Friday, April 18, 2014

The Lawn Club

One very unique feature about this ship is the Lawn Club. There is actual real lawn up on the deck and people have picnics, play bocce and various other things.
Check it out


Friday, April 11, 2014

Hot Glass Show

Celebrity Solstice has a unique show called the hot glass show where they do live demonstrations of working with hot glass. This is held up on the deck where the lawn club is. 
We went to a show at night time and it was really good. They do daytime shows too but I think the effects are better at night.
Definitely worth a look at this show.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Deluxe Balcony Stateroom on the Hump Deck 9 - 9155

For this cruise we were not able to get a small suite so we thought we would try a Deluxe Balcony Stateroom. We got one on the forward hump. This was just by chance the stateroom we were assigned. 
Anyway there are three of us, myself, DH and our 10 year old son.
It was a challenge to fit all our belongings in the various storage places but then again we bring far too much!
The beds are comfy and the sofa is the third bed, not a pull out so much more comfortable.
The large TV is cool with free and pay per view movies on demand. No kids TV channels though, not a bad thing as it forces our son to do something else. 
The TV has built in Internet access and comes with a keyboard for this purpose, we did not use this.
The TV swivels out to suit also.
The balcony is extra deep because it is on the hump. Quite nice.
The stateroom has European and American power outlets. Don't bother bringing a powerboard as mine was confiscated as a prohibited item. We had two outlet converters so we managed fine, maybe the powerboard is overkill now.
Here are some photos.






Eateries on Celebrity Solstice

This ship is full of options when it comes to dining. I liken it a little to Radiance of the Seas as it also has many dining options.
The Grand Epernay dining room is the main dining room and has options for traditional seating, 6.00 pm and 8.30 pm and Select Dining which is their anytime dining option.   We were not able to get Select Dining so we chose the early dinner option of 6.00pm.  The food has been good and we have always found something we have liked. They also offer a children's menu.
There are many alternative dining venues available for a cover charge.
Murano, is a French restaurant, very fancy and we hear it is really good although we have not been. Strange having a French restaurant with the name  of an Italian Island! 
Here is the menu......

I hear that this restaurant was booked out for the whole cruise within the first few days. 
Bistro on Five is a casual eatery on deck five that serves savoury and sweet crepes, toasted panini and soups. You can have all three if you wish all for the $5 cover charge. Really good food and a great alternative for  a snack or light meal. They do breakfast lunch and dinner. We absolutely recommend the Italian Nutella banana and pistachio crepe......yum!




There is an Asian restaurant on board called Silk Harvest, their menu looks nice although we have not eaten there.


Then there is Blu, a restaurant for those travelling in aqua class. This restaurant is supposed to be for the health conscious offering nice meals but low in fat, sodium etc. I hope that is correct, that is my understanding of it....

Tuscan Grille is an Italian restaurant and steakhouse. We have dined there once and are going again we liked it so much. The cover charge is $35 per person for a three course meal, very nice and a lovely ambience.

The Oceanview cafe is the buffet on the Solstice.  Really good layout with islands that are easy to get around. Lots of selection. 
I really like the bread station where they have lots of rolls that they will make up for you and even toast them on the spot in the flat iron toaster. 
On the pool deck you can find the Mast Grill where they have fries, burgers and hot dogs.


Monday, April 7, 2014

The public areas onboard.....

We really enjoyed exploring this ship. The public areas are well designed...we hardly ever felt crowded.
Here is the Solstice theatre...., 
My favourite store....,,
The Molecular bar....
Bistro on Five.... A lovely eatery.....more on this later
Cafe al Bacio....deck 5...,great coffee etc and table service...,,we have been spending a bit of time here....
The Martini and Cocktail bar.....
Another bar on deck 3 near the Guest Relations desk
A night venue
The Sky lounge ..... A great venue on the upper deck where you have great sea views 
The pool deck

There are two pools here open for families...,,
The solarium pool is an adults only area.....very serene...


 




















Celebrity Solstice - modern luxury?

Just walking around this ship I can see how different Celebrity's style is. I can't put my finger on it......even the lounger I am sitting on as I write this is different to any other I have seem in a pool deck on the P&O, Princess and Royal Caribbean ships I have been on.
I site here in a lounger with a canopy and plush pillows as I look out over the ocean.

All over the ship the decor and furniture show the little touches that make this ship extra comfortable. Apparently the ship was decorated and furnished by women.....I can see that.
Here are some examples 

Check out this cool private hammock on the pool deck. It seats two and is super comfy......you have to get there early to get this one!









 

Thursday, April 3, 2014

We are on board the Celebrity Solstice!


We boarded in record time today! 
Our deluxe balcony cabin on the hump is not to shabby at all!
We didn't book a suite this time and whilst the cabin is a little smaller, I am sure it will do fine for this cruise. The balcony is quite large and deep.







I will be reviewing this ship on this blog in the coming days.....hope it is of use to some of you.