Latest news with #CelebritySolstice
The Age
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Celebrity Solstice first ship to undergo $400m upgrade
A lot of water has flowed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge since Celebrity Solstice took out the best cruise ship gong as voted by Australian travel agents in 2015. Launched in 2008, Solstice is no longer the bellwether of ship trends in our seas, though she's garnered 18 awards across her lifetime, had a big redo in 2016, and remains hugely popular with Australian cruisers. But the ship's once groundbreaking features have been overshadowed by the bells and whistles of bigger, glitzier ships. However, when she returns in 2026, Celebrity is confident fans will fall in love with her once more – not for any added gimmickry, more for the enhancement of the things she does best, like dining, relaxing and offering beautiful accommodation. Celebrity is investing almost $400 million to modernise its entire fleet of Solstice Class ships, with the flagship Celebrity Solstice the first to 'be made new again' as the line puts it. Given there are five ships in the fleet, the per-vessel budget looks healthy indeed. When guests board Solstice next year they'll find eight new spaces led by Boulevard Lounge, an entertainment venue where new game shows and trivia will be hosted during the day, followed by candlelit concerts in the evenings. It's paired with the Boulevard Bar cocktail lounge. Celebrity Barcade is a new sports bar with multiple screens, billiard tables, darts and board games. There will be two new restaurants: Trattoria Rossa serving fresh pasta and Fine Cut Steakhouse, an upscale dining experience popular on Celebrity's Edge class ships.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Celebrity Solstice first ship to undergo $400m upgrade
A lot of water has flowed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge since Celebrity Solstice took out the best cruise ship gong as voted by Australian travel agents in 2015. Launched in 2008, Solstice is no longer the bellwether of ship trends in our seas, though she's garnered 18 awards across her lifetime, had a big redo in 2016, and remains hugely popular with Australian cruisers. But the ship's once groundbreaking features have been overshadowed by the bells and whistles of bigger, glitzier ships. However, when she returns in 2026, Celebrity is confident fans will fall in love with her once more – not for any added gimmickry, more for the enhancement of the things she does best, like dining, relaxing and offering beautiful accommodation. Celebrity is investing almost $400 million to modernise its entire fleet of Solstice Class ships, with the flagship Celebrity Solstice the first to 'be made new again' as the line puts it. Given there are five ships in the fleet, the per-vessel budget looks healthy indeed. When guests board Solstice next year they'll find eight new spaces led by Boulevard Lounge, an entertainment venue where new game shows and trivia will be hosted during the day, followed by candlelit concerts in the evenings. It's paired with the Boulevard Bar cocktail lounge. Celebrity Barcade is a new sports bar with multiple screens, billiard tables, darts and board games. There will be two new restaurants: Trattoria Rossa serving fresh pasta and Fine Cut Steakhouse, an upscale dining experience popular on Celebrity's Edge class ships.
