Thoughts about our 4th of July cruise on the Solstice

[kelmac]

PART 1

 

Hi Everyone! Lauren and I are just back from our Western Caribbean cruise on the Solstice. We had a wonderful time, and this cruise confirms my feelings that the Solstice class ships of Celebrity are the best ships at sea!

This is not a traditional review, but just some random thoughts about our experience:

The “Mac-O-Meter” is on where appropriate:

 

We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale five days early and stayed at two different hotels in Hollywood, Fl. Both hotels we scored on Priceline (4 **** star) in the $60 per night range. The first was the Crowne Plaza Hollywood and the second was the Westin Diplomat Country Club and Spa. Both hotels were excellent, and we will continue to stay in Hollywood area when cruising out of Port Everglades. By the way, we stayed one night post-cruise at the Westin Diplomat. We were at the Country Club hotel, but shuttled over to the Westin Diplomat at the beach. Great day by the pool (I should mention that the Hooter’s Bikini Dream Girl contest was going on a few feet from my well-positioned lounge chair) rating 10.0 (for the hotel experiences)

 

About us: I’m a 60 year old retired Science Teacher working a couple of days a week in a golf shop. Lauren is a 40 year old AP English Teacher. We travel eight to ten weeks during the year (mostly during summer break). We live in a Condo with no children, no pets and nothing to prevent us from leaving at a moment’s notice! We’ve cruised 35 times together and 15 with Celebrity. Our motto -- “a trip of a life time every three months”.

 

We arrived at Pier 18 a little later than usual -- about 12:30. Embarkation was a breeze, with no lines and pleasant staff. Onboard in about 15 minutes, and our cabin was ready. We have learned that rooms generally aren’t available until 1 pm, so we decided to hang out at the hotel rather than begin stuffing ourselves in the OceanView. Our new tradition is to head over to Bistro on Five for some great crepes, soups and desserts. rating 9.8

 

We were in Cabin 1556. This was our first experience with Aqua Class, and I must say we were impressed. Cabin was wonderful, with bottled water, fruit, flowers, champagne, and all those additional bennies that comes with the upgrade. Slippers, better robes, and fluffy towels. Lauren loved the little mesh bag that comes with all the upgraded shampoo, conditioner, lotions, lip balm. I love the Solstice cabins, and we’ve never have any of the storage issues which others complain about. Nice upgraded shower in the Aqua Class cabins with multi-jet thingie going on. The balcony was fine, although others might think the window washing equipment is a huge obstruction. Didn’t really bother us, however our sneaky bast#@d neighbors would smoke in their lounge chairs pushed up against their sliding glass door. I could never be 100% sure it was them, as they were very stealthy. It wasn’t the end of the world, but perhaps a lone negative in an otherwise perfect week. rating 9.6

[kelmac]

Part 2

 

The whole Blu experience was wonderful and proves that small amounts of high quality cuisine are appealing to many of us. The staff was friendly and provided on the spot superior service. We arrived every evening at 6:00 (we like to eat early) and were seated a table for two next to the huge ocean view windows. The venue is spectacular, and the cuisine is yummy! The menu is a bit limited in some areas (like only one cold soup and one warm soup), but it is inventive and well prepared. rating 9.8

 

We ate one evening in the Tuscan Grille and one evening in Muranos. Both restaurants exceeded our expectations and seemed to be getting better with age. Celebrity has always had the best alternative restaurants at sea! Yes, the service in Muranos is not as stuffy and formal as it used to be, but I kind of like that. rating 9.8

 

On the first formal evening, we dined at the Captain’s Table with the first officer Evangelos Salliaris and another officer Nicola Guida. These guys were the best, and it made for our best Captain’s Table experience (I know, it’s not fair this was our eight visit, and I have my own theories on that -- another thread). I might also point out, these guys can sure pick some premium wines! The main dining room food was great, and I noticed an old familiar Celebrity menu item -- the return of the “potato balls in the potato basket”. Super evening with the traditional group photo and a rose for the ladies. rating 10.0

 

We ate at Bistro on Five for lunch four times -- my wife had Nutella Crepes every time! We both love this place! A great alternative to the buffet. Speaking of the Ocean View Cafe, we did make it up there a couple of times (breakfast only) for waffles, blueberries and whipped cream. On our last at sea day, we made a visit to the Aqua Spa cafe for a great light snack. With varying degrees of success we tried to limit our food intake this cruise; never an easy task on a Celebrity ship. I think I only gained four or five pounds this cruise. Yes, that is an improvement over past cruises. rating 9.6

 

Entertainment seemed to be just fine, we only made it to few things. After 35 cruises, we don’t make it to the shows very often. Good music all over the ship. The CD Paul Baya is very talented and seems to be one of the best.

