Celebrity Cruises’ new look Celebrity Solstice, currently undergoing the first phase of a US$250 million (around AU$355.32 million) Solstice Series modernisation, has docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney.
Fourteen years after first arriving on Australian shores and having visited more Australian ports than any other ship in the fleet, the Celebrity Solstice’s refurbishment signals an exciting new era for local guests, who will be among the first in the region to experience her bold bow to stern transformation.
Sailing from Singapore, Celebrity Solstice called in Darwin on 1 April, followed by Port Douglas, Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob) and Airlie Beach, before arriving into Sydney Harbour. Today (9 April), she departs on a 16-night voyage to Honolulu via New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa.
“Celebrity Solstice has long been a favourite of our Australian guests,” Celebrity Cruises vice president and managing director Australia and APAC Tim Jones said.
“To see her, the first of our Solstice Series ships to be made new again and be one of the first markets to experience her bow to stern enhancements is incredibly special. This revitalisation is about elevating everything our guests already loved – from dining and entertainment to our best-in-class acommodations – while introducing brand-new spaces designed for connection and relaxation. Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Solstice in the Australian market.”
Joining her in market, Celebrity Edge also returns to Australia from October for the 2026/27 season, offering a range of 4- to 17-night itineraries across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
What’s new onboard
As the first revitalised Solstice Series ship, Celebrity Solstice now features eight exciting new experiences, including four brand-new spaces to Celebrity – Trattoria Rossa, Sunset Park, The Parlor, and Boulevard Lounge – along with redesigned fan-favourites from bow to stern.
Entertainment & social spaces
- Boulevard Lounge & Bar – A cabaret-style venue hosting candlelit concerts and duelling pianos, with the bar serving handcrafted cocktails just steps away.
- The Parlor – An elevated sports bar with live games, plus billiards, darts and more.
- Two new production shows in The Theatre – Smoke and Ivories, a 1950s Hollywood inspired show with piano entertainment, jaw-dropping acrobatics and electrifying vocals; and Rockumentary, an unmissable live rock concert experience with hits from across the decades.
Enhanced dining
- Trattoria Rossa – An opulent Italian hideaway serving authentic tableside preparations and fresh pasta made from scratch daily.
- Fine Cut Steakhouse – The Forbes Travel Guide-rated steakhouse favourite – also on the signature Edge Series – offering 30-day dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and elevated service.
Reimagined outdoor escapes
- Sunset Park – A half-acre rooftop oasis with lawn games, live music and elevated dining, complemented by a new Sunset Park Cafe and expanded Sunset Bar with private cabanas and dedicated service.
New look outdoor spaces on the Solstice Series ships.
Redesigned stay at sea
- Four new stateroom categories, including the Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, two Panoramic Ocean View Suite categories, and the Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View.
- All staterooms upgraded ship wide, plus 54 new staterooms added for a total of 1,479 cabins.
- Refreshed AquaClass staterooms with spa-inspired amenities including massaging shower heads, aromatherapy diffusers, in-room yoga mats and a pillow menu, plus an all-new Retreat Sundeck with an oversized hot tub, dedicated outdoor seating, and redesigned private lounge.
2026/27 Australia and New Zealand highlights
Celebrity Solstice return Down Under in October as part of her 110-night Grand Voyage sailing across the Pacific from Alaska to Asia, visiting 15 countries and more than 55 destinations.
Upcoming local sailings:
- Departing 18 October 2026: 13-night Best of New Zealand (Auckland to Sydney) – Explore dramatic fjords and vibrant cities, from Tauranga and Napier to the spectacular Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds.
- Departing 31 October 2026: 10-night Australia Wine (round trip Sydney) – A culinary voyage through Australia’s renowned wine regions, calling at Hobart, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide and Melbourne.
- Departing 10 November 2026: 12-night South Pacific Islands (round trip Sydney) – Island escapes across Lifou, Mystery Island, Port Vila and Nouméa, including a return to Luganville (Santo), Vanuatu for the first time since 2019.
- Departing 22 November 2026: 13-night Australia (Sydney to Singapore) – A coastal journey via Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas and Darwin before sailing into Southeast Asia.
