QE2_Fan

My wife recently broke her ankle after slipping on a rather steep decline of the gangplank. We were heading out for a day in port, last one prior to arrival in Sydney.

Due the nature of the injury it was clear she would need to disembark for onshore medical attention so we made the call for all of us (10 and 13yo. Kids in tow) to disembark and stick together as a family unit.

whilst initially the crew were very supportive there was no clear coordination aside from us needing to pack and get off the ship. Twice crew came to our cabin to check process and advise is to let guest services know when we were ready to disembark.

When we were ready I did as instructed and requested help with baggage. They sent someone to collect the baggage and take it down to the gangway. Otherwise they said if I had a credit card on file there was nothing more they had to do and to go directly to the gangplank on deck 2.

By this time there was a torrential downpour and people were rushing to get back on the ship. The security team recognised us from the time of the accident and at least tried to make way for us to exit.

We then had to collect our luggage from where it was dropped off, and carry/drag/roll it over the very same gangplank where my wife fell earlier, and now in even worse conditions.

My daughter was traumatised at the thought of falling like she saw her mother do earlier and it wasn't until I requested assistance at least for my daughter that they got a steward to assist her and the case she was trying to manage. He ran back on board without a second glance or even an offer of an umbrella.

Whilst I do concur that the ships obligation can only go so far IMO they fell WAY under that on this occasion per common courtesy, safety and customer service in our disembarkation process.

We were blessed to have friends that were waiting for us, otherwise we too would have been left dockside dripping wet wondering what our next steps were.

Yes one's logic should prevail, but logic does not always kick in when you have a wife in hospital, a child in distress, a torrential thunderstorm pouring down and 9 pieces of luggage in various forms surrounding you!

So I completely concur with previous poster that just a little extra effort and coordination to see passengers off the ship and safely into a taxi (even if I had to book it!)

I too am in my mid 40's and it was a day I'd rather forget. Unless you've been through it you really have no idea how difficult every little decision and what your next action, your next call etc needs to be.

Even with our friends we had to take all our luggage to the hospital to check in and see my wife, the kids needed to be fed and we then had to work out where to stay, for how long etc. whilst worried about my wife, about getting home, about work, trying to keep a straight face for the kids sake. It was an ordeal let me tell you! I really empathise for those older and wiser in years dealing with similar scenarios.

On the flip side however, unbeknown to us at this time, Celebrity AU sent a representative up for support, and we had a call from Celebrity UK offering assistance. Care of the kids, finding accom etc. (yes some of that much needed support did come, but a little late - would have been nicely done prior leaving the ship)

The rep visited my wife in hospital and was there more for moral support than anything else but this was quite a nice gesture by Celebrity. She also works in the Exec Dept of AU management! So I have verbalised much of this to her directly in the hope they can take our comments and assess how they could better handle such situations, admittedly to the extent of their control/liability.

My Wife had an operation today to have pins added into her ankle so hopefully she will be given the ok to fly and we can head home as a family in a few more days.

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I believe you can purchase the drink package mid cruise up until last 4 days. Just head to any bar and they will assist. Can't comment on the discounting - we did the same cruise in 2014 and paid full price. Much prefer getting it as a perk, but we did consider it good value overall ! Good luck.

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This may help you decide. Even on port days you can still enjoy water, coffee and wine/cocktail.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NR5hlMjY0zh5c6WWe88iITw1taOAAO_6-TYCA2SWU4U

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I've posted photos over in this thread. Celebrity Solstice October Refresh Thread

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fboards%2Ecruisecritic%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D2403949&share_tid=2403949&share_fid=24703&share_type=t

There is very minimal changes, even in regard to soft refurbishment of furniture, carpets etc. having a ball though! Great ship and crew as always [emoji1]

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This may have occurred earlier but the enomatic wine dispensers in Cellarmasters have been removed.

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Thanks for the pictures.

I'm puzzled by how they expect the movies to be attended.

It looks like the side walls of the cabanas are too high to view them and everyone else will have to sit or lay on the lawn. Not so comfortable for a 2 hour movie! :( (And dragging chairs on the lawn will kill it quickly)

 

I love watching movies in the evening on Princess and was initially very excited about this addition but the execution seems (once again :( ) to have not been thought out.

The screen would have been so much more accessible if it were down on the pool deck as it is on Princess where one can lay on a deck chair to watch.

 

:confused:

I think the idea is to sit on a blanket on the lawn but yes that could get a little uncomfortable for a full length movie. The roofs of the cabanas can be folded away so maybe they will be popular for VIP movie viewing ...at a VIP price of course [emoji848][emoji15]

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We've been on numerous cruises and keep scratching our head as to why someone would do their art buying on a cruise. What exactly is the scam? Impulse buying? Same for the jewelry and watch "sales"?

