Celebrity Solstice is Back in Los Angeles

On September 24, I was invited onboard the luxury Celebrity Solstice, after she has been on a 15-year hiatus from the Port of Los Angeles. This is the first time the ship visited her home-port in Los Angeles to sail to the Mexican Riviera. It’s good news for Californians, who wish to drive instead of fly to a port for a cruise getaway.

What makes Celebrity Solstice different than the other cruise lines sailing from the West Coast is that Celebrity Cruises is an upscale line. It’s more adult and sophisticated offering some of the small luxuries associated with luxury cruise lines. Passengers receive welcome champagne and mimosas, menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, elegant public areas featuring high-end artwork, sophisticated modern decor, spacious staterooms and open air balconies and decks.

“When Celebrity Solstice was originally introduced, she ushered in a new, innovative era of cruise ships and introduced features and amenities few ever dreamed would be on a cruise ship,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “With such a beautiful aesthetic, this ship of dreams is the perfect offering for the City of Dreams and we’re excited to sail her along the magnificent Mexican coastline.”

Beverage Tastings

While being welcomed onboard by an enthusiastic crew, I was led to Cellar Masters to sip champagne and learn more about the wine and spirits programs onboard. Sitting at a table with an array of Riedel wine crystal glasses in front of me, I learned about the wine tasting  ‘Workshops at Sea’, part of the line’s Celebrity Life activities program.

At the nearby Martini Bar nearby, talented bartenders were putting on a high-energy juggling and pouring show. They were making colorful classic and contemporary martinis, served on an ice-topped bar. These were the most colorful martinis at sea.

Nearby was a collection of rare vodkas on ice and a portfolio of fine caviars. Aboard the luxurious Celebrity Solstice, guests will be treated to an array of culinary experiences as it sails down the Pacific Coast.

Food Tastings

On a culinary crawl through the ship, we visited numerous distinctive restaurants with menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. At Grand Epernay Dining Room open to all guests. Its lighted and artistically sculptured wine tower holds 2807 bottles of red wines with over 470 different labels. This dining room offers the most-awarded wine collection at sea.

There are as many white wines being refrigerated and ready to pour. The two-story dining room is designed to showcase a celebration of champagne bubbles everywhere.

The contemporary dining room has walls that are champagne color, and champagne bubbles are designed on the ceiling. What make this sophisticated ambience even more inviting is the carpeting looks like a burst of champagne. Seatings are at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

We visited the multi-sensory Le Petit Chef to see its one-of-a-kind dining concept, that incorporates music and a colorful video story. Guests learn how each course is cultivated and prepared, before the actual dish is presented before your eyes. This entertainment multi-course dinner is an add-on of $65.

We sampled two different types of sushi at Sushi 5, the Asian fusion restaurant onboard.

Next we walked to the Aqua Class favorite restaurant Blu ,offering healthy menu options in a serene environment. This restaurant is where passengers celebrate a wedding ceremony and reception on the ship.

We enjoyed a three-course lunch at Tuscan Grille featuring a crab cake with tomatoes, grilled branzino with mashed potatoes, spinach and a grilled lemon, plus a fig gelato sundae.

Staterooms and Suites

The ship is the first in Celebrity’s Solstice Series, offering AquaClass and The Retreat room categories. The Solstice AquaClass guests enjoy a private veranda, Exhale^® bedding, premium bath amenities, massaging showerhead and complimentary fitness classes. Plus, unlimited access to the Persian Garden, a quiet ocean viewing interior area for relaxation featuring heated tile lounges. These passengers can dine complimentary dining at Blu, and receive personal spa concierge.

We stopped to peek inside the Royal Suite offering 590 sq.ft., in the Retreat Class. This stateroom offers a separate living room, dining area and sleeping area with a walk-in closet and large marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub, and step-in shower. This suite also has a 153 sq.ft. veranda with outdoor furniture and an outdoor jacuzzi tub. It comes with your own private butler to help make your cruise the best one yet!

Entertainment and Activities

Stepping into Quasar, the best dance spot on the ship, we vowed to come back to dance, play some ping-pong and step up to the bar for an after dinner drink.

The ship’s theatre is located on decks 3, 4 & 5, performing a celebration of Broadway favorites, plus song and dance spectaculars, and even European circus-style performances.

There are three swimming pools and lots of lounge chairs on this ship. A family-friendly pool, an adult pool, and an indoor solarium swimming pool. Circular whirlpool hot tubs with water views are popular throughout the day and evening.

What also makes this ship unique is The Lawn Club, a grassy outdoor area, up on the top outdoor deck. This grassy park area is available to all to sit and enjoy a beverage and soak up the sun. Rent a cabana for the day, or catch a movie on the large screen.

Next to the grass area is a Hot Glass Blowing demonstration and class for passengers to participate or watch beautiful colored class be blown, twisted and sculpted.

Off to the Oceanview and Sunset Bar to take in the great views, grab a drink, and head over to the putting green to practice getting a hole in one. Putters and golf balls are available.

Setting sail from September 2022 through April 2023, Celebrity Solstice will embark on 5, 7, and 8 night itineraries from its homeport in (San Pedro) Los Angeles, California. The ship visits some of the region’s most popular cities including Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada, and Mazatlán. Select itineraries will offer overnight stops in Cabo San Lucas for guests to experience the seaside festive nightlife.

To book a Celebrity cruise, contact your cruise travel advisor; or book online directly at celebritycruises.com; Celebrity Cruises at 888-751-7804.