Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Cruises
Ship information
Celebrity Solstice
Chris Gray Faust
Cruise Critic
Celebrity Solstice broke new ground when it debuted in 2008, and while several sister ships have undergone what the line calls "Revolutionized" status, this vessel has not. That means that it lacks some areas and amenities that are now standard on the line.
That being said, Celebrity Solstice still has plenty of oomph. Nature is a theme on Solstice, with its large tree anchoring one of its atriums, a live plant wall in its Solarium pool and of course, the real grass that makes up the Lawn Club on the top deck.
Holding 2,850 guests at double occupancy, Celebrity Solstice flourishes wherever it is deployed, be that Australia, Asia or Alaska. The Sky Lounge, with its bank of windows, is perfect for wildlife viewing in Alaska and scenic cruising anywhere else. The Lawn, with its private Alcoves for rent, is a draw when the ship is in warm climates and two pools, indoor and outdoor, mean that you can swim, no matter what the weather.
Celebrity Solstice Deck Plan Has Multiple Atriums, With Easy Flow In Between
Unlike some cruise ships, Celebrity Solstice and the vessels in its class that came after it -- Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Reflection -- have more than one atrium area. Despite this, the ship is easy to navigate, especially if you remember the cruising adage that "the fun" -- the theater, spa and kids' and teen areas-- are in the front, while the "food" (main dining room, specialty restaurants, buffet) are in the back.
The "main" atrium opens fully to Decks 3, 4 and 5, around an area called the Grand Foyer. Activities such as archery (yes, archery) and dance parties such as the Silent Disco take place here at all hours of the day into the night. (People center themselves around the atrium to watch the fun). Some of the more popular venues, such as Café al Bacio, Sushi on Five and the ice-covered Martini Bar, are located off the Grand Foyer; it's always a bustling area and sometimes can lack seating at prime hours. Make sure you check out the signature live tree when you use the elevators.
From the main atrium, you can take two paths to the theater. One side brings you past shops and venues like the Qasar nightclub, while the other takes you through the (happily, non-smoking) casino. A smaller entertainment venue, Celebrity Connections, is often used for lectures and other events when there's a show going on in the larger theater.
The Lido Deck on 14 is where you'll find both of Celebrity Solstice's pools. The covered Solarium is adults only, most of the day, and provides ample and airy seating, even when the weather isn't great. The outdoor pool is a nice size, with seating alcoves nearby (unlike on Edge-class ships, these primo lounges are free) and also facing outward.
While the pool can feel hectic on sunny days, the Lawn Club on Deck 15 provides a lush alternative. Although Celebrity has monetized some of the best spots -- the hut-like Alcoves are rented by the day -- there is still room for people to enjoy the greenery and play mini-golf or bocce ball. The Hot Glass Studio is up here as well; if you want to take a class, book as soon as you board. The Sunset Bar at the back of the ship is one of the best sailaway points.
Rooms on Celebrity Solstice Have Regular Balconies
The cabins on Celebrity Solstice are functional, with choices for different traveling groups. One thing we missed were outlets and USB ports near the bed, now a necessity on newer cruise ships. Purists who love real walk-out balconies will be happy with the choices on Solstice; the ship does not have the infinite balcony cabins that dominate the Edge-class vessels.
Storage can seem tight at first, but if you're having trouble fitting everything, look up over the beds. We didn’t discover the large cabinets there until toward the end of the cruise; the space is perfect for storing bulky jackets and cold weather gear on Alaska itineraries.
We'd shy away from booking a balcony cabin with an obstructed view on Deck 6, however, as the lifeboats/tenders dominate your field of vision (and inhibit good picture taking). We also heard that forward cabins were especially susceptible to noise from the foghorn on an Alaska itinerary.
The Food on Celebrity Solstice Meets Expectations, Some Specialty Options Hidden
There was a time when Celebrity had some of the best mainstream cruise dining. We wouldn’t say that's the case now, as other lines have made more forward-thinking cuisine investments. Celebrity has stated publicly that it's looking to reduce food waste and promote efficiencies; the result of that, unfortunately, is that diners have fewer options than they did a few years ago.
