Celebrity Solstice Inside Passage to Alaska

Essentials to Bring: If you have a professional camera, bring it! Bring lightweight binoculars that have good magnification, a back pack if you plan to hike or need to carry items during excursions. And sunscreen as the sun can be strong around the water and on the snow.

The Ship: The embarkation process was impressively smooth using Canada Place as the embarkation point. Celebrity handled the boarding process well — my boarding time was 10:00 – 10:30 am, and I was on board by 10:15 am.

From the moment we stepped on board, the ship's staff provided excellent customer service and made us comfortable. The atrium, with its towering live trees and glass elevators set the tone for the sophisticated design found throughout the vessel.

The staterooms on Celebrity Solstice were spacious and well-appointed. We opted for a veranda stateroom, which provided ample space to take in the amazing scenery and snowcapped mountain views. The private veranda was the perfect spot for sipping morning coffee, doing some yoga and stretching or using the binoculars to watch the scenic Alaskan coastline drift by. The room features plush bedding, a flat-screen TV and a well-designed bathroom with a spacious enclosed shower with high-end toiletries.

Celebrity Solstice offers a variety of dining options catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. The main dining room, Grand Epernay, serves delectable meals with impeccable service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The variety on the menu ensured that there was something for everyone, from succulent steaks to fresh seafood.

For a more intimate dining experience, we tried Murano, the ship's French restaurant. The lobster tail and tableside flambé were highlights, showcasing the culinary team's skill and attention to detail. Another standout was the Tuscan Grille, where we enjoyed Italian cuisine with a modern twist. We finished our special dining experience with Sushi on Five. We ate Asian dishes like shrimp tempura sushi, homemade lobster and shrimp wontons, Kobe beef ramen sliders, miso soup and shrimp tempura udon. We

For casual dining, the Oceanview Café had a big buffet with different foods from around the world. The Mast Grill had tasty burgers and fries by the pool.

The spa on Celebrity Solstice offers a serene and rejuvenating environment that complements the stunning Alaskan backdrop. Located on Deck 12, the spa is a haven of relaxation and wellness. The facilities include the in-demand Thermal Suite, available for no cost to Aqua Class staterooms and can be paid for by those staying in all other stateroom categories.

• Thermal Suite: The Thermal Suite features a variety of heat-based therapies, including a Persian Garden with heated tile loungers, steam rooms and aromatic saunas. The soothing atmosphere and panoramic ocean views make it an ideal place to unwind.

• AquaSpa®: The AquaSpa® includes a thalassotherapy pool with mineral-rich seawater, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation. The serene surroundings and calming waters are perfect for soaking away stress.

The spa has many treatment rooms where guests can get a wide range of treatments, from massages and facials to body wraps and scrubs. The therapists are skilled and attentive, ensuring a customized and luxurious experience.

They offer everything from teeth whitening, hot stone massage, Organic seaweed wraps, facials, manicures, a hair salon and barber shop. Wellness programs are available throughout the day to include cycling, yoga, stretching, Pilates and meditation classes. These sessions are designed to enhance physical and mental well-being, providing a holistic approach to health and relaxation.

Entertainment and Activities: The entertainment on Celebrity Solstice was diverse and top-notch. The Solstice Theater hosted Broadway-style shows, live music and comedy acts that kept us entertained every evening. One of the standout performances was "Elysium," a captivating show that combined acrobatics, dance and stunning visual effects.

During the day, there were numerous activities to choose from. The hot glass-blowing demonstrations at the Lawn Club were fascinating, offering a unique onboard experience. Fitness enthusiasts enjoyed the well-equipped gym and various fitness classes, while the spa provided a tranquil escape with its extensive range of treatments.

The Celebrity Solstice Casino offers a vibrant and exciting gaming experience. Located on Deck 4, the casino is spacious and well-lit, featuring a wide range of gaming options to suit all levels of players. Gaming options were plentiful and included:

• Slot Machines: The casino boasts an extensive selection of slot machines, ranging from penny slots to high-stakes games. With various themes and progressive jackpots, there is something for everyone looking to test their luck.

• Table Games: Traditional casino table games such as blackjack, roulette, poker and baccarat are available. The dealers are professional and friendly, ensuring a pleasant gaming experience.

• Tournaments: The casino frequently hosts poker and slot tournaments, adding an extra layer of excitement and competition for avid gamers.

Electronic Games: For those who prefer electronic gaming, the casino offers electronic roulette and other virtual table games.

The casino's atmosphere is lively with a sophisticated décor that aligns with the ship's overall aesthetic. The staff members are attentive and knowledgeable, always ready to assist with game rules and provide drinks to keep guests refreshed while they play. The casino bar serves a variety of beverages, adding to the enjoyment of the gaming experience.

