They could do better
Celebrity Solstice Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage
7 Night Alaska Tracy Arm Fjord (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: August 18, 2017
Ship: Celebrity Solstice
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 1655
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 6 years ago
Review summary
There were sometimes very long and slow lines to get back onto the ship after a shore excursion. There were only two security screening stations for thousands of people which was not enough. The crew hands out umbrellas and blankets (it was raining and cold) and tries to make it more bearable, but it's unpleasant to stand in such a long line. If you leave the ship you can't always get back on easily at certain times. Once you do get back on the ship, there are waits for the limited elevators and they are often crowded stopping at every floor. There are also not enough seats in the buffet dining area. We had to walk around with food on our plates waiting for people to leave, which got to be really annoying. The dining staff tried very hard to help us find a table, and that was appreciated, but it's an often crowded scene at lunchtime. The ship doesn't work very well when it's full of passengers. Solstice class is not the best design. I will say the food overall was good to very good and the staff at Blu (for Aquaclass) was excellent. Our cabin was kept clean and neat by our ever cheerful and efficient attendant, the bed was comfortable, and the shower in Aquaclass was excellent. So this part of our experience was very positive. So the ship has a less than optimal design, but has a good staff and good food, so if you don't mind being crowded, and standing in lines, and being asked to buy things all the time, it's probably OK. My issue is that on disembarkation day they wouldn't allow me to go back and retrieve an article of clothing in my cabin just minutes after I left the ship. I was literally just steps off the gangway and asked to return and they said "no" that I should call Customer Service. When I called "Customer Service" they informed me that they throw all passenger clothing away. Seriously, Celebrity intentionally throws away all customer clothing if it's accidentally left behind. How much money does that save them? What a terrible company policy. I would have gladly paid them to send me my favorite hat back but that's not even an option. Goodbye Celebrity. I doubt we'll ever be back.Embarkation
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Ship tip
Be prepared to spend more money on things like internet and drinks. Packages, packages, packages, it's exhausting to figure out what makes the most sense. Celebrity has become more like Carnival. Basically they just want you to spend as much money as possible. I think they had something like 3 absolutely positively last art auctions. Until they had the Encore absolutely last art auction.