Celebrity Solstice refurbishment 2026: why this may be Celebrity's most exciting renewal yet
Updated: Sep 27
When Celebrity Cruises announced the renewal of Celebrity Solstice, my first thought was simple: this is exactly what many Celebrity fans have been hoping for.
Rather than retiring a ship with a loyal following, Celebrity is investing heavily in the Solstice Class and giving one of its most beloved ships a second act.
As a travel advisor, I had the privilege to tour the ship while it was in Vancouver. The following photos include some of my own along with my personal observations.
The renewed Celebrity Solstice introduces new dining venues, reimagined entertainment spaces, refreshed accommodations, a completely redesigned Retreat experience, and an all-new outdoor gathering space called Sunset Park. It's also the first ship in Celebrity's broader plan to modernize the entire Solstice Series over the coming years.
For travellers considering an Alaska cruise, a South Pacific adventure, or a future Asia sailing, the renewed Celebrity Solstice may offer one of the most compelling combinations of value, comfort, and premium experiences in the Celebrity fleet.
Quick take: what's new on Celebrity Solstice?
Here’s a quick recap on changes Celebrity made to its Solstice ship.
Area | What's New |
Dining | Trattoria Rossa and Fine Cut Steakhouse |
Entertainment | Boulevard Lounge and Boulevard Bar |
Social Spaces | The Parlor game and sports lounge |
Outdoor Areas | Sunset Park replaces the Lawn Club |
Accommodations | Every stateroom and suite refreshed |
Wellness | Expanded AquaClass and Blu restaurant |
Suites | Reimagined Retreat experience with new sundeck and lounge |
Celebrity has also updated every stateroom onboard as part of the renewal, although the major renovations happened with the suites and minor updates with standard cabins.
I was only able to tour the suites which were all modern and elegant in design, like luxury hotel rooms.
Is this Celebrity's biggest refurbishment to date?
Celebrity has not officially called it its largest refurbishment ever, but it is certainly one of the most ambitious transformations the cruise line has undertaken.
Originally launched in 2008, Celebrity Solstice was the first ship in the Solstice class, which helped redefine premium cruising with innovations like the Lawn Club and a more contemporary ship design. Nearly two decades later, Celebrity is investing heavily in the ship's future, giving this fan favourite one of the most comprehensive transformations in the fleet.
Unlike many ship refurbishments that focus primarily on cosmetic upgrades, the renewed Celebrity Solstice introduces entirely new venues, redesigned outdoor spaces, expanded suite experiences, and refreshed accommodations throughout the ship.
The project also marks the beginning of Celebrity's investment of more than half a billion dollars across all five Solstice Series ships over the next several years.
5 reasons Celebrity fans are excited about the renewed Solstice
Fine Cut Steakhouse comes to the Solstice Class
Previously found on Celebrity's newer Edge Series ships, Fine Cut Steakhouse is making its Solstice-class debut.
Known for its dry-aged steaks, premium seafood, and elegant atmosphere, Fine Cut has become one of Celebrity's most popular specialty dining venues.
For food lovers, this alone is a major addition.
Trattoria Rossa will sure to be a guest favorite
Celebrity is introducing a brand-new Italian restaurant called Trattoria Rossa.
Featuring fresh pasta, tableside preparations, and an intimate atmosphere, it feels designed specifically for memorable date nights at sea.
This restaurant is beautiful and while I did not have the chance to dine there, I would place this high on my list to try when I cruise in the future. Among all the new additions, this may become the hardest reservation to secure. Here's a sneak peak at the restaurant and menu.
Sunset Park replaces the Lawn Club
Perhaps the most dramatic change is the transformation of the Lawn Club into Sunset Park.
This updated outdoor space is really nice with a cafe for light bites and lots of seating area.
Other features include:
Open-air concerts
Movies under the stars
Lawn games
Private cabanas
Expanded Sunset Bar
Casual outdoor gathering spaces
Rather than simply preserving the lawn concept, Celebrity has created a more versatile outdoor destination that can be enjoyed throughout the day and evening.
The Retreat gets a significant upgrade
Suite guests will enjoy one of the most noticeable improvements onboard.
Highlights include:
New Retreat Sundeck
Oversized plunge pool
Redesigned Retreat Lounge
Expanded Luminae restaurant
Refreshed suites
These changes bring the Solstice suite experience much closer to what guests enjoy on Celebrity's newer ships.
If you’re considering an upgraded accommodation on Celebrity Solstice, compare Celebrity Retreat, AquaClass and Concierge Class to determine which benefits you would actually use.
Every stateroom has been refreshed
When cruise lines do ship refurbishments, the cabins are often excluded. However, in this instance, every cabin onboard has been updated although the major updates were done for the suites, and the standard cabins only received minor updates.
A more contemporary look and feel is noticeable throughout the ship, bringing this in line with the latest Edge Class ships.
New entertainment and social spaces
Celebrity is also introducing several new venues designed to create more activity throughout the day and evening.
Boulevard Lounge
This new cabaret-inspired venue hosts:
Live music
Trivia
Interactive game shows
Dueling pianos
Candlelit concerts
Celebrity says guests can expect new entertainment experiences throughout the day.
The Parlor
The Parlor combines elements of a sports bar, game lounge, and social club.
Guests can enjoy:
Billiards
Darts
Board games
Sports viewing
I loved The Parlor and I can see it becoming very popular in the evenings with people of all ages! Turning this space into a fun pub experience with lots of games is a great idea, and a concept that will surely be added to other ships.
It's a welcome addition for longer itineraries where guests appreciate additional places to relax and socialize.
