cruisellama

Yes. Itineraries and ship porting tend to follow an annual cycle. Rates will be different. Ships will be re-deployed as newer ones enter the fleet.

Nice ship. Solstice is first of its class. Mid sized by today's standard and a little smaller than the new Edge class (smaller than Freedom class). Its been through its "Revolution" upgrade but the suite Retreat area is still decorated like Michaels club (old name). Its a different feel than RC, Princess, or NCL - a bit slower paced. First, Celebrity doesn't have toys, so less for kiddos if there going also. Just pools and hot tubs. There is a Solarium area (16 and older) with a some quick and healthy menu/drinks. You won't see pool events like biggest belly flop or even VP tourneys. No large promenade, but there is shopping and areas of around the clock entertainment and guest activities. Like most Celebrity ships, the martini bar tends to be the primary hangout for guests. The bar tenders put on a good show at night. Focus is on dining, entertainment, and relaxing. On the upper deck there's a real grass lawn and you can play bocci, put, or just lay on the grass and watch a movie. Its smaller than a Freedom class ship. Easy to get around. Has a 3 level main dining room and a buffet. Specialty restaurants and bars, spa and workout area. Solstice has been a Pacific mainstay with west coast, Alaska, and even Hawaii and south Pacific itineraries in past years. Its a relaxed venue.

Luggage handling has become very reliable. The times we've used it, our bags made it with us. Its lower risk if you don't have tight connections (or direct flights), but if you're uncomfortable, it is also possible to do carry-on for a 7-day Caribbean (very casual). We carry-on most of the time because we hate the waits at destination.

I'm aware of the port cams. Many ports have them. I was specifically curious about the webcams they used to operate on OoS. It would toggle between neighborhoods, Central Park, Boardwalk, Promenade and another venue. Its wasn't video, but just snaps of the area.

Maybe there was an $18/pp/day deluxe drink package offered and they shut down the site to clean all evidence.

I wanted to make a final payment but wasn’t up yet

Been a down a lonnnnnng time.......Maybe tomorrow

Same problem. Cannot sign into Royal or Celebrity webpages.

The times we've been there yes. Seating around the pool area goes fast and folks seem to camp around the pool all day.

and of course Dal..

The Captains Club event for higher tier levels (Elite and above) offers a limited drink menu during specific hours, so not really a benefit we even partake; hence, we always book drinks as part of an inclusive package, so not been an issue. We do like the complimentary laundry service on the 7 night or longer trips. With 2 people, each Diamond/Elite, you get a bag each after the 3rd night.

I guess weather could influence such a decision, but we wouldn't know that until we're sailing. And they couldn't reschedule unless there is room on the island. Lots of demand from many ships and it can get very crowded. All such factors would need to be considered.

We are in the peak of the season. Actually been a quiet year so far.

Think they'll be released around December/Jan timeframe. Its frustrating, but with still some level of uncertainty on country requirements, understandable.

Floating island meringue dessert

IMO - I prefer Oasis class ships in the Caribbean. As we've experienced most of the off-shore island offerings, we make the ship the destination and Oasis class ships deliver. We sailed the Med on Symphony, and as we spent most of our waking hours touring, we couldn't enjoy the ship as much. We have a couple of bookings from Galveston on Oasis class ships, and I doubt we'll even get off the ship at the stops. If we want port intensive tours, we'll go to a smaller ship and line. [Analogy: If you're planning to tour desireable/historical land sites, do you need to stay in a 5-star hotel? Or if you're in a very nice resort (as your vacation focus), do you really plan tour the surrounding land sites? So we formed our opinion in if the focus is the shore destinations, ship amenities are the focus, and vice versa, if the shore offerings are the most attractive, the ship is our destination. Just a thought.]

I've sailed Liberty a few times from Galveston, and the ship does sport a state of Texas theme as it has been home ported there. We'll have to wait and see if the new ships home ported take on the theme.

We're just a bunch of old farts that run out of gas after dinner.....

Its not a 1:1 comparison because there are no toys on Celebrity ships. Just pools, hot tubs, sports court, fitness center and spa. The dining opportunities match to a point. Edge class will the the greatest number of culinary opportunities.

I remember Oasis of the Seas used to have a shipboard webcams. Anyone know if they will they ever be used again?

and if you're not happy with what's on the menu, you can request a MDR menu and they'll give you something from that venue. They'll work hard for customer satisfaction.

Good news story.

They'll just try to sail the ship out of the inclement weather. Now if there was a hurricane moving into port, you might see a cancellation.

A great summary - ready for Powerpoint

Birthing is part of the load, but they also have to accommodate "life raft" space for 9000+ - as well as all the other "hotel infrastructure" for that bump.