Solstice Review Dec 7-14th

[stinsowm]

My background: I have cruised with Celebrity cruises, Royal Caribbean, Princess and in the beginning Carnival. I have sailed on each Celebrity ship besides the Galaxy.

 

Pre-Cruise: Stayed at the Ft Lauderdale Grande hotel. This hotel has been rennovated recently and it is beautiful on the outside and inside. However, the staff were not friendly nor helpful. When I checked in the person up front did not greet me nor did anyone we encounter in the hotel besides the China Grill restaurant treat us as we should be treated as guests. I would stay there again only if I receive it on priceline. The room was clean though and location ideal for pre-cruise.

 

Embarcation: My partner Ben, great friend Kathy and I had been anxiously awaiting this trip for so long. We, like so many of you, watched the Solstice being built along each step of the way. When I first saw her--she was beautiful on the outside...so many balcony rooms and the design just stunning. We treated ourselves to a sky suite and were able to have a special check in. The check in was flawless and quick. What impressed me was there was a special desk for speciality restaurants next to the check in. As suite passengers you are entitled to 2 complimentary nights of speciality dining. We decided to try all the speciality restaurants (Murano twice)...more to come on this. We had our picture taken and were on board in no time.

 

First impressions: Stunning....amazing....really does take your breath away. I turned to Ben and said...this still feels like Celebrity. They were not holding the treys with the champagne and juice..but they were there. The lobby on the ship was stunning...like being in a grand hotel. I immediately saw a staff member that on the Constellation and I thought--I am home. Folks...the staff on Celebrity cruises aim to please and truly it is so important to be nice to them in return. I was in awe of the tree hanging suspended around the elevators and just every attention to detail that was put into the beautiful rooms.

 

Our suite: AFT 1667. I have a thing for the aft cabins having been spoiled on the M class of ships. The suite size on the aft (non corner) was nice...at 300 square feet. The bed was plush and we felt the size wonderful. The bathroom was furnished with the best spa products and had a tub. Definitely the nicest cabin I have ever had. The balcony was also wider than the standard, but no deeper than the side balconies. If you want your privacy also avoid the aft as other can see into most of your balcony and this one was mainly open. I love listening to the wake of the ship though. Our butler Ricky introduced himself almost immediately and did a great job thru the cruise. He shined our shoes, helped Ben unpack and provided us escargots each evening along with tea/coffee in the afternoon.

 

The Food: Ah, the most important part. First bad thing that happened...first lunch was in the Oceanview Cafe and they have done away with trays Bad mistake on Celebrity's part. Silverware is supposed to be at each table...however, there was none to be found. One could hear passengers like us trying to locate it and it taking staff a long time to bring it...bad. The food itself though was varied and included: Sandwich Station, Asian, Mexican, BBQ, Fruit, Cheese, Ice cream/dessert section. The food in my opinion for the buffet is a big improvement. Although, definitely missed the trays and the waitors helping older folks carry it. By the 2nd day the silverware problem seemed to have been resolved.

 

Main Dining Room: Looked like a scene from the 30's...very white and visually stunning. The center containing a large wine holding area. We had table 318 which was in the corner and felt the food on the 3 nights we ate in the dining room was good. They have eliminated one course and now include soup/salad and no longer present a dessert tray. I felt our waitor was doing actually his work along with the assistant waitors work.

One horrible experience was during open seating breakfast...we sat down and ordered banana pancakes. The waitor did say it might be a while as the kitchen was backed up. After 30 min...I heard all tables starting to complain...no food was coming out. The Assistant Matri D came over to tables and said...too many people come in at once. 10 more min.no food. I also complained to the Matri D and said..the dining room is not even busy. When the food finally arrived...it was cold and tastless. We sent it back. He returned with plain pancakes 10 min later...not good.

 

Silk Harvest--Silk Harvest is the Asian inspired restaurant and costs 20.00 per person to dine there. I thought it was well worth the charge. The food was amazing. One dish to try is the Orange Chicken. We each ordered different dishes and tried each others. I also enjoyed the Pad Thai and the Fried Rice.

 

Tuscan Grill--Italian Steakhouse. Big large leather type chairs and also great service. This was the least favorite of the 3 speciality restaurants, but again the food was very good. The warm crab appitizer was awesome. Kathy had the calamari and it was just o.k. I had the Caesar salad prepared tableside and filet mignon for my steak. Everyone at the table tried the eggplant and we all thought it really nice. For dessert I recommend the dark chocolate fondue. Ben's potatoes were undercooked, but he enjoyed his steak.

 

Murano--our favorite of the speciality restaurants. All new menu. My favorite dishes were the mushroom soup and the lamb. Lobster pot pie-was not the best and our only disappointment. It is true you do have to ask for the cheese cart now, but they do provide it. I enjoyed the dessert sampler one night and the chocolate dessert the other night. You have to try this restaurant.

 

Bistro on Five--we did try the crepes and felt they were nice, but were slightly disappointed in the dessert ones. I did enjoy the cowboy crepe though for my entree and again the service was very well done. The 5.00 surcharge was not bad and you can have as much as you like.

 

Service is truly where Celebrity continues to excel. I have to take this time to mention the biggest negative of the cruise and that was the unhappy/rude passengers. Classic moment me and another gentleman were waiting to have a famous waffle...had been standing there a couple of moments and the cook put them down...out of nowhere this little older lady tears between us and grabs up 2 waffles. No apology..no nothing. Another incident in the theater an older gentleman screams at me to be quiet when I was not being loud. Many of the passengers and God love them mainly the older ones seemed to be so angry at the world. I would smile at them and say "hello" and nothing in return. I heard husband and wife's fighting....and I thought to myself...you are on vacation folks...relax. I also heard so many being rude to the crew.

 

Guest Relations desk--Christian there was very professional and truly impressed me.

 

The Shows--much has been written about them...The shows are wonderful and I am glad we did not miss any of them. If you like Cirque style then you are in for a real treat. Don't miss them. The Celebrity theater is a big improvement over even the M class theaters.

 

The Solarium/indoor pool area....cold..what a shame they did not install a therapy pool. I also could not figure out why it was so cold. Now the furniture is nice and the hot tubs were working well. So we did spend one afternoon there and enjoyed the hot tubs.

 

San Juan--did the segway tour..highly recommended. This was done thru the ship and takes you all over the city. Very easy to learn how to ride the segway and the couple that runs the tour are very nice/helpful.

 

St Maartin--big city feel. We went over to Marigot and then to Moho beach to see the planes land...was very cool to be that close the the jets as they take off and land. Bar is reopened there as well.

 

St Kitts--beautiful, unspoiled. We went over the conkelshell beach by taxi. The driver was great and we saw monkeys, goats and the famous pig that lives on the beach. Rented chairs and umbrellas on the beach and it was truly paradise. My favorite port of call.

 

Other random thoughts--Bingo--all computerized. You can still punch out numbers, but now the board is electronic and includes sound effects, prize wheel....the staff made it so much fun. Casino was well positioned where you don't have to walk thru it--has many nickel, penny machines as well. I made my usual contribution.

 

Ensemble lounge--my favorite spot. You can listen to Jefferson Ang guitar or jazz music and have a pre/post dinner drink. Outstanding server Elizma who took care of us.

 

Lawn--like so many others have posted..nice idea, but it is probably going to have a hard way to go. Many times signs were up saying the lawn is resting. Once nice memory I have is seeing a couple of girls running across it barefoot though with their mom.

 

Martini Bar--beautiful decorated and the martini's are stout. Claudia one server was not friendly, but other servers there did great and we got to try the caviar as well one night.

 

All and all it was an amazing cruise. Celebrity again does a great job with service and food is still very good. I can tell you that there is not an uncomfortable chair/seat on this new ship. Much thought had to have gone into the design. The ship also never felt crowded. My biggest complaint was that of the lack of a therapy pool and the trays in the buffet area being gone. I mentioned the rude passengers, but we also met some very nice fellow cruise critics and other couples traveling who were really friendly.

 

I will continue to sail with Celebrity again and have the Solstice booked for next November. The cruise experience for me is all about service, food and relaxation. Celebrity delivers.

 

Walter

[ellbon]

Walter

 

Your review was awesome. I am not a big meat eater but i know which starter to try and i love dessert.

 

I leave in 13 days.. yea! Again thanks for the all the helpful tips.

[Fogtownrog]

Very good review; thank you. It is fair and balanced .... a couple of questions?

 

How did you get from the Grand to the ship? Taxi? If so, does the taxi driver get ticked off, New York style, for such a short ride?

 

Secondly, did you attend the Friends of Dorothy meeting per chance? If so, was it fun and friendly?

 

Again, thanks for your wonderful review.

[royal_flush]

Great and detailed review, thank you very much!

[clarkf]

Hi Robin,

My wife and I from Winston-Salem), along with two other couples, will be sailing on the 4th. From reading the reviews we are particularly excited. One question, we have had some trouble booking specialty restaurants online, as I never get a "book now" option. Have you had this problem as well.

Happy cruising.

 

Clark

 

P.S. Great pic with the dog

[Carol Anne]

Great review. I wanted to ask if you remember when you tried the Solarium Pool. Others have also said it was cold. Now I'm wondering if it was a problem from time to time. DH and I used them Wed, Thurs and Fri afternoon and the water was really warm almost as warm as the pool here that is at a constant 85 degrees. I don't go into even cool water so I'm puzzled?? No doubting your experience just puzzled :confused::)

[stinsowm]

Very good review; thank you. It is fair and balanced .... a couple of questions?

 

How did you get from the Grand to the ship? Taxi? If so, does the taxi driver get ticked off, New York style, for such a short ride?

 

Secondly, did you attend the Friends of Dorothy meeting per chance? If so, was it fun and friendly?

 

Again, thanks for your wonderful review.

 

Hi...we did use a taxi..it was a short ride, but the cab driver did not mind at all. I think they are used to taking cruiseship passengers. So no worries.

 

We did attend a couple of FOD meetings and they were fine. We would have gone more, but they were scheduled at 7:45 and we were eating. : )

 

Have a great cruise!

[stinsowm]

Great review. I wanted to ask if you remember when you tried the Solarium Pool. Others have also said it was cold. Now I'm wondering if it was a problem from time to time. DH and I used them Wed, Thurs and Fri afternoon and the water was really warm almost as warm as the pool here that is at a constant 85 degrees. I don't go into even cool water so I'm puzzled?? No doubting your experience just puzzled :confused::)

 

Hey Carol Anne--we used it toward the beginning of the cruise. Maybe the second day? I should clarify that it was the inside temperature that was cool on the day we were in there. I did not get into the pool itself, but got into the hot tub. That was very nice. Again, loved the furniture inside, just missed the therapy pool.

 

Thanks and hope you are well.

 

Walter

[ellbon]

Hi Robin,

My wife and I from Winston-Salem), along with two other couples, will be sailing on the 4th. From reading the reviews we are particularly excited. One question, we have had some trouble booking specialty restaurants online, as I never get a "book now" option. Have you had this problem as well.

Happy cruising.

 

Clark

 

P.S. Great pic with the dog

 

come find the answers on the Jan 4th RC. dog belongs to jeff King in Alaska. what a treat to meet him.

[signman]

Walter, I hope I'm one of those who falls on the good side. It was very nice meeting you, Ben and Kathy, and I hope our paths cross again. Nice job on the review. Thanks.

[stinsowm]

Walter, I hope I'm one of those who falls on the good side. It was very nice meeting you, Ben and Kathy, and I hope our paths cross again. Nice job on the review. Thanks.

 

You definitely are Howard. We really enjoyed meeting you as well.

[Andy]

Hi Walter !

 

Thank you for your excellent review. I am happy to hear you had a great Cruise on Solstice. Welcome Home !

[stinsowm]

Thanks Andy. I can't wait to sail her again!

[willysgrandma]

Excellent review. In St. Martin, was the bar fully operational in Maho Beach? Chairs to rent and food?

[stinsowm]

Excellent review. In St. Martin, was the bar fully operational in Maho Beach? Chairs to rent and food?

 

Yes, although we did not rent any chairs or eat..only had a frozen drink. I did see others eating and there appeared to be a very few chairs on the beach. Sorry, I am not sure about the cost. Definitely not the best beach in St Martin, but for the experience of seeing the planes take off and land right over your head it is fun. : )

[C 2 C]

Great review Walter. It's obvious that you enjoyed yourself:

 

[stinsowm]

Thanks Arno for the photo. : ) Hope you and your lovely wife have a great holiday!

[cvat]

Folks...the staff on Celebrity cruises aim to please and truly it is so important to be nice to them in return.

 

Walter

 

And if they are not nice?!

What should we do with them?!

[stinsowm]

And if they are not nice?!

What should we do with them?!

 

We received a feedback form..which was a nice touch early in the cruise with basically How is the cruise going? We put down the incident with the bar server in the martini bar. The next morning we received a call from the bar manager apologizing. So that is one good option along with letting guest relations know or that persons supervisor. Shouting at crew members for me is not an option and that was some of what I observed.

 

Thanks!

[thepeacha]

Aw Walter how could you? Your Mom Iola is THE BEST- cheers to all of you, see you onboard Solstice in November!

[cvat]

We received a feedback form..which was a nice touch early in the cruise with basically How is the cruise going? We put down the incident with the bar server in the martini bar. The next morning we received a call from the bar manager apologizing. So that is one good option along with letting guest relations know or that persons supervisor. Shouting at crew members for me is not an option and that was some of what I observed.

 

Thanks!

 

I think manners are required from both sites!

You cant ask with the reservation also a manners check, this would go to far!

 

You mentioned in your review beeing cut in a line of a older lady, youngs do this too.

 

 

The compay should consider this for the other ships,too.

[stinsowm]

Aw Walter how could you? Your Mom Iola is THE BEST- cheers to all of you, see you onboard Solstice in November!

 

I did miss her. Thank you...can't wait to see you next November.

[Lois R]

Hi Walter, thanks for the detailed review:)

Sounds like you and Ben enjoyed yourselves very much!

[cvat]

We received a feedback form..which was a nice touch early in the cruise with basically How is the cruise going? We put down the incident with the bar server in the martini bar. The next morning we received a call from the bar manager apologizing. So that is one good option along with letting guest relations know or that persons supervisor. Shouting at crew members for me is not an option and that was some of what I observed.

 

Thanks!

Surley there are other ways of discussion but it seems this way was preferd.

[RCfanNdallas]

We received a feedback form..which was a nice touch early in the cruise with basically How is the cruise going? We put down the incident with the bar server in the martini bar. The next morning we received a call from the bar manager apologizing. So that is one good option along with letting guest relations know or that persons supervisor. Shouting at crew members for me is not an option and that was some of what I observed.

 

Thanks!

 

Walter, I was on the 11/30 cruise and Claudia was our server in the Martini Bar most of the time. She warmed up to our group but I could tell she was stressed. I got her to talk and apparently, the staff is making a lot less money compared to their time working on the other ships...I know that is not an excuse but I am sure they were pumped up by management about how great it was going to be but I think they are all having a harder time adjusting to the new design and size. We had a wonderful trip but being on the post inaugural, I expected things not to go perfectly. Of course, we met a wonderful group of guys (and have been named the Quasar 7 by other CC members on the cruise) and that made it that much better. Two of our new friends, Beau and Justin, did a back to back so you may have met them. I agree with you about the waffle station...lol...this is the only time I felt stress like I was in traffic....but they were worth waiting for. I think some of the older Celebrity passengers are having a hard time adapting to a larger, family oriented ship. As for design issues, the basketball court was the biggest flaw. It was unusable most days but when it was usuable, it made the Solstice Deck feel less relaxed due to the noise. Also, The Lawn Club is beautiful but I feel is wastes too much valuable deck space and will be too costly to maintain and I hope that celebrity finds other uses down the road. I think another specialty restaurant with atrium seating or something might be better. Also, the hot glass show is unique but once again, that is valuable area for something that you really only want to see one time. Oh well, enough of my opinions.

 

Take Care,

 

Jeff (and Andrew)