Onboard/Offboard is a series that explores the can’t-miss highlights of our favorite cruises—from the shore excursions to book to the spa treatments too relaxing to pass up.
With new cruise ships setting sail at a regular clip these days, many cruise lines are dedicating resources to upgrading their existing fleets—Celebrity Cruises included. The first in a $250 million revitalization project of the cruise line’s five Solstice Series ships, Celebrity Solstice set sail for her inaugural season in Alaska earlier this month with my dad and I onboard. As soon as we embarked the ship in Vancouver, I knew I recognized her—my entire family sailed Solstice three years ago for an Alaskan celebration of my dad’s 80th birthday. It was fun to happen upon some favorite spaces from that cruise, like the Sky Observation Lounge, Solarium, and Martini Bar, while discovering new spots like The Parlor with its sports bar vibe and games (Ski-Ball, anyone?), and the cozy Boulevard Lounge. A full slate of events kept us busy during days at sea, but we found plenty of time to relax and enjoy some father-and-daughter time, too. Read on for the highlights of our time onboard and off.
Onboard: Soaking in the (sometimes elusive) sun
The day my dad and I boarded Solstice in Vancouver was postcard-perfect: crisp air, blue-bird skies, orcas frolicking in the harbor. Yearning to be outside, as soon as we dropped our bags we made our way to Sunset Park, a sweeping open-air space on Deck 15 at the top of the ship. An evolution of The Lawn Club, Celebrity’s top-deck outdoor space on its Solstice Series ships that’s perfect to hang out, play games, listen to live music and watch movies under the stars, the space has been transformed to include more seating in cozy vignettes, much of which is covered to protect from the sun, and ocean-facing cabanas for even more privacy. It wasn’t until a few days into our voyage that I discovered the Sunset Café, tucked into Sunset Park, serving small bites for breakfast and lunch; the savory egg bites are not to miss. The café also has “warm cookie hour” each afternoon, in which I indulged alongside thirst-quenching sips from Sunset Bar.
Spring in Alaska can bring gray skies and rain, but when the sun did peek out like on the day we called upon Juneau, I beelined it back up to Sunset Park. On the last night of our voyage, we gathered with newfound friends to watch the sunset. And when the crisp spring air did get a little chilly, stacks of soft, fleece blankets were at-the-ready to warm us back up.