April 16th, 2011 | 
Author: The Winner Takes it All is most appropriate for this incredible class of ship. Awesome Cruise Director, Lisa Richard sang this ABBA/.Mama Mia song at the finale show. Best Cruise Director we have experienced, not a traditional Cruise Director background, senior Manager at Toshiba, with a love for theatre, toured and played in Vegas with Mama Mia, before joining Celebrity (X). One of the few female Cruise Directors at sea.
Captain Gerry Larsson-Fedde, also was one of the best (a Norwegian) with an excellent command of English, great humour (It’s only me!) and even surprised everyone with a song/guitar rendition of “Brown-eyed girl” at the final show. Don’t miss this show, even though everyone has to pack.
Captain Gerry and Lisa are on vacation for 2 months, May/June 2011, I think but returning in July to Europe.
General Comments
Best ship we have ever sailed. Excellent Celebrity service, food quality, food presentation, friendly greeting by officers and staff, easy ship layout, solarium, spa was great.
Officers were visibly present throughout the ship and you don’t always see that. No heavy sales pitches or announcements.
Celebrity has hit a home run with the Solstice class, you must sail this. Princess, NCL and Carnival can’t come close. Royal Caribbean is close in many features though and our next favourite.
Best suited for mid-50’s age group, but a very good children’s program in place., People who appreciate great dining/presentation will enjoy this.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival have more activities with climbing walls, wave riders, ice rink, slides but you can’t go wrong with Celebrity.
Features
X has introduced drink packages, most other lines have not. Classic pack is $39/day plus 15% gratuity, includes waters, smoothies, special. Coffees, pop, beer/water up to $5 and wine/alcohol up to $8. Many people chose this, a good option, we did not. Other packages also available.
Dining and Wine/Dine packages also offered with good wine selection.
They had several drink specials, 3 days I think, buy one get one free from 4-5 pm, How about a yummy mudslide or sex on the ship(beach!)
We love the fact that there is no smoking in all rooms and balconies (just like Royal Carib) we did have to report some people a few times, as smoke blew into our balcony several times, Security was prompt and they were warned, third time they would be fined $250.
Real grass lawn club on Deck 15, playing bocce ball etc, besides Corning Hot Glass blowing show. They had string quartet concerts, acoustic etc on the grass, wine/cheese in lawn area, very nice, something you won’t find on any ship.
Embarkation, disembarkation was very good. We opted for walk off disembarkation, seems many others did as well, we waited 45 min.
Room
Nice linens, beds comfortable, roomy shower ( we had a Balcony 2B, Deck 6 midship- all balconies, concierge and aqua class are the same size-more amenities with the latter two though) Nice touch, night light in Solstice class bathrooms, leg shaving bar for the ladies, flat panel tv’s powered by Apple, got 14 channels (Apple computers in the iLounge)
For those of you who don’t know, there are no clocks in any ship stateroom (only on the phone), so bring your own clock, also most don’t have night lights (bring your own on other ships), we used earplugs, fan noise not high, but we like it quiet. Good size balcony with quality furniture with see through balcony railing.
Entertainment
Various additional artists performed in Deck 3 and 4 atrium open areas (good use of space) and throughout the ship. Acoustic guitar (Jana Seale) , string quartet (Adagio strings), jazz (Cheek to Cheek quartet), A Cappella quartet (Metro Park).
Great Celebrity Life lectures, Captain’s ship navigation, recycling talk, improve comedy workshop (Nancy Howland Walker) , humour (Rich Ceisler-very late adult shows except for last night), body health, detox, dance, trivia etc.
Shows: Ghostlight-Spirit of Broadway (great songs), David Meyer (xylosynthesizer-amazing), Tony Pace-vocals/impersonator-excellent, The Show (acrobatic/Cirque –unique) Pulse (up tempo, active music/dance-interesting) and finale, (variety show of previous and the big finish with Captain and Lisa)
Past Captain’s Club had great events, wine tasting, backstage tours, officer party etc.
Dining
Grand Epernay, main dining was outstanding, our waiter/assistant were efficient. Last formal night has lobster tail. They offered some specialty dining appetizers on certain days.
Food quality, temperature, great desserts, great everyday food options (shrimp cocktail, escargot, Caesar salad, salmon, steak etc- available everyday)
We went to buffet for breakfast (after workout, great equipment, quite busy in the am) and lunch, did not use dining room for those meals but others did.
Tuscan Grill- best dining experience almost ever on land or sea (well worth $30 each) on deck 5, way aft, picture window, wake view with sunset- Italian flavor, presentation/food quality over the top. Saw Murano and Silk Harvest, menus looked good, others had positive view, Blu-healthy dining for AquaClass or Suite guests only ( we heard very good, but some though it was too healthy and came for main dining)
Had great lunch at Bistro on Five (crepes soups/salads, for only $5 each) AquaSpa café (free, very healthy lunch).
