What are your favorite features on the Solstice / S class ships?

[cruzinbabes]

We'll be sailing on the Solstice next month on the 11 day Ultimate Alaska sailing It will be our first time on an "S" class ship, although we have sailed on the Infinity and the Mercury years ago. We tend to choose our cruises based on itinerary rather than ship or cruise line.

 

For those of you who have sailed on the Solstice or other "S" class ships, would you mind telling us your favorite features or memories about this ship? We've been reading the ship and trip reviews, but some of them are really negative. I didn't know a person could have their cruise ruined because they didn't receive an expected plate of strawberries!:rolleyes:

[cruisin-m]

Leaving a tropical island port laying on the real grass with a beer/cocktail listening to the acoustic singer :)

 

The whole ship is stunning! The molecular bar is definitely a highlight as well :) Martini bar is entertaining to watch but I don't like martinis, so I just ordered them a couple of times for the show they put on :p

[Sloop-JohnB]

Our first cruise was on the Solstice in 2012, we have very fond memories here are some:

 

* Open concept Atrium (with a live tree no less)

 

* Ship feels more like a luxury hotel than a ship

 

* Wide hallways

 

* Bright Cabins

 

* Enclosed Showers

 

* Fabulous well thought out Bathrooms with lots of storage

 

* We found the storage in the cabin also aplenty and workable for our needs (but then like I said it was our first Celebrity Cruise... Seems to me that most who don't like the configuration are long time M-Class Cruisers)

 

* The extensive list of Eating & Drinking venues

 

* Venues that are open late... assortment of bars, Sky Lounge, Celebrity Central (comedy, midnight movie) and even the Jazz group that played in the Ensemble Lounge

 

* The fact that some lounges were open concept... While others were cozy with walls (Cellarmasters, Michaels)

 

* The variety of art installations

 

* How overall venues on the ship were Gorgeous... And some truly stunning. The MDR was breathtaking the first time I saw it (reminiscent of a grand dame hotel of another era...). For the entire cruise I was truly wowed every night I sat in there... The architecture, the lighting, the finishes... Not to mention the food & service

 

* The many unexpected nooks & crannies, where one could find a quiet place to read a book or take in the view as the ocean slipped by

 

* Deck 16 at Sunrise (quiet, peaceful, and a Favourite with early morning photographers)

 

* The two storied aft bar area... Sunset & Oceanview... Perfect for Sailaway

 

* The ample windows throughout the ship to take in the view when not outside / topside

 

* The Lawn... the lawn is kind of magical at sea. We sat on it, laid on it. Played Bocce Ball on it and even tried out the putting green.

 

* The fact the ship had a lot of pax, but outside of D-Day never felt crowded... and only then because it seemed like EVERYONE was scrambling to get an elevator down and off the ship at once. Our solution to this, thanks to tips here on CC was to not have an early / same day flight out... And to chill out in the sunshine at the Oceanview back deck until well after 9 AM... Then it was a very pleasant walk off the ship and right thru customs... Total time from Deck 14 to Curbside and a cab less than 15 minutes... And that includied a lot of distance walking. With our game plan there was literally no waiting in line !!

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

Edited August 8, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[Martinjjd]

We cruised on Solstice in March & could not fault it. I am sure some people have bad experiences on all cruise lines & I have read the same negative comments some of which seem petty to me.Our attitude is that we are on holidays & we are prepared for a slower pace & less stress while others seem to demand perfection.That's their choice but I have read some comments from people who are about to cruise whose attitude is setting themselves up a terrible time even before they leave. We had a wonderful time & are booked for a further cruise on Solstice next March.In answer to your question our favourites are Cafe Al Bacio,several times a day, and Murano restaurant.The food in MDR was excellent with plenty of variety & the buffet has every type of food a person could want.

The entertainment was enjoyable although we did not go to the theatre every night.We found there was plenty to do & we were never board & you can do lots of nothing if that's what you want.

I am sure you will have a wonderful cruise.

[artmc]

I'm also a fan of the architecture, particularly the main staircase and the MDR. I'd also add the two-floor libraries and the Solarium swimming pool area. The pool is large enough to swim laps. (Who'd have expected that on a cruise ship?)

[Ballard67]

I have read those same comments, me and my wife will be on it this month(the 29th). I look at it and kind of laugh,your on a cruise,on vacation, sit back and enjoy.

[Tommy3putts]

Sunset Bar!!!! S Class ships are great.

[Ando]

Sunset bar (almost every day) Murano's restaurant, the Solarium pool, Sky Lounge, Cellar Master, Michaels Club. Oh, and Ensemble lounge and Tuscan Grille, and the glass show and the grass. Pretty much everything about the ship we loved - and will be back on Solstice in 4 months time :D

[woodyren]

I can comment on the Reflection which is another "S" class ship and what we found that set it above the 3 other mass market cruise lines that we have experienced.

 

The Solarium

 

The beautiful appearance of the ship in general. The artwork. The deck furniture. The quiet spaces.

 

The crew and service.

 

The theatre and shows. The acrobatics, special guests (including a great Beatles tribute band) and the backing band were far better than my expectations.

 

The food in the MDR.

 

The lay out and food in the buffet. It was a far better selection and easier to negotiate with hardly any long lines compared to other ships.

 

The activities staff. Such a great bunch but sadly some of them have been let go.

 

The Sunset bar.

 

Snacks at the Solarium.

 

The cabins and bathrooms.

 

 

I can't wait to experience similar on the Solstice.

Edited August 8, 2014 by woodyren

[Islander500]

We really enjoyed the well equipped gym and Persian Garden especially the hot lounges with the view on our recent Transatlantic. Never expected I'd ever say that, but we had enough time on board to really appreciate them on the TA.

[aquaclass]

The Solarium is a wonderful spot to relax.

[Vivere LaDolceVita]

Sailed on Reflection last year, sailing on Silhouette this year. Some of my highlights:

 

- Molecular Bar: went there EVERY night for a couple aperitifs before dinner or shows -- the drinks are AMAZING!

 

- Cabins (we stayed/are staying in Aqua): roomy, tastefully appointed; showers are luxurious; bath products are excellent; beds are very comfy.

 

- Aqua Spa: heat beds, turkish hamam.

 

- BLU

 

- The ship itself, from bow to stern, is gorgeous.

[frogsgirl]

We have been on Eclipse & Reflection & were blown away by the attention to detail of all the public areas. There was always a piece of art, sound or picture that we came across that we wanted to look at...& we are not "arty" folk!

 

The layout was easy to move around unhindered (apart from lifts!) and we never felt crowded.

 

The ambiance on the ships was relaxed, friendly but glamorous....very special.

 

Finding your own special spot to watch the world go by was easy & I'm looking forward to Solstice on 12/09/14 like yourself :)

[B1G]

Solarium & Molecular Bar

[lovemylab]

Love love love the S class ships. Gorgeous ships with a great layout. Lots of dining options. The sunset bar and the Molecular bar are great venues. The hot glass show on the Solstice is unique and very interesting.

[jenniebnyc]

Morning, afternoon and evening treats at Al Bacio. Always ended our night with a hot peppermint tea after leaving the casino. Oh and a piece of chocolate or two which is free at Al Bacio too. You need to look carefully.

 

Aqua Spa Cafe. If you can get rid of the card players and get a seat, this is a great place for lunch (and now tea time as well). In addition to homemade breads, fruit soups, grains, protiens and salads, you can order fish or chicken of the day. I was able to get grilled salmon made to order every day with asparagus by asking nicely (and I am allergic to the miso they marinate the salmon in, so mine was plain). There is also a juice and smoothie bar here. And frozen yogurt.

 

Ice Cream and Candy in the Oceanview Cafe. Soft and hard ice cream and various candy. Sometimes you just need a few peanut m&ms, KWIM?

 

Showers in the Spa. We usually get a suite so bathroom is not an issue, but even so, I sometimes I like to take my shower in the spa. They are huge and have all of the ammenities you would need.

 

Jazz on the Lawn. At least one night of the cruise there is jazz on the lawn. They set up plaid blankets, little coffee table and laterns. The waiters pass out cheese platters and take drink orders. Truly a lovely experience and they should do this every night on the ship.

