Solstice Pre-Inaugural

Pre-Inaugural and Naming Ceremony on the Celebrity Solstice

11/14/08 to 11/16/08

Preface

We were invited to a pre-inaugural cruise on the beautiful new Celebrity Solstice. We were very excited to be able to get to see this new class of ship from our favorite cruise line. Plus, this particular pre-inaugural cruise had the official naming ceremony, which was a very moving and exciting event. Since we will be cruising on the Solstice in March, the main purpose of this review is to share photos of the lovely rooms and cabins.

Restaurants

Grand Epernay

Bistro on Five

Oceanview Cafe and Bar

Blu

Dan Hanrahan, Celebrity CEO and Richard Fain, RCL CEO

AquaSpa Cafe

Mast Grill & Bar

Murano

Tuscan Grille

Silk Harvest

Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria

Bars and Nightlife

Specialty Restaurant Bar Menus

Murano Bar Menu

Blu Bar Menu

Tuscan Grille Bar Menu

Silk Harvest Bar Menu

Daily Specials at All Bars

Cellar Masters

Ensemble Lounge

Lawn Club, Bowling, and Sunset Bar

Looking down from the Sunset Bar

Quasar

Sky Observation Lounge

Crush

Martini Bar (Ice Bar)

Michael’s Club

Galleria Tastings

Cabins

Celebrity Suite 1237

Sky Suite 2120

Concierge Class 1231

Aft Balcony 1206 (Deck 9)

Adjoining cabin door configuration

Views from Aft Balcony on Deck 9

Penthouse Suite 1611

Inside Handicapped Accessible 8164

Deluxe Ocean View with Veranda 9139

Outlets at Desk

Keyboard for use with Cabin TV Life Preservers stored under bed

Trundle Bed in Cabin 7317 Pullman Bed in Ceiling in Cabin 7317

Other

Fortunes Casino

Shops on Boulevard along one side of the Casino allow for walking

along Deck 4 while not having to pass through the casino.

Solstice Theater

Shops

Art Gallery

Card Room (deck 9)

Library (deck 10)

Solstice Deck (deck 14)

Aquaspa

Persian Gardens

Solarium

Pools and Decks

Fun Factory

Xclub

Corning Glass Show

Other shipboard features

Elevator lights are blue until an elevator arrives, then it turns Orange to make it easy to know which one has arrived.

Tree in a cone Tree suspended

Very large globe

Great Signage keeps you from getting lost

Naming Ceremony and Entertainmnt

Naming Ceremony

St. Andrews Pipe Band of Miami

"A Beautiful Day" music & lyrics by U2 and sung by Antonio Sol World class violinist Lucia Micarelli

Solstice's godmother Dr. Sharon L. Smith has devoted her life to studying the oceans of the world.

The Shows

1st night: "Solstice - The Show"

2nd night - "Ghost Light"

Miscellaneous

Big Sendoff from Tugboats Moon Rising on the Solstice

Photos from the Solstice Preview in Miami at the RCCL Headquarters in Miami

Photographic Equipment Used in Review

Mike:
Canon 40D digital SLR camera
Canon 17-85 IS lens
Canon 10-22 ultra-wide lens
Canon 70-300 IS telephoto lens

Carol:
Canon SD800 IS Digital Elph camera