Celebrity Solstice Begins U.S. Debut
MIAMI, Nov 03, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Celebrity Cruises' employees and other South Florida residents turned out this morning to welcome Celebrity Solstice as the ship begins its U.S. debut. The sleek, 122,000-ton ship includes the industry's first half-acre Lawn Club with real grass and Hot Glass Show with live glassblowing demonstrations; 10 varied restaurants; truly unique entertainment expressly designed for the ship's state-of-the-art theater, and a breadth of accommodations, including an entirely new category, AquaClass. Amidst a series of preview cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries, Celebrity Solstice will be named in formal ceremonies November 14, and will enter service November 23 on a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081103/CLM135 )

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises

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Originally posted by Ernst:
Very nice picture. Her exterior is quite nice for a contemporary passenger ships. However, the Chi on only one funnel looks stupid.

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I agree--probably someone in Corporate thought having the Chi on both funnels would look redundant and silly. Yet it looked fine on twin-stack liners of the past: AUSTRALIS, ELLINIS, BRITANIS.

[ 11-03-2008: Message edited by: DEIx15x8 ]

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Originally posted by Ernst:
However, the Chi on only one funnel looks stupid.

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I agree. It should either be on both funnels or none at all. Clearly this seems to be an afterthought. In addition, the "X" is not centered. I don't believe these funnels were designed to adorn a logo, so much of the front and side is grill work. It seems like they had to place the "X" towards the aft end of the funnel because of the grill work.

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Originally posted by avalon1025:
hate to say it, but from the photo there does not seem to be too many deck chairs...looks like most of the sunning area is around the jogging track. Still, she is a great new build

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Yes, I think deck space will be a problem on SOLSTICE. Granted there are a lot of balconies and people don't bake in the sun like they used to, but none the less the open public sunning space is very limited.

Even though I shouldn't, I still like to lay out in the sun and hopefully I will find my spot on SOLSTICE.

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Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Larger Version

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
We are not pool or hot tub people. I have NEVER used them on a cruise. Deck space is usually so full and no chairs available- who needs it. [...]

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
What???
F4

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- Many people enjoy to stroll around or 'go for a walk'. (the open deck space of Solistice does not seem to be ideal for that)

- One can eat outside.

- One can watch the scenery passing by. (Solistice has only two forward facing open deck areas and not much astern either)

etc.

www.celebritysolstice.com

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Originally posted by DEIx15x8:
Don't forget about the inside pool. That is all glass so I'm sure people can lay there to tan as well.

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Originally posted by DEIx15x8:
Don't forget about the inside pool. That is all glass so I'm sure people can lay there to tan as well.

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:

I understand covered pools in cold/wet climates but not in the tropics. I'm sure the indoor pool is lovely but IMO it is not as inviting as a open air pool when sailing in warm climates.

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I agree I prefer an open air pool, but keep in mind there are going to be several Solstice Class ships when it's all said and done, and they will likely cruise world wide. The enclosed pool is a smart idea as it makes the ship very adaptable to various climates. As far as indoor pools go, the one on SOLSTICE looks to be about the most stylish I have seen. It's not a 60's throwback to the OCEANIC like you see on Holland America. The glass covered pool on MAASDAM and OOSTERDAM smelled like a YMCA pool, but the area looked like "God's waiting room" judging by the average age of the passengers. It wasn't a place I wanted to "hang out" and have a cocktail or even read a book.

I have to wonder if "The Lawn" will make it to other Solstice Class ships that will not cruise the Caribbean? I don't see that grass surviving in Northern Europe especially during the skirt seasons. The grass on SOLSTICE now is specially formulated for hot, humid weather so there should be no problem in the Caribbean.