I don't agree with the negative comments that I've read in some of the other reviews of the Solstice. If you can't have a good time on this ship then something is wrong people! Leave your baggage at the pier...relax...you're on vacation! Embarkation was easy. We were on the ship less than 30 minutes after arriving at the port. We were greeted with champagne and were anxious to explore the ship. In a word, wow. The ship is big, beautiful & clean. The design is expensive yet understated. Gleaming steel, wood, marble & glass are everywhere. The ship is immaculate, and still looks brand new. There were 3200 passengers on the ship and you never knew it. There was always plenty of room for everyone and the only time you noticed there were a lot of people was during dinner or during a show. Like everyone says, the flow of the ship is great and it's very easy to learn your way around quickly. We loved our Aqua Class stateroom, 1501, all the way in the front on the port side of the ship above the bridge, next to the relaxation room. It was quiet and we liked the easy access to the spa & gym. The stateroom was spacious with good storage for our 250 pounds of supplies. The bathroom is huge and the glass-walled shower was the best. The bed was very comfortable and offered a great night's sleep. If there's anything you need, just ask. Our stewards Ronnie & Benji knocked themselves out every day to make sure we were happy. I made a casual remark about towel animals and BAM! Towel animals! The room was always clean & we never wanted for anything. These guys worked their butts off and always with a smile. I cannot say enough about the food on this ship. The best of any cruise we've been on. Always fresh, made-to-order & delicious. Blu, the restaurant reserved for Aqua Class passengers, is amazing. The ambiance, service & food was simply great. The ship hardly moves, so this restaurant evokes a fine-dining experience that you might find in Miami or New York. Like escargot? Just ask. Want something special? Just ask. All of the crew in Blu went above and beyond to make us feel special. It wouldn't be fair to single out any one person because we LOVED them all. We also had excellent meals in the Tuscan Grill, Murano & Grand Epernay dining room. Bistro on 5 has really good crepes so make a point to try them. We also ate in the Oceanview Cafe & Aqua Spa Cafe everyday for Breakfast and lunch. The food once again was excellent and with more than enough variety to please everyone. Even Room Service rose to the occaision. We ordered munchies late one night and it was GOOD! Hot French Fries at 3 am? You betcha!

The adults-only indoor pool and solarium are excellent and a great place to spend a quiet afternoon. The outdoor pools, while sometimes a little crowded, were always well-maintained & fun, and serve as the hub of activity during the day. We could always find a comfortable place to lounge. The gym and spa are top-notch. All of the shows on board were entertaining with talented performers. There are many public spaces on the ship and you will quickly find your favorite place to hang out. We enjoyed Crush Martini Bar & the Casino at night, and the solarium and outdoor pools during the day.

The crew members on this ship are fantastic! These people work incredibly hard for your enjoyment and a kind word and a smile go a long way. Let them know that you appreciate their efforts! We actually "chased down" Captain Demetrius one day on his way to a meeting and he graciously threw his arms around us for a picture! What?? The captain?! Really?! Hotel Director Sue Richardson; Cruise Director Paul Baya; Maria T. Kelly; Bar Manager Lisa Salmans & all of the ship officers were wonderful. John & Jose, bar servers, are excellent. We enjoyed cutting up with the "shoppies" Axel, Leslie & Joe, and we made fast friends with Angelita in the Passport Bar, who makes a mean Cosmopolitan and will then deliver it while balancing a full tray of drinks on her head. Overall, this was our favorite cruise to date. We liked it so much that we did something we have never done before and booked the Western Caribbean cruise for October 10, 2010 just so we could do it all over again.