10th cruise home – program – presenters – ship – itinerary – pricing and booking – media
The 4.5 star Celebrity Solstice is rated by many as one of the finest ships operating in Australia by any of the major cruise lines
Life aboard Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Solstice was launched in 2008, and at 122,000 GT carries 2,850 passengers. The interior architectural design is impressive. Amenities include a large theatre, numerous dining options and bars and clubs, youth facilities, and innovations (try glass-blowing or the acre of live grass on the upper decks). The feel is uncrowded – entertainment forward, restaurants aft. Ten restaurants cater for every taste, plus bistro, restaurants and cafés. Guest ratings are consistently four and five star across all categories. Aqua Class staterooms come with access to a range of healthy dining and spa amenities. Teens and children of all ages are well catered for. Guests typically are in their mid-50s and appreciate the better things of life.
Conference facilities
We will use several venues the ship for our meeting
- Conference centre – which will be divided in two rooms for some sessions
- Celebrity Central – for some main sessions
- Quasar – for special interest groups & Research Help Zone
Internet
Internet access at sea is available at cost in the internet café 24 hours a day and by Wi-Fi throughout Celebrity Solstice. Internet minutes are available at 6 different rates:
- $0.75 cents a minute with no package.
- In and Out Package – $24.95 for 38 minutes
- In Touch Package – $49.95 for 90 minutes
- Informed Package – $99.95 for 208 minutes
- Interact Package – $199.95 for 555 minutes
- Involved Package – $399.95 for 1666 minutes
These rates are in US currency (as at Dec 2013) and subject to change
Accommodation
Ninety percent of staterooms have an outside view, and of these 95% have a balcony – more than any other superliner in the world. Features in all cabins include: twin beds convertible to queen-sized bed, sitting area, vanity desk with hairdryer, interactive flat-screen TV (32” minimum), bathroom with shower enclosure, wireless internet access, and premium bedding. The suites are larger, with more personal amenities and extras. AquaClass cabins share a deck with the AquaSpa amenities, dine at the exclusive Restaurant Blu, and share in a feast of indulgences. Families can book inter-connecting cabins.
There are four suite-grade accommodations: Royal Suite, Celebrity Suite, Sky Suite, and Penthouse Suite. The latter offers floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, separate living room/dining room, baby grand piano, full bar, sofa queen sleeper, two 52″ TVs, master bath with whirlpool tub, shower with dual shower heads, double washbasins and a 26″ TV. The verandah has a second whirlpool and lounge seating. There are no single cabins, and 30 cabins are wheelchair-accessible.
Food and Dining
The two-deck Grand Epernay is the principal dining room, of stunning and contemporary design. Dinner is served at two sittings, either traditional with assigned tables, or ‘when and with whom you choose’. There are four specialty dining rooms, all with picture window views of the sea. Murano is a superb, extra-cost reservation-only venue not to be missed. Blu is mainly for guests in the AquaClass cabins. The Tuscan Grille, an Italian steakhouse, delivers the best of grills, seafood and pasta. Silk Harvest serves a mix of Southeast Asian dishes.
For casual eating there are five options. Bistro on Five is for coffee, cakes, crêpes and pastries. Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria is an Italian coffee house and “Italian ice-cream” servery. Oceanview Cafe and Grill has a good range of self-serve buffet stations. The Mast Grill serves burgers, hot dogs, fries fast food. The AquaSpa Cafe is for light, healthier options. Themed bars, lounges and clubs provide a wide range of atmospheres for your pre-dinner drinks, private party, or relaxed down-time chat. Room service is available 24 hours a day from a limited menu of sandwiches, pizzas, salads and desserts.
Entertainment
The main show lounge Solstice Theatre typically provides three shows on a seven-night cruise: circus-type acrobatics and revues. Theme nights are held in the Observation Lounge. Celebrity Central hosts comedy, cookery and entertaining lectures. The Ensemble Lounge is from the big-band era with jazz-style music. The Entertainment Court, featuring street performers, is adjacent to the Quasar nightclub. Throughout the vessel guests will be met by a variety of soloists and ensembles. During the day entertainment choices range from games, art auctions, bingo, wine samplings and dance lessons, to educational presentations. A unique “Hot Glass Show” demonstrates the creation of glass art by the Corning Museum of Glass. For a quiet time withdraw to the card room, or the spectacular 24-hour library, extending vertically for two decks.
The adult-only Aqua Spa operated by Steiner Leisure offers the full complement of beauty and massage treatments and facilities. A fully-stocked and staffed gym sports all the newest fitness machines, and there is an outside jogging track. The Lawn Club is a dedicated area on the top deck of the ship that features real grass where passengers can play croquet, bocce, or practice their putting. The Fun Factory has complimentary programs for children aged 3 to 17 years under the guidance of trained counsellors. Teens have theirown X Club. The ship provides lunch, dinner and slumber parties for children aged 3 to 11, so parents are freed up to lunch, dine and party at night.
