First Look: A Stunning ‘Celebrity
Solstice’
Makes Her Debut
By PW
Mooney
Taking a cab to the ship from my Ft Lauderdale hotel, the
Celebrity Solstice gleamed in the balmy Florida sunlight as a white beacon,
beckoning travelers to come on board.
I was fortunate to be able to take a short cruise on
Celebrity’s newest ship prior to her christening on November 14. From the
moment I stepped on board, it really was the “Wow” factor as so many others
have claimed. The overall design of the ship was awesome—not only the
architectural innovations found throughout the vessel, but the use of more
environmental technology, including solar panels placed on the ship’s exterior
made for more efficient energy. Outstanding was the architectural design of the
ship that allowed for more spacious public areas and natural light to enter the
interior—a radical departure from most cruise ships today. The 122,000-ton
ship is the largest built for Celebrity to date, accommodating nearly 3,000
passengers, and the first of five Solstice Class ships on the design board.
What’s new . . .
Royal Caribbean International has always been on the
forefront with exciting new innovations to amuse its guests. It introduced rock
climbing and surfing aboard its megaships. Now its premium cruise unit
Celebrity Cruises was on the cruise history firsts’ list with the introduction
of the Lawn Club. Real grass on the half-acre tract where guests could indulge
in a game of croquet or putting, or just stretching out on the “lawn” as I was
tempted to do. The Lawn Club is located on the top deck between the ship’s two
funnels—the latter a departure from the usual one-funnel Celebrity cruise
vessel.
More space onboard means that the ship added new dining
venues for a total of ten restaurants for guests to choose from. A new category
of accommodation—the AquaClass deluxe suites with its emphasis on health
and nutrition—was introduced.
Another industry first is the Hot Glass Show where in
conjunction with the Corning Museum of Glass, artisans demonstrate the delicate
art of glass blowing. “With its innovative, half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing
grass; the Hot Glass Show offered through our alliance with The Corning Museum
of Glass; ten widely varied restaurants, including four in the specialty
category; stylish, spacious staterooms whose design was influenced by a panel
of five women with unique travel and hospitality insights; and, of course, the
intangible attribute found on every Celebrity ship – extraordinary
service – Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the
Celebrity brand is all about,” said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan
Hanrahan at the time of the ship’s delivery from the Meyer Werft shipyard in
Germany a month before.
As the $600 million ship is the largest to date in the
Celebrity fleet with 13 public decks, there was more space to allow the
exciting innovations including the steel and glass modernistic Atrium which has
a glass ceiling to bring natural light into the ship’s interior. Extra pool
areas and sun decks are in place. The main pool has solar panels that help reduce
fuel dependency and fountains at one end are synchronized to music. The
Solarium pool in the AquaSpa has a high-tech waterfall flowing over a series of
glass panels. The scene becomes magical at night when the panels are lit to
create different color patterns that reflect on the pool’s water to sooth and
delight.
And in an industry detour, a panel of seasoned women
travelers was invited by Celebrity to provide their ideas on enhancing stateroom
features, such as better storage areas and maneuverability, and more commodious
bathrooms.
Art throughout the ship . . .
More than $6 million dollars of art is in place throughout the ship. And
the artwork. Well! A real transformation. Every person I have talked to who's
seen the ship so far, myself included, sums it up in one word: beautiful, and a
step forward from the usual offerings found on many other ships.
As you walk throughout the vessel, you will admire the art and
sculptures along the way, even in the stairwells. Even the living potted tree
that floats above the Atrium is an artistic whimsy—you can get great
views of it from the four interior glass-wall elevators within the Atrium.
International Corporate Art (ICArt) is responsible for most of the art
display throughout the ship representing 98 artists from 26 countries. The art collection was based on rigorous
curatorial guidelines, ICArt says, and qualifications for the art and artists were
established in order to achieve collection status, with the major emphasis on
both. This is evident in the commissioned work by Columbian artist Nancy
Friedemann in the Ensemble Lounge entrance entitled Night Solstice that evokes the warm nights of Midsummer; or the
work Light Transition by British
artist Alexander Beleschenko, which exploits the special qualities of glass
pushed to the utmost. In the
staterooms and corridors you will find Norwegian photographer Espen Tollefsen’s
photos reflecting his love of the sea.
The 2,000 square-foot Millenia Art Gallery on Deck 5, which sells or
auctions paintings during cruises displayed creditable art on its gallery walls.
