Just back from Solstice: LOVED IT

[ottawapuppy]

We are just back from Solstice and have posted some pictures, bar menus, reviews and more on our web site.
The executive summary is: We loved it. It was a wonderful cruise!

The address is http://web.me.com/thecruiseguys

I am new to this board, but I wanted to let everyone know how enjoyable the ship and crew were.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[BSeabob]

Welcome aboard Mike. About time you found our friendly little port in the web storm. Have been following you guys for some time now. Haven't bought a shirt yet though

I have a few questions. We are sailing fairly soon on the Solstice and I see you have been on M class ships. Could you give me a general feeling for the size of the S vs the M class please. Particularly was wondering about the pre-meal crush at the doors to the "Big food Trough" called the Main Dining room. There appears to be no real set up like the Rendez-vous lounge we are so familiar with on their previous ships. How does one make out for space and comfort in the Martin bar upstairs also etc.

 

[ottawapuppy]

We are sailing fairly soon on the Solstice and I see you have been on M class ships. Could you give me a general feeling for the size of the S vs the M class please. Particularly was wondering about the pre-meal crush at the doors to the "Big food Trough" called the Main Dining room. There appears to be no real set up like the Rendez-vous lounge we are so familiar with on their previous ships. How does one make out for space and comfort in the Martin bar upstairs also etc.

Don't get me started on the whole "lining up for the dining room thing"...The crush was brutal for the last 15 minutes or so before the dining room opened...what is UP with that? People have reserved tables, why are they lining up to get in?

I feel bad for the waiters in the Martini Bar, it was peak drinking time and there were people just sitting in chairs waiting for the dining room and not ordering anything. People who wanted drinks couldn't sit down. The Martini Bar was great except for the two 15 minute periods before dinner seatings. We often got the prime seating in Crush. Well, I thought it was prime...actually I don't really know why I thought that?

The Ensemble Lounge works well for the specialty rooms. Blu, Murano, Silk Harvest and Tuscan Grille all branch off (more or less) from that lounge.

There are chair groupings outside Cellar Masters and on other decks outside the dining room, but did not notice if people were using those while waiting. I would guess the Martini Bar would be the worst for that due to its proximity to the dining room doors.

I did not get the feeling that the Solstice-class ships were any bigger than the Millenium-class ships, but my perception might have been distorted by a few cruises on the Freedom-class ships on RCCL. Things seemed really small compared to those ships. It could have been the placement of our room though, we were very close to the forward elevators and stairs, so it was quick to get up the pool and down to the bars.

Mike

 

[BSeabob]

Thanks for that..glad to have you a board.
I think I'll just get my gang to the Martini bar early and relax while the hordes gather at the trough doors... making sure we get a drink order in a bit before the 15 minute warning bell

 

[jhhaul]

No, the Solstice ships do not feel that big, but they are.
I have seen Solstice several times during her construction at Meyer yard in Germany (I worked on the advanced computer-based TV and telephone systems Celebrity introduced on that class, which will also be on Royal's Oasis class.)
She is significantly bigger than the concurrently built Aida ships (Carnival). But the architects did a good job at hiding the sheer size so she still feels somewhat cosy.

 

[Goguinness]

I think one reason that Celebrity ships do not feel that crowded, is that they do not squeeze as many people on as other lines in their price range do.

Paul S

 

[ottawapuppy]

I worked on the advanced computer-based TV and telephone systems Celebrity introduced on that class, which will also be on Royal's Oasis class.

You deserve an award, then. That system was EXCELLENT. I loved how you could pause the on-demand movies and come back to continue from that point later on. The music channels were great as well.
Some people were freaked out that their formal photos would appear on the screen of the TV in the room. I was wondering what they were talking about, then, one evening as I was sitting on the couch with the TV on, I noticed us floating by on-screen. I laughed once I realized what people were talking about.
The remote response was a bit slow, but it is a wonderful system and am very happy to hear it is going to be on Oasis as well.

Mike

 

[Barry]

Thank Steve Jobs and Apple too, they used iTV to do it! (yes, I pulled the door back and looked)

 

[BSeabob]

Yes those wee Mini Macs do quite a job. (pun intended)

BTW the line ups at the MDR were there almost every night. Can't believe it. People...they won't run out of food. Especially for first seating.

I must disagree about the Solstice not feeling and being big. It is and certain area's on days at sea were really crowded. eg. Buffet and the pool. You were lucky to hit the water on the last sea day. Decks were packed. Was spring break though.