When Celebrity Solstice launched in 2008, she set a new benchmark for cruising. As the first of Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class ships, she introduced imaginative venues, stylish accommodations and innovative features - many of which remain passenger favourites to this day. Almost two decades later, Celebrity Solstice still feels fresh and inspiring, thanks to regular refurbishments and careful updates, making her one of the most popular ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet.
A Timeline of Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Solstice made her debut in late 2008 and immediately drew attention for her elegant design and groundbreaking features like the Lawn Club, a half-acre of real grass at sea, and the Hot Glass Show, the first live glassblowing demonstrations afloat.
In 2012, she underwent Celebrity Cruises’ “Solsticization” programme, aligning her with newer ships through contemporary upgrades. Further refurbishments in 2016 and 2017 refreshed her staterooms, lounges and dining spaces.
Celebrity Solstice: Fast Facts
- Registry: Malta
- Built at/Builder: Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany
- Weight: 122,400 GT
- Width: 121 ft
- Length: 1,041 ft
- Cruising speed: 24 knots
- Guests: 2,850
- Crew: 1,000
- Decks: 15
The Onboard Experience
Days on Celebrity Solstice are designed to feel effortless, with every space carefully created to offer either lively energy or quiet relaxation. Dining is one of the ship’s great highlights. The Grand Épernay Restaurant, Celebrity Solstice’s main dining room, spans two decks and makes a dramatic impression the moment you enter. A soaring glass wine tower forms its centrepiece, while natural light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows. Menus here change daily, offering a blend of international classics and regional flavours that reflect the destinations you’re sailing through.
For those in search of something more indulgent, speciality restaurants offer unforgettable experiences. At Murano on Deck 5, French fine dining comes with tableside flair - lobster flambé and chateaubriand carved right before your eyes. Tuscan Grille, perched at the aft of Deck 5 with panoramic views over the ship’s wake, combines the heartiness of a traditional steakhouse with Italian favourites like handmade pasta and tiramisu. Sushi on Five is a more casual yet refined option, where fresh sushi and Japanese small plates are served throughout the day. And then there is Deck 14’s Lawn Club Grill, unique to the Solstice Series, where guests can don aprons, join chefs at the grill and savour their creations in the open air surrounded by real grass.
Bars and lounges create an equally varied atmosphere. The Martini Bar & Crush on Deck 4 is a perennial favourite, with its ice-topped counter and bartenders who turn cocktail-making into a performance. Wine lovers are drawn to Cellar Masters on Deck 4, where you can sample vintages by the glass thanks to innovative Enomatic dispensers. High above the sea, the Sky Observation Lounge transforms with the time of day: bright and airy for morning coffees, elegant and sociable for sunset cocktails, and lively with music and dancing after dark. For suite guests, Michael’s Club offers a quiet, refined retreat with craft beers, premium spirits and attentive personalised service.
Entertainment is central to life on board. The Solstice Theatre on Decks 3, 4 and 5 hosts dazzling productions - everything from Broadway-style shows to acrobatic and live music. The Hot Glass Show, unique to Solstice Series ships, offers something completely different: glassblowing demonstrations under the open sky, where artisans shape molten glass into extraordinary pieces. Smaller venues such as Celebrity Central on Deck 4 stage comedy nights, film screenings and live concerts, ensuring there’s always something to suit your mood.
For relaxation, The Spa on Deck 12 offers a full range of treatments, from deep-tissue massages and rejuvenating facials to more holistic therapies like acupuncture. The Persian Garden, with its aromatic steam rooms and heated loungers, is a particular favourite for guests in AquaClass staterooms, though day passes are available to all. Outdoors, the adults-only Solarium provides a tranquil escape with whirlpools and cushioned loungers, while the main pool deck is always alive with activity, framed by bars, cabanas and live music. And then there is the Lawn Club, perhaps Celebrity Solstice’s most iconic feature: a half-acre of real grass on Deck 15 where you can play bocce, picnic with a glass of wine or simply stretch out barefoot and watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Where You’ll Stay:
Accommodation on Celebrity Solstice is designed to feel more like a boutique hotel than a traditional cruise cabin, with thoughtful touches that make every category comfortable and inviting.
Inside Staterooms are the most affordable option, but they don’t compromise on style. They come with Celebrity Cruises’ signature eXhale® bedding, interactive flat-screen TVs, a safe and en suite bathrooms with premium toiletries. These rooms are perfect for guests who plan to spend their days exploring the ship or ports of call and simply want a cosy retreat at the end of the day.
Ocean View Staterooms add a large picture window, giving the space natural light and a constant connection to the sea. It’s a popular upgrade for those who like to wake up to a view each morning or watch the changing scenery as the ship glides from port to port.
Veranda Staterooms are consistently the most sought-after category. Each features a private balcony with seating, offering a personal outdoor space for morning coffee, reading in the afternoon or catching an evening sunset. It’s this chance to step outside whenever you like that makes them a passenger favourite.
Concierge Class Staterooms take things a step further, offering prime locations on the ship and a collection of thoughtful extras. Guests are welcomed with a bottle of sparkling wine and enjoy daily canapés, a pillow menu, plush robes and slippers, and an expanded room service menu. Priority check-in and a dedicated concierge service make the whole experience feel smoother and more personalised.
AquaClass® Staterooms are designed with wellness in mind. They include unlimited access to the Persian Garden’s steam rooms and saunas, spa-inspired bath products, and aromatherapy diffusers in the room. The highlight is exclusive dining at Blu, a speciality restaurant serving healthy yet indulgent dishes in an elegant setting. AquaClass is ideal for anyone who wants their cruise to feel like a rejuvenating retreat.
At the top end, the Suites elevate the experience to a new level. Ranging from spacious Sky Suites to the opulent Penthouse Suite, they come with butler service, priority embarkation, expanded in-room dining and access to The Retreat® - a private sanctuary that includes Luminae, an exclusive restaurant, a stylish lounge and a secluded sun deck. Suites often feature large verandas, separate living and dining areas, whirlpool baths and upgraded furnishings.
Destination Inspiration
One of Celebrity Solstice’s greatest strengths is the variety of itineraries she offers. Wherever she sails, she delivers experiences that combine natural wonders, cultural discovery and days of relaxed luxury on board.
In Alaska, Celebrity Solstice is a wonderful platform from which to explore the wilderness. Sailing through the Inside Passage, she offers prime viewing of towering glaciers, snow-capped mountains and wildlife such as whales, bald eagles and sea otters. Ports like Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway provide a glimpse into frontier life, from dog sledging adventures to gold rush history. Many guests say Alaska feels even more dramatic from the comfort of Celebrity Solstice’s wide decks or private balconies, where you can sip hot chocolate while watching a glacier calve into the sea.
During the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, Celebrity Solstice repositions to Australia and New Zealand. Cruises from Sydney to Auckland combine cosmopolitan cities with jaw-dropping landscapes. Imagine wandering Melbourne’s vibrant laneways one day, then sailing through New Zealand’s Milford, Doubtful, and Dusky Sounds the next, where fjords rise dramatically from the water and waterfalls tumble down sheer cliffs. Passengers love the balance between buzzing city life, Maori cultural encounters and serene natural beauty.
On select sailings, Celebrity Solstice also ventures further afield to Asia and the South Pacific. These itineraries are rich in variety - from beaches of Bali and Fiji to the temples of Singapore and Bangkok. Days ashore might be spent exploring bustling markets, snorkelling coral reefs or visiting ancient shrines, while evenings back on board bring the comfort of fine dining and world-class entertainment. These journeys are ideal for travellers who want to combine cultural discovery with relaxation in paradise.