I have always groused that the worst art was being sold to unsuspecting guests
on most mainstream cruises by other art companies. Now though, there’s a change
with Millenia Fine Art--with galleries in Orlando, New York and soon
Dubai—that brought in contemporary artworks for sale that are sure to
please. The company also plans to bring onboard artists and other art experts
for educational classes and guided art tours.
Going green is the
way . . .
The Solstice is an extremely eco-friendly ship. The pluses include:
*A total energy saving of 30 percent compared to previous ships is
achieved by highly energy-efficient components such as a photovoltaic system,
optimized hydrodynamics, an extremely efficient underwater coating, or an
energy-saving lighting system using LEDs.
Solstice is the very first ship that keeps the new rules and regulations
regarding damaged stability which will be valid as of 2009 and which helps to
increase safety considerably in case the ship is damaged due to a leak.
*The Solstice is the industry’s first ship to use solar
energy – with 216 solar panels divided into five areas on the ship--you
can see some of them high above the midship pool. The power becomes part of the
grid, but as an example, generates enough power to operate more than 7,000 LED
lights.
*The hull was radically designed for more energy-efficient
usage. Instead of building a hull around the public areas and staterooms, the
hull was built first and then the rest of the ship followed. Initially the
company worked with models of three different large-scale hulls with some 90
tests conducted to continuously improve the hull design and optimize the center
of buoyancy to reduce resistance and burn less fuel, resulting in fewer
emissions. The longitudinal center of buoyancy – the ship’s fore and aft
pivot point – was closely assessed to ensure optimal cruising speed, stability
and fuel consumption. It was moved forward in the final hull design to create
smaller angles in the aft area of the ship, resulting in a smoother flow of
water to the propeller. A ducktail was incorporated into the aft, to help
minimize the ship’s wake and reduce drag from various appendages and an
interceptor that wraps around the stern was also added to help reduce drag.
New category of staterooms introduced . . .
Celebrity has upped the ante for a new deluxe accommodation
category but one tied in with health and nutrition. Located on Penthouse Deck below
the Aqua Spa, the 130 AquaClass suites are well thought out. Guests in these
suites can enjoy their exclusive restaurant Blu and the complimentary use of
the Persian Garden and AquaSpa relaxation room in the AquaSpa as well as the
services of a spa concierge and a library of wellness books to consult.
My AquaSuite was comfortable and nicely
furnished—square footage was 194 square feet. Thanks to the input of a
panel of savvy lady travelers whose suggestions led to warmer and larger
(slightly) bathrooms with better-thought-out storage space. In the bed-sitting
area closets are placed in the corner wall of the sleeping area facing the bed,
allowing less clutter and blocking doors in the cabin’s entrance way. Even the
space beneath the bed could be utilized for storing baggage. While storage is
better, it would be still a tight fit for wardrobes geared for a seven-day-or-longer
cruise, so pack smartly. (There are no launderettes on board although there is
a cleaning service available for a fee.)
There was a comfortable sitting area with a settee, cocktail
table and vanity/desk setup. More drawers here, and even a shelf was built into
the bed’s headboard for one’s reading matter or other night essentials. Another
innovation was the Mac minicomputer plugged for Wi-Fi surfing and the 32-inch
flat-panel TV on the wall that provides ample information about the ship and
her activities. In fact, guests can even book services, land excursions,
preview menus and order room service among other things.
Lots toiletries in the AquaSuites bathrooms with their soft-colored
tiled walls and floors and a bit roomier than usual. Storage space was ample for
one’s personal items while a special Hansgrohe showerhead allowed different
pulsations to rain down on one’s body. A plush Frette terry bathrobe and
slippers awaited my use after.
Since I had a nice
veranda (54 square feet) I enjoyed breakfast in my cabin each
morning—very relaxing and a great way to begin the day. Beds were turned
down nightly and a bottle of spring water was readily available.
Besides the
AquaClass suites, Solstice offers ten other categories of cabins ranging from ultra-deluxe
Penthouse or Royal suites (6); 121 interconnecting cabins for families or
groups; and 30 wheelchair-accessible cabins that range in size from 183
(Inside) to 1,291 square feet (Penthouse Suite).
Dining: Ten choices to choose from . . .
There are ten dining restaurants onboard of different decors
and cuisine. Celebrity
partnered with designers in the hospitality business to create the restaurants
onboard among them, the restaurant and hotel designer Adam Tihany, who created
Per Se, Jean Georges, Le Cirque, The Sea Grill and Osteria del Circo in New
York. In his first foray into designing a restaurant on a cruise ship, Tihany
created the Grand Epernay dining room as well as the classic steakhouse, Tuscan
Grille, and the Oceanview Café and Grill on the ship’s pool deck.