Still, you won't go hungry on Celebrity Solstice and the main dining room, the glass-filled Grand Epernay, is an impressive home base. The Oceanview Café is likewise airy, although it can be difficult at peak hours to find a seat. The AquaSpa Café and Mast Grill round out the ship's complimentary options, although these venues do close at dinner. Suite guests have dining privileges at Luminae, with a menu boasting dishes from celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, while Aqua class passengers eat at Blu.
The main specialty restaurants onboard provide Italian (Tuscan Grill); French (Murano) and Japanese (Sushi on 5) options. The animated dining experience Le Petit Chef takes place nightly in the Silk Harvest restaurant.
There are also a variety of special meals that almost appear like pop-ups in your daily planner that are special interest to foodies. Two are based in Murano -- the Chef's Table menu with Boulud dishes, and also a special Veuve Cliquot pairing meal. We also didn't act fast enough to snag a spot at a special extra-fee Alaska Seafood Shack lunch in the Tuscan Grill. If long epicurean feasts are your vacation jam, make sure you look for these, either before you go or as soon as you get onboard.
Cruise Line
Celebrity
Tonnage
122,000
tons
Ship Length
1,041
feet
Launched
2008
Guest Cabins
1,425
Cabins
Occupancy
2,850
passengers
Ship information
Celebrity Solstice
Chris Gray Faust
Cruise Critic
Celebrity Solstice broke new ground when it debuted in 2008, and while several sister ships have undergone what the line calls "Revolutionized" status, this vessel has not. That means that it lacks some areas and amenities that are now standard on the line.
That being said, Celebrity Solstice still has plenty of oomph. Nature is a theme on Solstice, with its large tree anchoring one of its atriums, a live plant wall in its Solarium pool and of course, the real grass that makes up the Lawn Club on the top deck.
Holding 2,850 guests at double occupancy, Celebrity Solstice flourishes wherever it is deployed, be that Australia, Asia or Alaska. The Sky Lounge, with its bank of windows, is perfect for wildlife viewing in Alaska and scenic cruising anywhere else. The Lawn, with its private Alcoves for rent, is a draw when the ship is in warm climates and two pools, indoor and outdoor, mean that you can swim, no matter what the weather.
Celebrity Solstice Deck Plan Has Multiple Atriums, With Easy Flow In Between
Unlike some cruise ships, Celebrity Solstice and the vessels in its class that came after it -- Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Reflection -- have more than one atrium area. Despite this, the ship is easy to navigate, especially if you remember the cruising adage that "the fun" -- the theater, spa and kids' and teen areas-- are in the front, while the "food" (main dining room, specialty restaurants, buffet) are in the back.
The "main" atrium opens fully to Decks 3, 4 and 5, around an area called the Grand Foyer. Activities such as archery (yes, archery) and dance parties such as the Silent Disco take place here at all hours of the day into the night. (People center themselves around the atrium to watch the fun). Some of the more popular venues, such as Café al Bacio, Sushi on Five and the ice-covered Martini Bar, are located off the Grand Foyer; it's always a bustling area and sometimes can lack seating at prime hours. Make sure you check out the signature live tree when you use the elevators.
From the main atrium, you can take two paths to the theater. One side brings you past shops and venues like the Qasar nightclub, while the other takes you through the (happily, non-smoking) casino. A smaller entertainment venue, Celebrity Connections, is often used for lectures and other events when there's a show going on in the larger theater.
The Lido Deck on 14 is where you'll find both of Celebrity Solstice's pools. The covered Solarium is adults only, most of the day, and provides ample and airy seating, even when the weather isn't great. The outdoor pool is a nice size, with seating alcoves nearby (unlike on Edge-class ships, these primo lounges are free) and also facing outward.
While the pool can feel hectic on sunny days, the Lawn Club on Deck 15 provides a lush alternative. Although Celebrity has monetized some of the best spots -- the hut-like Alcoves are rented by the day -- there is still room for people to enjoy the greenery and play mini-golf or bocce ball. The Hot Glass Studio is up here as well; if you want to take a class, book as soon as you board. The Sunset Bar at the back of the ship is one of the best sailaway points.
