Great Solstice cruise but Blu VERY busy!

[Curly locks]

I have never started a new thread on here before, so I hope this is in the correct place! I got lots of help and advice from this site before my recent Western Caribbean cruise on the beautiful Solstice and just wanted to give a little back! My cruise was really good, and the Solstice is definitely our favourite ship to date. The staff were wonderful, the classic alcohol package worked really well for us (thank you to all the sommeliers in Blu!!!) but Blu was SO busy compared to our previous experiences. We always had to queue for a table and service was much slower than we had expreienced before. Blu has always been the highlight for us on our two previous Celebrity cruises, so we were slightly disappointed this time, but we didn't let it spoil things for us! We still had a great time. I have written a full review on this site for those that are interested - http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=100947

[portofrome]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for the review.

[Xport]

Blu was SO busy compared to our previous experiences.

 

During a brief dry dock several months ago, nineteen staterooms on Solstice's Deck 11 were converted to AquaClass service from Concierge Class service... To the best of my knowledge, Blu's seating capacity was not expanded at that time...

 

Haven't read if there is intention to expand AquaClass in similar manner when Equinox, Eclipse, and Silhouette ultimately have their initial dry docks...

 

And then, Reflection will offer significantly more AquaClass cabins--and for the first time, AquaClass suites--than are offered on her sister ships [on Deck 12; the pool/solarium/spa are being moved to Deck 14 with direct access to Oceanview Cafe]... A Maitre 'D has told me that Blu will be expanded to accommodate a larger AquaClass but, to the best of my knowledge--haven't looked recently, such change is not yet shown on the Reflection deck plan...

[Leo Jay]

I have never started a new thread on here before, so I hope this is in the correct place! I got lots of help and advice from this site before my recent Western Caribbean cruise on the beautiful Solstice and just wanted to give a little back! My cruise was really good, and the Solstice is definitely our favourite ship to date. The staff were wonderful, the classic alcohol package worked really well for us (thank you to all the sommeliers in Blu!!!) but Blu was SO busy compared to our previous experiences. We always had to queue for a table and service was much slower than we had expreienced before. Blu has always been the highlight for us on our two previous Celebrity cruises, so we were slightly disappointed this time, but we didn't let it spoil things for us! We still had a great time. I have written a full review on this site for those that are interested - http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=100947

 

Thanks for the information. It's disappointing to hear that one might have to queue for a table in Blu; I hope we don't have that experience much on Summit next month.

[buddymum]

I have never started a new thread on here before, so I hope this is in the correct place! I got lots of help and advice from this site before my recent Western Caribbean cruise on the beautiful Solstice and just wanted to give a little back! My cruise was really good, and the Solstice is definitely our favourite ship to date. The staff were wonderful, the classic alcohol package worked really well for us (thank you to all the sommeliers in Blu!!!) but Blu was SO busy compared to our previous experiences. We always had to queue for a table and service was much slower than we had expreienced before. Blu has always been the highlight for us on our two previous Celebrity cruises, so we were slightly disappointed this time, but we didn't let it spoil things for us! We still had a great time. I have written a full review on this site for those that are interested - http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=100947

thanks for a great report. We will be on the Solstice in June and reading your blog really got me in the mood.

Thanks

[seasearider]

Thanks for the review, we love the Solstice also.

 

One question, what time did you dine in Blu? I'm wondering if there are some slots that are less busy.

 

Thanks

[Curly locks]

We ate at various times between 6.15pm and 8pm. We did notice that it was busier, the later we went. Hope this helps and enjoy your cruise!

[BillnBev]

we are sailing on Solstice in June and have just discovered our cabin has changed from C1 to Aqua Class we were booked in for MDR seating but how does having Aqua Class affect eating in MDR as we have not been Aqua Class previously?

[cruisestitch]

If you are in Aqua Class your dining assignment is BLU, not the MDR. Was your stateroom changed without prior notice to you?

[BillnBev]

yes we only found out when checking our details on line. It stated same cabin number but states Aqua Class and not C1 looking at deck layout the colour code confirms our cabin is now aqua class1. Are you saying we no longer have our seating in MDR?

[Wine-O]

When Blu changed to anytime dining, I can see that it would be the most busy between 6-8. We're going to go during the traditional 8:30-8:45 second seeting, and hopefully the crowds will be gone and the service will be better.