Travel Weekly
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
More on Celebrity's transformation of Lawn Club to Sunset Park
Teri West Nearly 17 years ago, Celebrity Cruises debuted the Celebrity Solstice, complete with a new feature for the line -- and for the industry -- called the Lawn Club: A half-acre of live grass on the top deck. The Lawn Club recreated a park-like experience for guests at sea. And every other ship of the Solstice class followed with its own Lawn Club, enabling thousands of passengers over the years to experience the lawn and offer the line feedback. According to Celebrity, that feedback has indicated that guests want more to do there. So as a part of a $250 million renovation to the Solstice fleet revealed last week, Celebrity is doing away with the grass, replacing it with turf, and adding new amenities at what will now be known as Sunset Park. "Guests told us they wanted more dynamic, multifunctional spaces that offer both relaxation and engagement," said Katina Athanasiou, Celebrity's senior vice president of sales and services for the Americas. Like the Lawn Club, Sunset Park will aspire to the feel of a park you might find on land, with lawn games, movie screenings and concerts. In fact, there will be even more lawn games than there are at the Lawn Club. As Athanasiou puts it, "Sunset Park retains the Lawn Club's spirit of open-air leisure." There will also be more private cabanas, an "enhanced" bar and a new specialty dining venue. "While we're still finalizing the menu at Sunset Park, guests can expect globally inspired dishes, fresh ingredients and artful presentation all served in a relaxed, open-air setting," Athanasiou said. Some of the amenities as Sunset Park will be free for passengers, while others will carry an additional charge. The games, movie viewings and live concerts at Sunset Park will be free, Athanasiou said. The private cabanas, which have dedicated attendants, will cost extra, as will the food and drinks. Celebrity is also doing away with the glass-blowing studio at the Lawn Club, which offers classes at an extra charge. Other changes coming to the Solstice-class ships include the addition of a new lounge with trivia and concerts, a new sports bar and upgrades to the cabins. Celebrity Solstice is first in line for the makeover. Expect it to be done by March, according to Celebrity. With cruise lines frequently looking for ways to refresh and improve their products, the Lawn Club-turned-Sunset Park seems to be a good example of a line staying in tune with guest expectations. And hey, if turf is good enough for the NFL and other athletic fields, perhaps it'll be just fine for a cruise ship.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Celebrity Cruises plans massive ship upgrades
Celebrity Cruises plans massive ship upgrades originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Celebrity Cruises plans to overhaul its Solstice Series ships again. The brand is investing more than $250 million to modernize these, starting with Celebrity Solstice in 2026. Passengers can look forward to eight new experiences, including four new-to-sea spaces, and many redesigned favorites, which elevate everything that makes these ships unforgettable. Bow-to-stern innovations include reinvented outdoor escapes with enhanced views, new restaurants, and entertainment designed to create moments of connection with loved ones, as well as a redesigned stay with all-new stateroom categories and ship-wide stateroom Solstice will be the first of the Solstice Series ships to be made new again, welcoming guests for reimagined vacation experiences starting in March 2026. On board, new experiences from morning to night will make the journey just as exciting as the destinations. Plus, all 1,479 staterooms on Celebrity Solstice are getting an upgrade, offering more ways to feel at home when miles away at sea.'Our Solstice Series ships represent the best of classic cruising, and now we're elevating this vacation experience even further by adding brand-new experiences and enhancements at every turn,' said Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge. 'Guests will enjoy more ways to explore and restore, all while staying true to what made our guests fall in love with these ships in the first place.' Here are some of the changes being made: Boulevard Lounge:Good times and glamorous vibes will take center stage at this brand-new, intimate entertainment venue. With always-on programming, from interactive daytime activities like new game shows and trivia to elevated evenings of candlelit concerts and dueling pianos, this cabaret-inspired lounge offers a dramatic new take on showtime. Boulevard Bar: Just steps away from the lounge, guests can pull up a seat for handcrafted cocktails before or after the show — or both. Celebrity Barcade:Guests should bring their A-game to this new, elevated sports bar, the perfect place to both watch and play games. Guests can catch their favorite sports teams from multiple screens positioned so well they'll never miss a pass; or challenge their friends to a round of billiards, darts, or their favorite retro board game. Guests can enjoy a number of new dining options: Trattoria Rossa –Step into an Italian hideaway that blends opulence with modern design to experience a restaurant that bursts with charm from every corner. In this perfect setting to reignite date night, guests will have a front-row seat to the action with authentic tableside preparations of dishes inspired by Italian classics, including fresh pasta made from scratch daily. Fine Cut Steakhouse –The Forbes Travel Guide-rated, Edge Seriesfavorite