The main dining room is the two-deck high Grand Epernay. A spectacular
chandelier graces the area while a two-deck-high futuristic glass wine
tower adds an elegant touch. The night I dined there I found the food to be
very good, chosen from a well-thought out sophisticated menu and served by a
professional staff.
Driving the creation of the tempting menus for each dining venue is
Celebrity’s Vice President of Food & Beverage Jacques Van Staden,
previously one of the top chefs and restaurateurs in Washington, D.C. and Las
Vegas. Menus for the restaurants were created based on a pairing of guests’
culinary preferences and the latest dining trends from around the world. This
is evident in the new venues introduced on this ship such as: Blu, Tuscan
Grille and Silk Harvest, all located next to each other in the aft section on
Deck 5. The Tuscan Grille serves Italian dishes, including a variety of steaks,
and native wines. Silk Harvest is designed as a contemporary Asian restaurant
while Blu presents a variety of dishes with a contemporary flair. A restaurant
designed exclusively for AquaClass guests, Blu accepts reservations from suite
guests subject to availability.
Nearby on the same deck is the elegant Murano that is an adaptation of
the Century’s Murano restaurant. The
restaurant with its floor-to-ceiling windows presents a variety of classic and
contemporary European cuisine in posh settings—note the thick linen-draped
tables set with bone china and Riedel stemware. Food was more elaborately
prepared, such as the special lobster dish I had, and presented with the panache
of a sophisticated restaurant. Even the yummy deserts were creatively
presented.
Also on Deck 5 is Bistro on Five (midship) serving up a variety of
crepes and other entrées such as Quiche Lorraine and fish and chips. I had
lunch there one day and it was delicious and I would have returned often if I
were on a longer cruise. The crepe stuffed with berries and served with a maple
syrup sauce that I had was perfect. I also enjoyed the cheerful ambiance of
this eatery, open from 6 am to 2 am.
There is a charge to dine at the specialty restaurants: Murano ($30 per
person); Tuscan Grille ($25 per person); and Silk Harvest ($20); and Bistro on
Five ($5). Alcoholic beverages are extra at all venues on board.
Another Adam Tihany-designed venue, the Oceanview Café and Grill on
Deck 14, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food stations offering a
variety of international foods, salads and deserts are placed strategically so
there is rarely gridlock at lunch or breakfast. The service is good and
wherever you sit there is a wonderful view of the sea through the large windows.
In the evenings, a special section of the café is cordoned off to offer a
casual dining alternative. There is no charge though a $2 gratuity is suggested
and reservations are advised for this popular evening venue.
There are other choices for guests onboard such as the popular Café al
Bacio and Gelateria on Deck 5 midship that offers a variety of coffees and teas
or gelatos (there is a charge). The Mast Grill & Bar by the pool serves
fast food such as franks, burgers and other sandwich delights. And for the
health conscious, there is the AquaSpa Café located in the spa area that serves salads, lean meat or
fish dishes, and fruit smoothies.
Relaxation
and recreation . . .
The AquaSpa offers
a host of treatments in their treatment rooms designed to relax, sooth and
refresh guests. The Persian Garden in the complex features sauna and steam bath
facilities. Adjacent to the spa is the fully equipped fitness center with
elliptical and aerobic machines and weights with nice glass windows for ocean
views as you work out. But I opted for the adults-only Solarium pool to do
laps. This is truly one of the loveliest—and quietest—spots on the
ship. Here one can swim in nice-sized pool with a waterfall at one end that
adds a calming effect to the area. At night, the waterfall is lit with dancing
lights that reflect off the pool. Deep-cushioned lounge chairs are placed
around the pool—a great place to catch up on one’s reading.
The
prevailing highlight on the ship was, of course, The Lawn Club. Located on the
ship’s uppermost deck aft, the Lawn is a half-acre of real grass growing at sea
despite the detrimental effects of salty sea air. From the diagram (left), you
can see that soil is not used but a special porous lightweight growing media
3½ inches deep made from heat expanded calcium clay, crushed for an open
structure blended together with sieved and washed volcanic pumice. Polypropylene
Geo grid is added to stabilize layers and withstand foot traffic.
The Lawn Club offers
quoits, croquet, bocce or putting for guests. At one area a row of chairs are
placed along the turf for picnics or just chatting—and it’s also next to
a small Sunset Bar area for snacks or libations. Forward of the lawn area is a
dedicated space for the Hot Glass Show. Ranging from short, 20-minute
introductory demos to in-depth demonstrations, The Hot Glass Show is modeled
after the live glassmaking program begun in 1997 at The Corning Museum of Glass
in Corning, New York. The presentations focus on particular techniques of the
areas visited during a cruise.
Public spaces . . .
There are 13 bars
or lounges located throughout the ship. Michael’s Club, Cellar Masters and the
Martini Bar are popular watering holes. Crush part of the Martini Bar features
an ice-filled table displaying over 50 varieties of vodka and several kinds of
caviar that can be tasted (for a fee). One of my favorite places was the all-white-décor
Sky Observation Lounge high up on Deck 14 (photo left) with its circular tiled dance
floor and panoramic windows offering great ocean vistas--a great place for a
pre-dinner drink at sunset. At night, the Lounge transforms with 
multicolored
lights reflecting onto the evening’s dance scene. Most of the 29 retail shops
on board are located on Deck 4. Offering a variety of merchandise, the boutique
area is well thought out and I thought offered guests a tempting display of
wares. Prices seemed reasonable given the quality of goods offered for sale.
Adjacent to the lounge is the Sky Conference Center that can seat up to 200
guests.
The state of the
art 1,115-seat Solstice Theater stretches across three decks in the forward
section of the ship on Decks 4 and 5. It has a stage that extends beyond the
proscenium to create a theater-in-the-round effect. On this cruise, two of the
three new shows written by POET Theatricals were presented. The show I attended
was “Solstice” a European-style theatrical circus show, similar to Cirque du
Soleil presentations, that was built around the clash of day and night and included
acrobatic and aerial performances and other specialty acts.
Another popular
spot is Comedy Central on Deck 4, which offers late-night comedy. The dedicated
space for the comedy shows was smallish and it was standing-room only when I
drifted in after the Solstice Theater show. Since comedy is high on everybody’s
list these days, perhaps the dedicated space can be enlarged to seat more
guests comfortably.
How does Solstice fare
overall . . .
On first look, Celebrity
has introduced a stunning new class of vessel. Larger than the other ships in
the Celebrity fleet, she offers a lot more with her expanded space. The Lawn
Club is outstanding and a welcomed innovation. So are the pools, and other
recreational areas on board. There are lots of sunning areas for sunbathers,
some quite private.
As for the younger
set, Celebrity has set off an area for activities to keep the restless
occupied. In the forward section on Deck 12, the Fun Factory offers activities
for five age groups including a small pool. Teens have their own special
club—The X Club—with a coffee bar, disco and video arcade.
Service onboard is
of a high professional standard, the food is tasty, and there’s a good variety of
dining venues for guests to choose from. On sea days, classes are scheduled on
a variety of subjects ranging from wellness classes in the Spa to gaming
lessons in the Casino or to language and dance classes. Or there is the two-deck
(10 and 11) Library off the Atrium, or the Internet Center (Deck 6) to keep one
occupied.
Guests will like
the ergonomic features of the AquaSuites and slightly wider stateroom
corridors. And the glass elevators in the Atrium that allows guests to view
what is going on elsewhere. The ship design was well thought out allow for
smooth navigability as you stroll throughout the vessel.
Overall, you can’t
go wrong with a cruise on this stunning new vessel.
Itineraries . . .
Celebrity Solstice is operating seven-night Eastern
Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale until April 2009, with visits
to San Juan, St. Maarten, Tortola, Haiti, and St. Kitts, depending on the
itinerary. Celebrity Solstice sets sail on a transatlantic voyage from Fort
Lauderdale April 19, 2009, ending in Rome, where the ship will offer a series
of roundtrip ten- and 11-night Eastern Mediterranean sailings during the 2009 spring/summer/fall
season. In late November, Solstice repositions back to Ft Lauderdale for the
2009/10 Caribbean season.
The ship will be
joined by Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth
Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012.
--PW Mooney is the Editor of
ShipsandCruises.com (January 2009)
******************
Ship Statistics
Shipyard: Meyer
Werft, Pappenburg, Germany
Entered Service: November
2008
Gross Tonnage: 122,000
gt
Length: 1,033
feet
Beam: 121
feet
Draught: 27
feet
Cruising Speed: 24
knots
Ship’s Registry: Malta
USPH Rating: 98
(as of 1/15/09)
Public Decks: 13
Cabins: 1,426
(90% oceanview; 85% with verandahs)
Wheelchair accessible: 30 (20 cabins with verandah)
Passengers: 2,850
(do)
Crew: 1,250
Medical Facility: Yes
Launderettes: No
Casino: Yes
Electricity: 110/220
AC
Smoking: Designated
areas only
