Eight new experiences, redesigned favourites, shipwide stateroom upgrades, a new half-acre rooftop oasis… the Celebrity Solstice and its recent major makeover have arrived in Sydney for the first time – and it promises guests an experience like none other on a big ship. Karryon reports from onboard Solstice.
Part of a US$250 million (around AU$350 million) overhaul of the cruise line’s five Solstice class ships, the bow-to-stern enhancement of Solstice has seen almost every corner of the ship upgraded.
Chief among these are several new experiences, some of which are unique to the Solstice, like Trattoria Rossa (a premium Italian eatery), The Parlor (a next-level sports bar), and the cabaret-style Boulevard Lounge & Bar. The new Fine Cut Steakhouse, also on Celebrity Edge, brings the number of food and beverage establishments on the ship to 22.
On top of this, quite literally, is the refreshed Sunset Park – a large area with lawn games, live music and elevated dining – that sits alongside the new Sunset Park Cafe and expanded Sunset Bar (with its swish-looking private cabanas).
Elsewhere, there are two new shows, including the 1950s Hollywood-inspired Smoke and Ivories and the live rock concert, Rockumentary.
Arguably, most impressive is the refurbishment of all of the ship’s staterooms, which includes the addition of 54 new rooms and four new stateroom categories, including the Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, two Panoramic Ocean View Suite categories and the Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View.
Solstice’s AquaClass staterooms have also been upgraded with spa-inspired amenities, including massaging showerheads, in-room yoga mats , and a pillow menu.
Crew crucial
While the ship’s new experiences promise an enhanced stay on board, it’s the ship’s already existing products – and especially service – that guests could be most excited about, according to the cruise line’s vice president and managing director, Australia and APAC, Tim Jones.
Speaking to Karryon on board the ship, he says that while Celebrity has the “beautiful” vessel, “what truly brings it alive is our crew and the elevated hospitality they deliver each and every day”.
Jones calls the cruise line’s crew the “heart and soul” of the ship, which “brings the brand to life”.
He also points to the “nostalgia” he believes Aussie passengers, who have been sailing on the Solstice for 14 years, have for the ship.
“Their favourites are still there as well. So people have a lot of nostalgia around that dinner in [French restaurant] Murano, that they had back in 2016 – that experience is still there. The Martini Bar is still there. Cellar Masters is still there. So there’s a lot of those nostalgic venues that now partner with these new experiences,” Jones explains.
“When you talk to guests who have been on those last three sailings [since the revamp], there is that sense of nostalgia… they’re pleased to see some of those favourites are there, but they’re really loving and enjoying those amazing new experiences as well.”
Among those new experiences, he says the new Retreat Sundeck “has been really popular with guests who are travelling in our suites”, as has The Parlor – where you’ll find almost every board game on the planet – to go with the pool table, darts and other pub favourites.
“What we’ve found over the last few years is they [passengers] are now looking for those more elevated, unique experiences,” Jones remarks.
“I think that people are looking to create memories and have those experiences that are rich, authentic, genuine, and warm. It’s that level of hospitality you get on board the ship.”
And Australians can look forward to more Celebrity hospitality, as the cruise line brings more sailings to Aussie waters than ever before.
“In Q4 of this year, Solstice will be here at the same time as [Celebrity] Edge for sailings, which is a little bit of extra capacity for us, and we’re doing that again the following year,” Jones says.
“It’s the first time we’ve had two ships here for four or five sailings at the same time.”
The cruise line will also be looking to its trade partners to help fill its ships.
“They are incredibly strong supporters of Celebrity and the brand, and we enjoy really great relationships with them and work really closely with them.”
What’s next?
After travelling from Singapore to Sydney, with several stops Down Under, Celebrity Solstice is now bound for Honolulu on a 16-night voyage, via New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa.
In October, the vessel will return to Australia as part of a 110-night Grand Voyage sailing across the Pacific from Alaska to Asia.
Four more 2026 sailings include visits to New Zealand fjords, an Australia wine voyage, South Pacific island escapes and a Sydney-Singapore journey.
All images by Mark Harada