 

Below is some rapid fire observations about our 4th of July cruise:

 

--we did some of our best snorkeling at Eden Rock in Grand Cayman and off the dock at Maya Key in Roatan. Johnny is the snorkel guide at Maya Key, and he will lead you through the reef for some spectacular viewing. So many of the reefs are stressed in the Caribbean, but in Roatan, it is healthy!

 

--Barry Williams (Greg Brady -- the Brady Bunch) seems to be a nice guy, we ran into him and his son a couple times around the ship.

 

--Captain Yannis Berdos kept his noon announcements short and sweet. Ouuuut !

 

--If you want to be spoiled at a beach break, head over to Maya Chan at Costa Maya.

Nachi Cocum is pretty good in Cozumel as well.

 

--Wow, is the Solstice hydrodynamic or what? On the last at sea day, the seas were so calm that the ship left almost no wake. Very impressive!

 

--Nice to see those little anti-chair hog cards placed on the lounge chairs in the Aqua spa pool area. PS -- they don’t work very well.

 

--Interesting thing -- I think many people believe that the dress policy only applies to the main dining room. On the last formal evening in Muranos, half the guys were in tuxes and the other half didn’t even wear a jacket or a tie. They let three guys in with jeans and untucked shirts. Most women were dressed nicely.

 

--Man, they make some great ice cream!

 

--503 kids on board; really didn’t notice them -- no problems!

 

--Watched a guy challenge the Casino staff about a pay out. Pit boss reviewed the video, and the guy was given the $100 they shorted him. Interesting.

 

--At 2:30 on embarkation day it rained about three inches in 20 minutes. That was the strongest rain storm I have witnessed, ever!!!

 

--TV service was pretty good, and the flat screens are great.

 

--I have a Master’s Degree in science, and I still can’t figure out the light switches in the cabin.

 

--disembarkation went fine, until you reached immigration. Not pretty, and why were they holding all those folks in the back rooms?

 

--okay, you are right -- that TP holder in the bathroom is annoying.

 

--the lift boat drill without the life vests is a great idea!

 

--I just got a follow up call from Celebrity concerning my cruise survey; nice touch.

 

--Nice to meet everyone at our Cruise Critic gathering! Host Andy pushed the issue about new ships and maybe two new ships after the fifth Solstice class ship??

 

 

Okay, my review is turning into a stream of consciousness. If you have any questions, let me know, and I will get back with you.

 

As always -- Enjoy!

Kel

[Lois R]

Hi Kelly, hope you and Lauren are doing well:) A 9.6? WOW:D

Glad you had such a good time but then again, I think you always do:)

I am sailing Solstice in Sept and am really excited....more than I thought

I would be and continuing to read all these positive reviews definitely

helps:)

And you had an AQ class cabin? Now I know that is out of the ordinary

fo ya'll:)...glad you enjoyed it so much!

Edited July 15, 2010 by Lois R

[kelmac]

Hi Kelly, hope you and Lauren are doing well:) A 9.6? WOW:D

Glad you had such a good time but then again, I think you always do:)

I am sailing Solstice in Sept and am really excited....more than I thought

I would be and continuing to read all these positive reviews definitely

helps:)

And you had an AQ class cabin? Now I know that is out of the ordinary

fo ya'll:)...glad you enjoyed it so much!

 

Hi Lois,

 

Great to hear from you! Yep, the AQ cabins were a real bargin on this cruise for some reason? Host Andy even thought they were cheaper than the Concierge Class cabins.

Next cruise, we are back to the inside cabin! (we really don't use the balcony that much;) )

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[Lois R]

Hi Lois,

 

Great to hear from you! Yep, the AQ cabins were a real bargin on this cruise for some reason? Host Andy even thought they were cheaper than the Concierge Class cabins.

Next cruise, we are back to the inside cabin! (we really don't use the balcony that much;) )

 

Enjoy!

Kel

 

I got a balcony for this trip too:D but AQ was not within the budget

but that is ok too;)

 

Next cruise will be an inside or window.

[Eileen G]

Thank you for a great review. We will be on the Solstice on Aug 15. How was tendering in Grand Caymen?

[kelmac]

Thank you for a great review. We will be on the Solstice on Aug 15. How was tendering in Grand Caymen?