Rooms on Celebrity Solstice Have Regular Balconies
The cabins on Celebrity Solstice are functional, with choices for different traveling groups. One thing we missed were outlets and USB ports near the bed, now a necessity on newer cruise ships. Purists who love real walk-out balconies will be happy with the choices on Solstice; the ship does not have the infinite balcony cabins that dominate the Edge-class vessels.
Storage can seem tight at first, but if you're having trouble fitting everything, look up over the beds. We didn’t discover the large cabinets there until toward the end of the cruise; the space is perfect for storing bulky jackets and cold weather gear on Alaska itineraries.
We'd shy away from booking a balcony cabin with an obstructed view on Deck 6, however, as the lifeboats/tenders dominate your field of vision (and inhibit good picture taking). We also heard that forward cabins were especially susceptible to noise from the foghorn on an Alaska itinerary.
The Food on Celebrity Solstice Meets Expectations, Some Specialty Options Hidden
There was a time when Celebrity had some of the best mainstream cruise dining. We wouldn’t say that's the case now, as other lines have made more forward-thinking cuisine investments. Celebrity has stated publicly that it's looking to reduce food waste and promote efficiencies; the result of that, unfortunately, is that diners have fewer options than they did a few years ago.
Still, you won't go hungry on Celebrity Solstice and the main dining room, the glass-filled Grand Epernay, is an impressive home base. The Oceanview Café is likewise airy, although it can be difficult at peak hours to find a seat. The AquaSpa Café and Mast Grill round out the ship's complimentary options, although these venues do close at dinner. Suite guests have dining privileges at Luminae, with a menu boasting dishes from celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, while Aqua class passengers eat at Blu.
The main specialty restaurants onboard provide Italian (Tuscan Grill); French (Murano) and Japanese (Sushi on 5) options. The animated dining experience Le Petit Chef takes place nightly in the Silk Harvest restaurant.
There are also a variety of special meals that almost appear like pop-ups in your daily planner that are special interest to foodies. Two are based in Murano -- the Chef's Table menu with Boulud dishes, and also a special Veuve Cliquot pairing meal. We also didn't act fast enough to snag a spot at a special extra-fee Alaska Seafood Shack lunch in the Tuscan Grill. If long epicurean feasts are your vacation jam, make sure you look for these, either before you go or as soon as you get onboard.
Cruise Line
Celebrity
Tonnage
122,000
tons
Ship Length
1,041
feet
Launched
2008
Guest Cabins
1,425
Cabins
Occupancy
2,850
passengers
Cabin Information
27 Cabin types available with images
Available on decks: PENTHOUSE DECK 11
Available on decks: PENTHOUSE DECK 11
Available on decks: PANORAMA DECK 9
Available on decks: PANORAMA DECK 9
Available on decks: CONTINENTAL DECK 6
Available on decks: PANORAMA DECK 9
Available on decks: CONTINENTAL DECK 6
Available on decks: SUNRISE DECK 7
Available on decks: CONTINENTAL DECK 6
Available on decks: CONTINENTAL DECK 6
Available on decks: CONTINENTAL DECK 6
Available on decks: RESORT DECK 12
Available on decks: PENTHOUSE DECK 11
Available on decks: PENTHOUSE DECK 11
Available on decks: PENTHOUSE DECK 11
Available on decks: RESORT DECK 12
Available on decks: CONTINENTAL DECK 6
Celebrity Solstice has 27 cabin types available
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Suite Cabins
Suite Cabins
Suite Cabins
Suite Cabins
Suite Cabins
Suite Cabins
Suite Cabins
Deck Plans
14 deck images available
Theater and Shows on Celebrity Solstice
The Solstice Theater, the ship's main show lounge is a well-designed room with semicircular rows of comfortable theater seats, all with good views of the stage. There are no tables, but armrests have drink holders. Normally several big-production stage shows take place on a seven-night cruise; one is a stadium style concert featuring iconic rock anthems while the other two are different production shows. Other main show performances included a magician and several featured singers. comedian, juggler and welcome aboard and farewell shows.