Lol. I tend to agree. Our friend went to an auction to 'take a look' swearing they were not interested in purchasing - yet got caught up in the moment and walked away $500 poorer [emoji23]

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Currently on Solstice 14 night cruise from Singapore to Sydney. Still a great showing of men in tuxedos and ladies in their best frocks. It's quite a mix really, but don't think anyone looked out of place, nor did those that did not dress to impress ruin anyone's evening [emoji6]

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Here are a few of the most notable changes that are visible in public areas.

TV screen - not yet used as they are still trying to get the lawn re established since dry dock.

Cabanas - not used or promoted much. They may be waiting until ship returns to Australian season to push these more.

Tiffany's- a pop up store where the art gallery used to be on Deck 5. Limited selection of mostly sterling silver pieces but this may expand depending on its popularity.

New and expanded seating at both Mast Grill and Bar

Already in place is the World Class Bar on Deck 5, replacing Molecular Bar.

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I'm currently onboard with my daughter. Having a great time. We're in a concierge balcony room and the one thing I can say is that the balconies could really use some new furniture.

I think it was only in suites. We are not in one but next to a Celebrity Suite. Furniture still same, and to me looks like it DOES need replacing. Also chairs in Ocean View were not updated, but many need it.

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Our ship has arrived! Just docked about an 1 hour ago, here's a couple of shots including a close up of the new cabanas and TV screen in the Lawn Club area.

Sorry for quality, taken from our balcony at Marina Bay Sands and is very humid/hazy today in Singapore.

Also docked this morning is Royal's Mariner of the Seas.

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I am at a loss, as to where you have viewed the commercials, where CELEBRITY is marketing for the children and family units.. I have NEVER seen one.. I HAVE seen several about couples and relaxation..

 

We who have kids, love them, but on vacation, I don't want to have to deal with kids from someone else, even if I bring mine.. OP was out of line, and probably should have found another location for the legos.. There are plenty.. I know... :rolleyes:

Maybe not an advertising campaign per se..but check their brochure and web page. Quite a lot of info dedicated to family cruising and kids activities.

Don't see it spelt out anywhere that its and 'adults only' cruise line as many here intimate it is.

Don't get me wrong, am not suggesting they are purely focussed on the family market like a Disney or even RCI, but to go the other way and suggest they are not equipped to cater or welcome families onboard is, well just as ignorant as others suggesting that people in scooters should not cruise because the take up too much space in elevators. [emoji33]

Sorry some opinions posted here and elsewhere on cruise critic just show such an intolerance of others it amazes me!

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The C1 afts on S class are a completely different beast, hence me specifically stating the M class in my post :). All cabins are the same size on S class, too ;). Personally, wouldn't bother with C on S class, would take the 1A instead :).

 

 

Think this says it all :cool:.

Nice Verandah! Yes I am aware that M class and S class Concierge class cabins are different, hence why i mentioned my comments were for Solstice class ships.

True, if the price is higher then I wouldn't be bothered with Concierge class over a 1A (at a 1B price!) either - but I think for our next cruise we only paid $50 more for the C2 and got all 3 perks so it was awesome value :D

I guess you haven't read the numerous posts on this board where parents have said their children enjoyed Celevrity kids clubs more than Disney's because there were less children. My children grew up with Celebrity's kids clubs and preferred them to other lines. I am not discounting what the OP said but I do ignore those who tell others not to take their kids on a Celebrity cruise unless they have actually taken kids on Celebrity. They simply don't know what they are talking about since each child is different.

+1

People on here openly recommending not to take your kids on Celebrity as they prefer not to sail with kids? Where do you get off?!

They advertise and market for families and kids club facilities so it's not unreasonable to expect those services to deliver no different to any other service onboard.

But to the OP, I'm surprised based on your knowledge and concerns that you had not better investigated these prior to sailing.

Personally my kids started using kids club a little older (7yo) and have loved every visit. My daughter has cried having to leave her wonderful carers at the end of the cruise. So seems a very different experience to what you've encountered.

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We are thinking of booking 8274 + 8278 on Solstice and before leaving the deposit was wondering if anybody has any reviews on these two cabins.

The 1st and 3rd cabins on the slant from the main hump of Solstice class ships have the largest verandahs. The 2nd and 4th are still larger than average but not as 'deep' as the other two.

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Correct, no paying for a C2 and getting a C1 ;). I, too, imagine it's because of their location. They would be gone in a heart beat on every M class ship before you could say 'huge' balcony if it was permitted :D.

Funny, on Solstice class ships the C1’s are aft facing cabins. Yes very popular but I personally prefer the C2 cabins on the hump with some of the largest verandahs on the ship. At a C3 price of course!

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Man, there is sure a culture on cruise critic of unpleasant responses, regardless of the topic of the post. I have no idea why that should be-if folks don't like a post or aren't interested, move on! Life is short! It'd be like me going to comment on every post about a ship I'm not on just to say "who cares about this? Not everyone is on the Silhouette".

 

Thank you for the posts on these deals! They don't work for us but I hope someone can take advantage!

 

 

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What many may be missing is that the OP is also having at those that have complained that many cruises are becoming more expensive and the deals are drying up from what they use to be.