Other
We used Premier parking in Fort Lauderdale, $48 incl tax for the week, had to switch lots and delays in pick-up, but priced right.
One of the best vacations ever on a fantastic ship.
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Try a few of these tips next time you have to pack a bag…. enjoy!
Click on the link to view video…
Many people have asked me about the various island stops that the cruise lines make so I am posting an article with thanks to Chris Owen that is well written…. Judi
Cruise line private islands, a very safe port
by Chris Owen (RSS feed) on Feb 12th 2011 at 7:00AM
Often a highlight of a cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean is a stop at one of the cruise line’s private islands. Probably one of the safest, most controlled ports of call you might visit, cruise line private islands are consistently ranked high by passengers. Most are located in the Bahamas and each one is unique.
On every private island you will find crystal clear water, sandy beaches, water sports and activities along with beach-side service for drinks and lunch will be served. Some require tendering in from the ship, others dock at the island.
The first passengers off the ship will find a pristine beach raked and clean, along with resident workers ready to make your stay comfortable. There is plenty to do (or not do) for adults and kids and even serene adult-only areas.
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, under their care since 1977 when the line became the first to have one. The island features Snorkeling
Recent enhancements to the island that started in January of 2010 will continue through the end of this year. Several new island activities have been added since the project began including more than 16 wave runners, kayak rentals and an eco-adventure boat tour around the island. These are in addition to the existing snorkeling; floats; inflatable hippo slide; and parasailing.
The second phase of enhancements includes an arrival/departure pavilion, additional bar facilities; several comfort stations; a band stand; cruise program activity area; private beachfront cabanas; a kid’s play area; straw market; and beach volleyball courts. The beachfront will continue to be expanded on the island’s west end.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas This Holland America Line island (now also a Carnival island) was originally called Little San Salvador Island and has been rated as “Best Private Island” by Porthole Cruise Magazine. An international bird sanctuary in the Bahamas, the beauty and serenity of Half Moon Cay is unique.
There are a variety of exciting and new activities to choose from while exploring this privately owned paradise. You can go horseback riding on the sand and through the surf, take a stingray adventure, visit the Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park, hike a nature trail or simply relax in an air-conditioned, private beachfront cabana.
Princess Cays, Bahamas is Princess Cruises private island on the south side of Eleuthera Island about 30 miles from Nassau. Princess Cays guests will find equipment for many beach activities. Water sports fans can choose from water craft such as sailboats, catamarans, paddle wheelers, kayaks, and banana boats, while those who wish to explore the island’s coral reef can rent gear for snorkeling.
Floating mattresses are available for lazily drifting in the sun, and several protected swimming areas are available on both the north and south beach areas. Beachside, reggae and calypso music set the mood, and guests can enjoy a game of volleyball or basketball, or choose to relax with a hammock, beach chair or under an umbrella.
CocoCay, Bahamas is one of two private islands for Royal Caribbean. This one is more along the lines of other cruise lines private islands with sandy beaches (duh) and a nice hammock here and here to enjoy your island-style seaside barbecue.
Tip: When you get off the tenders, there are three beaches to go to. The first one is the biggest and the most crowded. Keep walking and you’ll find the second beach, which is a little smaller and less crowded. Keep going even further and you’ll find the third beach, which is the smallest and least crowded.
Labadee, Haiti in is the home to what Royal Caribbean calls their “private destination” and with good reason. On the north coast of Hispaniola, the secure, secluded area is surrounded by exotic foliage and mountain slopes. Guests can enjoy beautiful coral reefs, a pristine public beach as well as a very nice private beach area reserved for suite guests.
A year ago Royal Caribbean International came under close scrutiny as the line planned to visit their private destination of Labadee, Haiti shortly after a devastating earthquake rocked the island. I was on board Freedom of the Seas last January when critics said it was in bad taste for the line to have cruise passengers go ashore for fun and sun while so many were suffering on different parts of the island nation. A year later, not a lot is better in Haiti and Royal Caribbean continues to call.
Castaway Cay, Bahamas is Disney Cruise Line’s private island. Unique to Castaway Cay is that the ship docks at the island, no tendering involved, which makes for a great experience. Recently updated, this one has it all.
This is Disney Cruise Line turning an island into a theme park, complete with rides, trams to get around on, gift shops plus really good food. All other private islands pale by comparison. Really.
They should build hotels here and let people stay a while. No wonder some sailings include two stops at the popular island.
If all those are not good enough for you, maybe you should just buy your own