Firsthand sneak peak at Solstice (Merger of Several Threads)

[pro-am]

Hello Crew,

 

Here is this week's update.

 

Enjoy...

 

Click link below in signature for images of progress

:)

[FinelyCruising]

Thank you!! Pro_am do you think you can you get them to move that other ship out of the way for a better look?:D

 

I see on the X web site the deck labeled Lawn Club but nothng more is depicted than than the other day when I looked with the kids club area marked out...and I see a deck called Solstice Deck, which doesn't link to any area.

 

Have no idea what that Solstice Deck is about, but I love a good mystery.:)

[Captain Rhone]

There are a couple hi-res pictures of the CelebritySOLSTICE on the Meyer Werft website.

 

http://www.meyerwerft.com/page.asp?lang=d&main=3&subs=0&did=1498

[ccletzgo]

I'm just pleased to see some actual living foliage aboard the ships. The horrible, dusty fake flower arrangements they had on Summit were so ugly and tacky!

 

 

Makes me think of the Garden Villa "Gardens" on NCL ships. The pics of that area just made me chuckle. I think I would feel like Alice in Wonderland hanging out in the pretend like gardens.......;)

[Sea Island Lady]

I don't play but like seeing it played on the beach in the sand firm and wet from the tides going out.

 

Otherwise, that narrows down the areas for additional dining venues. I'm sticking with my notes on that on a different post. This area would have been awesome for a glass dining room under the stars...

The original Bocce court is made of a grass surface. We have a friend who has a court in his highlands home. When at the beach, we play on both the wet surface, where we roll the ball, and also in the dry sand, where we throw the ball. ;)

 

I wonder if star gazing will be allowed on the grass. Wouldn't that feel wonderful to lay on the grass under a full starlit night! :)

[FinelyCruising]

oh My God I Don't Think I Have Ever Seen Anything Like This....the Clarity Is Unbeliveable...I Feel Like I am Right There!!!!

 

Amazing....Thanks So Much For These Thrilling Shots!!!!

[RobNC2001]

AquaClass rooms have their own speciality dining at Blu - it seats 130, there is no cover charge. If you want to eat at the other restaurants you will need to check availabiltiy [main dining room]. Those not in the AQ rooms will not be allowed into Blu. AQ are only 2-berth rooms so no triples/quads - and perhaps by this implication - no children....?!

 

Albert, while you never really know about these things until you are there, we just booked the Solstice throught the loyalty ambassador while on our recent Brilliance cruise and this is a bit contrary to the information I received. My understanding is that as AquaClass, we have priority for seating in Blu but will also have a table in the main dining room. Of course, this wouldn't be the first time someone from RCI told me something that didn't turn out to be true.

[FinelyCruising]

I did that once in a lounger on the pool deck while hubby enjoyed a cigar and thought it was heaven.

 

He had to really jostle me to wake me up....I didn't last too long before I shut my eyes....:o

 

Did you mean Highlands, as in Atlantic Highlands, NJ?

[FinelyCruising]

...ooohhh...that's definately new information. Maybe not right, as you said, although it could be, but definately new...;)

[kyrisong1]

I love the idea of dining under the stars, that sounds so awesome, an outdoor fine dining experience with the sea sounds in the background(sighs deeply)

I love the idea of an outdoor theater that ISN"T in the pool area, I love the idea of a jazz music group and dancing under the stars.

I'm not much for golf and we have lots of grass where I'm from, however, as long as you leave the sea, it's all good :D

Carole

[RobNC2001]

In the case of Blu, not at all. They're trying to reach an underserved market of younger, affluent professionals who will pay for a spa vacation but didn't see current Celebrity offerings meeting their needs. Celebrity once differentiated itself with an emphasis on good Continental dining in its main dining rooms, but for many people, that "edge" is a disadvantage because Roux food is heavy and they want to keep trim and eat healthily while on vacation. Blu caters to those needs by providing a healthy option that carries through the day, unlike the Aqua Spa on M-class ships that is only good for breakfast and lunch.

 

God, I sound like a marketing intern.

 

Not a marketing intern, a marketing genious :)

 

That's exactly why I and three other couples all booked aqua class cabins. We love to cruise, but we all work hard throughout the year to stay healthy and in shape and loathe the heavy cuisine and unhealthy meals often served on cruise ships. We hope Blu will provide a healthy option for evening meals that will still be elegant and innovative and are very excited about having this option.

[RobNC2001]

I have sailed on princess for 10 cruises in 6 years and leaving in April for another 2 weeks. I always get a mini suite. it gives me a bath tub and a large balcony.

 

I am sailing the Solstice in jan and i booked AC. i am giving up my bathtub and fridge for a lot of extras that i do not get on princess. I feel i deserve them for the money. but i will miss my fridge and tub. as far as Blu goes i heard it was not spa food and I like the idea of the smaller DR over he big main one.

 

i think Robinsliver as it right

 

From the Cruise Critic "first glimpse" article: "Speaking of Blu, it's the only restaurant mentioned today and since it's paired with the ship's spa staterooms it's safe to say that it will feature healthful cuisine." This is consistent with the information that we received when we booked AquaClass staterooms through the RCI Loyalty Ambassador.

[caviargal]

My understanding is that as AquaClass, we have priority for seating in Blu but will also have a table in the main dining room. Of course, this wouldn't be the first time someone from RCI told me something that didn't turn out to be true.

 

Very different info than the TA briefing from X weeks ago but that is not a surprise:). She said Blu was the dining venue for that category which makes sense considering the significant price difference from a verandah or CC Class.

 

It would be hard to justify the $$$ difference otherwise IMO unless it was truly an adult only deck with pool, etc. Then, it would be worth the money IMO as it is truly unique.

