JILL WEINLEIN

After graduating from UCLA, JIll traveled the world looking for unique destinations. She’s been writing about her travels for almost 30 years in various publications.

She writes a weekly restaurant review for the Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News. It’s inserted into the Los Angeles Times every Thursday and delivered to subscribers from Hancock Park to Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills to the Wilshire Corridor.

Celebrity Solstice Sails From LA to Mexico

BY JILL WEINLEIN

Last month the Celebrity Solstice sailed for its first time in years from the Port of Los Angeles on a maiden cruise to the Mexican Riviera. The ship has been on a 15-year hiatus from this Southern California port, and will now have weekly sailings through April 2023. This is great news for Californians who wish to drive, instead of fly to a port for a cruise getaway.

What makes Celebrity Solstice different than the other cruises sailing from the West Coast is that Celebrity Cruises is more adult and sophisticated, offering thoughtful amenities and services associated with luxury cruise lines.

Passengers receive a welcome champagne or mimosa when they walk onboard. The menus in the specialty restaurants are crafted by a Michelin-stared chef. Throughout the elegant public areas are high-end artwork and modern decor.

“When Celebrity Solstice was originally introduced, she ushered in a new, innovative era of cruise ships and introduced features and amenities few ever dreamed would be on a cruise ship,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “With such a beautiful aesthetic, this ship of dreams is the perfect offering for the ‘City of Dreams’ and we’re excited to sail her along the magnificent Mexican coastline.”

STATEROOMS AND SUITES

The ship is the first in Celebrity’s Solstice Series to offer AquaClass and The Retreat room categories. The Solstice AquaClass guests enjoy a private veranda, Exhale bedding, premium bath amenities, massaging shower-head and complimentary fitness classes. Plus unlimited access to the Persian Garden, a quiet ocean viewing spa area for relaxation. Features include heated tile lounges chairs for warmth and relaxation.

These passengers are also offered complimentary dining at Blu restaurant offering healthy menu choices.

The Royal Suite is part of The Retreat Class, offering a spacious 590 sq.ft. stateroom. There is a separate living room, dining area and sleeping area with a walk-in closet and large marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub, plus a step-in shower. This suite also has a 153 sq.ft. veranda with outdoor furniture and an outdoor jacuzzi tub. It comes with your own private butler to help make your cruise the best one ever.

The ship’s theatre is located on decks 3, 4 & 5, performing a celebration of Broadway favorites, plus song and dance spectaculars, and even European circus-style shows.

There are three swimming pools and lots of lounge chairs for every guest to enjoy while on this ship. Besides a family-friendly pool, there is an adult pool, and an indoor solarium swimming pool. Circular whirlpool hot tubs with water views are popular spots throughout the cruise during the day and evening.

What also makes this ship unique is The Lawn Club, a grassy outdoor area, up on the top outdoor deck. This grassy park area has cabana rentals for the day, and is where passengers can catch a movie on the large screen. Nearby is Glass Blowing workshop where passengers can participate or watch beautiful colored class be blown, twisted and sculpted. At the nearby Oceanview and Sunset Bar we ordered a drink, and headed over to the putting green to practice hitting a hole in one. Putters and golf balls are available.

Beverages Onboard

Aboard the luxurious Celebrity Solstice, guests will be treated to an array of culinary experiences as it sails down the Pacific Coast. Inside the Cellar Masters lounge guests learn about different champagnes, wines and spirits. There is a wine tasting ‘Workshops at Sea’ program that is part of the line’s Celebrity Life Activities program.

At the Martini Bar nearby, talented bartenders put on a high-energy shaking, juggling and pouring show. They make an array of colorful classic and contemporary martinis that are served on an ice-topped bar. An additional elegance is a collection of rare vodkas on ice for tasting and a portfolio of fine caviar.

One of the most spectacular areas on the ship is the Grand Epernay Dining Room. It’s open to all guests and showcases an artistically sculptured wine tower holding 2807 bottles of red wines from over 470 different labels. This dining room offers the most-awarded wine collection at sea.

There are as many white wines being refrigerated and ready to pour as guests dine in the two-story dining room designed with a champagne bubble theme.

The contemporary dining room has walls that are champagne color, and champagne bubbles designs on the ceiling. What make this sophisticated ambience even more inviting is the carpeting looks like a burst of champagne. Seatings in this dining room are at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Celebrity Cruises is one of the only cruise lines to offer the multi-sensory Le Petit Chef dining experience. This immersive dinner incorporates music and a colorful video story on each table. Guests learn how each course is cultivated and prepared, before the actual dish is presented before your eyes. This entertaining multi-course dinner is $65 per guest.

Another specialty restaurant onboard is Sushi 5, an Asian fusion restaurant, and Blu offering healthy menu options in a serene environment. This restaurant is for Aqua Class passengers, and is also used as a wedding ceremony venue.

The restaurant with the most dramatic entry is Tuscan Grille. This ocean view dining room features crab cakes, grilled fish, pasta, and an artisan ice cream sundae on the menu.

Celebrity Solstice is now embarking on 5, 7, and 8 night itineraries from San Pedro/Los Angeles, California. The ship visits some of the Mexico’s most popular cities including Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada, and Mazatlán. Select itineraries offer overnight stops in Cabo San Lucas. To book a Celebrity Cruise, contact your cruise travel advisor; or book online directly at https://www.celebritycruises.com or call Celebrity Cruises at 888-751-7804.