Celebrity Solstice Cruise Reviews - Reviews

My favorite part of the cruise was the helicopter ride to the glacier where we went dog sledding.  I was concerned because I had read that this excursion is easily cancelled due to weather.  

I really don't want to say anything negative about the trip because anything I may have  found negative, was really not that important.

This was my second time cruising to Alaska.  The Celebrity Solstice was a terrific ship with great food and service.  The Captain had fun personality and it set the tone for the people that were both cruising and working.  We had wonderful weather and Alaska was as enchanting as the last time I visited.

I would definitely recommend to cruise line. The surprise was how attentive the staff was and how accessible the ship was. I maintain a journal of Traveling with the Disabled and travel with my Mother and others throughout the year. Traveling with the Disabled is a challenge and anyone making the travel adventure should know there are many things to consider. Room must accommodate a mobility devise, travel arrangements must note specific requirements and accessibility requirements must be confirmed. Check twice and then a third time to ensure all is documented. On a positive note; ship is very accessible and the staff have manual wheel chairs and porters to make mobility easy. Be sure you let the cruise line know before traveling; very important. And double check before leaving. This is essential on any trip. I would like to say that Celebrity was attentive to my mother traveling with a automatic scooter and provided her with a suite that had all the accessibility features expected. l contracted Scooterround,com to provide a mobile chair for Mom.  It was in the room upon arrival and there was plenty of room for the chair and batter plug ins provided. The room was perfect and Celebrity did a follow up to ensure the chair was there. This was essential for Mom to enjoy the trip. Kudos to Celebrity, this was a great start and relief.

I was traveling with two persons with disabilities who had distance issues. The cruise ship provided manual wheelchairs and adequate porters to and from boat.

The first day we ported and were getting off boat, there was a lot of confusions for egress by wheelchairs. But when we re-boarded, confusion had been addressed and the remaining debarkations went smoothly; they gained control of the crowds and accommodated my family. Check-in was efficient, providing manual wheelchairs. Checkout had manual wheelchairs also. Keep in mind, auto wheel chairs contracted by third-parties were delivered to the rooms. Passengers still need to travel to and from room to outside check out areas. Celebrity did a great job.

Problem is with Excursions. I had issues that took some time to figure out and that cost extra money. I booked through American Airline Cruises and worked hard to ensure Excursions need to be accessible were. I worked hard to understand accessible tours and booked accessible excursions for those that needed them with the travel agent. I checked with AA travel agent several days before leaving to confirm accessible excursions, then check with Excursion Desk on the ship to ensure one more time that needed special excursions were accessible. This was my problem issue. The Excursion Desk told me my rooms, three total booked under my name and with one credit card, were not noted to be associated with accessible needs. Two of the rooms I booked were Accessible. Not sure where the disconnect was, but I spent a lot of time with the very competent and helpful Excursion Desk Manager Fiona to resolve how to change up the excursions to accommodate everyone. Fiona made several calls and sent several email and fixed two of the three excursions. Mom and Laura never experienced problems or embarrassment.  There were a few hours we were sitting around while manipulations were made, but all turned out OK. I am home now, but still trying to correct charges and credits related to the changes and issues we had with the first excursion that was canceled. Mom didn't get to visit Saxon; accessible tour was not available although she was confirmed for it.

Our favorite part of the cruise was the opportunity to relax and experience the sites and sounds of nature from the veranda of our comfortable stateroom. The atmosphere of anticipation at every port of call that came with each day. The ship itself was so well appointed and clean with such a friendly ,attentive crew and staff. We certainly enjoyed our cruise and it made our anniversary a very special

THIS WAS THE BEST CRUISE EVER!!  

THE BEAUTY OF ALASKA - THE CAPTAIN - THE SHIP - THE ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTORS - THE SHOWS - MISS AMANDA - BRENT NIXON - THE FOOD

THERE'S NOTHING TO SAY BAD EXCEPT WE HAD TO GET OFF!!

LOVED IT!!