[caviargal]

But it is clear to me from the plans so far that there is not a spa cafe in the solarium area as we know it now, (anyone...PLEASE correct me if I am wrong) but I do think as some other posters have mentioned that AQ and Blu will be a kid free environment, and that in itself may be worth the price of admission for many.

 

You betcha there is a market for this and this IMO is the most appealing aspect of Solstice should it indeed be true.

 

I agree that the food on X has always been too French influenced, too heavily sauced and unhealthy for my personal taste with the exception of the Aqua Spa cafe. I really enjoy spa resort vacations as do many people these days (don't have to be young and affluent to put a priority on health and fitness) so the concept is appealing even though the ship is too large to appeal to me personally. I think it is an interesting concept.

 

I do not view it as a class system at all. I cruise HAL and pay for a suite so I can enjoy breakfast in the specialty restaurant as well as have access to the Neptune Lounge. I am willing to pay more to have this added luxury. Aqua Class will be attractive to many who like the megaship experience but do not want to have to sail on a family focused line like RCI to get it.

[Host Anne]

OK....I have to ask...

 

We are booked on Solstice for three cruises so I am regularly checking for news and updates about her progress. I finally have to ask others here if they really think Celebrity plans on going with the white decor they show on the website? The chairs shown in Blu are all white; the "couches" in the staterooms look pretty white (not to mention uncomfortable); the chairs in the Passport bar and the Sky Observation lounge are all white;the lounge chairs in the solarium are all white and much of the furniture in the suites is white.

 

What are they thinking? Do you think they will really go with all white for these venues? How do they expect to keep them clean? Just had to ask....even if everything is leather (I doubt that the pool lounge chairs are), it's still going to be tough to keep everything so white and clean.

 

What does everyone else think?

[usha]

I have to say, the live orchids on HAL ships :) really tugged at my heart strings (I LOVE orchids!), but grass???? What is THAT all about????:eek:

[caviargal]

My favorite AI resort uses this all white color scheme throughout and it is lovely and zen like and elegant. But, it is far smaller than Solstice and is adults only so the abuse factor and traffic factor are far lower.

 

Seems to me it will be a real challenge to keep things looking fresh if it turns out to be true.

[Host Anne]

I love the look of the white furnishings. I just can't imagine that it's practical. Even the deep pattern furnishings on ships I've been on recently show dirt and stains. I'd think keeping white looking the way it does on the Celebrity website would be pretty darn tough. Time will tell...:)

[joeinsb]

Mike, I'm pretty mixed up and often get my cruises confused. Bottom line: we are on all of Eurodam's inaugural stuff except the pre-cruise naming ceremony, and on the Feb 22, 2009 sailing of Solstice in the Caribbean, back-to-back, for 14 days. Sorry if I implied we were on the Solstice inaugural (one of those a year is about all we can afford).

[eroller]

Personally, this "Lawn Club" is really appealing to me. I don't know, I think I will like sitting at the Patio Bar, overlooking this manicured green lawn and beautiful blue ocean. Add a solo guitarist / singer with maybe a sunset and I think I'm in heaven!

 

Ernie

[Andy]

I did that once in a lounger on the pool deck while hubby enjoyed a cigar and thought it was heaven.

 

He had to really jostle me to wake me up....I didn't last too long before I shut my eyes....:o

 

 

Hi Everyone !

 

That is one of my favorite evening activities on a Cruise. When the Casino isnt being kind to me, and if the weather is clear, I go up to the Pool Deck and lay down on a lounge, and watch the stars. It is incredibly relaxing. On your next Cruise, I recommend you try it. You will love it.

[negc]

Does anyone remember that there was artificial turf on the roof areas outside the forward lounge on Sunrise deck? (It's now called Reflections, but think it was Explorer's Lounge before the whole Cirque fiasco.) DH and I were so surprised to look out the forward windows (on the Millie or the Connie, I can't remember which) to see a little roof area covered in what appeared to be Astroturf.

 

Is it still there? We will have to check on the Summit in a few months:)

 

It was still there on the Connie when we did the TA last September but portions of it had pulled away from the surface and the adhesive backing was quite evident. Perhaps when they finally redo the Bar at the End of the World they will remove or repair the astroturf as well.:rolleyes:

[Sea Island Lady]

I did that once in a lounger on the pool deck while hubby enjoyed a cigar and thought it was heaven.

 

He had to really jostle me to wake me up....I didn't last too long before I shut my eyes....:o

 

Did you mean Highlands, as in Atlantic Highlands, NJ?

Nope, it's an area in NC.

 

I'll have to try the lounge chair gazing in a few weeks. :)

[Andy]

OK....I have to ask...

 

We are booked on Solstice for three cruises so I am regularly checking for news and updates about her progress. I finally have to ask others here if they really think Celebrity plans on going with the white decor they show on the website? The chairs shown in Blu are all white; the "couches" in the staterooms look pretty white (not to mention uncomfortable); the chairs in the Passport bar and the Sky Observation lounge are all white;the lounge chairs in the solarium are all white and much of the furniture in the suites is white.

 

What are they thinking? Do you think they will really go with all white for these venues? How do they expect to keep them clean? Just had to ask....even if everything is leather (I doubt that the pool lounge chairs are), it's still going to be tough to keep everything so white and clean.

 

What does everyone else think?

 

Hi Anne !

 

I mentioned this item, the very first day the photos came out. While it looks very appealing, I also cant see the logic behind it, unless Celebrity was able to find a way to passenger-proof the fabric. Either that, or they are going to need a full time upholstery person onboard, as these items will probably need constant maintanence. If this is standard fabric, can you imagine what this will look like in a few months time ? Probably not good.

[cruisinelsewhere]

If they do stay with the all white, gorgeous as it is, thank goodness I am sailing the Inaugural.:cool: