Celebrity Solstice is undoubtedly a ship which inspired a new class for the premium cruise line on many levels. Her innovations proved so popular, that over the years since her debut, they've been improved upon with the launch of her younger Solstice class sisters, and many of them rolled out to older siblings in a process which has been dubbed "Solsticising".
One major innovation was the introduction of a number of new dining venues, offering discerning cruisers more choice beyond a main dining room and a few alternatives, as well as a wide choice of culinary experiences. On Solstice, options abound with cuisine styles to suit all tastes. Here's a run-down of what's on offer, from casual to fine dining:
Café al Bacio & Gelateria
This isn't a dining venue as such, but a place to enjoy a good selection of sandwiches, croissants, cakes and other nibbles, as well as a specialty coffee or gelato. Located on deck five, the hub of dining on the ship, it has a club-like atmosphere and decor, with plenty of tables for two, leather look chairs, and best of all, excellent coffee. You can also have a pre-dinner drink here, but we found it our go-to place for a coffee to start the day. Open all day.
Oceanview Café
Reminiscent of an international marketplace, this is the place for a quick lunch or dinner, a casual bite with the kids, or even pre dinner snacks if you can't wait. A large space with plenty of seating, some al fresco, it enjoys a bright and airy decor with tiled floors, and clinical glass and steel. Think of something you fancy and you'll find it here; a make-your-own salad, made-to-order pasta, pizza and sushi, Indian curry, a fruit salad and more. This venue does close between services, but we found it ideal for lunch, or a casual al fresco dinner on warm nights. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
AquaSpa Café
If you're in the mood for healthy cuisine or something light, this is the place. Celebrity was one of the first cruise lines to offer a spa restaurant, and this casual venue is ideal for health-conscious cruisers. Here, you get to make-your-own salad and choose from a selection of appetisers and mains. One of our favourite places on the ship on sea days was the Solarium, and with this lovely venue tucked away at the back, we didn't have to travel far to get good food. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
The Mast Grill
Solstice's outdoor super-casual venue, this is the place to chow down on a made-to-order hamburger or hot dog and fries. There is limited seating outdoors, but you can takeaway the food to wherever you choose, such as the Solarium below, or the main pool. The burgers were fresh, tasty and great for an early lunch if we were feeling lazy, or had missed breakfast. Open for lunch from late morning through the afternoon.
Bistro on Five
For something a little different, this is a lovely spot with an open kitchen to keep you amused. Located on deck five, it offers food all day from an early breakfast to a late night snack, a French-style café offering a range of delectable dishes from scramble eggs in various international styles, to a range of crepes. It's great if you don't want to make a reservation, or take on the crowds elsewhere. Open all day.
Grand Epernay
Solstice's main dining room is an elegant venue spanning two decks at the aft end of the ship, which operates on a combination of traditional fixed seating dining at two times, or flexible dining through Celebrity Select, allowing you to dine when you choose. A key feature of this impressive space is the towering glass wine tower, and the menu, which changes daily, offers a mix of international dishes drawing from the great cuisines of the world. We enjoyed dining here, although we did find ourselves in the ship's alternatives for most of the cruise. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Blu
With a modern, sparkling fresh decor, this is a venue exclusive to AquaClass guests offering health conscious cuisine. A spa restaurant in the true sense of the word, the menu offers an array of dishes, presented in an imaginative way to without fuss, or less healthy elements such as heavy cream sauces. Suite guests can enjoy if there are spots available, but from experience it's always busy - we tried to squeeze in on a couple of occasions without success. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with reservations required and a surcharge payable.
Tuscan Grille
Tucked away at the back of the ship, this is an elegant Italian steakhouse with views over the ship's wake, and a nouveau twist. It successfully combines meat, seafood and pasta choices, fusing traditional style with contemporary influences, and plenty of Italian style. Open for dinner, with reservations required and a surcharge payable.
Silk Harvest
We're addicts when it comes to Asian cuisine so we found ourselves here quite often. Besides a glamorous, Asian inspired venue, the menu offers an alluring blend of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in hearty quantities. Choose from fresh sushi or sashimi, stir fries, noodles and more. Open for dinner, with reservations required and a surcharge payable.
Murano
I celebrated a birthday on board our cruise and a trip to Murano was saved for that special occasion. The ship's high fine dining experience, it's a contemporary take on French classic cuisine, as well as a smaller, more intimate venue. Highlights include fresh Dover sole, lobster prepared by the table, artisan cheeses, and freshly made soufflé. A venue deserving of a cocktail dress and a bottle of Champagne. Open for dinner, with reservations required and a surcharge payable.
Dining Packages
Celebrity offers a range of specialty dining packages per guest which can save you money if you wish to explore the many cuisines and restaurants of this fabulous ship. They range from a three dinner package, which on Solstice gives you a dinner each at Silk Harvest, Tuscan Grille and Murano, to a five dinner package, which has you dining at Murano once, and Silk Harvest and Tuscan Grille twice - ideal for longer voyages.
Competition
We're giving away a cruise for two to New Zealand on Celebrity Solstice! For more information or to enter, click here.
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