Celebrity Cruises is embarking on a significant modernization program for its classic Solstice Series ships, investing over $250 million to enhance the guest experience. The initiative begins with the Celebrity Solstice in March 2026, promising a refreshed and elevated cruise vacation. This modernization aims to offer guests reimagined vacation experiences, with a focus on both extraordinary itineraries and enhanced onboard amenities.
The Celebrity Solstice will embark on a diverse range of global journeys, allowing guests to explore the breathtaking nature of Alaska, the serene beaches of Hawaii and Fiji and the vibrant cultures of Southeast Asia
A highlight of the 2026 schedule is The Grand Voyage, a remarkable 110-night journey from September to December 2026. This extensive itinerary will call at over 55 unrepeated ports, offering an unparalleled opportunity for in-depth exploration.
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises stated:
“Our Solstice Series ships represent the best of classic cruising, and now we’re elevating this vacation experience even further by adding brand new experiences and enhancements at every turn,”
“Guests will enjoy more ways to explore and restore, all while staying true to what made our guests fall in love with these ships in the first place.”
Onboard, the Celebrity Solstice will introduce a plethora of new experiences, ensuring the journey itself is as captivating as the destinations. These enhancements span from morning to night, providing endless entertainment and relaxation options. Furthermore, all 1,479 staterooms on the Celebrity Solstice will receive an upgrade, promising a more comfortable and homely atmosphere for guests during their time at sea.
Guests can anticipate eight new experiences, including four entirely new-to-sea spaces, along with numerous redesigned favorites. The comprehensive “bow to stern” innovations include:
Reinvened Outdoor Escapes:
- Sunset Park: The ship’s top deck will be transformed into a half-acre outdoor oasis with enhanced views, elevated cuisine, cocktails, lawn games, and open-air concerts.
- New Private Cabanas: These will offer ocean views and dedicated attendants for a more exclusive experience.
- Expanded Sunset Bar: This popular venue will be enlarged to accommodate more guests enjoying the views.
New Restaurants and Entertainment:
- Trattoria Rossa: A new Italian restaurant featuring tableside preparations and fresh pasta made daily.
- Fine Cut Steakhouse: The Forbes Travel Guide-rated concept from Celebrity’s Edge Series ships, offering 30-day dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood.
- Boulevard Lounge: An intimate, cabaret-style venue with interactive daytime programming (game shows, trivia) and evening concerts (candlelit, dueling pianos).
- Boulevard Bar: Located adjacent to the Boulevard Lounge, serving handcrafted cocktails.
- Celebrity Barcade: An elevated sports bar with multiple screens, billiards, darts, and retro board games.
Redesigned Stays and Ship-Wide Upgrades:
- Ship-wide Stateroom Upgrades: All 1,479 staterooms on Celebrity Solstice will receive upgrades.
- Four New Stateroom Categories: These include the Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Deluxe Panoramic Oceanview Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite, and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View, available for booking from mid-June 2025.
- Refreshed AquaClass Staterooms: These will feature spa-inspired elements like massaging shower heads, aromatherapy diffusers, in-room yoga mats, luxury robes and slippers, and pillow menus. AquaClass guests will also gain complimentary access to a new Relaxation Lounge at The Spa.
- Enhanced Retreat Experience: The Retreat, Celebrity’s suite-class offering, will boast enhanced suites, an all-new sundeck with an oversized hot tub and exclusive seating, and a redesigned lounge for suite guests.
Several existing venues will be repurposed to accommodate these new spaces, including Celebrity Central, Entertainment Court, Quasar, Tuscan Grille, and Qsine. Other venues receiving design refreshes include Cafe Al Bacio, Cellar Masters, World Class Bar, Martini Bar, Pool Bar, Passport Bar, Blu (exclusive to AquaClass guests), Luminae (exclusive to The Retreat guests), the Fitness Center, and Camp at Sea.
Following its relaunch in March 2026 with Asia and Australia itineraries, the Celebrity Solstice will operate Alaska sailings during summer 2026, and then embark on a 110-night Grand Voyage from September to December 2026, sailing from Canada to Southeast Asia.
For more details, visit Celebrity Cruises website.
