This was our first cruise having put it off for various reasons, not knowing whether we would get seasick, would there be enough room in the stateroom as we are used to top hotels with large rooms. This year was a last minute decision, a desire to get away for a much needed break and without the teenage boys! We had already research the various ships and for us the Solstice was the only way to go if we were going to do it once it had to be the newest and the most modern designed one! Before we left we had conflicting messages from our friends and colleagues, things like too many queues, seeing the same people over and over again, horrible food, small rooms. However the good reviews were much more accurate! My husband says its the best holiday he has ever had even though we go the flu on board half way through the trip! Good stuff first!...with a bit of bad thrown in! The ship is wonderful, so exquisitely designed it's awesome! The public rooms are perfect nothing bad to say at all. Stateroom excellent and Concierge service superb. Grand Epernay Dining Room delightful, food very very good and if you didn't like what you ordered you could order something else or more what ever you want they will do it even if it means getting desert from one of the other restaurants you may like! Main fault we had was we were tucked away in a corner on a table for 2 and would have liked to be in the centre to absorb the atmosphere. We ate here 3 times out of 7. Tuscan Grill SUPURB food and great staff! Didn't use the Blu, Murano or Silk Harvest, or Bistro on Five we didn't have time! Cafe El Bachio was elegant and just what we need for that perfect Earl Grey Tea or Cappuccino. The little pastries are complementary and yummy! Mast Bar and Grill was the place to go for burgers mid day although why when the main Ocean-view Cafe offers so much selection of good food would you want a burger and fries?? (hey-ho each to their own)a tip here, don't sunbathe on a bed down wind of the burger bar the hot grease stinks! The jogging track is on the sunbathing deck, not good if you are a serious jogger as people just stand in the way! have to get up early to jog! The Lawn club is pleasant, real grass but very windy up there! The Solarium is pleasant for those not wanting to take the air! I slightly bigger pool for one thing. The outdoor pools are practically unusable when the kids are around! My sons would have hated the pools they are not meant for fun and frolics. The Spa is lovely I had a few treatments but was very disappointed to find i couldn't get into the steam room unless I paid extra! that's not good especially as the Sauna was not hot enough! didn't go to the glass blowing but heard it was good. Martini Bar was ace! No caviar though as seen in brochure! Passport Bar good, nice music for people of a certain age. A bit a dancing if the mood takes you. Quasar bar wild would have liked to stay up long enough to go once! Sky Observation Bar massive! Every time we went it was empty though, maybe because you can really feel the wake up there? Didn't do the Casino not our thing or the slots but looked OK. Michael's Club looked like a Gentleman's Club dark and woody and the library was a nice touch. The crew and especially the Captain and the Cruise Director John deserve a special mention, they were outstanding! The Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis was hilarious and entertaining. All in all great value for money. We knew we would spend a lot on excursions and wine so we were prepared for the Visa bill afterwards! We would definitely go again but like someone we met on board said we started cruising on the best newest ship where do we go from here? Well Done Celebrity!!!!