This cruise was a nice balance between relaxing, luxury on-ship time and beautiful scenic Alaska. Our stateroom was perfect in every way, the service was impeccable and our stateroom attendant was super helpful and attentive. The restaurant Blu was so fantastic that we rarely ate anywhere else. The Blu staff was over-the-top friendly and the food was way beyond my expectations. Social events and offerings were a nice mix, and we particularly enjoyed the musical performers. 

The only negative experience we had was at the spa, where the staff seemed to be operating on a different customer service platform. Scheduling was difficult and the staff, while very nice, pushed purchases of products far too aggressively. The running theme was to criticize the condition of our skin and nails until we agreed to purchase products.

We loved the food the scenery the personable staff until my wife, Carla Maria Corral Scott, had a persistent nosebleed and we went to the facility on the 2nd floor.

The male nurse at the counter said to take a seat in a waiting room.15 minutes later I said I was not a doctor but I felt like this is an emergency. I asked him if he was a doctor? he said no and said one would be coming. I left the area to use the restroom and in my wife's presence this nurse said he did not have to deal with a drunk American. Yes I am an American disabled United States Marine and I vacation.

I was not drunk I was concerned for my wife and our

vacation.

I discussed this with customer relations and the young lady I spoke with agreed I was not drunk and apologized for the comment.

When I asked why the attitude towards Americans she said Soltice was an American ship.

We were in dismay that one person could change the incredible experience to such a less than fond memory.

Nicholas Scott

Senior Vice Commander

American Legion Post 14

Puerto Vallarta Mexico

We enjoyed our cruise very much . We especially liked the views of the glacier from our balcony.  We didn't like the high table stakes  and the continuous  shuffle machines in the casino.  Our dinner waiters -Joseph & Aquino- took very good care of us. The timing of the Captain's cocktail party is not good.  It would be more enjoyable if it was actually at cocktail time.  The lovely appetizers lose their after dinner.

Stateroom better than most - spacious, well appointed.  Attendants prompt to make our acquaintance. Select dining easy to learn ropes - best if you make reservations on days you know will be in main dining room.  Food abundant and varied selections. Desserts left a bit to be desired - lacked flavor and many dry. Ice cream basic flavor good - sorbet not very fruity. Specialty restaurants - Silk Harvest (Asian Fusion) is fantastic. No lack of food or variety.  Staff pushes you try try more.  Asst maitre d' Ms Russell met us day one and looked for us throughout ship entire cruise.  Tuscany-Italian steakhouse. GREAT pasta, fresh made daily.  Server Cargla (From Turkey; speaks German) is very attentive, gracious and eager to talk am out her country to those who have visited there. Good choice. Only downside is parents who don't stop their children from running around restaurant disturbing patrons as well as bumping into people and spilling wine and food.  Maitre d' did NOT tell parents to reel the kids in.  Murano was a bit of an issue - patrons complained of small portions, poor service. On,y problem we encountered was that the maitre d ignored us while we stood at wait stand and took others before us. I feel ALL patrons should be treated alike. NO FAVORITISM!  

As as far as other issues which occurred - continuous grinding, sawing, hammering, Ed during entire day sometimes until 11 pm. Reported this to Guest Relations (GR) who sent nan Asst housekeeper officer.  He was surprised at this constant noise and agreed it was difficult to nap. Next day after arising at 0500 to view glacier we tried to nap til lunch only to encounter the racket again.  Went to GR to inquire about cause. Male staffer looked up activity and said it was an ADP project. When I asked what this was the female Romanian staffer replies "It is necessary project". No attempts to cease and desist. We put up with this the ENTIRE cruise. So if your room is near a crew stairwell, be forewarned. 

Victoria is a useless stop - only done to fulfill requirement for ships to visit foreign port.  Arrival at 1800; city is 45 minute walk or taxi ride from dock. Too late to visit Gardens leisurely. USELESS for passengers except to walk. 

The cruise and tours were exited but expensive. You are inclined to take the cruise only once in a live time. 

The beverage package is convenient but it is not fair to pay for the biginning  and the end of trip days where you can only have a few hours in the ship instead of a full day.

Cabin accommodation and ship facilities in general are excellent.

