Celebrity Solstice Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,220 reviews

Very good cruise but not up to old Celebrity standards.

Review for Alaska Cruise on Celebrity Solstice
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dixielou222
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Jun 2016
Cabin: AquaClass 2
Harbor seals at Dawes glacier.
Brown bears at Dawes glacier.
Cinnamon black bear at White Pass.

Sailed with Celebrity several years ago. It seems the quality of the food has gone down since being under RCL ownership. If you want the same food as years ago, you pay the surcharge to be in a classy restaurant. Otherwise the food is average. We were in Aqua class. Its advertised as priority embarkation. This is definitely the case. It seemed it was pure mayhem with 2500 people trying to get on the ship at the same time. With Aqua class there was a priority line for embarkation that shed probably 1 hour off on boarding. Being at the same port as the RCL ship makes it double mayhem. Figure 5000 people getting on at the same time. I guess because they are owned by the same company explained that. Once on the ship we went to the Sunset bar to wait for our room to be ready. Drinks were easily available before going to our room. The one thing that irked me was the constant upselling of drink and dining packages the first 3 days of the cruise. Be prepared for it. Felt like I was at a Mexican all inclusive resort. Once in the room we were told that the partition separating us from the next cabin was broken and would be fixed ASAP. Nice, a community balcony. Went to dinner at the Grand Epernay and had average food. So much for our first day. Second day our toilet didn't flush and I had to go to public toilet to take care of business. Had no toilet for 5 hours. Finally took care of the partition. Privacy at last. Went to stern of ship the rest of the day for cocktails and watched orcas breaching..what a treat and didn't have to buy a whale watching package. Went to Muranos that evening and were treated to a very nice French style dinner. The food was the best we had on the cruise but the tableside lobster preparation was a little to campy for me. From that point we went from Ketchikan to Juneau and really didn't do much but shop. Juneau is on a mudflat that really has no beauty. Before we got there we were treated to the Dawes glacier. Quite a humbling experience. Probably some of the most spectacular scenery in Alaska.. Lots of Harbor seals and got our first look at brown bears on the retreat. Then to Skagway. Bought a tour through an independent tour company that took us through town and up to White Pass summit. Lots of history. Even saw a cinnamon black bear that crossed the road in front of us maybe 30 yards away. Ate in Tuscany Grill that evening. Eat at this restaurant either the first day or leaving Skagway. The best view on the ship. Steaks were excellent but by this time we were so tired of food its hard to appreciate it. Still, very good food. My only grind was a mandatory 18% tip. I paid all gratuities up front and didn't expect add ons. Muranos didn't do it, so why these jokers? Rest of time was on way to Victoria. Didn't get off so I have nothing to say about it. They advertise Aquaclass as having priority disembarkation. You don't. Your with everyone else trying to find your bags at the terminal. Express disembarkation and Seattle tours booked through the cruise companies have first choice. Overall was a good cruise. We will cruise with Celebrity in the future. The Solstice needs some TLC to bring her up to standard. Partition broken, paint pealing, hair in room service food, toilet broken are not signs of quality control. PS The best bar on the ship is the Passport Bar. The bartenders always were entertaining and never laxed in keeping our drinks full. Also a great place to relax and listen to the many different entertainment choices that were offered. PSS In room hair dryer for ladies is a joke. Bring your own or pay to have it done in the spa. PSSS Only went to Blu once...not impressed.

Cabin Review

AquaClass 2

Cabin A2

My wife was impressed by the size and the bath. Toilet not working and partition broken sucked. You are beneath the gym so be prepared for a John Deere type drone from the machines above you.

Port Reviews

Seattle

Flew into here but didn't stay.

Juneau

Just shopped.

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