CELEBRITY SOLSTICE CRUISE REVIEW ~ THAILAND & VIETNAM ITINERARY ~ MUST-SEE STOPS
I’m long overdue… again, with this post on my trip to Thailand and Vietnam back a couple of months ago. It was amazing in every way, and very fun to take my husband along this time. We sailed with CELEBRITY CRUISES on the Solstice, and honestly, the ship itself deserves its own moment before I even get into Thailand and Vietnam.
So first…. yes, the Solstice recently got a bit of a facelift, and you can absolutely feel it. In fact everything felt so new, I didn’t even realize it was an older ship. Everything felt fresh, modern, and really cozy…. just like Celebrity’s other ships. The public spaces were beautiful…. the pools especially, and just really easy to settle into.
Our room had an open balcony (which you just have to have on a cruise). It’s so nice sitting outside in the early mornings or watching the ocean at night that is such a reset. It just makes the whole experience of cruising so next level!
And then the food! Oh my gosh, so delicious! The options were incredible, the morning breakfasts, the treats at the cafe…. but the standout for us was the Italian restaurant, Trattoria Rosa. Not only did we dine there once, but twice, it was THAT good! The pasta, the atmosphere, the tiramisu, the service…. just perfection! Especially fun to learn that the ingredients they use…. the San Marzano tomatoes, the olive oil, regional cheeses, the cured meats, are directly from different parts of Italy. I’m such an olive oil fan, and it was to die for!!
We kicked off our very first sea day with a massage, which was honestly the best decision ever, after the long flight! I highly recommend going the first day! Starting the trip that relaxed just set the tone for everything else. After that, our sea days were basically poolside bliss, lounging, sleeping, listening to live music, drinking virgin margaritas….. heaven! And somehow, the fresh towels magically appear…. love their attention to detail! The service on those days was exceptional. We met some super fun people, which always makes a trip more memorable.
And one more thing before I get into the excursions…. the entertainment! The shows, the performances, the talent, oh my goodness! My husband likened it to Vegas! Every night it was a big WOW….. the shows are way beyond what you’d ever expect on a cruise ship!
CHAWENG BEACH ~ THAILAND
Our first excursion was on our own to CHAWENG BEACH. No doubt lot’s of shopping and browsing that day as we were on our own. We headed to the ocean for some pictures and a delicious beachside lunch. Along with the yummy spring rolls, sitting outside overlooking the water was dreamy!
BANGKOK THAILAND
Then BANGKOK…. wow! Around 95% of the population is Buddhist, and you can feel that spiritual presence everywhere. In fact throughout Thailand and Vietnam, I felt how deeply faith and tradition are woven into everyday life. We spent time along the Chao Phraya River….. also know as the “RIVER OF THE KINGS.” It runs right through the heart of Bangkok. Historically it was the main transportaion and trade route for the Thai kingdom. So much of Thailand’s history lives along its banks.
Lastly we visited the ROYAL BARGE MUSEUM, home to Thailand’s beautifully ornamented ceremonial vessels. They are still used for important royal and national celebrations. Along the river, we spotted a giant water monitor lizard climbing up a set of concrete steps. This got everyone’s attention!
One of the most incredible sights was WAT ARUN, the TEMPLE of DAWN. It’s covered in intricate porcelain details, and at sunset it reflects off the water in the most beautiful way…. so they say. We were actually there midday, but still incredible! Before entering, visitors must dress modestly. Since I was wearing shorts, I rented a traditional wrap skirt for a small fee. It’s often recognized as the symbol of Thailand.
SANCTUARY OF TRUTH & PATTAYA FLOATING MARKET ~ THAILAND
This was one of my favorite days of the trip. We visited the SANCTURARY OF TRUTH. This is an incredible wooden temple, known as the largest wooden castle in the world. It’s filled with carvings and meaningful symbolism centered around life, community, and personal growth. One thing I always appreciate about traveling with a local guide is the deeper understanding they provide. Their knowledge brings these places to life in a way you could never experience on your own. So many details and stories, and so hard to believe the entire sanctuary is constructed completely from wood.
