sailing! :)

[Karynanne]

I know!!! The 11/5 is like a 3 week trip. It will be my first TA and my first 3 weeks too.:D

 

Good luck with your plans for the 11/23 sailing! :)

 

We'll be on this cruise...and also will be gone for a little over 3 weeks. You'll love the TA...be prepared to become hooked on these trips. They're wonderful!

[FinelyCruising]

We'll be on this cruise...and also will be gone for a little over 3 weeks. You'll love the TA...be prepared to become hooked on these trips. They're wonderful!

 

I just booked the air with Lessno two minutes ago, so I am looking forward to the 11/5 with great anticipation! I know many have enjoyed the 7 day Solstice, and if Equinox is identical with all its 'issues', its so many on the 11/5 roll call that I want to see again that the ship's issues are incidental to that pleasure.:)

[Drew B]

I just booked the air with Lessno two minutes ago, so I am looking forward to the 11/5 with great anticipation! I know many have enjoyed the 7 day Solstice, and if Equinox is identical with all its 'issues', its so many on the 11/5 roll call that I want to see again that the ship's issues are incidental to that pleasure.:)

 

Sweet lord in Heaven! I popped over to see who else was on that cruise with you, and I have NEVER seen a roll call like that! It's bigger than just about every other roll call I've ever opened, COMBINED! You're going to have an amazing time.

[FinelyCruising]

Sweet lord in Heaven! I popped over to see who else was on that cruise with you, and I have NEVER seen a roll call like that! It's bigger than just about every other roll call I've ever opened, COMBINED! You're going to have an amazing time.

 

Drew... I have sailed with a portion of that group before...AND THAT IS WHY I wanted you to sail this one with all of us. I think you would have an incredible time and love it to death.

 

So what's your bosses name so I can call her.....

[Drew B]

LOL! I JUST got back from a B2B and for a couple of the days, my colleague was also out, so the first time in 9 years, my boss didn't have one or the other of us to lean on. She had to do things she had NO IDEA how to do. It was traumatic for her.

 

Perhaps if I just let it go for a couple of months and then bring it up, she will have recovered sufficiently that she will feel differently... We have an agreement that she won't stand in the way of me taking my vacation time (years ago, I felt to guilty to ever take a day off), but now she's asking me to spread it around a little bit instead of taking it all at once. I know how she feels, as I've never been so miserable at work as I was when she was in the HOSPITAL for 2 months + and I had to do her job as well as my own...

[FinelyCruising]

oooohhhh....calling in sick for 3 weeks...a stretch...maybe we just get her to plan ahead for it and a few times on the internet for a hour or so of work time to keep feeling the love in your physical absence, with a bit more on the 6 in a row sea days, but early in the morning before the casinos open..;)

 

I've got PLENTY of ideas.:D

[tom_uk]

Lawn issue- the grass sown was European in variety, it is on trial to test to see if it will survive in Caribbean climate. If not it will be replaced with a variety that thrives in that climate.

 

Don't forget that Solstice will be spending half of each year in Europe.

 

(Of course there are the wider questions: will any grass survive in those conditions, and what's the point of it anyway?)

[jt1120]

I'll say it again, I think Celebrity has a real winner on their hands with a ship unlike any other on the high seas. Where people can find negatives to say is beyond me. Though it is more difficult to throw caution to the wind these days with the economy the way it is, I'd still have to say that a cruise dollar spent on the Solstice class is a cruise dollar well spent.