 

Breakfast on your balcony. You can't beat it. Shoot for something cold though bc the only thing that gets to you hot is the coffee. (Fruit, yogurt, pastries, cereal, smoothies, etc.)

 

The acrobat show. In five cruises I have been to one show. It was the musical (rock?) show with acrobats. It is surprisingly good and kept me entertained. I hear the other shows are pretty mediocre.

 

See the Martini Tower Show and the Martini Bar. The bartender stands on the ice bar and pours varying colored martinis into about 20 glasses. Pretty cool.

 

Steak Diane at Murano. It's not on the menu. Ask for it ahead of time. It's so worth it. Also made to order, truffle pasta. Yum.

 

Happy sailing!

[Lois R]

Solarium Pool and Molecular Bar...who else posted those?:D

 

It is also so nice having shower doors in the cabins,:) rather than

a curtain.

[Lois R]

We'll be sailing on the Solstice next month on the 11 day Ultimate Alaska sailing It will be our first time on an "S" class ship, although we have sailed on the Infinity and the Mercury years ago. We tend to choose our cruises based on itinerary rather than ship or cruise line.

 

For those of you who have sailed on the Solstice or other "S" class ships, would you mind telling us your favorite features or memories about this ship? We've been reading the ship and trip reviews, but some of them are really negative. I didn't know a person could have their cruise ruined because they didn't receive an expected plate of strawberries!:rolleyes:

 

Just remember, there are folks in this world who are ALWAYS going to

be unhappy people.:eek:.....I have sailed every ship in the fleet and

would I say all my cruises were perfect? Of course not, but would I

say I always had a good time? YES:D.....

Not getting a plate of strawberries ruining a cruise? That is just plain

sad......they really must have issues:rolleyes:

[B1G]

:d :d :d

[wallie5446]

We sailed on the Reflection last Nov, our 1st S-Class cruise. And are booked on the Equinox this year.

 

The comments above have covered about everything, but the one thing we liked the best, was the ease of moving about the Ship.

 

On other ships there would be a time or three:D that we would find ourselves make a wrong turn, go up when we needed to go down, forward when we were to be aft. We hope we have the same ease this Nov on the Equinox as we did on the Reflection. The S-Class IMHO are a very well laid out design.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

The Lawn Club, the hot glass show, and the buffet which is far superior to the M class buffet.

 

[CathyCruises]

We sailed on the Reflection last Nov, our 1st S-Class cruise. And are booked on the Equinox this year.

 

The comments above have covered about everything, but the one thing we liked the best, was the ease of moving about the Ship.

 

On other ships there would be a time or three:D that we would find ourselves make a wrong turn, go up when we needed to go down, forward when we were to be aft. We hope we have the same ease this Nov on the Equinox as we did on the Reflection. The S-Class IMHO are a very well laid out design.

 

Ugh. After multiple S class cruises with all that lovely open space, we took a family cruise to Alaska on Sapphire Princess. SO closed in, SO many dead ends, or seeming ones--why on earth would they think it a good idea to make something look like a solid wall, only to see a small pass through that you could slip past when you get up close??

 

I'm a big fan of House Hunters, and EVERY buyer wants "open concept". Obviously the designers of that group of Princess ships had never heard of the idea. I was miserable on that ship, plus it was half gaudy (the coffee bar area all curlicue white and gold--gross!) and the old fashioned dark paneled lounges with the little café curtains on rings--spare me!!

 

S class all the way, baby!

 

I also love the big graphics in every elevator lobby that show you exactly where you are and where everything else is--such a great idea

[Jane2357]

There are so many things I love but my all time favorite - the Hot Glass Show. Love it!

