Spent the night before departure at Sofitel at LHR T5. Excellent choice when you have a 7am flight as it is just a short walk across the bridge to the terminal. Tip: book at least 2 weeks before for the best deal - non refundable! Celebrity rep was at T5 to make sure we checked in OK. Also on arrival in Rome. Efficiently pointed out where to leave our luggage which was taken by separate van to the ship, while we travelled by coach. Quick check in at the terminal where we got our cards for use during the holiday. Staterooms ready at 1.30pm. Excellent size with modern furnishings,plenty of storage, cream leather settee, marble counter tops, lovely voile drapes over the blackout curtain. Good sized balcony with table and 2 recliner chairs. Bathroom was a very welcome surprise as the shower was big and there were plenty of cupboards. Nice toiletries but no shower gel!The shopping bag was great to use on board and when off the ship As for the ship itself it really is stunning, the atrium goes from bottom to top of ship with 2 banks of 4 glass elevators which are smooth and totally silent.The Lawn Club does have real grass which is mowed and raked and watered every day. Well used for playing bowls and quoits or just laying on!Nice shady places to sit up there in comfy basket chairs and settees.There are also many areas on the top deck, outside cafes and around the pool that offer shade which is essential when you are cruising at the height of summer - not everyone wants to bake to a crisp! The pools are nice, not much different from any other cruise ship pools but all the children loved playing in the dancing fountains.Sunbeds are packed in on the top decks around and near the pools but apart from 'sea days' when it was difficult to get a place unless you were early,there was room for everyone. The Aqua spa pool is over 16 only so a quieter and more relaxing option and with all sorts of loungers and hammocks.Dining was a pleasure in the Grand Epernay restaurant, again the decor is stunning, all glass and chrome with coloured mood lighting. Food and service excellent with plenty of choice.Sadly on 'formal' nights not all male guests wore appropriate clothing;ie:very casual shirts with no ties or jackets and we also spotted a couple of men in shorts and despite what it says in the literature, they were allowed in which was a pity as standards begin to slip when this happens. We used the self service buffet for breakfast and lunch, again excellent with plenty of choice.The ship was full with 450 under 16s on board so we were aware of children being around and they all seemed to keep late hours however most were well behaved and kept occupied in the kids clubs. The shows were spectacular as Solstice has a link with 'Cirque de Soleil' . We have never seen such wonderful productions on any ship. Other nights we were treated to a good selection of acts all of which were excellent and we enjoyed them all. All around the ship, various musical entertainers perform every night in various locations so there is plenty going on as well as the disco and various themed bars which were all popular. The excursions were well organised, the gathering point was the theatre and the transfer to the busses was efficiently done. Iced towels and water were offered on our return which was most welcome after hours sightseeing in the heat. We had smooth seas all the time but I can't imagiine there ever being much roll, the ship was rock steady all the time and no vibration from the engines - marvellous. Disembarcation again was efficient.We got numbered stickers for our bags which corresponded to the time we had to leave the ship. Bags were collected at 11pm the night before and were in zoned areas for us to identify and take to the transfer coaches the following morning. Celebrity reps had trollys waiting for our use at the airport and pointed us in the right direction for checkin. So despite travelling in August when it is school holiday time, hot and crowded we had a wonderful time aboard Celebrity Solstice and would recommend this ship to anyone whatever age - we are retired! We are trying Celebrity Century for a 7 day Western Med cruise in October, I doubt it will come anywhere near the Solstice for 'Wow' factor but hopefully the Celebrity magic will still be evident and we will have a good time - will let you know!!!