Cruise Reviews

The highest of standards on Celebrity Solstice

Reviewed By: Maxwell, Coatbridge on 22nd Jun 2009
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Celebrity Solstice Sailed: May, 2009
Destination: Mediterranean Age: 56-65
We have recently returned from an Eastern Med cruise on the Celebrity Solstice, a wonderful ship by any standards.
We have sailed with all the major cruise lines including Cunard, P & O, Princess, Holland America and various others this being our 17th cruise. As always the standards on board Celebrity ships are consistantly high, but this ship exceeded our expectations. The internal design features of the ship are of amazing with quality materials used throughout. The Epernay restaurant is beautifully designed with clean lines in white and silver and the food as always is first class with service to match. This ship has the best selection of food in the buffet section that we have encountered anywhere including QM2 or Queen Victoria. I would say that the overall service is of a higher standard than the Cunard ships generally. It was our third cruise with Celebrity and we have just booked an Aqua class cabin for the family in December for the Caribean on the Solstice. The deck areas were uncrowded and ouzed quality of fittings and style. Overall I would rate this the best ship we have had the pleasure to sail on and the officers also made themselves available and approachable to everyone. The only downside of Celebrity line is the pricing of both drinks and excursions which are expensive but perhaps this is just a reflection of the overall standard of the line.
Quality of Food5
Main dining was excellent and the buffet was the most extensive we have seen.
Entertainment4
We loved the Classical Guitarist and the string quartet.
Shore Excursionsn/a
We did not book any excursions due to the cost.
Staff5
Every member of staff we encountered were of a high standard, no complaints at all.
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities4
Cabins5
Well appointed cabins with a reasonable sized balcony and fine furnishings.
Overall Rating5
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Question by marshall-thomas, tonypandy south wales (30 Jun 09 09:55) about this REVIEW
what were the prices of the drinks like in bars /dining areas vodka/coke whisky white wine have recieved some frightening reports from cruiser haydn south wales
ANSWER
Answer by Maxwell, Coatbridge (01 Jul 09 19:21) to a QUESTION by marshall-thomas (30 Jun 09 09:55)
I couldnt comment on vodka or whisky prices however the were charging $10 15% service =$11.50 for a Martini in the Martini bar. A glass of not very special Merlot was $9.00 15%=$10.35 and I think the cheapest bottle of Merlot in the dining room was around $27.00 again 15%. The end result is that people simply dont pay it. Looking around the dining room there seemed to be very few people with wine on the table. Come on Celebrity surely it would be better to have a smaller mark up on something than a large percentage of nothing.
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Question by L'Enfant, Kidderminster (04 Jul 09 21:45) about an ANSWER by Maxwell (01 Jul 09 19:21)
Having only ever sailed with Royal Caribbean in the past, we have previously purchased a 'wine package', which offered good choice and value for money. Do you know whether Celebrity offer something similar? (we have just booked to sail with them next year)
ANSWER
Answer by Maxwell, Coatbridge (05 Jul 09 18:58) to a QUESTION by L'Enfant (04 Jul 09 21:45)
As far as I understand they also have a similar arrangement however I dont know the details of the scheme.
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Comment by Wood, Doncaster (24 Jun 09 19:13) about this REVIEW
We have just booked a cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse this time next year,an Aqua class cabin with the Blu restaurant included. Its comforting to read as well travelled cruise passengers your review of the Solstice class ship. We look forward to reading your review of the same class of cruise at Xmas. Looking at the deck plan of the brochure I cannot see a lift or stairs near it. Could you please say how you found it on sister ship Solstice?
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Comment by Maxwell, Coatbridge (24 Jun 09 20:49) about a COMMENT by Wood (24 Jun 09 19:13)
With regard to the proximity of stairs and elevators for deck11 Aqua class cabins, their are elevators and stairs forward and also midships at the Library, so its reasonably well served in this respect. Hope this helps.
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Comment by Wood, Doncaster (26 Jun 09 09:06) about a COMMENT by Maxwell (24 Jun 09 20:49)
"Whoops" - another "senior moment" Sorry what I meant to say is I cannot see a lift or stairs near to the Blu restaurant.
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Comment by Leech, Freckleton, Preston (27 Jun 09 13:27) about a COMMENT by Wood (26 Jun 09 09:06)
The Blu restaurant is an extra special restaurant. We ate there for breakfast and dinner each day. It is very friendly and the food is creative and delicious. All of the speciality restaurants are on deck 5. They are all in a group and are served by lift and stairs a little way forward of the restaurant. There is a short walk to get to these restaurants, I would have said it is about 50 metres.
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