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I stayed in #1126, a "Concierge Class" stateroom on Deck 10 -- but since there were no concierges aboard, it was the same as a standard balcony cabin. One funky Solstice touch that's clearly space saving in intent is that cabin doors open into the corridor rather than into the stateroom. I can't tell you how many times I saw people trying to push instead of pull (it was pretty funny) the door; you'll get used to it.
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| The layout of the 192-square-ft. cabin (veranda's another 54 square ft.) won't surprise anyone; it's fairly standard cruise stuff. There is a bed (converts to twins or a queen) and a loveseat (position varies; some have beds by the balcony door, others have couches there). There's a vanity, a closet, safe, flat-screen television and telephone. What is different... |
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...is the ingenuous amount of closet, drawer and storage space. The closets are actually smaller than I'm used to, but there are so many places to stash your gear -- such as cabinets above the bed and drawers everywhere -- you won't notice. The beds are higher than the norm, so large suitcases will slide underneath (there's actually a cage-like feature underneath that stores lifejackets). The color scheme's different, too: lots of soothing neutrals.
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| Definitely innovative -- not only for Celebrity but for all new ships -- are the bathrooms in the veranda cabins (didn't see insides and outsides). Some 50 percent larger than those standard cubes found on the Millennium-class ships, the shower is superb -- large and oval, with sliding doors that close rather than a nasty old curtain. The toilet and sink are laid out in a different-than-usual way; the sink area has much more storage than most standard ship bathrooms. |
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A caveat: From the didn't-they-test-this school of ship design, the toilet paper roll is impossibly awkward. Fortunately, the roll comes right off and you can set it aside. |
| Celebrity Solstice has 11 different types of cabins -- from insides to the Penthouse Suite. I snuck into this one: 1116, on Deck 10, is a Royal suite, measuring 590 square ft. with a 154 square ft. balcony. This is the living area -- and it's clearly not fully outfitted. |
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Facing the other direction is the wet bar and dining area. Other features in the living area will ultimately include an entertainment system with 52-inch flat-screen, powder room off the entry and a sofa that unfolds to a queen-sized bed. The bedroom is completely separate. |
| The marble bathroom is gorgeous. It's got a separate tub and glassed-in shower... |
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...and double sinks. But the best part of the cabin (and apologies, photo didn't turn out): The balcony has its own outdoor whirlpool.... |
