The flagship of Modern Luxury, Celebrity Solstice, arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday en route to a wine cruise up the West Coast followed by a full Alaska season.
On my way to Pier 46, the seldom used port where Solstice was docked, I passed the sleek Golden Princess and boxy Norwegian Jewel at the primary World Cruise Terminal. Solstice seems somewhat of a compromise in the two ship exteriors, with a sleek profile like Princess and stacked balconies that rise 180 degrees vertically up the sides of the ship like Norwegian.
Aerial view of Solstice at sea
The squared design of the balconies is intended to provide greater privacy from prying eyes above, according to Celebrity, but I'd say it is more to make the balcony depth uniform, except where the angled bulges accomodating the midship and forward elevators. This more efficient design helps when 85% of the rooms on Solstice have verandas, encompassing the outer walls of decks 6 through 11 and the aft section on Deck 12 where the pools are located, and just two levels of public spaces and then the standard ocean view windows of Deck 3 below before it tapers into the hull approaching the water.
There can be a tradeoff between asthetics of the outside of a ship and the utility for those onboard, and Celebrity Solstice doesn't compromise on either.
Lounging in the future.
Stepping aboard, we were greeted with our choice of champagne or orange juice, just as guests are greeted at many ports, where they might also receive a cool towel on a warm day.
The interior of Solstice is subtle, tinted lighting and sleek, modern materials. If your vision of the future is a lot of white, metal and glass with mood lighting, then you have arrived in the future inside the ship. It doesn't have the jaw-dropping awe of Royal Caribbean Royal Promenades, but everything is extremely tasteful.
If Carnival is Circus Circus, then Solstice is the Wynn or Encore.
Grand Epernay
On a cruise line renowned for its dining experience, you should expect beautiful restaurants, and Solstice does not disappoint. The Grand Epernay Dining Room, from its multi-story, 2000-bottle glass wine tower to its elegant seating to its champagne candelabra to its futuristic setting, is gorgeous. I personally think it would be better if they had maybe three fewer tables on the bottom floor to allow for a bit more visual space among the tables, but keep in mind I was seeing it empty, which might offer a totally different perspective than when filled with diners. Plus, as I mentioned regarding exterior design, there must be consideration for utility as well as simply aesthetics, and I have no doubt that anyone seated at those "extra" tables will be happy to have the vaulted ceiling above them as they dine. While for all intents and purposes this is the equivalent of a highly efficient fine steak or seafood restaurant (with all manner of dishes available on any given night's menu), you do not pay extra to dine here.
Blu
For Aqua Class guests, there is a more unique experience with open seating nightly at the 120-guest capacity Blu, at no additional charge. This dining room is for the exclusive use of Aqua Class and, for a $5 reservation fee, Suite guests. The white walls include huge sculpted roses, and the accent lighting changes nightly. There is no assigned dining time in Blu for Aqua Class guests, for whom this venue replaces the Grand Eparnay.
Oceanview Cafe & Grill
Whether you are assigned to the Grand Epernay or Blu, you can enjoy more casual meals at Oceanview Cafe and Grill. Rather than a Soup Plantation type of buffet, this is a series of 11 dining stations with alternative selections, resulting to shorter lines, although because of the nature of the guests attracted to Celebrity, buffets are never as crowded as on other lines. All surfaces are white, metal and glass, and the lighting bright. Outdoors, there is teak seating aft.
Foodies at Play
Since Celebrity definitely appeals to foodies, many will opt to pay the reservation fees for alternative dining experiences, despite the prices being a bit more steep than most mainstream cruise lines. For $29 per night, they can dine at any of the alternative restaurants throughout the cruise (subject to reservation availability).
There are also 3, 4 and 5 alternative dinner packages available.
10,000 bottles of wine onboard, replenished at 800 per day.
Personally, I find it hard to spend money on alternative dining onboard, especially when the nightly fare at the main dining room, and for Aqua Class guests at Blu, is truly superb, but many Celebrity guests love to experience alternative venues and menus. Similar meals on land certainly far exceed the reservation fees.
Silk Harvest, where I sampled orange chicken that was far more nuanced and delicious than that served at Panda Express certainly, is the most popular alternative venue, sold out every night according to staff.
Dinner?
My Celebrity DSM Jeff called Tuscan Grille his personal favorite, and its lovely aft view undoubtedly enhances the experience.
For ultimate luxury, try Murano, where the ratio of staff to guest is 1:1. If a lady needs a restroom break, a staff member is there to not simply scoot her chair but to escort her to the door of the restaurant, where he will personally wait for her return.
Lawn Club picnic
For something completely different, how about a picnic in the park? On Solstice Class ships, there's a lawn club where you can enjoy a picnic in the middle of the ocean.
If you're someone who appreciates fine dining, you may find it is cheaper to cruise on Celebrity Solstice than to stay home, especially if you resist the urge to try the alternative dining venues. Both Grand Epernay or Blu will rotate through menus delighting every gourmet, and the quality of service on Celebrity is always superb.
Plenty of unique spaces in which to relax and unwind.
If you're looking for a place to celebrate your anniversary, retirement or some other big occasion, a wonderful choice is Celebrity Solstice this summer in Alaska. And surprisingly, Celebrity costs about the same as other mainstream, large ship lines, especially with specials like the current Move Up Double Up.
