Solstice Alaska June 3rd-June 10th...This Cruise Rocked!!

[need2cruisesoon]

Hello all, my second to cruise to Alaska since 2009 onboard the Serenade of the Seas.

 

Let me say that this cruise met all expectations for service, food and entertainment. I believe that the Captain and officers on this particular cruise had great chemistry which made the entire cruise fantastic.

I want to thank Captain Kafetzis, CD Ben Powney and Hotel Director JP Lamb for providing a perfect weeks getaway to Alaska. Unfortunately for future passengers the CD and Hotel Director departed immediately after this cruise as well as many onboard staff. While in Victoria we saw many new crew members coming onboard.

 

So I will give it a go and provide some photos and commentary on last weeks cruise.

 

Some pics from Seattle Cruise Terminal - Smith Cove Pier 91:

 

 

Explorer of the Seas across the way. She looks old doesn't she?

 

 

She's a beauty...

[need2cruisesoon]

We had staggered boarding on were at the port at 1:30 due to our cabin on the 8th deck.

 

We entered the cruise terminal and still saw a ling line to check in.

 

For some reason I thought I was Select and decided to skip the line:

 

The fact of the matter as I was still Classic but terminal agent never said a word so I saved myself an hour standing in line.

 

 

Then off to the ship:

 

Looking back at general boarding:

Edited June 11, 2016 by need2cruisesoon

[sleepless]

So far so good. Looking forward to the rest of your review. I will be boarding the Solstice on July 8th. First time. Love the pictures of the boarding area, can't wait to see the rest. Thanks.

[need2cruisesoon]

Shot a map of the navigation chart outside the Guest Services area:

 

[need2cruisesoon]

Then up to our room:

 

 

The Best:

 

Edited June 11, 2016 by need2cruisesoon

[Damaniadc]

Love the pics so far! Cant wait to see the rest!

 

How long was the check in line for Concierge Class?

[need2cruisesoon]

Looking at downtown, beautiful sail away at 80 degrees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[need2cruisesoon]

Love the pics so far! Cant wait to see the rest!

 

How long was the check in line for Concierge Class?

 

5 Minutes max.

[Ox Fan Cruiser]

Our first cruise was the Solstice / Alaska a few years ago. There was a daily speaker onboard called Brent Nixon. He was great. Was he on your cruise?

[partman57]

Then up to our room:

 

 

The Best:

 

 

How did you like the location of the cabin? We will be on Sep 2 cruise in Rm 8322 and our friends will be in 8324. We are so looking forward to the trip.

[Jim_Iain]

Great pictures. Thanks for posting

[need2cruisesoon]

How did you like the location of the cabin? We will be on Sep 2 cruise in Rm 8322 and our friends will be in 8324. We are so looking forward to the trip.

 

Perfect location. No lifeboats below. Very quiet and private.

 

Joecy and Vaz were the best, these guys really took care of us.

 

Your friends will have bed by the slider door.

[partman57]

Perfect location. No lifeboats below. Very quiet and private.

 

Joecy and Vaz were the best, these guys really took care of us.

 

Your friends will have bed by the slider door.

 

Thank you. I am sure they will enjoy it. They make me pick the cabins and ship.

[need2cruisesoon]

 

[need2cruisesoon]

 

Vancouver Island off the Starboard:

 

 

Connections Party 10:00am: (w/ the Captain)

 

 

 

 

[DesertRat414]

Thank you for posting! Great pics!

[ozark74]

Our first cruise was the Solstice / Alaska a few years ago. There was a daily speaker onboard called Brent Nixon. He was great. Was he on your cruise?

 

Was also on this cruise and Brent Nixon was onboard also his wife, Miss Amanda. They have been on all three Solstice cruises that we have done.

[Midnight Blue]

I agree-- a great cruise. We're still in Seattle (spent a couple of days on San Juan Island), flying home tomorrow. Later tonight I'm planning to start a post on a few odds and ends about the cruise. No pics, though. Just not my thing and others do it so well!

[flyingv4me]

We loved Solstice to Alaska last summer and can't wait for more of your review!

[jonj]

Great review and photos

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[roquejo]

I will also be in Solstice in Sept 2.

 

Can you confirm if indeed the Molecular Bar is indeed gone and got replaced by World Class bar?

[need2cruisesoon]

I will also be in Solstice in Sept 2.

 

Can you confirm if indeed the Molecular Bar is indeed gone and got replaced by World Class bar?

 

Molecular Bar and Bistro 5 are toast at the end of the month.

[jab801]

Looking at booking this itinerary for next summer. Even more excited looking at your pictures! Did you need passports for any excursions?

[need2cruisesoon]

Looking at booking this itinerary for next summer. Even more excited looking at your pictures! Did you need passports for any excursions?

 

For the White Pass RR trip (Skagway) once you enter BC you will need a passport.

 

[bhughey]

Looking at booking this itinerary for next summer. Even more excited looking at your pictures! Did you need passports for any excursions?

 

You must have a passport to even board the ship. All foreign flagged cruise ships traveling to Alaska must make a stop in a foreign port (in this case, Victoria Canada), and therefore, you must have a passport.

Edited June 14, 2016 by bhughey