Celebrity Unveils $250 Million Solstice-Class Upgrades

Posted on 30 May, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Celebrity Cruises is investing more than $250 million to modernise its Solstice-class vessels, starting with Celebrity Solstice in March 2026.

The company said guests can look forward to eight new experiences, including four new-to-sea spaces, and many redesigned favourites.

Innovations include reinvented outdoor escapes with enhanced views, new restaurants and entertainment designed to create moments of connection with loved ones, as well as a redesigned stay with all-new stateroom categories and ship-wide stateroom upgrades.

“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,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “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.”

Highlights:

Boulevard Lounge – Good times and glamorous vibes will take centre stage at this brand-new, intimate entertainment venue. With always-on programming, from interactive daytime activities like new game shows and trivia to elevated evenings of candlelit concerts and duelling pianos, this cabaret-inspired lounge offers a dramatic new take on showtime.
Boulevard Bar – Just steps away from the lounge, guests can pull up a seat for handcrafted cocktails before or after the show—or both.
Celebrity Barcade – Guests should bring their A-game to this new, elevated sports bar, the perfect place to both watch and play games. Guests can catch their favourite sports teams from multiple screens positioned so well they’ll never miss a pass, or challenge their friends to a round of billiards, darts, or their favourite retro board game.
Trattoria Rossa – Step into an Italian hideaway that blends opulence with modern design to experience a restaurant that bursts with charm from every corner. The perfect setting to reignite date night, guests will have a front row seat to the action with authentic tableside preparations of dishes inspired by Italian classics, including fresh pasta made from scratch daily.
Fine Cut Steakhouse – The Forbes Travel Guide-rated, Edge Series favourite steakhouse will bring upscale dining with service that’s elevated to an art form. There’s something for everyone at Fine Cut Steakhouse, which offers 30-day dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, the elevated service Celebrity is known for, and elegance at every turn.

In addition, Sunset Park transforms the top deck of Celebrity Solstice, where guests can enjoy unparalleled views from this half-acre outdoor oasis. Plus, with elevated cuisine, refreshing cocktails, lawn games, open-air concerts, and more, a day at the park never looked so good.

Celebrity noted all staterooms will be refreshed, and four new categories will be added: the Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Deluxe Panoramic Oceanview Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View.

Bow-to-stern enhancements also include a design refresh for more venues: Café Al Bacio, Cellar Masters, World Class Bar, Martini Bar, Pool Bar, Passport Bar, Blu—exclusive to AquaClass guests, and Luminae—exclusive to guests of The Retreat, the Fitness Centre, and Camp at Sea.

MSC Meraviglia Temporarily Out of Service for Repairs in Maine

Posted on 18 May, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

The MSC Meraviglia is currently undergoing technical repairs after having this week’s cruise cancelled in mid-April.

Offering weeklong itineraries out of New York City, the 2017-built vessel was taken out of service ahead of the sailing that was scheduled for May 11, 2025.

According to a statement issued by MSC in late April, the Meraviglia was in need of technical repairs due to a mechanical issue.

The problem was impacting the vessel’s ability to operate at standard cruising speeds, as the company explained in a letter to affected guests.

“As a result, and with deep regret, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel your upcoming sailing,” MSC continued.

The MSC Meraviglia was set to offer a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and Florida from its homeport at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

In addition to three days at sea, the original itinerary featured visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Instead, the vessel is currently docked in Portland (Maine), where repairs are being carried out by specialised teams.

The decision to take the vessel out of service was made out of an abundance of caution, MSC added, and reflects the company’s “commitment to safety and delivering the best possible guest experience.”

In addition to offering guests rebooking or refund options, the company also noted that the technical issue never affected the safety of its crew and guests.

The MSC Meraviglia is now expected to resume service on May 18, 2025, kicking off a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas and Florida.

As with the cancelled cruise, the seven-night voyage features visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Sailing from New York City on a year-round basis, the MSC Meraviglia offers seven-night cruises to Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

In 2026, the 4,500-guest ship repositions to Europe for its first summer season in the Western Mediterranean in over five years.

Explora Journeys to Sail in Alaska in 2027

Posted on 18 May, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

The luxury brand announced that the Explora III will debut in the Alaska market, sailing mostly from Vancouver, in 2027.

Fourteen departures are scheduled from May to September.

Cruises range from seven nights to two weeks.

“As part of Explora Journeys’ newly announced Summer 2027 collection, the season will open a new chapter with the brand’s inaugural sailings to Alaska aboard Explora III. This exciting debut marks the beginning of a season defined by firsts, including newly curated journeys to maiden ports in the Mediterranean and the launch of a new ship, Explora IV. Fittingly, the season will set sail under the theme An Ocean of New,” the company said in a press release.