Celebrity Solstice Cruise - 2008

Preamble

We booked this cruise in November, 2008.  Linda received an e-mail describing their brand new ship – The Solstice.  She would make her maiden cruise out of Fort Lauderdale in October 2008.  They were offering some great prices for the first few cruises.  We couldn’t make one until this cruise – the 3^rd journey for The Solstice.  We decided to drive down to Ft. Lauderdale a day early.

Saturday, December 6, 2008 – The trip begins

We had a busy morning getting the final preparations complete.  Dropped Duncan off with Frank and Bonnie’s for his visit at their house. 

Left by auto about 11 and got to the Fort Lauderdale Comfort Inn about 3.  Checked in and joined the crowd.  There were lots of people coming and going.  The line to reserve a spot on tomorrow’s shuttle was lengthy.  But – we got through it all and headed out for dinner at a close by Outback.  Very good dinner, though Linda’s first was overcooked and they had to do it again.  Back to room 317 about 5:30 PM.

TV and to bed – 5 AM wake-up call.

Sunday, December 7, 2008 – Boarding the new ship, Solstice

Awake at 4:30 AM and up at 5.  Unfortunately I couldn’t tiptoe enough and woke Linda.  So – here we are at 5:30 AM with not much to do until the next step – getting on the shuttle at our assigned time - 11 AM.

That step was easier than it first looked.  There were lots of folks headed for a ship.  There were eight ships in port readying to leave at various times around 5 PM.  The people who organized the crowd did a good job.  Three large vans arrived, one with a trailer.  They put people aboard one of the vans by ship and then name.  The Solstice was the van with the trailer and we loaded up and got over to the embarkation area pretty quickly.

The baggage area was a little chaotic to us but probably made sense to the workers.  We zoomed right through security and registration.  Got our keys and were on board by 11:30 AM.  Rooms were not ready and we headed upstairs to the Lido deck.  We got some lunch from the wonderful buffet and settled in until about 1:15 PM.  Went down to deck 10 (The Sky Deck) and our new home for a week (Room 1227) was ready.  We moved in, waiting for our luggage and a little worried that there was no card telling us what table we assigned to for dinner.  I called the steward (Asep - that's his name) and he said don’t worry, there will be one delivered soon.

Our baggage soon arrived (we are travelling “Concierge” class) and Linda started the major chore of unpacking.  She accomplished that in no time so we settled down for some rest.  We did receive our main seating table assignment, 350, and were ready for our first dinner.  The dining room is beautiful and we are at a table for 10.  Our dining partners are Chris and Lyle from Arizona, Doris and Saul from Florida, and Sylvia and Mike from New York City.  Two places were empty.  We had a very nice 5 course meal served by our wiater Rey from the Philippines and I Nengan from Indonesia.  We then hurried to the Solstice Theater for the opening show.  A short introductory show and it was time for us to retire to 1227.

Watched TV for a bit and to bed.

Monday, December 8, 2008 – A Sea Day

We had a fitful night’s sleep but didn’t wake up until 6:30.  I headed up for some coffee and reading.  Three cups of coffee and a couple of chapters and I brought some coffee down to Linda.  We woke up a little and went back upstairs for breakfast.  After breakfast, we went up some more decks to find the grassy area and bocce courts.  Sure enough, they have real grass and real bocce court.  Very windy.  We split up and I wandered around all the upper decks and then found the Promenade deck.  There is no promenade on the Promenade deck, but rather, the promenade area is on the entertainment deck.  Go figure.

We are headed about 135 degrees at 25 MPH.  My GPS seems to be malfunctioning, but I got a couple of readings from it.  I got back to 1227 about 10 to update this journal.

Oh yeah – I checked into the Celebrity Solstice Wi-Fi only to find out they charge way more than I’m willing to pay.  75 MINUTES FOR $40.

Let’s see – I found Linda after Bingo at the Solstice Theater.  We explored some more and then headed for lunch.  We sat with and chatted with Judy and Jeff from Dallas – a couple on their first cruise.  We had a good visit with them.

We stopped by the Atrium and there were 4 young ladies playing chamber music.  So - we sat and enjoyed that for an hour or so.

Back to 1227.  We R&R’d and even napped all afternoon.  Tonight is a formal night so we got ready to head out for some photos.  Out of the room at 5.  We went to the main Atrium and had several formal photos taken.  Maybe one or 2 will be flattering.

Then we had a surprise – only Sylvia and Mike arrived with us for dinner. We had a nice dinner none the less.  We went back to 1227 for a little R&R and then headed to The Solstice Theater.  It was already filling up at 8 for an 8:45 show.  By 8:45, every seat (1102 seats in the theater) was taken.  The show was much like a scaled down Cirque de Soliel,  La Nouba.  Excellent show.

Back to 1227, TV and to bed.  Turn the clocks ahead 1 hour.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 – San Juan

I got up at about 7 and up to The Lido deck for coffee.  Linda arrived about 8 and we had a light breakfast.  Cruising along at about 25 MPH for a 2 PM arrival in San Juan.

We arrived right on schedule with some showers in the area.  We decided to go to the solarium first.  Got changed and then stopped by the Spa.  Arranged for Linda to get a massage at 3:30.  Went to the Solarium and had a swim and read for a bit.  Linda went to the Spa and I came back here to 1227.

