Yesterday was our first day onboard Celebrity Solstice. We left the Carnival Panorama and Long Beach in a taxi at 10:20. Got to the terminal in San Pedro at 10:40. Easy embarkation and we were onboard by 11. We were able to go to our cabin on Deck 10 Starboard side and drop our luggage We started with a tour on Deck 15 and worked out way downwards. Angie did some filming for her upcoming ship tour We got to all the top decks. It was then noon and we were ready for lunch. Celebrity has an a la carte sushi restaurant which is our favorite spot for embarkation day since you can avoid the chaos of the buffet.
Started with a Koku Highball which is a bourbon based cocktail with ginger beer and fresh ginger. Very refreshing!! We had the lobster and shrimp wontons (always a favorite of ours) along with a rainbow roll.
This was prepared a bit differently with a crab salad in the center. We also tried the BBQ ramen which was so savory and tasty. Perfect for the cool day we were having in San Pedro.
After lunch we headed back to the cabin to unpack our carry on luggage. We also met our room steward Lindy. We usually have some first day requests which include hypoallergenic pillows. I also ask for distilled water and an extended cord for my CPAP machine. She provided them so quickly along with our one piece of checked luggage. Even taking the time to tape down the cord so we wouldn't trip.
We finished unpacking all our luggage and soon it was time for a pre dinner cocktail. We headed to the Martini Bar. We knew ahead of time that one of the bartenders we met on the Apex in September 2021 would be on this sailing. Putra was a flair bartender at the Martini Bar on the Apex and most of the flair bartenders end up working at the Martini Bar for future contracts. The Martini Bar is the signature bar on Celebrity ships and usually packed. But there were plenty of seats available at 6PM which told me the ship was likely not at full occupancy.
We took our seats and ordered our Beefeaters and Tonic (with orange slice of course). The orange is a nice twist for a G&T especially with milder gins such as Beefeater. With Hendricks, you don't need any garnish - or maybe a cucumber slice. But the orange works well with many gins.
While enjoying our drink, we both spotted Putra and told him we sailed with him on the Apex. We often will meet crew we have sailed with before. The question always is even though you remember them, do they really remember you? He said he saw us walking towards the bar and thought we looked familiar. We are very tall people, so we do tend to stand out in a crowd. Maybe that was it. Or he really did remember us. In any case, we had a nice chat about that sailing. That was one of the first sailings of the Apex post pandemic and only had 450 guests. So it's very likely Putra may remember everyone on that ship!!
After our cocktail it was time for dinner. Neither of us thought the main dining room menu looked interesting. Plus the first night in the dining room can be chaotic. We decided to head to the buffet. We knew they would have a decent salad bar and we were right. I made a nice spinach salad. Also had some jerk chicken and mashed potatoes which were both good. Dessert was some praline gelato. Not quite as good as the pineapple gelato from the Panorama.
After dinner went to the pub quiz. How could we have forgotten the capital of Pakistan? The main show was comedian Derrick Cameron and we got our seats. He was one of those comedians that used every day situations and how absurd and funny they can be. He was very good and got us laughing quite a few times.
After the show there was a Welcome Aboard show at the Sky Lounge on Deck 15. The cruise director was there and had a trivia contest for prizes. He'd ask a ship related question. Such as what deck is the buffet on. The first person to come to the dance floor with the correct answer won a prize. The party band Arjam played a set of dance club favorites. After their set, we decided to head to the cabin.
Today is a tender port to Santa Catalina Island. We visited here when we were on the Celebrity Millennium in May 2022. It is a nice little island with interesting bars and restaurants but we didn't feel like we needed to revisit on this sailing. Plus the tenders add complexity about returning to the ship. We're spending the morning at Cafe Al Bacio which is the coffee shop on board. Great views outside. We'll likely venture outside if it warms up a bit. Right now it is 7°C!! But it is sunny.
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