The smaller Celebrity Connections theater is a great spot for game shows, lectures and other events. If you think it's going to be popular, get there early, as seating is limited.
On our Alaska sailing, we had naturalist lectures four times during the weeklong sailing by the inimitable Celia Garland. (She's normally on Celebrity Millennium during the Alaska season). We recommend taking advantage of these free lectures as often as you can, as they do help you get the most out of an Alaska cruise.
Daily Things to Do on Celebrity Solstice
There's no shortage of things to do on Celebrity Solstice; in fact, the hardest thing is trying to fit everything in.
An experience unique to this class of ship is the "Hot Glass Show," where passengers sit surrounded by the grass of the Lawn Club and watch a glass master practice his or her art. You can sign up for lessons and a chance to make your own art, but these slots go fast: If you're interested, book as soon as you board.
Then there are the standbys all cruisers expect: bingo, trivia, dance lessons and the like as well as digital camera and computer seminars at the iLounge on Deck 6. Deck 10 has a pleasant, relaxing and open library with a fairly typical cruise-ship book selection. The card room on Deck 9 sees quite a bit of action, although it's not much more than a vestibule between elevator bays. Deck 7's Team Earth is essentially an advertisement for Celebrity's nonprofit partner, Conservation International. The interactive displays are slick, and there's quite a bit of information on offer for those interested.
Up on the Lawn Club, you'll find options to play bocce, cornhole and other lawn games. Musical performances -- on deck, in lounges or in the main showroom -- cover a variety of musical styles from a classical string quartet to a jazz combo and big band stylings from the main show band.
The Celebrity app is fairly intuitive, and you can create an electronic calendar of the events that you're interested in. An old-fashioned paper program is also left in your room nightly.
Nightlife on Celebrity Solstice
Most nights, you'll find live music in several spots throughout the ship -- guitars and vocals or jazz in the Ensemble Lounge midship, as well as a DJ spinning dance music poolside.
Passengers can dance the night away at Quasar, the futuristic-themed nightclub on Deck 4, or at the Sky Lounge bar, which has a large dance floor. Both venues are restricted to passengers aged over 18 after 11 p.m. The Grand Foyer also hosts a live band each evening, with a rotating selection of musical styles so everyone is catered for.
Don't miss the Silent Disco which takes place once or twice each cruise. Chairs and tables surrounding in the Grand Foyer become the dance floor. Get there early to score a pair of glowing headphones with a switch so you can swap between three different music channels: old-time favorites like ABBA, contemporary pop and a live mix from the ship's DJ. Don't worry if you have two left feet; no one knows if you aren't in time with the music. Even if you don't feel like dancing, this unique disco is a lot of fun to watch.
Movie buffs can catch feature films most nights in Celebrity Central. Films tend to be of the new-to-DVD variety. Celebrity Central also hosts events like game shows and bingo.
Solstice uses its Lawn Club to host daily movies on the outdoor movie screen on Deck 15. On some sailings, the food and film experience, A Taste of Film is held in this attractive outdoor space a number of times during each cruise for an additional fee.
On Deck 4 there is also the non-smoking Fortune's Casino, which offers games such as slots, blackjack and video poker. Free table gaming lessons are offered in the casino on sea days.
Celebrity Solstice Cruise Ship Bars and Lounges
There is no shortage of spots to raise a glass on Celebrity Solstice with a choice of almost a dozen bars ranging from cozy, clubby spaces to light-filled lounges with ocean views. The drinks are creative and can vary from venue to venue, although if you have a drink package, you'll want to look carefully at the pricing. Several popular venues, such as the Martini Bar and the World Class Bar, have drinks that cost more than the minimum even in a Premium Drink Package; if you still want to try it, you'll only pay the difference.
