The first Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Solstice entered service in November 2008 and is the namesake of the class.

Celebrity Solstice was, at 122,000 gross tonnage (GT), the largest ship to be built at a German shipyard, but this record was surpassed by the Disney Dream, a 128,000 GT cruise ship of the Disney Cruise Line.

[4] Meyer Werft reached several milestones in their career while building the Solstice class.

The overall masterplan was completed by Boston-based Wilson Butler Architects, who would also design the entertainment venues such as the Main Theater, Grand Foyer, and open decks, including the Lawn Club.

[16] The staterooms on Solstice-class ships are significantly larger than the previous classes, with 80% having a veranda.

The newest feature of the class is the iLounge, a combination of Internet café and an Apple authorized resale store.

[18] The original renderings for the Solstice class was to have powder blue upper decks and funnels.

In order to compensate, the small "X" on the front funnel was enlarged on ships following Celebrity Solstice.