After that we visited the PATTAYA FLOATING MARKET. It’s such a fun way to experience local life, with boats gliding along the canals and vendors selling everything from handmade gifts to fresh food. The market was vibrant and colorful…. just how I like it! Thailand is often called “Food Heaven”, because it’s on every corner, making it easy to stroll, snack, stroll, snack!
HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM
Vietnam felt completely different from Thailand but just as fascinating. There’s a strong Buddhist influence here too, but it shows up a bit differently in the culture and daily life. Our first stop was HO CHI MINH CITY, nearly 10 million people. It has a noticeable French influence, which you can see in the architecture and strong cafe scene. We visited a museum where we saw weapons, arrowheads, and other artifacts. We also learned that red is considered a lucky color in Vietnam. It’s associated with prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. Another thing I found to be interesting…. if you are picked up for being drunk, you go directly into rehab for 3 years and then are let out into society. I say this is genius!
Afterwards, we visited the THIEN HAU TEMPLE. It’s located in Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown. The incense that burns from hundreds of spiral incense coils hung overhead, really sets a spiritual ambiance, and a great representation of the traditions that are so important to daily life in Vietnam.
HOI AN MERCHANT TOWN ~ VIETNAM
Unquestionably, this day, was my favorite of the entire trip…. HOI AN MERCHANT TOWN. It is magical! No cars…. just walking and biking. Lanterns everywhere, especially red ones (remember it’s their lucky color), and the cutest shops and cafes. Hoi An is where I purchased my traditional Vietnamese conical hat, one of the country’s most recognizable cultural symbols. It will always be a special reminder of my time in Vietnam. We were a little disappointed with our lunch….. we should have gone with our tour guide’s recommendations!
HA LONG BAY ~ VIETNAM
Last but certainly not least…… was HA LONG BAY. It’s one of those places that truly deserves to be called awe-inspiring, and not surprisingly, it’s considered one of Vietnam’s greatest natural wonders. Once you’re out on the water, however, surrounded by those towering limestone formations, you immediately understand why. Set in the beautiul Gulf of Tonkin, the scenery feels almost surreal. Every turn, another breathtaking sight comes into view.
My first glimpse of it was actually while I was working out in the gym that morning as our ship approached. I had no idea how spectacular it would be. In the middle of my workout, I looked up and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I got off my machine and headed out onto the deck for a better look. It was indeed SPECTACULAR!
Our first day there, was spent exploring the local culture and landmarks of HON GAI. First we visited the QUANG NINH MUSEUM, then made our way to the beautiful LONG TIEN PAGODA, and finally wandered through the very busy HON GAI MARKET. It was the perfect introduction to the area. Sitting at the base of Ha Long’s dramatic limestone cliffs, LONG TIEN PAGODA gives you a glimpse into Vietnam’s Buddhist heritage. We had so much fun watching monkeys playing on the surrounding rooftops, which became one of my husband’s favorite moments of the day.
The next day, we boarded a boat for DAU GO ISLAND to explore the legendary THIEN CUNG CAVE, better known as the Heavenly Cave. However, before we even reached the cave, this incredible sight stole the show! Rising straight from the water, was a towering limestone formation that looked almost impossible! Definitely, nature balancing an entire mountain on a pedestal!
We climbed 450 steps that lead to this massive subterranean wonder, and a wonder it certainly was! The moment we stepped inside, it felt like entering another world. The cool air, the echoes of dripping water, and just the scale of the cavern created the coolest atmosphere. Everywhere I looked, towering rock formations from floor to ceiling. Even more incredible was knowing that nature had sculpted every detail over thousands of years….. seriously a masterpiece!
__________
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
This trip was such a mix of relaxation, culture, learning, and just pure enjoyment with my husband. From the comforts of the ship to the charm of Hoi An, and then the beauty of Ha Long Bay….. it felt like we experienced so many different worlds in just one journey. And truly, being able to come back each night to our balcony, the ocean, and the cozy space with my husband made it even more special! Without a doubt, I would recommend this trip to anyone! THANK YOU to CELEBRITY CRUISES for taking us on a trip of a lifetime!!!
REVIEW OF OUR CELEBRITY CRUISE
PATTAYA AND SANCTUARY OF TRUTH REEL