Our Picks
For People (and Cocktail) Watchi****ng: The Martini Bar, with its ice-covered surface and charismatic bartenders, is popular from early evening until late at night, with the vibe changing from quiet sophistication to party time, depending on the mood of the crowd. It's one of the most popular onboard drinking venues. Order a couple of "flights" and you might see a spectacular show involving bottle-flipping, glass-stacking and the pouring of a dozen drinks at once.
For Great Views: Whether the bar is open or closed, the Sky Lounge on Deck 14 is the place to be, with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic ocean views. During the day it is a blissfully quiet spot to curl up in a comfy seat and read; after the bar opens it takes on a livelier vibe, especially after 10 p.m. when the dance floor attracts a good crowd.
For Sunset Views: With its prime aft location, the Sunset Bar on Deck 15 is a favorite at night, when you can settle in for some cocktails and an unparalleled view of the sun setting over the sea. You'll also fight for a seat there during sail-aways.
The food on Celebrity Solstice is generally good, with an occasional great if you've chosen a meal in one of the ship's specialty restaurants. The Oceanview Café does an admirable job at providing many options, although we did notice that it's hard to find snacks at certain hours. We do appreciate that Celebrity Solstice has made it easy to stay healthy, if you'd like, through its AquaSpa Cafe -- and easy to indulge if you don't, with the free (and delicious!) pastries at Café al Bacio.
Free Restaurants on Celebrity Solstice
Grand Epernay (Decks 3 and 4): The towering, airy Grand Epernay is the ship's main dining room, spanning two decks at the aft end of the ship. The room is bright, and light in tones with ample use of the ship's signature design element: glass. In fact, instead of a wine cellar, one end of the dining room is accented with a two-story glass wine tower, replete with tall ladders to reach bottles at the highest levels.
Surprisingly for a ship with 2,800-plus passengers, this restaurant feels spacious and uncrowded. There is ample room to navigate between tables, and the room's openness, combined with extensive carpeting on the floors, results in a tolerable noise level, even when the restaurant is busy. Breakfast, lunch (sea days only) and dinner is served at Grand Epernay, with a wait of no more than five minutes for a table, even at peak times.
Dinner is served in two conventional sittings (typically 6 and 8:30 p.m.) with assigned tables and tablemates. Lunch and breakfast are open seating. The Celebrity Select flex-dining option is also available from 5:30 to 9 p.m. With Celebrity Select, passengers have the option to decide whether they want to eat with their own party or at a mixed table with other people. They can also make specific dinner reservations for each day of their cruise online in advance, make reservations onboard or simply show up when they are ready to eat.
Service is attentive, helpful and friendly and the food is generally consistent. The breakfast menu offers similar dishes to those available at the buffet-style Oceanview Cafe, such as eggs Benedict, fresh fruit and pancakes, but the dining experience is more upmarket thanks to the elegant surrounds. It's a particularly lovely option on sea days when there is time to relax over breakfast instead of rushing off to an excursion.
Lunch consists of lighter, cafe fare such as burgers and fish and chips plus hearty dishes such as beef short ribs, with crowd-pleasing desserts such as New York cheesecake, decadent chocolate cake or a selection of ice cream and sorbet.
The dinner menu is divided into two sections: "always available" favorites such as Caesar salad, salmon, New York strip steak and creme brulee, which are available every night and a daily changing menu where the likes of rack of lamb and seafood fettuccini sit comfortably alongside more adventurous dishes like escargot. If you are unsure what to order, ask the waiters as their suggestions are usually spot on.
Luminae (Deck 3): Only cruisers staying in suite accommodations can dine at Luminae, an intimate restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch (sea days only) and dinner. The space is elegant yet contemporary with decor that ties in with the onboard "sun" theme. Large picture windows lend an appealing shimmer to the restaurant's gold and chrome design accents, and two separate rooms create a refined atmosphere. Dishes are several steps above the main dining room visually, with a focus on modern, stylish plating, but not quite equal to what is on offer in the ship's excellent specialty restaurants (although there's a daily selection of menu items designed by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud). Service is superb and Luminae never feels busy, even when it is full.