 

Hi Eileen,

 

They used the larger local tenders so that helps a bunch. We are Elite Captains Club members, so we got priority tender tickets, and we could leave at any time. I did notice that the people on Celebrity Tours used the front tender platform and a different tender; so no competition between tour and non-tour people.

 

We had over 3,100 people on board, but it did seem to go well. Tendering is never ideal.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Very entertaining review! Enjoyed reading it.

 

So sorry to hear you had sneaky smokers and sorry you couldn't catch them so they could be thrown overboard. :D Just kidding--mostly! I think I have read some threads about calling to somewhere (guest relations?, no idea), they send someone to investigate...there are fines involved.

[kelmac]

Very entertaining review! Enjoyed reading it.

 

So sorry to hear you had sneaky smokers and sorry you couldn't catch them so they could be thrown overboard. :D Just kidding--mostly! I think I have read some threads about calling to somewhere (guest relations?, no idea), they send someone to investigate...there are fines involved.

 

Hi Peach,

 

Yep, if I would have been 100% sure it was them, I would have called for someone to come up and confront them. I really didn't want to hang on the railing and poke my head into their balcony to check it out. They were right next to their balcony door and right next to the partition between our two balconies.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[John73]

Thanks for the review! I'll be sailng this Sunday and am very much looking forward to both my first cruise and the Solstice experience.

[Eileen G]

Hi Eileen,

 

They used the larger local tenders so that helps a bunch. We are Elite Captains Club members, so we got priority tender tickets, and we could leave at any time. I did notice that the people on Celebrity Tours used the front tender platform and a different tender; so no competition between tour and non-tour people.

 

We had over 3,100 people on board, but it did seem to go well. Tendering is never ideal.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

We are also Elite so that's good to hear. We were on the Solstice in March but we didn't have a tender port. I'm glad they use two tender areas. I like the way Princess, HAL and Disney handle tendering. RCCL hasn't learned how to do it organized yet. I haven't yet tendered on Celebrity.

[boxkite]

Hi Peach,

 

Yep, if I would have been 100% sure it was them, I would have called for someone to come up and confront them. I really didn't want to hang on the railing and poke my head into their balcony to check it out. They were right next to their balcony door and right next to the partition between our two balconies.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

Hi Kel,

 

Enjoyed meeting you at the second Meet & Mingle party last week.

 

We had the same problem with someone smoking on the balcony to the left of us. I just leaned over and asked nicely that he not smoke on his balcony. I did not notice any smoking from his balcony for the rest of the cruise.

 

Yes, we did get much rain Sunday and Monday, but the weather was great the rest of the week. Paul, the CD, is great and a real asset to the ship.

 

The drinks in the Molecular Bar are super and are highly recommended!

 

The hot glass guys are also great and put on a show.

 

Steven

[rigldbrg]

About us: I’m a 60 year old retired Science Teacher working a couple of days a week in a golf shop. Lauren is a 40 year old AP English Teacher.

 

Dude! You are my hero! I'm also a teacher and have 14 more years to teach at which time I'll also look for a job in a pro shop and play golf every single day!

 

We leave in two weeks for the same Solstice itinerary. Thanks for the detailed report and I loved the "stream of consciousness."

[Texed]

mac,

Thanks for posting. :)

[Lois R]

mac,

Thanks for posting. :)

 

Hi Texed,:) missed you on the boards...did you just cruise? How

was it?

[kelmac]

Dude! You are my hero! I'm also a teacher and have 14 more years to teach at which time I'll also look for a job in a pro shop and play golf every single day!

 

We leave in two weeks for the same Solstice itinerary. Thanks for the detailed report and I loved the "stream of consciousness."

 

Hang in there rigldbrg!

 

Golf is my other passion! My first three years of retirement I played golf three or four times a week. I was a Long Drive Professional for a few years and made my last visit to the world finals in 2003.(Senior Division)

It's nice to work in the shop and couple my hobby with a paycheck. Also nice to have a boss that let's me travel ten weeks of the year.

I loved teaching, but I wanted to retire at the top of my game.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[CathyCruises]

Hi Peach,

 

Yep, if I would have been 100% sure it was them, I would have called for someone to come up and confront them. I really didn't want to hang on the railing and poke my head into their balcony to check it out. They were right next to their balcony door and right next to the partition between our two balconies.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

 

Great review! But I would have been SOOO tempted to go out on my balcony and shout, "Would whomever is smoking out here please stop NOW!"

[Mrs_Tiki]

We're on the same sailing as rigldbrg (really, Ira, you need to get an easier screen name!) and look forward to our first AQ cabin. It was nice of you to share such great details on the cabin and Blu!

