Great ship!

We found the Celebrity Solstice to be beyond our expectations. What a lovely relatively new ship!

The staff for the most part were very accommodating however there is a language problem with some staff either not understanding English or having accents so thick that one could not understand them.  I phoned and asked about the cafeteria on Deck 14 and was told it was a "Two meat night" It took several tries for them to convey that it was open until Midnight .."too meed night".

In another instance I was looking for the place to order on ship photos and I asked four different crew members. I got three different locations and one just shrugged his shoulders and told me he didn't know. I think he just didn't understand English. The staff should all know the ship like the back of their hands.

I was very impressed with their disembarkation system. Everything went smoothly.

I should have arranged for the rental of a mobility scooter because I had to walk almost the entire length of the ship to go to the dining room. I will know for next time.

I am disappointed that they have taken the special meals out of the dining room and into the pay extra restaurants. I totally disagree in paying extra when you have already paid for your meals on the trip before you go. I just will not support this policy.

My wife was very disappointed that there was never Halibut on the menu. It comes from that area! We expected local foods. My wife was told by the chef when he visited our table that he would try and find her some Halibut but it never happened. We were however happy with the service in the dining room.

Our request for a large table in the dining room seating was totally ignored. We were given a table for two. Consequently we missed meeting new people there, something we really enjoy.

The cabin was excellent and we really appreciated the NON SMOKING policy. Our last cruise was ruined by a woman smoker who used her balcony continuously for puffing with the smoke blowing into our room. The shower was excellent. We tipped our cabin steward and waiter very well however I think the gratuities bit is overdone on Celebrity.  $13.50 per day per person plus 18% on drinks and spa and then they put envelopes in your room asking for more. It is a bit much. We are non drinkers so we tipped only those who served us on a regular basis.

I also felt the cost of soft drinks and water was excessive. There should be no charge for water - it is an essential. We bought our water on shore for $1 a bottle instead of $5 on ship plus that 18% again. I get the idea that the people who perform the service don't get much of that 18% because the spa person was expecting a tip on the $250 treatment my wife had (plus the 18% again).

It was a delight that you could actually get a seat in the theatre for the nightly shows.  This is something we are not used to.

I appreciated the wheelchair service on and off the ship.

In all it was an excellent trip. The shore excursions were pricey but we are glad we took them. We dropped about $2,000 extra on tours but it was a once in a lifetime visit and we wanted to see the sights.

I was very glad that Joan Cohen recommended this ship and we have cruised about a dozen times with this being he best. It was our second with Celebrity and we will choose Celebrity when we cruise next time.