Celebrity Cruises is set to invest $250 million in a significant refurbishment of its five Solstice-class ships. This major upgrade comes over a decade after the last ship in the series was launched. The transformation kicks off with Celebrity Solstice in early 2026, promising a host of enhancements. These include new stateroom categories, upgraded luxury spaces, and fresh dining and entertainment venues.
Celebrity Solstice’s Grand Makeover
Celebrity Solstice, the first of its class launched in 2008, will undergo a comprehensive dry dock. The ship will return to service in March 2026. Her first post-refit voyage is a 14-night journey from Singapore to Sydney, departing on 26th March 2026. 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.”
New Staterooms and Luxury Retreat Upgrades
Once refurbished, Celebrity Solstice will introduce four new stateroom categories. These include the Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Deluxe Panoramic Oceanview Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite, and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View. Bookings for these new accommodations are expected to open in mid-June 2025. Guests in The Retreat, the luxury suite enclave, will enjoy a redesigned Retreat Lounge, a new sundeck with a hot tub, and refreshed suite interiors.
Exciting New Entertainment Venues
Several new entertainment venues will debut on Celebrity Solstice. The Boulevard Lounge, a cabaret-style performance space, will offer concerts, daytime trivia, and more. The adjacent Boulevard Bar will become a lively cocktail destination. A new sports bar concept, Celebrity Barcade, will feature multiple screens for live sports and interactive games like darts and billiards.
Expanded Culinary Offerings
The ship’s culinary scene will also see exciting additions. Fine Cut Steakhouse, a favourite on Celebrity’s Edge-class ships, will offer dry-aged steaks and premium seafood. Trattoria Rossa, an Italian venue, will provide table-side service and freshly prepared pasta dishes.
Enhanced Outdoor Spaces and Family Fun
On the top deck, the ship will unveil Sunset Park, a half-acre outdoor space with food, drinks, live music, lawn games, and family-friendly entertainment. A larger Sunset Bar and private cabanas will also be introduced. Although dry dock dates are not publicly confirmed, Celebrity Solstice has no cruises scheduled from 15th January to 25th March 2026, suggesting renovations will occur during this period.
Future Voyages and Fleet Upgrades
After her refit, Celebrity Solstice will embark on a Transpacific cruise from Sydney to Hawaii. She will then reposition to Vancouver for her Alaska summer season, starting 3rd May 2026. A full timeline for the refurbishment of the other Solstice-class vessels—Celebrity Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, and Reflection—has yet to be released. The Solstice-class ships continue to be among the most admired in the Celebrity fleet.
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