snowglobe Posted July 19 #1 Share Posted July 19 (edited) We’re seriously considering doing the cross-Pacific Honolulu to Vancouver oneway next April. We’ve only sailed Celebrity once, and our last cruise was just before Covid on Azamara. We liked Celebrity very much, but the recent reviews of the Solstice (mainly for Alaska cruising) are a bit disappointing… aging ship, lacklustre food and service, etc.. I like the idea of long relaxing days at sea (5 full days). We may book the Persian Garden Pass, but I can’t find info on its price. With all the other add-ons, it quickly becomes an expensive proposition…it the Solstice worth it in your opinion? We’re not into the casino, we’re not big drinkers, and one of us has limited mobility. We’re big readers though. Any suggestions of good spots to set up with a book? This will be the end of April, so we’ll almost always be indoors to avoid getting chilled. Is there a small lending library or swap books shelf onboard? What are the ‘cons’ that we should consider when choosing to do this sailing or not? We’re really on the fence with this one… Thanks for your thoughts, and suggestions! . Edited July 19 by snowglobe Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39august Posted July 19 #2 Share Posted July 19 All the S class ships have a library. How well it is stocked is an unknown. I usually find the best books in the "return" box. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbenboys Posted July 19 #3 Share Posted July 19 May 7, 2025 Celebrity Edge is going from Hawaii to Vancouver. It is a newer ship. Not sure of spouse limited mobility. Edge does have much larger elevators. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted July 19 #4 Share Posted July 19 But no proper library 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahasamatman Posted July 19 #5 Share Posted July 19 No cons for us. We were scheduled to do this cruise in May, but had to cancel because my wife had pneumonia. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lola2013 Posted July 19 #6 Share Posted July 19 Did this sailing with friends. No cons for us. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted July 19 #7 Share Posted July 19 @snowglobe We're on the Sydney to Honolulu leg of this cruise. Have never sailed on Solstice before but have sailed on every S-class except her at least once. I take reviews with a grain of salt as I know some people like to nit pick on little things more than others and we all have different taste buds so food reviews are interesting but I do not choose my cruises based on them. You can almost always find a quite space to relax on the S-class. The Library on Deck 10, The Card Room on Deck 9, Team Earth on Deck 7, The World Class Bar and Ensemble Lounge on Deck 5, Cellar Masters on Deck 4, and the Passport Bar on Deck 3 have various times during the day and night where one can sit and relax in relative quiet and comfort. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTShaker Posted July 19 #8 Share Posted July 19 I have considered this itinerary a few times but in the back of my mind it was always that an eastbound trip will be travelling in the same direction as the prevailing weather pattern, so you may end up in poor weather longer than in a westbound itinerary. But then you may end up in a good pattern longer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betravelin Posted July 19 #9 Share Posted July 19 We did this cruise in May and for the most part enjoyed the transpacific crossing. One of the entertainers/activity that accompanied us back was a Hawaiian dancer who provided lessons to anyone who wanted to try. The rest of the onboard entertainment was good as well. We enjoyed the sky observation lounge for great views, comfy seating, and a quiet reading space. As that was our first trans ocean cruise we found 5 sea days in a row a bit too long. We had 2 days that were a bit rough waters, which was just enough for sea mist and waves to coat our deck with sea salt and many of the windows. That was probably the only con for us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Water_Baby_ Posted July 20 #10 Share Posted July 20 We’re looking at this one right now. Weather won’t be perfect but plenty of time for reading. If the Persian Garden is appealing, book Aqua Class for your pass. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esv104 Posted July 20 #11 Share Posted July 20 On Solstice in Alaska right now. While ship is older, it’s in great shape. Layout is great. Food has been excellent overall. Service has been exceptional everywhere. We’re impressed! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liao Posted July 20 #12 Share Posted July 20 9 hours ago, snowglobe said: We’re seriously considering doing the cross-Pacific Honolulu to Vancouver oneway next April. We’ve only sailed Celebrity once, and our last cruise was just before Covid on Azamara. We liked Celebrity very much, but the recent reviews of the Solstice (mainly for Alaska cruising) are a bit disappointing… aging ship, lacklustre food and service, etc.. I like the idea of long relaxing days at sea (5 full days). We may book the Persian Garden Pass, but I can’t find info on its price. With all the other add-ons, it quickly becomes an expensive proposition…it the Solstice worth it in your opinion? We’re not into the casino, we’re not big drinkers, and one of us has limited mobility. We’re big readers though. Any suggestions of good spots to set up with a book? This will be the end of April, so we’ll almost always be indoors to avoid getting chilled. Is there a small lending library or swap books shelf onboard? What are the ‘cons’ that we should consider when choosing to do this sailing or not? We’re really on the fence with this one… Thanks for your thoughts, and suggestions! . Personally I can’t think of any cons to a transoceanic cruise. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Cruizer Posted July 20 #13 Share Posted July 20 S-class are my favorite Celebrity ships--great layout, love the Sky Lounge and the Sunset Bar area, love the traditional dinning room at dinner. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelexpert35 Posted July 20 #14 Share Posted July 20 We’ve sailed on the Solstice twice on this route from Honolulu - Vancouver in April and May. Loved the ship and also the sea days. We did tender into Lahaina back then and also Kona. Hilo was the only port docked. On our last cruise the tender ride was rough out of Kona due to the weather. You will certainly notice the weather change coming closer to Vancouver. I would definately do this again but would love to originate in Sydney. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mauimary Posted July 20 #15 Share Posted July 20 We loved it. Love the Solstice class. Very nice to be able to enjoy the views from the Sky lounge. We love the traditional wood paneled Ensemble Lounge lounge for music and drinks. We have done two crossings on Solstice. Another plus is to actually be able to read. There are also plenty of activities for those that want to do something. NO CONS FOR US. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mom says Posted July 21 #16 Share Posted July 21 Warning: nit pick alert. Since when is Hawaii to Vancouver a transpacific cruise? Sydney to LA is a transpacific. Tokyo to Vancouver is a transpacific. Hawaii to Vancouver is only 1/3 of a transpacific. It's just a Pacific cruise. Nit pick alert ended. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NutsAboutGolf Posted July 21 #17 Share Posted July 21 We did the reverse on the Soltice this past Sept-Oct. 2.5 days were very rough and it was sustained. We have experienced rougher, but not 2.5 straight days. I don't have much to say about the ship itself as we all know it's the lead and therefore oldest S-Class ship. My criticisms tend to be fleet-wide, it isn't like someone is going to say the food was 3 out of 10 on one ship but a 7 out of 10 on the other ship 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowglobe Posted July 21 Author #18 Share Posted July 21 (edited) 35 minutes ago, mom says said: Warning: nit pick alert. “The Hawaiian archipelago is physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania.” “What is the meaning of transpacific? - crossing or extending across the Pacific Ocean” “What is considered a transpacific cruise? - A transpacific cruise is simply a cruise that sails along the Pacific Ocean. - Transpacific crossings are voyages of passengers and cargo across the Pacific Ocean between Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.” Pedantic nitpick refutation ended. . Edited July 21 by snowglobe 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbenboys Posted July 21 #19 Share Posted July 21 14 hours ago, mom says said: Warning: nit pick alert. Since when is Hawaii to Vancouver a transpacific cruise? Sydney to LA is a transpacific. Tokyo to Vancouver is a transpacific. Hawaii to Vancouver is only 1/3 of a transpacific. It's just a Pacific cruise. Nit pick alert ended. I use vacations to go and they list Vancouver to Hawaii as transpacific and so does Celebrity. https://www.celebritycruises.com/destinations/transpacific-cruises?icid=dstntn__trn_hm_other_113 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmcrn Posted July 21 #20 Share Posted July 21 We cruised from Hawaii to Vancouver last May on the Eclipse and absolutely loved it. Hawaii was amazing and the 5 days were very relaxing. We did splurge for an aft corner suite which added to our relaxation (so much room! such a great wrap around balcony!). I would recommend doing that if possible. We aren't sure we would do 5 days at sea again though - it is a bit too long perhaps? But really enjoyed getting a lot of reading done. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhfy Posted July 21 #21 Share Posted July 21 (edited) We’ve done that cruise on Solstice & had a great time; however, the weather in April/May going to Vancouver was quite cold, very rainy. We weren’t able to go on our balcony the last 3 days nor venture outside ( decks were closed due to weather) the last 2 days. Seas were quite rough We’ve also done the September/October Vancouver to Hawaii sailing on Eclipse. It was absolutely wonderful, weather was just perfect. We’re planning on doing that itinerary again Edited July 21 by awhfy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mahdnc Posted July 21 #22 Share Posted July 21 For me the only disadvantage of the Hawaii to Vancouver sailing is that it’s one of the rare times that I would just prefer to spend the money on a Hawaii land vacation. If the itinerary did more than just Hawaii, I would feel differently. Having said that, I am sure we will do it someday. Solstice is a fine ship. We sailed on her this past Jan and will be doing the Sydney to Honolulu sailing on her this April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lienf Posted July 21 #23 Share Posted July 21 On 7/19/2024 at 10:51 PM, Esv104 said: On Solstice in Alaska right now. While ship is older, it’s in great shape. Layout is great. Food has been excellent overall. Service has been exceptional everywhere. We’re impressed! Very glad to hear your impressions. We board September 22nd for a b2b ending in Sydney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miched Posted July 21 #24 Share Posted July 21 First con is that you are hostage on the ship and can’t get off.🙄😱 If you want to use the Persian Gardens I would recommend booking an Aqua Class (AQ) cabin for the amenities of that, and it also includes the Blu Restaurant and the other amenities that you get. Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisefan123 Posted July 22 #25 Share Posted July 22 We sailed this Transpacific cruise in May 2023. There were no cons for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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