Our verdict: the Celebrity Solstice refit is brilliant and moves her into a new class – will her fares rise accordingly?

• Celebrity Solstice has returned to Sydney after a massive refit of almost every part of this 18-year-old ship.
• She is in great shape and definitely on par with her younger sister Celebrity Edge.
• Both will sail longer in Australia next season – but will the changes to Solstice mean price rises? Here what the line has to say.

Celebrity Cruises’ long-time Australian favourite Celebrity Solstice has arrived back in Sydney after a sweeping bow-to-stern refurbishment, part of a US$250 million fleet-wide upgrade. The result is a dramatically transformed ship aimed at a more upscale, younger market.

After more than a decade sailing local waters, the Solstice has undergone one of the most extensive refits seen in the region, with new venues, upgraded suites and a complete rethink of onboard spaces.

The most symbolic change: the removal of its famous real-grass Lawn Club, replaced by a new resort-style outdoor deck featuring two fresh venues designed for modern cruising tastes.

Cruise Passenger toured the ship this week and found a vessel that now closely mirrors the style and energy of Celebrity Edge, which also sails in Australia, giving local travellers a bigger choice of premium cruising experiences.

Both ships have their own fan base – now they are head-to-head. Next season will be interesting…

New venues redefine the onboard experience

The revitalised Solstice now boasts eight new experiences, including four entirely new-to-brand concepts, signalling a major shift in design and onboard lifestyle.

Among the standout additions:

• Trattoria Rossa – a new Italian restaurant already emerging as the culinary star. Everyone is raving about the food. We didn’t get to try it, but lots who have say it’s excellent.
• Boulevard Lounge & Bar – a cabaret-style entertainment venue with nightly music and cocktails.
• The Parlor – a lively, games-driven social space that is proving a nighttime hit (there is even darts!). This is certainly aimed at a younger vibe, with every game under the sun (or moon).
• Sunset Park – a reimagined top-deck outdoor retreat with dining, cocktails and cabanas, this is where the biggest change is. There are open spaces, places to dine and drink, a Sunset bar and more.

Trarroria Rossa has one big fan. “It goes beyond food… It’s the ambience, the feeling when you walk through those doors… You feel like you could be in Italy,” Celebrity Cruises’ Managing Director for Australia and APAC, Tim Jones, told Cruise Passenger.

The transformation also includes the introduction of Fine Cut Steakhouse, a popular venue from the Edge Series, alongside upgraded accommodation, including new suite categories and enhanced Retreat areas.

A more contemporary, outdoor-focused ship

One of the biggest shifts is the ship’s outdoor offering. The former lawn space has been replaced with a more flexible, resort-style environment designed to maximise how Australians use deck space.

“There’s an ample amount of shade… people can be out here even during the middle of the day and enjoy a drink,” said Jones.

The redesigned top deck now offers more dining, social and relaxation options, reflecting feedback from local guests and aligning the ship with Celebrity’s newer Edge-class aesthetic.

Inside, the ship has also taken on a more vibrant, youthful feel, with interactive social spaces, live music and games creating a livelier nighttime atmosphere.

Longer Australian season and more choice

For the first time, Celebrity Solstice will spend an extended season in Australian waters, boosting capacity and itinerary options.

“In terms of sailings, yes, because Solstice will be here just for a little bit longer,” Jones said.

The ship will return in October as part of a 110-night Grand Voyage from Alaska to Asia, including multiple Australian and New Zealand sailings, as well as South Pacific itineraries.

Highlights include:

• New Zealand voyages from Auckland to Sydney
• Australian coastal itineraries featuring Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania
• South Pacific sailings with new destinations including Royal Caribbean’s Lelepa private beach club
• A repositioning cruise through Southeast Asia

With Celebrity Edge also returning for the 2026/27 season, Australians will have two distinct but complementary Celebrity experiences to choose from.

Prices rising — but value remains key

With such a major upgrade, pricing is inevitably under scrutiny. Jones was candid about the direction of fares. “Costs go up everywhere… that’s something that every business sees. So there’s always an increase in fares,” he said.

However, he emphasised that Celebrity’s focus remains value rather than simply price increases. “What we’ve created here is an experience… at a price point in the Australian market that is exceptionally fair for the level of excellence.

“It’s all focused around the value of the experience.”

The revamped Solstice also reflects Celebrity’s broader shift upmarket.

“I think we have been on a journey to elevate the product… what we offer has become very unique in the marketplace,” Jones said.

The line continues to target couples and multigenerational travellers, typically aged 45+, but with a growing appeal to younger guests drawn to the ship’s updated design, dining and social spaces.

A new era for a local favourite

Fourteen years after first arriving in Australian waters, Celebrity Solstice is entering what the line describes as a “new chapter”, one that blends its long-standing popularity with a modern, elevated cruise experience.

For Australian travellers, the result is simple: more choice, more contemporary ships, and a clear shift toward premium cruising at a price point that, while rising, is being positioned as delivering stronger overall value.