 

God bless all of you current and retired teachers! :)

[FinelyCruising]

Thanks for the feedback from your cruise. We will be taking this one in October and am glad to hear about snorkeling in Roatan AND about Maya Chan which we have booked already.

[rigldbrg]

Hang in there rigldbrg!

 

Golf is my other passion! My first three years of retirement I played golf three or four times a week. I was a Long Drive Professional for a few years and made my last visit to the world finals in 2003.(Senior Division)

It's nice to work in the shop and couple my hobby with a paycheck. Also nice to have a boss that let's me travel ten weeks of the year.

I loved teaching, but I wanted to retire at the top of my game.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

Hey Kel, sounds like you're a real long bomber! How cool that your game is refined to the point that you could compete on a professional level. Hitting extremely long is so much harder than people realize. I find as I get older (I'm 44) I can't develop as much velocity on my swing, and as a result am good for only about 240-250 on a really good day (not too frequent anymore). More likely 225-230. As a result, I really focus on playing smart and try to focus on my short game. Right now I'm able to play about 3 times a week and hit the range/putting green 3 days a week. Yes, golf is indeed a passion!:)

 

I love what you said about leaving the classroom on top. I have so much respect for that, and completely agree. This is one reason I know, conclusively, that I will not teach for anything more than 14 years.

 

To bring it back to the thread, is there a golf sim on board?

 

 

We're on the same sailing as rigldbrg (really, Ira, you need to get an easier screen name!) and look forward to our first AQ cabin. It was nice of you to share such great details on the cabin and Blu!

 

God bless all of you current and retired teachers! :)

 

Hi Mary, thank you for your kind words about teachers! IMHO, teaching is the greatest and most challenging job in the world! I am so blessed to have an opportunity to help make a difference in a child's life.

 

I know what you're saying about the screen name:o. I'm working on changing it to something easier.

 

I'm really looking forward to meeting you and Mark!

[kelmac]

 

 

 

To bring it back to the thread, is there a golf sim on board?

 

 

 

rigldbrg,

 

Sorry, no sim on the Solstice class of ships. Millennium class has them, but I think they are letting them fade away (too much maintenance I guess?).

 

Golf Tip: at the top of your golf swing, leave the shaft of the driver resting on your left thumb until well past the impact zone. As soon as the left arm and the shaft become a straight line at the bottom of your swing, you have reached maxmium velosity. Make sure that occurs in front of the ball.

 

They call this move "lag":

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMo6aOfw0Bg

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[Texed]

Hi Texed,:) missed you on the boards...did you just cruise? How was it?

 

Thanks Lois. We just got back from a Baltic cruise on Eclipse. :)

[Tiki_Man]

Kelmac, I really really want to have your life one day. Retired early, playing golf, going on 4 or 5 cruises a year AND know how to hit a golf ball a gizzzillion miles ~ Dang. Thanks for all the info on Solstice, we are with Ira (Rlgbrg) in 2 weeks.

 

Texed, how are Waffles in Northern Europe? Did they have an Orange "kick" from the Netherlands?

 

Tiki

[Texed]

Texed, how are Waffles in Northern Europe? Did they have an Orange "kick" from the Netherlands? Tiki

 

They were wonderful, and they had orange butter. :)

[rigldbrg]

rigldbrg,

 

Sorry, no sim on the Solstice class of ships. Millennium class has them, but I think they are letting them fade away (too much maintenance I guess?).

 

Golf Tip: at the top of your golf swing, leave the shaft of the driver resting on your left thumb until well past the impact zone. As soon as the left arm and the shaft become a straight line at the bottom of your swing, you have reached maxmium velosity. Make sure that occurs in front of the ball.

 

They call this move "lag":

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMo6aOfw0Bg

 

Enjoy!

Kel

 

No biggie about the sim. I'm not a big fan of hitting into the rug anyway, but it's definately better than nothing. Thanks for the tip. I've thought a lot about this and in theory makes a lot of sense (and obviously in practice for you). What I'm not visualising is how to return the club face to square at impact. Without a club in my hand I'm having trouble putting my left thumb in a position that would follow, or rest on, the shaft through impact. Is the trick to use a strong grip? I can see how this would allow me to keep my thumb on the shaft beyond impact. I'll fool around with it a bit at the range tomorrow before my round. I'll report back how it went ;). Thanks for the Youtube link. The upper body coil and resulting torque generated is unbelievable. I did find it amusing how some use a tremendous amount of leg action (in addition to hip turn) and others had really quiet lower body action. The science of the golf swing is so cool!

 

Sorry for the thread diversion :o