Celebrity Solstice 2026 Review: Updated after a $250 Million Makeover
This is our review of Celebrity Solstice following her extensive 2026 relaunch and $250 million "Revolution" renovation.
Launched in 2008, Solstice was the ship that originally defined the "Modern Luxury" era for Celebrity Cruises. But at 18 years old, she was starting to look like the vintage relative in a fleet increasingly dominated by the high-tech Edge-class ships (read our review of the new Celebrity Xcel). A quarter-of-a-billion-dollar refit is a serious investment, designed to bridge that gap and bring her 2008 bones into the 2020s.
Excited to experience the transformation, we booked a 7-night Alaska itinerary sailing from Vancouver, visiting the Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, and Ketchikan.
Celebrity Cruises invited us on board for this sailing, but as always, our review remains a fair and honest look at the real-world passenger experience.
🎥 Watch our Celebrity Solstice Revitalization Tour
You can read about the new carpets, but to see the scale of the makeover and our genuine reaction to the "Pasty Incident" at Sunset Park, you really need to see the video.
The Quick Overview: 8 New Experiences from the Renewal
If you’ve sailed on Solstice before, the layout will feel familiar, but the "Revolution" has touched almost every major social space. Here are the eight key additions and changes we explored:
The Parlor: A brand-new, high-end sports bar and gaming lounge.
Trattoria Rossa: A casual-to-specialty Italian restaurant replacing the old Qsine.
Boulevard Lounge: A reimagined, sophisticated social hub.
Boulevard Bar: The sleek, centralized heart of the new lounge.
Fine Cut Steakhouse: Bringing the popular Edge-class steakhouse to the Solstice hull.
Sunset Park: A total overhaul of the aft top deck (goodbye real grass, hello functionality).
Sunset Park Café: A new spot for coffee and "light bites" with a view.
2 New Theatre Productions: High-energy shows with updated staging and technology.
Our review of the Celebrity Solstice (Post 2026 Makeover)
Walking on board in Vancouver, we were instantly struck by how much more "current" it feels. The "Revolution" has stripped away the old-school cruise beige and replaced it with a sophisticated, boutique-hotel vibe.
One thing we really appreciated is how intimate it feels. At roughly 2,500 passengers, she is a "mid-sized" ship by modern standards, which means you aren't hiking three miles just to get a coffee. It has these lovely quiet nooks—like the Library area with the signature hanging tree—that make it feel more like a private club than a crowded resort.
Public Spaces
The most noticeable changes are on Deck 4. The Parlor is a total win; it’s replaced some of the older spaces ("dead" spaces was a word passengers who previously sailed called it) with a mix of a sports bar and a high-end gaming lounge with Skee-ball and billiards. It was consistently popular throughout our cruise. Next door, the Boulevard Lounge and Boulevard Bar feel very "Edge-class"—think moody lighting, great cocktails, and a new Dueling Pianos show.
Other spaces we loved:
Cafe al Bacio: Still the gold standard for coffee at sea. We practically lived here for the snacks—the almond croissants in the morning and the lemon cakes in the afternoon are non-negotiable.
Martini Bar: After The Parlor, this was easily the most popular spot on the ship. The "flare" shows are still a highlight.
Sky Lounge: With those massive windows, this remains the perfect spot for Alaska. Watching the mist roll over the mountains from here is hard to beat.
Cellar Masters: Interestingly, this wine bar was often empty. If you want a quiet spot to read away from the crowds, this is your secret haven.
Entertainment
The two new theatre productions genuinely impressed us. In a world where cruise lines are increasingly using backing tracks to save money, hearing a 9-piece live orchestra was fantastic. It makes the theatre feel like a proper event.
Smoke and Ivories: This had a great 1920s speakeasy vibe that cleverly flipped into modern pop.
Rockumentary: Pure high energy. The live vocals were fantastic, and the band really got to show off.
Food and Dining
We’ve always said Celebrity is for people who like to eat, and the new additions certainly support that.
Trattoria Rossa: We had a dinner here that was so rich it should have come with a health warning. The Burrata was gooey and the Carbonara was spectacular. Our waitress even encouraged the "sourdough mop-up"—using the bread to finish the pasta sauce—which is basically our religion.
Fine Cut Steakhouse: It’s great to see this Edge-class staple on the older ships. It’s a classic, high-end steakhouse experience with top-tier cuts and that signature polished service.
Sunset Park Café: Up at the revitalized Sunset Park, we found what they labeled a "Vegetarian Sandwich." Now, to be fair, Ben actually worked in a pasty shop, so trust us—that’s a Cornish Pasty. In 4°C Alaska weather, it was 10/10.
Other dining onboard:
Grand Epernay (Main Dining Room): Still one of the most beautiful dining rooms at sea.
Oceanview Cafe: The buffet that usually sets the bar for the industry.
Mast Grill: The unsung hero of a sunny day (even in Alaska). It’s the place to go for a quick burger or hot dog on deck without having to navigate the buffet.
Specialty Dining: Including Murano (French) and Sushi on Five.
Exclusive Dining: Luminae (for Suite guests) and Blu (for AquaClass).
Pool Decks & Outdoor Spaces
If you’re doing Alaska, the Solarium is the MVP. It’s an indoor, climate-controlled sanctuary. While everyone else was shivering on the helipad (though Celebrity does provide blankets, which is a nice touch), we were in the Solarium watching icebergs float past in total warmth.
The big talking point is Sunset Park at the aft. Celebrity has replaced the traditional real grass of the Lawn Club with a much more functional, high-quality synthetic turf. While some might miss the novelty of real grass, the new space is a massive improvement. It feels like a proper social hub now, with better seating, the new café, and a layout that actually encourages people to hang out and enjoy the wake view.
Cabins
We stayed in Concierge Class 9101, right at the very front of the ship.
The Refresh: It’s important to note that while the public areas were gutted, the standard cabins received a "soft" refresh. We’re talking new carpets, soft furnishings, and much-needed tech updates like USB ports. It’s not a brand-new cabin, but it feels clean and modern.
Other Cabins:
The Retreat: The Suites received the most extensive "gut and rebuild" treatment, bringing them fully in line with the Edge-class aesthetic.
Standard Balconies & Interiors: Received the same soft refresh as our Concierge cabin.
Who it’s best for
The View-Obsessed: The ship is basically a giant floating window. If you want to see Hubbard Glacier without getting windburn, this is your ship. Likewise in warmer climates the indoor spaces will be a nice relief while still feeling connected to the destination.
Foodies: You won't find a better "standard" dining experience at this price point.
Grown-ups: It’s a sophisticated vibe. There are no water slides, and honestly? We didn't miss them for a second.
Final Verdict: Is it worth booking?
The $250 million investment has successfully breathed new life into a classic. Solstice feels premium, fresh, and genuinely exciting again. We love the abundance of public spaces and the relaxed, adult-centric vibe. She doesn't have the "wow" tech of an Edge-class ship (no Magic Carpet here!), but she makes up for it with a sense of space and those legendary large windows that are simply perfect for scenic cruising.
Planning a trip on the revitalised Solstice? Let us know in the comments of our latest video what you’re most excited to see!
