PROS: I have to disagree with many of the reviews that decried the quality of the dining. We found dinner to be quite pleasant, even if the menu did become a little repetitive. Our waiter and assistant waiter were outstanding, and we couldn't go wrong by following their suggestions. Dinner was served efficiently so that we usually could make it to the early show in time, and the cafeteria offered adequate seating and predictably good quality alternatives.

Also, the staff were invariably helpful and exceeded expectations. This included, notably, our cabin attendant, all members of the dining room and food service staff. At the end of the cruise, these staff members had to work especially hard because of the outbreak of illness aboard the ship.

CONS: We choose this cruise because of the itinerary. While it involved 11 days at sea, we usually enjoy the many shipboard activities and the opportunity to relax. Sadly, the main shipboard activity on the Solstice was fending off--sometimes physically--the constant upselling. Being accosted by animal characters outside the cafeteria accompanied by equally insistent photographers became worse than tiresome: It was practically assault. The pre-recorded upselling phone messages left in the cabin reminded me of why I had wanted a vacation. And the gauntlet of specialty restaurant barkers when entering lunch were like carnival workers. Added to this, at least half of the "enrichment" activities were actually enrichment for Celebrity and attempts to squeeze $$$ out of guests for overpriced services or terrible "artwork." Read more