Breakfast includes staples such as omelets and pancakes along with a few surprises like huevos rancheros, a tasty Mexican breakfast dish and a creamy yogurt granola parfait. Espresso-style coffee is complimentary but not comparable to what is on offer at the for-fee coffee lounge on Deck 5. Lunch is served from noon until 1:30 p.m. on sea days and includes a choice of appetizers, sandwiches and entrees and a couple of desserts.
Dinner includes a changing daily menu plus the option to order from the main dining room menu. Meals begin with an amuse-bouche compliments of the chef followed by appetizers including roasted squab, beef tartar and lobster salad with hearts of palm. Mains consist of pappardelle with venison ragout, ricotta cavatelli with duck Bolognese and Thai green vegetable curry. Serving sizes are sensible to allow room for desserts such as mascarpone cheesecake with pistachio nougatine and rich dark chocolate mousse.
Blu (Deck 5): Passengers who have booked AquaClass cabins can eat at Blu, a private restaurant serving lighter "spa-inspired" fare, which relies less on rich sauces and sauteing and more on natural reductions, ragouts and herbs. Breakfast includes a variety of healthy starters such as a low-fat yogurt parfait with blueberry compote or bowl of crunchy muesli. Hot dishes range from berry pecan pancakes and French toast to a smoked salmon and asparagus frittata.
Blu features a similar dinner menu to Grand Epernay with a choice of three appetizers, four soups and salads, a salad entree, four main entrees and three classic grilled meat dishes. While some meals are similar to those served in the main dining room, the plating tends to be more refined, and service is more personal. Tables for two are very close together and therefore best suited to couples who enjoy socializing more than romantic tete-a-tetes.
AquaClass passengers do not have to pay extra to dine here, and suite passengers may book tables on a space-available basis, for free. The restaurant is off limits to all other passengers. It is open for breakfast and dinner daily.
Oceanview Cafe (Deck 14): Oceanview Cafe is a multi-station buffet for breakfast and lunch, and an open-seating casual alternative venue for dinner. Oceanview's layout is excellent, with many serving and prep stations situated as islands in the middle of the room rather than stretched along the walls. The result is a generally spacious operation offering an extensive number of choices.
There are conventional choices such as British (bangers, English bacon, baked beans) and Asian (miso soup with mix-ins, tofu, rice, etc.) stations, as well as vegetarian options, an epic salad bar, freshly tossed pasta dishes with carved meat stations rounding out the mix. While the main area of Oceanview Cafe does close for (very) short periods throughout the day so staff can set up the next meal service, you are unlikely to go hungry. Pizza, pasta and ice cream are available from noon to 1 a.m., and breakfast is served until 11 a.m. Coffee, tea and juices are available 24/7 from self-serve dispensers.
The standard breakfast selections don't change (omelet station, Canadian and American bacon, turkey and pork sausage, potatoes, fruit, pastries and breads) but there is more than enough variety to satisfy even the most demanding diner.
Lunch features one changing "Chef's Choice" station (primarily a carving station for ham, leg of lamb, beef, etc.) in addition to taco, pasta, stir-fry, sandwich, soup, salad and other specialty options that change from day to day. Sandwich choices include hot (corned beef) or cold (turkey, chicken salad) with a selection of breads, condiments and sides such as fries. Live cooking stations featuring customized pasta choices with a selection of sauces (Bolognese, marinara, Alfredo) and made-to-order stir-fries featuring meat, seafood, spices and sliced vegetables are also on offer. The salad bar is available daily and offers a tremendous array of choices.
Drink service is speedy and tables are generously spaced, which -- combined with floor-to-ceiling windows -- give a relaxed, open feel to this popular dining area.
Mast Grill (Deck 14): The Mast Grill, located on the same deck as Oceanview Cafe, but forward of the main swimming pool, serves burgers, hot dogs, (really good) fries and the like. It's open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
AquaSpa Cafe (Deck 15): The AquaSpa Cafe, located in the Solarium, provides healthy and convenient breakfast options -- such as granola and fruit - and salads and made-to-order dishes like grilled salmon for lunch. The cafe also serves complimentary tea, coffee and juices. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Room Service: Room service is available 24/7. Continental breakfast is free and can be ordered via a door-hung card put out the night before. All other orders have a hefty $9.95 per order charge, plus an 18% gratuity. Suite guests are entitled to complimentary room service 24 hours a day.
