Why did the Celebrity Solstice passengers are asking after finding out the cruise line has chartered?
The dictionary description of solstice is the precise moment that the sun is the farthest North or South of the equator. The aptly named Celebrity Solstice is one ship that is so innovative it is truly light years ahead of the cruise ship pack. Celebrity Cruises has not launched a new ship since 2002 — and with the new Solstice, they appear to have gotten it right. This ship takes the best of the line’s popular Millennium-class vessels and has incorporated some unique interior design. Carrying 2,850-passengers, the 122,000-ton Solstice is the first in a series of five “Solstice-class” ships. The vessel offers a number of seagoing firsts: a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass and full-time groundskeeper and the Hot Glass Show presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass. Sources: http://www.msnbc.msn.
Sailing on an inaugural cruise — generally defined as the first revenue cruise of a ship’s maiden season — is a unique experience. There are often special events and souvenir logo items up for grabs. For some cruise passengers, the thrill alone of breaking in the cabins, new innovations and sparkly new barware is enough to justify footing the higher fare that often accompanies these special voyages. And let’s not forget that new ship smell! Well, even if you’ve snagged that “first” sailing, it’s important to keep in mind that someone’s probably already slept in “your” bed or sipped cosmos from “your” martini glass. That’s because most cruise lines do sail a series of “pre-inaugurals”: preview cruises that are generally invite-only affairs for travel agents, members of the media and extremely loyal customers — read: top of the past-passenger program tier. (Our Trendwatch: Maiden Voyages goes into more detail about what constitutes an inaugural cruise and what it is really like to sai
The Grand Foyer presents the essence of the ship’s quality: drama without melodrama. While standing at any level, passengers can glimpse into bars and foyer spaces, catching snippets of live music. At night, pools of golden light spotlight each level. The same effect illuminates the tables of the Grand Epernay Restaurant, with the whole space accented by a two-story, glass wine tower. The other nine restaurants, from the continental Murano’s to Asian-fusion Silk Harvest, are very distinctive. The Tuscan Grille puts an Italian spin on steaks and the Oceanview Cafe and Bar is a real triumph for good use of open space and more cuisines than anyone could possibly absorb. Passengers are continually asking one another, “Where did you find that? I’m too full to try it now.” Between meals, specialty coffees and teas, pastries and gelato keep the Cafe al Bacio lively. http://www.finevoyages.com/celebrity-solst