Celebrity Solstice vs. Celebrity Beyond, Ascent and Xcel
One question many travelers are asking is whether the renewed Solstice can compete with Celebrity's newer Edge Series ships.
Why choose Celebrity Solstice?
The renewed Solstice may be ideal if you:
Prefer a more traditional cruise ship layout
Enjoy conventional balconies
Want a premium experience at a lower price point
Love Alaska, Hawaii, the South Pacific, or Asia itineraries
Appreciate a ship that feels elegant without feeling enormous
Why choose Beyond, Ascent or Xcel?
The newer Edge Series ships remain the better choice if you want:
The Magic Carpet
Eden
Rooftop Garden
Larger Resort Deck spaces
Celebrity's newest overall design
That said, many loyal Celebrity cruisers continue to prefer the Solstice Class because of its familiar layout and comfortable flow.
Why I think this renewal is a very smart move for Celebrity
Having sailed on Celebrity Reflection, I understand why so many travelers remain loyal to the Solstice Class.
These ships strike a wonderful balance between elegance and comfort. They feel spacious without feeling overwhelming, and many guests genuinely prefer their more traditional cruise ship layout compared to some of the newer designs entering the market.
That's why I find this investment so interesting.
Rather than replacing these ships, Celebrity is doubling down on what guests already love while introducing fresh restaurants, updated accommodations, new entertainment venues, and enhanced outdoor spaces.
For travelers who appreciate the classic Celebrity experience but want some of the newer features found on ships like Beyond and Ascent, the renewed Celebrity Solstice may offer the best of both worlds.
Where can you sail the renewed Celebrity Solstice?
One of the most interesting aspects of Celebrity Solstice's deployment is that it doesn't simply sail Alaska year-round. After Alaska, the ship travels through Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, and Southeast Asia before returning to Vancouver and Alaska.
Timeframe | Region |
May–September 2026 | Alaska |
September 2026 | Hawaii |
September–October 2026 | Tahiti, Fiji & New Zealand |
October–November 2026 | Australia & South Pacific |
December 2026–March 2027 | Southeast Asia |
Spring 2027 | South Pacific & Hawaii |
Summer 2027 | Alaska |
While Alaska will likely attract the most attention, some of the most intriguing sailings occur between seasons.
The September 2026 Vancouver-to-Honolulu cruise offers several sea days to enjoy the renewed ship, while the Hawaii-to-New Zealand sailing through Tahiti and Fiji may be one of the most unique itineraries in Celebrity's fleet.
After spending the winter in Southeast Asia, Celebrity Solstice crosses the Pacific once again and returns to Vancouver for another Alaska season in summer 2027.
Is the renewed Celebrity Solstice worth booking?
I say - absolutely!
The renewed Celebrity Solstice combines everything guests already loved about the Solstice Class with many of the features that have made Celebrity's newer ships so successful.
New restaurants, enhanced entertainment, refreshed accommodations, a redesigned Retreat, and the addition of Sunset Park all help the ship feel modern without sacrificing the classic Celebrity experience that loyal guests appreciate.
For travelers looking at Alaska, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, or Asia, the renewed Celebrity Solstice may become one of the best values in premium cruising.
Frequently asked questions
When did Celebrity Solstice complete its refurbishment?
The renewed Celebrity Solstice debuted in spring 2026 and began Alaska sailings from Vancouver in May 2026.
Were all staterooms renovated?
Yes. Celebrity has confirmed that every stateroom and suite onboard was refreshed as part of the project.
What new restaurants were added?
The major additions are Trattoria Rossa and Fine Cut Steakhouse, along with new food and beverage venues associated with Boulevard Lounge and The Parlor.
What happened to the Lawn Club?
The Lawn Club has been transformed into Sunset Park, an outdoor space featuring entertainment, lawn games, cabanas, and an expanded Sunset Bar.
What is new in The Retreat?
The Retreat now includes a new sundeck, an oversized hot tub, a redesigned lounge, enhanced suites, and an expanded Luminae restaurant.
Is Celebrity Solstice good for Alaska?
Yes. With its comfortable indoor spaces, outdoor viewing areas, premium dining, and refreshed accommodations, Celebrity Solstice is well suited to Alaska cruising.
Is Celebrity Solstice an Edge Series ship?
No. Celebrity Solstice is part of the Solstice Class. However, the renewal introduces several features and experiences that bring it closer to Celebrity's newer ships.
Final thoughts
The renewed Celebrity Solstice is not trying to become an Edge Series ship.
Instead, Celebrity has taken the best qualities of the original Solstice design—a comfortable layout, traditional balconies, spacious public areas, and a loyal following—and enhanced them with new dining, entertainment, and outdoor experiences.
That combination may make it one of the most appealing ships in the Celebrity fleet.
It feels new enough to excite longtime Celebrity cruisers, familiar enough for guests who prefer classic ship design, and versatile enough to suit everything from a seven-night Alaska cruise to a longer journey through Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, or Asia.
For food lovers, couples, and travelers seeking comfortable luxury without unnecessary formality, the renewed Celebrity Solstice deserves a place near the top of the shortlist.
Planning a cruise on the renewed Celebrity Solstice?
Whether you're considering Alaska, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, or Southeast Asia, choosing the right itinerary and cabin can make a big difference to your experience.
Sail Sip Savor can help you choose the Celebrity cruise that's the right fit for your travel style. We will compare sailings and itineraries, and explain room categories and amenities. Contact us to get started.
Cruise itineraries, venues, and onboard features are subject to change.