What Restaurants Cost Extra on Celebrity Solstice
Deck 5 is the epicenter for specialty dining on Celebrity Solstice. The Ensemble Vestibule -- an edgy, black, box-like room with an innovative audio-visual art installation -- is the entryway into the Ensemble Lounge, an energetic, convivial watering hole ideal for pre-dinner drinks. In one of the best pieces of interior architecture we've seen on any ship, Ensemble forms a nexus from which four specialty restaurants -- Blu, Murano, Silk Harvest (which houses Petit Chef and is not an Asian Restaurant) and Tuscan Grille -- fan out like spokes of a wheel.
Keep an eye out for discounts on embarkation day when specialties tend to be quiet; otherwise bookings are essential for most venues. You can also save money by buying specialty dining packages, particularly before you board, although they are also available the first few days of your cruise.
Murano, in particular, tends to fill up very early during each cruise. Dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at each venue. Specialty restaurants open for lunch occasionally on sea days, depending on the itinerary.
Murano (Deck 5); $$$$:
Murano
is rich and decadent, with traditional French dishes such as foie gras, creamy bisques and a cheese course sitting alongside contemporary interpretations of classic meals. You can make two choices here -- a six-course tasting menu, featuring appetizer, soup and salad, fish course, palate cleanser (sorbet), meat course and dessert or a less expensive a la carte option. You can also have the option to take the tasting menu with wine pairings for an extra charge.Consummate service and dishes such as cognac flambeed lobster tail with basil, smoked bacon and Dijon-cream add a hint of theater to this exceptional dining experience.
Tuscan Grille (Deck 5) $$$: A prime aft location ensures this stylish yet charmingly rustic restaurant is a popular choice, especially when the ship is at sea or anchored in picturesque South Pacific ports. Steaks are the star at Tuscan Grill, though pasta-lovers have plenty of options, too, including ravioli, lasagna, spaghetti Bolognese and lobster linguine Alfredo. It is best to dine early so you can enjoy the view before the sun goes down.
Cafe al Bacio (Deck 5); $ a la carte: Coffee lovers can get their caffeine fix at Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria, which also offers gelato and Italian ices at an adjoining stand, all for a la carte pricing. Cakes and other goodies in the refrigerated cabinet change throughout the day and are free. With its comfy seats, elegant decor and some of the best coffee on the high seas, patrons must be prepared to pounce on empty seats at this popular cafe, particularly during peak times.
Sushi on 5 (Deck 5); $$ a la carte: Passengers can choose from a variety of rolls, sashimi and other entrees, all priced per item, at this cheery Japanese cafe-style venue. Selections include a bowl of edamame to snack on, lobster ramen, spicy tuna roll and chicken ginger gyoza. Open for lunch and dinner.
Le Petit Chef (Deck 5); $$$$: Le Petit Chef is an immersive dining experience rather than a restaurant. It blends gourmet food with entertainment and storytelling that includes 3D projections and elaborate table settings. This is one of the most unique dining options -- and the most pricey -- on Celebrity Solstice and caters to adults and children alike.
Cruise Critic Restaurant Picks on Celebrity Solstice
They don't make cruise ship specialty restaurants like Murano as much anymore, and dinner here is a lovely trip back into a time when tableside preparations and flambe desserts ruled the seas. Highly recommend. On the other end of the spectrum, we made Café al Bacio our routine morning stop for lattes, croissants and muffins.
Dietary Restrictions on Celebrity Solstice
Before every meal, your server will ask if you have dietary restrictions or allergies. Our eagle-eyed waiter in the main dining room kept our plus-one from anything that would trigger her seafood allergy. Vegetarian and healthier options are identified on the menu, as are gluten-free options.
The buffet has areas that are marked for vegans and gluten free diners.
