The Solstice Series has always been the jewel in Celebrity’s crown, but the line is raising the bar yet again with a sweeping reinvestment of more than US$250 million (about A$375 million). Across the next two years, every corridor, restaurant, and open-air deck aboard Celebrity Solstice will be re-imagined to match the flair of the newer Edge-class ships while keeping the signature touches that guests already adore. From March 2026 forward, travellers can expect an onboard atmosphere that feels freshly launched rather than merely refreshed.
The Vision Behind The Investment
Celebrity’s leadership sees this project as an inflection point: preserving the best of classic cruising while layering on innovations that speak to modern holidaymakers. Think mood-lit venues that morph from daytime trivia hubs to candle-lit cabarets, plus technology upgrades that trim queue times at bars and shore-excursion desks.
Solstice Series Legacy
When Solstice debuted in 2008 she introduced the first half-acre Lawn Club at sea, redefining how guests relax outdoors. The upcoming renovation keeps that legacy alive but trades plain turf for Sunset Park—an oasis with upgraded seating, lawn games, and open-air concerts that blend seamlessly with dreamy panoramas.
Timeline And Key Milestones
Major structural work begins in early 2026 with dockyard stays scheduled in smart phases so itineraries remain largely intact. Interior installations, from spa-inspired AquaClass bathrooms to Bluetooth-enabled bedside lighting, will continue through the northern-spring refit window before Solstice heads to Asia and Australia for her maiden season in the new livery.
Fresh Eats And Social Spaces Reimagined
Food and fun are where memories crystallise, and Celebrity’s design team has treated each venue as an experience rather than a room. A host of brand-new spaces join beloved staples, giving guests more reasons to linger over tapas or kick back with a craft cocktail while at sea.
Boulevard Lounge & Celebrity Barcade
Boulevard Lounge brings duelling pianos by night and interactive game shows by day, wrapping both in plush cabaret décor. Step next door to Celebrity Barcade and you’ll find big-screen sports, retro arcade challenges, and a billiards table tuned for gentle Pacific swells—ideal for friendly rivalry when the sun slips behind the horizon.
Trattoria Rossa And Fine Cut Steakhouse
Trattoria Rossa channels late-night Rome with tableside pasta tossed in wheels of pecorino and chianti flowing like conversation. For those craving prime cuts, Fine Cut Steakhouse makes its Solstice-class debut: picture marble-rich 30-day dry-aged rib-eyes, lobster thermidor, and a sommelier who knows the precise Shiraz to balance both.
Sunset Park And Outdoor Vibes
Replacing the traditional lawn, Sunset Park adds shaded cabanas, pop-up mixology carts, and a mini stage for unplugged sets as you sail by Fiji’s volcanic silhouettes. Grab an Aperol spritz at the expanded Sunset Bar, then sink into oversized loungers as chefs grill seafood skewers a few metres away.
Elevated Retreat And Cabins Redefined
Sleeping well is half the holiday, so Solstice is upgrading every one of her 1,479 cabins while giving The Retreat a boutique-hotel glow-up that rivals ships twice her age.
Suite Enhancements At The Retreat
Guests booking suites can expect a reimagined sundeck crowned by an oversized infinity hot tub, new shaded daybeds, and attendants who somehow appear with chilled towels the moment you think of them. The adjacent Retreat Lounge takes cues from European members’ clubs with textured leather seating and an all-day tapas counter.
AquaClass Wellness Upgrades
AquaClass devotees will discover rainfall showers fitted with massaging heads, aromatherapy diffusers pre-stocked with eucalyptus, and yoga mats scented with lavender between uses. Each cabin also grants complimentary access to the Relaxation Lounge—a cocoon of heated loungers overlooking the bow, where herbal teas flow as freely as the conversation.
New Panoramic Stateroom Categories
Four fresh categories join the line-up: Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suites, Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View Suites, Panoramic Ocean View Suites, and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean Views. Floor-to-ceiling glass that transforms into an alfresco balcony at the press of a button blurs the boundary between ocean and interior, perfect for capturing sunrise selfies without leaving your pyjamas.
Itineraries That Match The Makeover
A shiny ship deserves a show-stopping route, and Solstice’s 2026 schedule ticks every box—from glacier gazing in Alaska to temple-hopping across Southeast Asia.
Diverse Asia–Pacific Voyages
From March to August 2026, Solstice will loop through the South Pacific, weaving in stops such as Nouméa, Suva, and Bali between Australia-based departures. Each port feeds the new culinary programmes: think market-fresh kava tastings in Fiji later reimagined as cocktails by bar staff eager to experiment.
Grand Voyage: 110 Nights Of Discovery
September through December sees Solstice undertake an expansive 110-night Grand Voyage calling at more than 55 unique ports—none repeated. It’s the ultimate slow-travel odyssey for cruisers who want to unpack once and settle into a rhythm of sunrise pilates, midday cooking classes, and dusk sail-aways past lantern-strewn Vietnamese coastlines.
Why Alaska Still Shines
Come the northern summer, Solstice returns to her spiritual home: the Inside Passage. After a morning spotting breaching orcas, guests can slip into Boulevard Lounge for Alaskan-themed trivia or indulge in cedar-plank salmon at Fine Cut with floor-to-ceiling vistas of Misty Fjords. The ship’s smaller size compared to mega-liners allows closer approaches to tidewater glaciers, giving balcony riders prime photo ops.
With so many dates and cabin styles on offer, narrowing down the perfect Solstice voyage can feel daunting. That’s where our Cruise Finder comes in. Toggle filters for departure month, voyage length, or even specific onboard venues—yes, you can search only sailings featuring Trattoria Rossa dinner demos—then compare live fares side by side. Take a spin and see just how easy the planning stage can be.
Booking earlier not only secures your preferred stateroom but also unlocks occasional value-adds such as beverage packages or onboard credit. Families love the real-time cabin-layout views, while solo travellers appreciate transparent single-supplement pricing. Our tip? Bookmark your shortlist, share it with friends over group chat, and let the countdown begin.
Plan Your Celebrity Solstice Escape Today
A holiday is fleeting, yet the memory of smelling fresh pasta tossed under Pacific skies or hearing piano keys drift over glacier-blue waters lasts a lifetime. The reborn Celebrity Solstice promises all of this and more, blending bow-to-stern innovation with the warm service that made the Solstice Series legendary in the first place. Ready to trade office fluorescent lights for Sunset Park sunsets and signature cocktails? Speak with our cruise specialists and we’ll craft a voyage as unique as your palate and your passport stamps.
Comments