Yes the info on these deals is great, but it's not exactly apples to apples in regards to the points other posted have made and OP Is making their own little digs at! It goes both ways lol!

I would love to grab some of these deals but like others, a deal in an inside cabin is not attractive, nor do I have the luxury of making such last minute vacation plans.

One day!

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Well her drydock stint is truly underway! Here's a few shots of her getting a good scrub down....no interior shots yet. Looking forward to seeing if there are any 'surprise' changes not included on the 'marketing' release in a few days time !! Will try and post some first hand shots, internet access prevailing!

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I'm sure this topic has been covered before, however my search function is not working. Is there an outdoor promenade deck on the Solstice class ships where one can view the ocean when sailing and the pier when docked? Or is it blocked by lifeboats?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

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There is not a full wrap around promenade deck on Solstice ships and yes most of the space is blocked by lifeboats, but there are some open sections.

You may be better wandering up to Deck 14 which is above the pool deck and offers almost uninterrupted views.

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Last cruise I discovered a cocktail with Spiced Rum in it...I thought it was a rum runner or Dark n Stormy but not sure. It was from the Ensemble Lounge menu so hopefully will still be there next week aboard Solstice! But liking the sound of some of the above, including trying out the World Class Bar!

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What happened to the category designation on X's website? How are you supposed to distinguish one category from another?

This has been a bug, or new enhanced feature (depending on whether you are a user or from their IT Dept [emoji38]) for a while now. I sometimes see the category codes quickly flash up then disappear when the cabin selections first appear on screen.

I sure hope it's a bug and not a permanent change - and they fix it soon as agree it's rather frustrating.

I now mainly use TA websites that still show this info thankfully!

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The $165 charge is for GoBetter Bev/Grats. This is an 11 night cruise. With GoBig (1 perk) being included already, to upgrade to gobetter would cost $15 per person/per day X 11 nights = $165 on top of the base rate. If you wish to "GoBest", it would cost $45 per person/per day X 11 nights = $495 on top of the base rate (NOT on top of the gobetter upcharge, but the base rate). There is another code on the reservation YHH3 which is the code for GoBetter for Free. When you get your invoice, it should be noted that if you qualify for for any promotions/perks, it can take up to 10 business days for it to be applied. As that is the invoice you received while on your cruise, the "value" had not been applied yet.

 

 

 

I can't answer as to why they did not apply the $154 for grats per person to the reservation as that is also what you chose. In 10 days you would then see a credit for -$154 per person to make those "free".

 

 

 

To upgrade from the Classic to Premium on an 11 night cruise would cost $129.80 per person.

Ah! This makes sense, thank you! It's a little bit like a jigsaw puzzle sometimes where you are missing a piece! You just provided that missing piece [emoji38]

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That's very interesting! We had that amount charged, as well. Read on...

 

 

 

We recently booked onboard the day before leaving the ship. We received the invoice late, so I didn't really get a chance to go over everything while onboard.

 

 

 

FYI, when currently booking onboard, the offer is 2 perks (OV - AQ) and an onboard credit the amount of the deposit.

 

 

 

In our case, it was $100pp deposit = $200 OBC. And we picked Gratuities (11 night cruise) and the Beverage Classic Package.

 

 

 

Our invoice has an amount of $165 pp listed. I could not figure that out, as the gratuity amount would be less. So it sounds like the rep charged us for a Premium Package.:eek:

 

 

 

So I go to the Celebrity website and added my reservation number. The $165 pp charge is gone, but what a train wreck the invoice is (Both are!) Different from the original, but more correct. What is not correct is the Half Off promo amount on the onboard invoice. And it took me a while to figure this out...but we were suppose to get a CC discount rate (AQ1 for the price of an AQ2) Confirmed by the onboard rep. Instead we were charged for the AQ1 rate.

 

 

 

Going to call Celebrity tomorrow to try and straighten this out. In the meantime I have another onboard reservation to figure out. Booked 3 staterooms for a future cruise, and never received the invoices. :eek:

 

 

 

Here are the previously mentioned invoices (screenshots) if anyone is interested in seeing the differences. First screenshot (#3) is the onboard invoice. Second screenshot (#2) is from my Celebrity reservation page.

I'm making a wild leap here but the code for the $165 Is BEVGRT. Could this be their system allowing for 18% gratuities on the included classic Bev pkg? Not saying they are now on charging these, it may be one of those amounts that will be deducted or disappears in a few weeks!

We too can't believe the crazy codes and debits and credits that need to be used by their internal systems, and the fact that there own staff are not always aware of what they mean nor correctly explain them [emoji33]

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I think we are all up for an entry visa, even if your nationality is normally valid for a visa waiver.

Normally as Australian Passport holders we do not require one but apparently some entry locations to Bali are not setup to process visa waivers. Port Benoa, where Solstice tenders, is one of those.

It will be arranged by Celebrity and charged to our seapass account.

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This is how it shows in the Cruise Summary page if they are ready. The big link is to open the e-docs and print your own, above that is a link to order them to be sent in the mail.

Cheers!

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