steakhouse will bring upscale dining with service that's elevated to an art form. And check out these new bars and other innovations: The Sunset Park:Transforming the top deck of Celebrity Solstice, guests can enjoy unparalleled views fromthis half-acre outdoor oasis. Plus, with elevated cuisine, refreshing cocktails, lawn games, open-air concerts and more, a day at the park never looked so good. New private cabanas: Relax with sweeping ocean views and more shade, while dedicated attendants cater to your every whim. Expanded Sunset Bar:Drink in the views along with a refreshing cocktail, as every hour is happy hour. The Retreat suite area will be refreshed as well: Enhanced Suites: A completely reimagined stay at The Retreat awaits, making the most elevated experience at sea even better, as Celebrity Solstice will sail with enhanced suites. All-new Retreat Sundeck: Unwind in style at an all-new sundeck with ample outdoor seating and shade, exclusive for guests of The Retreat. Guests will relax carefree in an oversized hot tub, as they enjoy prime views from the top of the ship. Redesigned Retreat Lounge: The perfect place to enjoy a light bite or catch up with friends over drinks, reserved for guests of The Retreat. Some cabins will also be overhauled: Refreshed AquaClass Staterooms: A fully immersive, next-level wellness vacation awaits. Every room is updated with spa-inspired elements – from massaging shower heads, aroma therapy diffusers, in-room yoga mats, luxurious robes and slippers, and even a pillow menu for the perfect night's sleep. AquaClass guests can also enjoy complimentary access to the all-new Relaxation Lounge at The Spa. Four brand-new stateroom categories: New stateroom categories offer more ways to stay: The Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Deluxe Panoramic Oceanview Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite, and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View. These new stateroom categories are available to book starting mid-June. Guests will enjoy all of these enhancements on Celebrity Solstice vacations starting in March 2026 with unforgettable Asia and Australia itineraries, followed by summer sailings in Alaska. In September 2026, Celebrity Solstice will also bring guests on a once-in-a-lifetime, 110-night Grand Voyage from Canada to Southeast Asia. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean passenger shares warning about a major scam
Cruisers have fallen victim to a number of different scams over the past few years. A few months ago a number of people reported paying for cruises, then showing up at the port to find that they were not booked at all. They had tickets and everything seemed in order, but they had sent their money to a scammer, who had not actually booked them. The tickets the prospective cruisers had were also have received calls from scammers who were pretending to be from their cruise lines, saying they had a bill outstanding. Instead of hanging up and checking via the company's website, people panicked and turned over their credit card information to the callers, who were pulling off a scam. Prospective cruisers are especially vulnerable to scams because they're using systems with which most people are unfamiliar. Important tip: Be extra cautious when it comes to everything related to your cruise. The safest choice is to use a travel agent. An agent will deal with the cruise line for you and ensure everything gets paid as it's due. These scams, however, are not the only ones that have affected cruisers. Cruise News Today's Doug Parker has all the details on a new scam and how you can avoid is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Monday, February 10. A cruise passenger is warning others about a potential scam at Port Canaveral after nearly being overcharged for an unofficial ride. [The] guests debarked Utopia of the Seas and accepted a ride [to Orlando from a man] who claimed to be an Uber driver. [But later they] discovered Uber was not involved at all. Now, once they arrived to Universal Studios, the driver demanded $345 for the trip, but after a pushback, the guests managed to walk away paying just $100. A good rule is to always confirm that your ride is part of an official rideshare network by verifying the vehicle type and the driver and confirming fares before entering a nonrideshare Port Miami set a new record on Saturday, hosting 10 cruise ships in a single day. These ships from seven different cruise lines saw nearly 68,000 embarking and debarking guests on itineraries ranging from short cruises to 27 nights. Cruise lines included Oceana, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Virgin, and Holland America Line. The Miami-Dade County mayor called the milestone a testament to Port Miami's status as a global hub for cruise travel. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Have questions about booking a cruise?, or call or text Amy Post at 386-383-2472. And Celebrity Cruises has canceled two upcoming sailings on Celebrity Solstice for next January. This is for an extended dry dock. The ship is said to require additional repairs, prompting more time in the yard. Guests can pick alternate ships with a partial refund if at a lower price, a different itinerary on Solstice, or just receive a full refund. The cruise line has not disclosed specific details about the repairs. If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@ I leave you with some footage from the Blake Shelton concert over in Las Vegas over the weekend. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great Monday. Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one?