My overall experience was absolutely incredible. Booking the cruise was easy and the cruise was great with Celebrity! We had a group of 12 people and it was a great way to be together and still have time to do what everyone wanted. 

The crew and the Captian were great. They went above and beyond. The Captian was alway around the ship meeting all the passengers. The Ship was awesome. 

Of course the food was over the top and the staff was very accommodating, friendly and courteous.  Improvement - maybe a larger veranda room, they are quite small compared to other ships where we had balcony rooms. More clocks would be nice, we always had to check our phones to see what time it was and because we had different times zones, I did not know if they were correct either.

we had a wonderful cruise !!  The Solstice is a great ship along with the food and shows.  Excursions were Super !  We were very impressed with the Captain's sense of humor !!

My favorite parts of the cruise was the food and the service, which was excellent. The staff was attentive and helpful, and spent the time to answer questions and resolve issues. The ship excursion to the fjords was awe-inspiring. The one so-so item was the evening entertainment, which was a bit inconsistent. I highly recommend this cruise.

Words cannot describe the beauty of this state. The mountains are never ending, people are incredibly nice and there are so many things to do!  We saw dozens of whales and more bald eagles than we ever imagined. Also learned a lot of history especially about the gold rush era.

juneau dog sled excursion was great. Ketchikan fishing excursion was fun. Post port excursion was a complete disaster. Concierge service was non-existent and not friendly. Main dining waiter and assistant was amazing. 

The food was average, the service staff  was excellent, the ship was lack luster. Needed more time on shore.........................................................................

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The staff, cleanliness, attention to a quality guest experience, activities and visibility of the Captain made our journey to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice simply fabulous!        I loved the Aqua Class restaurant "Blu", where they serve lighter, trendier and very yummy food.  They accommodated my daughter's gluten intolerance very well. The food was well balanced, lighter in preparation, exciting and beautiful in presentation.  Blu served new recipes that were as delicious as anything else on the ship.  It left you feeling satisfied, not full, and you weren't hungry an hour later.  Delicious and smart.  The restaurant is for Aqua Class guests.  Try it.  

       We enjoyed two excursions. One was a train ride in Skagway where we saw  beautiful waterfalls, Alaskan wilderness, bald eagles, historical rail trestles and listened to live commentary all while traveling in a historical rail car along a railway track built through granite rocks, and along beautiful mountainsides.  All of the train cars were wonderfully refurbished.  Very cool.  We also took a hike to see Mendenhall glacier in one of the National Parks.  Being close to a glacier is sure a site to behold.  The weather was sunny in Alaska during our cruise, and the Alaskan air was wonderfully clean and fresh.  It makes one feel more alive!  

          The ships' activities were certainly fun as well.  From nightly entertainment, to live music, to Top Chef contests, to dancing, Bingo, shopping, comedy, magic shows, exercise classes, massages, specialty dining, live talks about Alaska, in room movies, internet that works well, etc...etc...    Everyday was filled with as much or as little to do or see as we desired.  Everything we attended was top quality. Bravo, Celebrity!  

         One of the best events we attended was the Captains' talk and photo presentation regarding the building of the Celebrity Solstice ship.  We saw and "experienced' the process of building the ship block by block, floating it and moving the ship, and testing every nuance of a brand new class of ship.  It was a wonderful presentation and Captain Tasos was full of life, yet an honored Captain of integrity.  Recommended!  

       I could go on and on as to how our experience was truly fabulous, but as every cruise is different,  I encourage folks to themselves experience the Celebrity Solstice.  One of our best cruises ever. 

It was always a dream and a goal to visit Alaska. My experience on Celebrity Solstice met my expectations and more. Entertaining and friendly staff. Loved the fact there was a Naturalist on the ship giving lectures on the wildlife and giving us commentary as we sailed through Tracy Arms Fjord. The ship did donuts in front of the glacier. My most memorable moment on the trip was sitting on our balcony room with my spouse, eating breakfast and listening to naturalist discuss our views. 

Dinning staff was friendly and attentive. We had formal dinning every night and at times breakfast.

Worth the saving and spending for this cruise.