Celebrity Solstice leaving Tortola
Celebrity Solstice leaving Tortola / Celebrity Cruises / Michel Verdure
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Lawn Club
Lawn Club / Celebrity Cruises
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 Hot Glass Show
Hot Glass Show / Celebrity Cruises / Steve Beaudet
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Library
Library / Celebrity Cruises / Michel Verdure
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Murano
Murano / Celebrity Cruises / Quentin Bacon
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Sunset Veranda Stateroom
Sunset Veranda Stateroom / Celebrity Cruises / Michel Verdure
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Celebrity Solstice

Our Ship Review
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

The first of the stylish Solstice-class ships, the 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice was a game changer for Celebrity Cruises when it launched in 2008. The top deck is home to a half-acre of real grass, where you can walk barefoot, enjoy a picnic, and play lawn games. Inside, you'll find many intimate specialty dining venues, an impressive modern art collection, and plenty of tastefully designed spaces where you can hang out and feel away from the crowd — despite being on a large ship. Solstice was last refurbished in 2016 and, as of late 2023, the ship had yet to be “Revolutionized” with Edge Series amenities like its sister ships Equinox and Silhouette were before the pandemic. This doesn’t mean, however, that Solstice isn’t a cool place to enjoy a cruise vacation designed with grown-ups in mind.

What We Love

The Hot Glass Show: Professional glassblowers from the Corning Museum of Glass show off their talents. 

Cellar Masters: This self-serve wine bar, with its wine-by-the-glass dispensing system, was a first at sea. You can create your own tasting flight, or just sample an ounce. Sommeliers are also on hand to advise on different varietals. Extra charges do apply.

Specialty Dining: Solstice features four specialty dining venues — Murano, Le Petit Chef, Sushi on 5, and Tuscan Grille — and all are worth the added fee. If you love wine-paired tasting menus, book a table at Murano, while Sushi on 5 is a great place to sip sake and dine on an assortment of rolls, sashimi, tempura, and dumplings.

Best Known For

An Inviting Spa: The Spa aboard Solstice isn’t your typical cruise ship spa. This expansive, gorgeous space is located adjacent to the adults-only Solarium, which ranks among the loveliest pool retreats at sea, and offers an array of treatments as well as a Persian Garden thermal suite. Spa fans may want to book AquaClass staterooms that come with unlimited access to the thermal suite and specialty dining at a health-focused restaurant called Blu.

The Style: This ship could easily be the standard in terms of thoughtful modern design. You will likely find yourself oohing and aahing in the stunning cream-and-white Main Restaurant, which was designed by Adam Tihany and features a massive, two-story, glass wine tower at its center.

Who It's Best For

Sophisticated Couples: Those ages 40 and up looking for romantic time together are best served by this quietly elegant ship.

First-Time Cruisers: Celebrity Solstice is a perfect choice for newbies, especially on the summertime sailing to Alaska.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

Anticipate Extra Charges: There are lots of choices in terms of dining, drinking, and activities, but many have a fee attached. It's easy to rack up a substantial bill by the end of the sailing.

Fran Golden
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger