dgoz Posted June 5, 2022 #1 Share Posted June 5, 2022 I have seen so many reports from other Celebrity ships, but info on Solstice is sparing. I'm wondering how her start up has been and if she is having the staffing and supply issues that have been reported on Eclipse. I'd love to know what shows are in the theater, who is the Captain...so many questions! 😄 How full have the Alaska sailings been? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGW59 Posted June 6, 2022 #2 Share Posted June 6, 2022 42 minutes ago, dgoz said: I have seen so many reports from other Celebrity ships, but info on Solstice is sparing. I'm wondering how her start up has been and if she is having the staffing and supply issues that have been reported on Eclipse. I'd love to know what shows are in the theater, who is the Captain...so many questions! 😄 How full have the Alaska sailings been? Every ship on every line is having both staffing and supply issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodjs Posted June 6, 2022 #3 Share Posted June 6, 2022 We'd also like to know specifically about Solstice since we board this Friday. 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2labs Posted June 6, 2022 #4 Share Posted June 6, 2022 We just came back from the 5/27 sailing. There was some slight evidence of staffing issues. We did not see evidence of supply chain issues on this most recent cruise. Very nice, and we had exceptional weather so that made up for any slight issues. We had a great time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgoz Posted June 6, 2022 Author #5 Share Posted June 6, 2022 11 hours ago, Mom2labs said: We just came back from the 5/27 sailing. There was some slight evidence of staffing issues. We did not see evidence of supply chain issues on this most recent cruise. Very nice, and we had exceptional weather so that made up for any slight issues. We had a great time. How full did the ship seem? Was the buffet handling the bigger passenger numbers with staff serving effectively? Did you go to any of the shows? Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2labs Posted June 6, 2022 #6 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Cruise director said ship was at about 75% occupancy. Can’t comment on the buffet as we did not go to buffet. Shows were hit or miss. Loved the last headliner, Elton John tribute. Most of the shows up until the Elton John were sparsely attended, less than 1/2 full. Might have been more to do with folks not wanting to be masked. Masks were required in Solstice Theatre, Celebrity Central and the casino. Casino was not crowded at all. The only not so great experience was the Seafood Shack lunch at Tuscan Grill. Service was not great at all, and it was served all at the same time on one tray. Tuscan Grill regular dinner was phenomenal though. I would not do the Seafood Shack again. Martini Bar was a hot spot and lively, we visited several times😆. Cafe El Baccio was also very good but could get kind of crowded. Go with the mind set that you will enjoy and have fun and you will. We really had very few “negatives”. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodjs Posted June 6, 2022 #7 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Thanks for the responses. So far, so good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRG Posted June 6, 2022 #8 Share Posted June 6, 2022 I can't believe its been 9 years and 1 pandemic since we've sailed Eclipse to Alaska so I'm sure alot has changed but. Have Fun and ask for the Goats Cheese Souffle ahead of time if you are so inclined (not the other cheese souffle though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phxazzcruisers Posted June 6, 2022 #9 Share Posted June 6, 2022 On the Solstice right now in a suite. There are 2100 guests on board, all suits occupied except 3, I believe. Food has been wonderful, service great. We just found out that 3 of the butlers are quarantined, so the 2 remaining are working very hard. Weather not so good on this trip. In Juneau and it is rainy and many excursions cancelled. The entire crew is working very hard to ensure everyone is having a great cruise experience, and they are succeeding 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathleen Posted June 8, 2022 #10 Share Posted June 8, 2022 We were on the 5/27 sailing and had a great time. The buffet went smoothly every time I was there. I didn't notice any major staffing issues and thought the crew was wonderful. We loved the ship! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted June 8, 2022 #11 Share Posted June 8, 2022 On 6/6/2022 at 1:31 PM, Mom2labs said: Cruise director said ship was at about 75% occupancy. Can’t comment on the buffet as we did not go to buffet. Shows were hit or miss. Loved the last headliner, Elton John tribute. Most of the shows up until the Elton John were sparsely attended, less than 1/2 full. Might have been more to do with folks not wanting to be masked. Masks were required in Solstice Theatre, Celebrity Central and the casino. Casino was not crowded at all. The only not so great experience was the Seafood Shack lunch at Tuscan Grill. Service was not great at all, and it was served all at the same time on one tray. Tuscan Grill regular dinner was phenomenal though. I would not do the Seafood Shack again. Martini Bar was a hot spot and lively, we visited several times😆. Cafe El Baccio was also very good but could get kind of crowded. Go with the mind set that you will enjoy and have fun and you will. We really had very few “negatives”. Were they specific in requiring surgical or K95 masks? Or are cloth masks okay? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mauimary Posted June 8, 2022 #12 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Does anyone know if Luminae will be open for lunch on embarkation day? Hopefully the butlers will be out of quarantine by the end of next week. The sailing on the 17th will have more families on board as school will be out so the passenger count will be higher. The weather in the Northwest has really been funky with only a few days here and there of sunshine. We were spoiled as the last twice we have been to Alaska it has been sunny and nice. We spent a lot of time on our balcony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggie.1008 Posted June 8, 2022 #13 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Luminae should be open on embarking day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibkidd Posted June 8, 2022 #14 Share Posted June 8, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, mauimary said: Does anyone know if Luminae will be open for lunch on embarkation day? Hopefully the butlers will be out of quarantine by the end of next week. The sailing on the 17th will have more families on board as school will be out so the passenger count will be higher. The weather in the Northwest has really been funky with only a few days here and there of sunshine. We were spoiled as the last twice we have been to Alaska it has been sunny and nice. We spent a lot of time on our balcony. We are sailing on the Solstice Sept 2, 2022. I downloaded the Celebrity app and it shows on Day 1 the Luminae is open for lunch from 11:30am to 2:00pm (this is for Sept.2 I assume it would be the same for all sailings). It is a great tool for seeing when the different venues on the ship are open. Plus it shows the menus. Since we have not sailed yet I cant say how well it works on the ship. Have a great cruise! Robert and Patty Edited June 8, 2022 by ibkidd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2labs Posted June 11, 2022 #15 Share Posted June 11, 2022 On 6/8/2022 at 11:27 AM, edgee said: Were they specific in requiring surgical or K95 masks? Or are cloth masks okay? Thanks. No, any mask will work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CulverCityCruisers Posted June 11, 2022 #16 Share Posted June 11, 2022 Have they changed the mattresses to the new ones? Since she did not get her refurb, wondering if they at least updated the beds Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phxazzcruisers Posted June 11, 2022 #17 Share Posted June 11, 2022 On 6/8/2022 at 10:52 AM, mauimary said: Does anyone know if Luminae will be open for lunch on embarkation day? Hopefully the butlers will be out of quarantine by the end of next week. The sailing on the 17th will have more families on board as school will be out so the passenger count will be higher. The weather in the Northwest has really been funky with only a few days here and there of sunshine. We were spoiled as the last twice we have been to Alaska it has been sunny and nice. We spent a lot of time on our balcony. They are definitely open in Luminae on embarkation day and all sea days. The butlers were still in quarantine on the 10th, the day we departed, however, service was NEVER lacking The weather on our cruise was not good. Missed most of Victoria, arrived very late due to weather and the se day was windy and rainy. Still did not stop us from having a wonderful cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akke29 Posted June 12, 2022 #18 Share Posted June 12, 2022 Just off the 6/3 sailing, overall it was a terrific cruise. We were so happy to be back cruising! Overall condition of Solstice was good. She is beautiful inside and out. The staff with a few exceptions were great. Seattle Pier 91 was chaotic for departing and arriving, especially with Ovation there at the same time. Dining was probably the most disappointing, but I'm not sure if it's fair to compare pre/post Covid experiences. Oceanview cafe food was inconsistent. Some things were good, most mediocre and some things not great. I do enjoy no more self service buffet, like Holland America. MDR service was slow most nights with the whole experience often lasting more than 2 hours. The staff was working hard and trying their best though. Food also ranged from great to mediocre. Taste is subjective... but unless chilled, one would expect hot soup. And it was as if they forgot to salt the baked goods. Lots of flavorless dishes. We had a verandah cabin which was perfectly fine for us. Bathroom condition was fine and always clean. Some signs of wear in the room, but not a big deal. There was a maintenance issue with a latch on the balcony which was causing the glass divider to buffet loudly in the wind. Repairs were prompt. The bed was adequately comfortable, but the pillows were not great. Again, overall a terrific cruise. I have to be hyper critical to really find fault in things, so that's a good sign right? Can't wait for the next one! Odyssey in October! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ferry_Watcher Posted June 12, 2022 #19 Share Posted June 12, 2022 Is Brent Nixon the naturalist on board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akke29 Posted June 12, 2022 #20 Share Posted June 12, 2022 Just now, Ferry_Watcher said: Is Brent Nixon the naturalist on board? No, her last name was Aeby, I forgot her first name. I went to one of her lectures on birds and ended up with a good power nap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare itsanita Posted June 12, 2022 #21 Share Posted June 12, 2022 Darn, we were looking forward to some good informative lectures! Who is the cruise director? And the Captain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barwick Cruiser Posted June 12, 2022 #22 Share Posted June 12, 2022 3 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said: Is Brent Nixon the naturalist on board? Brent, and his wife Amanda, are currently on the Eclipse. Looking forward to their presentations in September Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ferry_Watcher Posted June 12, 2022 #23 Share Posted June 12, 2022 9 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said: Brent, and his wife Amanda, are currently on the Eclipse. Looking forward to their presentations in September Thanks for the update. I really enjoyed their many talks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mauimary Posted June 13, 2022 #24 Share Posted June 13, 2022 We were really hoping Brent Nixon was onboard so disappointing to hear he is not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynesra Posted June 13, 2022 #25 Share Posted June 13, 2022 On 6/12/2022 at 12:34 PM, Ferry_Watcher said: Is Brent Nixon the naturalist on board? He was onboard for our cruise on Solstice for our May 6th trip. Excellent presentations by both him and Mary Amanda. His on whales was the best one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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