[lovevacadays]

Our first cruise was on the Solstice in 2012, we have very fond memories here are some:

 

* Open concept Atrium (with a live tree no less)

 

* Ship feels more like a luxury hotel than a ship

 

* Wide hallways

 

* Bright Cabins

 

* Enclosed Showers

 

* Fabulous well thought out Bathrooms with lots of storage

 

* We found the storage in the cabin also aplenty and workable for our needs (but then like I said it was our first Celebrity Cruise... Seems to me that most who don't like the configuration are long time M-Class Cruisers)

 

* The extensive list of Eating & Drinking venues

 

* Venues that are open late... assortment of bars, Sky Lounge, Celebrity Central (comedy, midnight movie) and even the Jazz group that played in the Ensemble Lounge

 

* The fact that some lounges were open concept... While others were cozy with walls (Cellarmasters, Michaels)

 

* The variety of art installations

 

* How overall venues on the ship were Gorgeous... And some truly stunning. The MDR was breathtaking the first time I saw it (reminiscent of a grand dame hotel of another era...). For the entire cruise I was truly wowed every night I sat in there... The architecture, the lighting, the finishes... Not to mention the food & service

 

* The many unexpected nooks & crannies, where one could find a quiet place to read a book or take in the view as the ocean slipped by

 

* Deck 16 at Sunrise (quiet, peaceful, and a Favourite with early morning photographers)

 

* The two storied aft bar area... Sunset & Oceanview... Perfect for Sailaway

 

* The ample windows throughout the ship to take in the view when not outside / topside

 

* The Lawn... the lawn is kind of magical at sea. We sat on it, laid on it. Played Bocce Ball on it and even tried out the putting green.

 

* The fact the ship had a lot of pax, but outside of D-Day never felt crowded... and only then because it seemed like EVERYONE was scrambling to get an elevator down and off the ship at once. Our solution to this, thanks to tips here on CC was to not have an early / same day flight out... And to chill out in the sunshine at the Oceanview back deck until well after 9 AM... Then it was a very pleasant walk off the ship and right thru customs... Total time from Deck 14 to Curbside and a cab less than 15 minutes... And that includied a lot of distance walking. With our game plan there was literally no waiting in line !!

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

 

Sounds great. I have been looking at Celebrity but have never sailed on Celebrity. The only thing that makes me pause is that I want ship to feel like a ship, not a resort. If I want to go to a resort there are more than enough options out there.

 

Ugh. After multiple S class cruises with all that lovely open space, we took a family cruise to Alaska on Sapphire Princess. SO closed in, SO many dead ends, or seeming ones--why on earth would they think it a good idea to make something look like a solid wall, only to see a small pass through that you could slip past when you get up close??

 

I'm a big fan of House Hunters, and EVERY buyer wants "open concept". Obviously the designers of that group of Princess ships had never heard of the idea. I was miserable on that ship, plus it was half gaudy (the coffee bar area all curlicue white and gold--gross!) and the old fashioned dark paneled lounges with the little café curtains on rings--spare me!!

 

S class all the way, baby!

 

I also love the big graphics in every elevator lobby that show you exactly where you are and where everything else is--such a great idea

 

Different strokes for different folks. I have cruised Princess, HAL, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival. The Sapphire is my favorite ship in 16 cruises. I just cannot even imagine someone thinking the Sapphire was gaudy! Perhaps your definition and mine are different. Sounds like it is best that you never sail Princess again as it just doesn't seem to your liking. Isn't it great that there are cruise lines for everyone.

 

I look forward to sailing an S class someday and doing a comparison. I have friends who really enjoyed Celebrity and those that have said never again.:eek::eek::eek:

[MoyCoy]

Sounds great. I have been looking at Celebrity but have never sailed on Celebrity. The only thing that makes me pause is that I want ship to feel like a ship, not a resort. If I want to go to a resort there are more than enough options out there.

 

 

 

Different strokes for different folks. I have cruised Princess, HAL, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival. The Sapphire is my favorite ship in 16 cruises. I just cannot even imagine someone thinking the Sapphire was gaudy! Perhaps your definition and mine are different. Sounds like it is best that you never sail Princess again as it just doesn't seem to your liking. Isn't it great that there are cruise lines for everyone.

 

I look forward to sailing an S class someday and doing a comparison. I have friends who really enjoyed Celebrity and those that have said never again.:eek::eek::eek:

We were thinking about trying HAL. What are the similarities and differences with Celebrity?