Soon it was time for dinner.  We had Sylvia and Mike, Chris and Lyle and a new couple, Jo and David (from Whispering Pines, NC).  Saul and Doris are still among the missing.  Another great meal.  There was no entertainment scheduled for tonight so we retired to 1227 for some TV and to bed.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 – St. Martin

We both woke at 6:30 AM.  We were already approaching St. Martin.  We had breakfast at the Ocean Café (Lido deck) and watched as brown boobies glided along with us.  They are interesting to watch.  We went up out into the open and helped the crew dock the ship next the Carnival Glory.  Back to the room for a bit.

We headed out about 9.  Took a water taxi over to the center of town and began our shopping journey.  Linda found the Linen store she wanted.  She searched through their whole inventory and brought several linen products home.  She had a good time.  Next – we wandered around and window shopped.  As we passed the Town Pier, I said good-by to her and headed back to 1227.  There are now 3 large ships in the port.  That’s about 8000 people. I got back in good time and read the rest of the morning.  Linda got back here about 12.  We went up the buffet (the dining room is closed today) for lunch.  Good lunch, some TV, a nap and we went to the solarium pool.  Several squalls came through with winds and rain – but nice weather in between.  Soon the afternoon was over and it was time to get ready for dinner.

We had 8 of us for dinner.  The newcomers are very amiable and full of new stories.  A great dinner.

We went to the Solstice Theater about 7:45 to get a good seat only to find out that the audience wasn’t allowed entry yet.  I finally went in at 8 and told the Solstice folks that the crowd was threatening.  They let us in.  The show was called Pulse and was singing and dancing.  Lots of it – but very loud.

I headed for 1227 and Linda went to the Entertainment Court to watch the Acapella group only to be crowded out.  Too many people and not enough seats or even room.  Back to 1227.

Some TV and to bed.

Thursday, December 11, 2008 – St. Kitts

Up about 6 and up to the Oceanview Café for coffee as we pulled into St. Kitts.  Brought coffee to Linda at 7:30.  She was up and about.  Down to the restaurant for breakfast, a stroll around deck 14 and R&R until time to head for the beach.

The port of St. Kitts is very nice.  A major shopping area is right off the pier.  We were booked to go to the beach for the morning.

Just as we headed for the beach, a squall came over us.  Heavy rain and wind.  We gathered with many others that had signed up for the beach and after a bit the tour providers called the tour off and we’ll get our money back.  As we walked back to the ship, the rain stopped and blue sky was visible all around.

We changed back into regular clothing and went back out to visit the shopping area.  It is right there after you get off the pier.  Very nice.  Back to 1227 by 11:30.

To the dining room for lunch and then explore the ship some more.  Finally back to 1227 for some TV, R&R and it’s time for dinner.  The whole gang was there and we had a good dinner.  Service seemed slow tonight.

The show in The Solstice Theater was David Meyer.  He played an electronic xylophone for an hour.  He’s very good, but we’d had enough after about ½ hour.  Back to 1227 for TV and to bed.

Friday, December 12, 2008 – Headed home

Up about 6 and upstairs for coffee.  Read until about 8 when I met up with Lyle.  Visited for a bit and Linda arrived.  Linda and Lyle had breakfast, I had coffee.  Next we headed or the Celebrity Future reservations desk to ask a couple of questions about our planned June cruise.  She answered them OK and we explored some more.  I headed for 1227 and Linda stayed to visit the shops.  Beautiful day and we’re headed home.  Lots of flying fish.

Not much today, we really just explored the ship a bit, read our books, had lunch and generally relaxed.  Went to the Solarium.  The pool was cold – but we read a bit before heading back to the cabin.  Tonight is another formal night so we got all gussied up and headed down to dinner.  Everyone was there except Chris and Lyle.  An excellent meal again.  Next, to the Theater for The Ghost Light show.  A production show of music and dancing.  Not bad.

Back to 1227 for some TV and to bed.

Saturday, December 13, 2008 – Last Day

Turn the clocks back to EDT last night.  Up at 5:45 and upstairs for coffee.  Read more of Tom Clancy until Lyle arrived.  We compared notes about life in the Navy.  Took coffee down to Linda at 8 AM, ready to start the day.  We visited with the Cruise Sales folks to look into another cruise.  No decision made.  Read, filled out paperwork for disembarkation and it was time for lunch.  Went to the dining room.  Next – back to 1227.  Linda started packing and we stayed in the cabin most of the afternoon. 

Time for our last supper.  The whole table was present and accounted for.  Another good meal, we all said good-bye and talked about how we all enjoyed everyone else and how we’d see each other again.

We went back to 1227 and then to the Theater for the farewell show.

Some TV and to bed.

Sunday, December 14, 2008 –

I woke at 4 and got up about 4:30.  To the Lido for coffee and Linda arrived at about 5:45.  Some breakfast and back to the cabin.  We waited.  Soon our color was called and we headed out.  It went very smooth and the toughest part was waiting about ½ hour for the Comfort Inn shuttle.  We were soon in the van and headed home.  The drive was uneventful and we were home about 2 PM.

Another Great Cruise