I’m looking forward to being on board the Celebrity Solstice for a two-night sailing out of Seattle this month. The ship is preparing for the cruising season up to Alaska, and the around the sound cruise (no ports of call) is May 15-17, 2013. Although I’ve been on Holland America, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines, this will be my debut on Celebrity Cruises (the ‘X’ ship).
What I’m really looking forward to is the cuisine on board. On the evening of May 16, Celebrity Solstice Chef John Suley will be joined by Brian McCracken and Dana Tough, chef-owners of Spur, Tavern Law and The Coterie Room, along with Seattle Chef Kelly Gaddis. They will prepare a five-course dinner for the guests on board.
Tickets for the two-night Celebrity Solstice cruise are $600 (for two), available through Gilt City Seattle. The regular price of the trip is $1,540 for two, making the Gilt City price a 61% savings. Here’s what’s included in the cost:
- Two days and two nights aboard Celebrity Solstice for a non-destination cruise off the coast of Seattle
- Accommodations in a spa-inspired AquaClass stateroom from May 15-May 17
- All meals, unlimited cocktails, wine and specialty coffee
- Five-course dinner on May 16 hosted by the Seattle chefs and Celebrity Solstice chef (details above)
- Cocktail reception
- Gratuities
The Celebrity Solstice is the first ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice class. The ship features a number of innovative onboard venues and industry firsts that include:
- Lawn Club with a half-acre of real grass (practice putting or enjoy a picnic)!
- Ten dining venues, including a two-story glass wine tower in the main dining room designed by Adam Tihany, designer of New York’s Per Se and Le Cirque
- Onboard solar technology and various energy efficiency mechanisms, including a special silicon coating on the hull to help the ship glide through the water
- Larger and more space efficient staterooms designed by a panel of five boomer-age women who assisted in assuring the staterooms’ maximized space
- New AquaClass staterooms that share a deck with the AquaSpa Relaxation Room and feature spa-inspired amenities and complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Blu — an exclusive dining venue focused on “clean” cuisine
- Hot Glass Show featuring live, narrated glassblowing demonstrations provided by glassmakers from the Corning Museum of Glass
From your welcome glass of Champagne to your last moment in the spa, being on board a Celebrity Cruises ship is a truly special experience. These modern luxury ships provide the best in dining, with on-board restaurants ranging from gelaterias to Blu, a fine dining establishment boasting healthful, contemporary fare. Celebrity’s associate VP of food and beverage operations, John Suley, was the first cruise-ship chef to be invited to cook dinner at the legendary James Beard House in New York City.
Seattle Chef-Owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough have been recognized for their culinary achievements: Top Five Chefs (Gayot), Rising Star Chefs (Star Chefs) and the 2011 Innovation Award (Seattle Weekly). Most recently, the duo scored their third nomination as People’s Best New Chefs by Food & Wine magazine. Later this spring, the team plans to open The Old Sage just a few doors up from Tavern Law.
