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The first of
Celebrity’s new line of ships, the Solstice is a brand new 2,850
passenger vessel that will be doing seven night Caribbean cruises out of
Ft. Lauderdale. To sum it up, her clean, modern décor is spacious and
inviting and she definitely generates that “WOW” factor upon boarding.
Most incentive
groups will appreciate that Solstice is marketed as an “adult”
product.
As a high end
premium ship, she has the expected beautiful atrium, large casino, show
rooms, upscale shops, specialty restaurants, 24 hour room service, pool
decks, spa and public areas. However, Solstice seems to have “upped the
bar” to what I would describe as “Premium Plus”.
Here are a few
reasons why . . .
PUBLIC SPACE:
While Solstice is a large ship, she has a
surprisingly “intimate” feel to her with interesting artwork and a
variety of small lounges and meeting areas. Many of her public areas
and bars have almost secluded comfortable seating areas for 4 to 10
guests. One does not get that “herding” feel of other ships this
size.
SUITES:
As Celebrity is promoting, Solstice’s suites and cabins were designed by
five ladies with an eye for the little things most gents wouldn’t
consider like . . . 15% larger cabins than before and 50% larger
bathrooms with extra storage space. The glass enclosed showers even
have a bar about two feet high to make it easy for the ladies to shave
their legs. The bedding, linens and towels are high quality. Balconies
are spacious and well appointed. The flat screen TV’s are viewable from
anywhere in the suite. And unlike most normal cabins, the beds are
situated next to the balcony so you can enjoy the ocean view. Finally,
cabin entrances are recessed enabling for adjoining rooms.
SPA:
The large, beautiful spa offers all the signature facilities and
treatments one would expect. However, this one also offers things like
acupuncture, teeth whitening and even Botox treatments. In addition to
a spacious Pool Deck, they have an indoor Solarium pool large enough for
swimming laps in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. The fitness center is
huge with all the latest, greatest machines and classes.
DINING:
The Grand Epernay, her main dining room, has a clean, open feel with
superb food selection and service. With two nightly open seatings,
sections can be set aside for groups enabling guests to sit at different
tables each evening.
Additionally, there are three
specialty restaurants that can be reserved exclusively for groups. The
Murano (Continental, 76 guests), Silk Harvest (Asian fusion, 88 guests),
and Tuscan Grille (Italian Steak House, 128 guests) would each require a
limited menu for a buy out and are each available to groups regardless
of cabin category. A fourth specialty restaurant, the Blu (“Clean
cuisine”, 130 guests) is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner BUT
only to Aqua Class suites and above. Additionally, due to the
logistics, Aqua Class guests are encouraged not to dine in the
Grand Epernay Restaurant.
RECOMMENDATION:
While there are 130 Aqua Class Suites (260 guests), due to the 130
person capacity of the Blu, a large Aqua Class group would require a
limited menu to dine together in the Blu AND if over 130 guests, would
not be able to all dine together in there at all.
As the staff shared, groups are
better off selecting from the 273 Concierge Class suites which are the
same size as the Aqua Class suites, slightly less expensive and the
whole group can all dine together in the Grand Epernay.
SUMMARY:
Unless you charter, she’s a beautiful, new ship that is very promotable
(and operable) for a group of 80 – 100 guests. |
