Thread: Solstice 10-10-10

Hello!!!

What a great time we had! Back last night and today did work and laundry. So I just sat down and thought I'd check in.

I will write a review shortly and will say right now the overall experience in AQ was just delightful. We were rerouted due to Paula and went to Montego Bay, Jamaica (stayed on ship), Labadee (Lulu is going to get an update on her thread for that) and Nassau. (Went over to Atlantis). The port changes worked out perfectly well, and perhaps ended up being better, not that I didn't want to go to the original ports, it just ended up being more relaxing we think, and others had a similar opinion. Did not hear anyone complain at all

I have a really stuffed up nose and have been sneezing since I woke up this morning. I wonder if I am allergic to New Jersey all of a sudden...

Thanks for the nice send off wishes, Char I am only reading for the first time today, so I regret that I was unable to comment to Robert Flack, I surely would have been happy to convey your message.

Any questions, ask away!!!

Originally Posted by FinelyCruising

Hello!!!

What a great time we had! Back last night and today did work and laundry. So I just sat down and thought I'd check in.

I will write a review shortly and will say right now the overall experience in AQ was just delightful. We were rerouted due to Paula and went to Montego Bay, Jamaica (stayed on ship), Labadee (Lulu is going to get an update on her thread for that) and Nassau. (Went over to Atlantis). The port changes worked out perfectly well, and perhaps ended up being better, not that I didn't want to go to the original ports, it just ended up being more relaxing we think, and others had a similar opinion. Did not hear anyone complain at all

I have a really stuffed up nose and have been sneezing since I woke up this morning. I wonder if I am allergic to New Jersey all of a sudden...

Thanks for the nice send off wishes, Char I am only reading for the first time today, so I regret that I was unable to comment to Robert Flack, I surely would have been happy to convey your message.

Any questions, ask away!!!

Welcome back, Cheryl! I hope your stuffy nose goes away and you aren't getting a cold.

I am anxious to hear all about your experience in AQ and the Solstice in general.

I'm also back (kind of obvious that I didn't stow away for another 2 weeks...if only.) I also had a fabulous time. So great that I booked a B2B on the Solstice for the end of next year. It won't be in AQ, however. We got an aft C1.

I loved the actual set up and the service in Blu. Never made it there for breakfast until the last day when they totally messed up our order (which happened for dinner too, but to a lesser degree... but I still liked the service). The most "present" and "engaged" ass't head waiter or ass't maitre d' or whatever one want to call him. We mostly asked for Jay and Raul and sat by the window 3 or 4 times. Never more than a 10 min wait, but we tend to eat late. The food in Blu left me underwhelmed. A few memorably good things but most were merely "meh." Nothing inedible except the pumpkin gnocchi which was green and didn't remotely taste like pumpkin. I feel as if it were the sage gnocchi that was in the MDR but w/o the beef cheeks. But we did find out what "Airline chicken" is. It's a breast o' chicken w/ the wing still on.

Loved the ship itself. Was a huge fan of Bistro on 5. Never crowded and excellent soups, salads, paninis and crepes. I liked the set up of the regular lunch buffet, liked the brunch buffet. Room service was good and mostly had that for breakfast. The ship was easy to get around and find things. We saw but never utilized the grass. The glass show was interesting once, but the benches uncomfortable and neither of us were anxious to see it again.

The cabins were lovely but the closet (I had the sofa next to the closet) was not that easy to access on the right side. The storage over the bed was huge but not the easiest for those of us 5'4 and under. I thought the beds were wonderfully comfortable. Persian Gardens were pretty much deserted the 2 times I went in there. But the draw of a heated tile lounger when it's sunny and hot outside is kind of lost on me. As for the AQ showers, I go in a shower to get clean, a bath to relax, so personally I don't really care about the HansGrohe shower system. Nice, but I only used the extra nozzles once. Opted out of the aroma reeds as I have no sense of smell and Bob has asthma. Liked the herbal tea in the room. Never used the Yoga Tv channels or the relaxation music. Guess I'm just really not an AQ person at heart, though it sounded great on principle.
The bars (especially the martini bar) were hopping late evening/night. I spent more time at the molecular bar which was interesting. Only got about 2/3 of the way thru the menu plus a couple off menu cocktails. I'll finish the menu next cruise. LOL
Entertainment: I am so not a Cirque lover, so Solstice the Show was lost on me. Oddly enough the Xylo-synth player was wonderful. Who knew I'd like an electronic xylophone player? Very funny comedian (Steve Ceisler?) The CD (I forget her name) was good but a few times she mentioned how people kept asking her to sing, so she'd toss off a song. Seriously? I mean, seriously did people ask her to sing?
Great and friendly staff and crew in general. Never met up w/ a grumpy worker that I can recall. And for me, Celebrity is all about the service and attitude and they didn't disappoint. The captain was the most personable and hilarious captain I've ever come across. I hear he's off to the Silhouette when she starts up, though I can't remember where i heard that. Must be from some "GREEK" prounounced grik.
The casino killed me but I did "earn" Blue Chip Member status so I can drink free in the casino in perpetuity. Free. That's relative. Each of those drinks cost me PLENTY! LOL
Met Cheryl in AQ after meeting her lovely daughters in the elevator a few times. I purchased the Premium Drink package. Didn't get to the break even point, but did enjoy the convenience and MIGHT do that again.
I still haven't unpacked and am considering just leaving it packed and taking the same (now dirty) clothes on my Thanksgiving Sapphire Princess cruise. Ok probably not a great idea. Hope nothing perishable is in that luggage.
This is bighair.... OUT.

Sharon - That's funny! Yes...Grik. I was not a real fan of the CD so I am glad that I missed the singing part. Woo-Hoo Blue Chip Woman, may you have many fun cruises in your future I am not sure if I am thrilled to hear the Captain is going to Silhouette or not, we missed an excursion in Nassau...I knew from Labadee that he takes a massive amount of time in docking. And he really likes to blow the horn too, a lot. Here's a picture of the teas you will miss going to CC, but we really like CC too, so you should have a fine time in your aft. Enjoy!!!!

I like your teas better. Ours came in a tall metal carafe w/ a lid and handle. Yours is PRETTY.
I booked a B2B while on board and now there's all this weird stuff going on. I tried to transfer it to a TA who told me the first cruise is "Code Red" and they are doing "revenue inventory" on it. I called =X= and after the rep spending a good amount of time delving into it he basically came back w/ no answer. Possible route changes, charter or other. I'm still showing "BOOKED" and "CONFIRMED" but if you try and book it shows sold out. As do most if not all of the S class (and maybe the M's too) ships for many weeks from late October thru December. Strange. But I'm liking the TA I'm trying to transfer it to. I've gotten more responses and more feedback from her than any TA and she doesn't even have the booking. She's been great so far. But I'm flexible. If this cruise isn't meant to be I'd take the exotic Caribbean 14 day on the Connie. Since I'm not interested in AQ anyway.
Getting ready for my THX cruise on Sapphire Princess w/ Bob and my kids. Bob is sick, Meridith is off to the doctor tomorrow for some weird eye pain. I may wind up on the cruise by myself at this rate. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving wherever you may find yourself.