Celebrity Solstice ensures young travelers have an exciting and engaging experience through a variety of kid-friendly activities and dedicated spaces designed to cater to different age groups.

Camp at Sea

The Camp at Sea program is Celebrity Solstice's comprehensive kids' club, offering a range of activities tailored to different age groups. The program is divided into four main categories: Art, Recreation, Culinary and S.T.E.M., ensuring that children of all interests find something they love.

• Shipmates (Ages 3–5): Activities for the youngest cruisers include arts and crafts, themed parties, and interactive games. The counselors are trained to provide a safe and nurturing environment, allowing parents to relax and enjoy their cruise.

• Cadets (Ages 6–9): Slightly older kids can participate in more challenging games, sports and science experiments. Themed events and treasure hunts keep the excitement levels high.

• Captains (Ages 10–12): This group enjoys activities like team sports, gaming tournaments and creative workshops. The program encourages social interaction and new friendships.

• Admirals (Ages 13–17): Teens have their own dedicated space called the Teen Club, where they can hang out, play video games, watch movies and participate in dance parties and karaoke nights. The focus is on providing a cool, laid-back environment where teens can relax and socialize.

Fun Factory

The Fun Factory is the main hub for younger children, equipped with toys, games and art supplies. It hosts various activities throughout the day, from storytime sessions to craft projects. The staff is attentive and engaging, ensuring kids are entertained and happy.

X Club Teen Lounge

The X Club is a dedicated space for teenagers, featuring the latest video games, movies and music. The lounge hosts themed parties, sports tournaments and even dance classes, providing a fun and dynamic environment for teens to enjoy.

Family-Friendly Activities

Celebrity Solstice offers numerous family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy together.

• Pool and Sports Deck: The pool area includes a dedicated family pool, where kids can splash around and enjoy the water. The sports deck offers basketball courts, table tennis and other outdoor games, perfect for some family competition.

• Hot Glass Show: This unique activity allows families to watch live glassblowing demonstrations at the Lawn Club. It's both educational and mesmerizing, making it a great experience for all ages.

• Movie Nights: The ship hosts outdoor movie nights, where families can enjoy watching films under the stars on the Lawn Club's big screen.

Port Calls:

Hubbard Glacier and Wildlife Encounters

A standout highlight of this cruise was our visit to the Hubbard Glacier. The ship was fortunate to have extraordinary weather, allowing us to approach within half a mile of the glacier. Witnessing the glacier calve — with massive chunks of ice breaking off and crashing into the water — was a truly awe-inspiring experience. The sound and sight of the calving were unlike anything we had ever seen.

Sailing through the Inside Passage, the shore excursions were a major highlight of the cruise. Each port of call offered unique opportunities to explore Alaska's natural wonders and local culture.

Ketchikan

In Ketchikan, we walked around the shopping area and took in the sights as it was raining the day we visited. We explored the charming town and visited many shops selling local and authentic goods. There were many places to eat and drink so you could sample local beer, crab and salmon.

Juneau

Juneau, the state capital, offered a mix of adventure and history. We embarked on a whale-watching excursion that did not disappoint — spotting humpback whales breaching and orcas gliding through the water was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We also saw Spotted Sea Lions sitting on a buoy. Before ending our excursion, we visited the Mendenhall Glacier, marveling at the massive ice formation and the picturesque Nugget Falls nearby.

Additional Costs: Included in the cruise fare was our stateroom, entertainment, food at various dinning venues, use of the pools and hot tubs. Additional fees we opted to pay were for specialty dining, excursions, drinks, gratuities and wifi.

Need to Know: When considering this tour, consider what you want to see during your cruise and excursions such as wildlife and how far you are willing to travel to see certain wildlife like bears. In Alaska, the best chance of seeing bears will be in July to September when the salmon are spawning. The later in the cruise season you go, the more hours of daylight you will have to take in the Alaska coastline and all that its ports offer. We traveled in June and the weather temperatures were in the mid 50’s to low 60’s which was perfect for us. If you desire warmer weather, you might consider traveling in July and August.

First-time cruisers will find that swimming pools on board are warmed and all the on-board activities are in full swing despite this cruise occurring in Alaska vs the Caribbean. First-timers should bring binoculars, magnets with hooks to hang hats and coats in the room and fun door magnets to decorate your stateroom door.

Make sure you book excursions early so you have the best options and times to choose from. I highly recommend the Hubbard Glacier excursion, where you get off the cruise ship and onto a smaller boat to view the glacier. This provides you with an up-close and personal view of the glacier and along with optimal views, you get more time to view the glacier up close. Buy this excursion early as the cost increases and only a few people get the opportunity to take part in this special experience.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Alaska. In need of further inspiration? Check out Chelsea Kavcic’s guide, 7-Day Alaskan Cruise.