Aussiejack

We got off the Marina 12 day FP cruise this morning; captain completely rearranged the itinerary the night before the cruise to avoid a cyclone and chase good weather. Great decision, as we had practically no rain.

The cruise before us had major rain every day.

 

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We are on Marina at the moment and having a great time .

We got on Feb 13 and doing the 12 day and 10 day b2b leaving ship March 7.

Aside from a couple of short rain showers the weather has been great , mid to high 20 c , but quite humid , we are in the tropics after all .

As already reported the 12 day cruise was rearranged to avoid the bad weather , same ports , different order , a great decision.

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We boarded the Eclipse today. Boarding start was delayed for quite some time because the ship was given clearance two hours later than expected or usual. It was a little after noon before boarding commenced. Lots of passengers eager to board, and happily, we have had a lovely sail away from Miami. Kudos to the Celebrity department that had the Muster station/emergency video made. Fun surprise. I hope it is in use fleet wide. It is new since our last Celebrity cruise.

I believe there was a similar shut down in Dec 1996 .

We were in SanFrancisco for a few days and the Redwood forest , Alcatraz and Yosemite, amongst others were all closed , disappointing but not the end of the World for us , we were on holiday.

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Hello,

 

 

 

Would anyone know the approximate taxi fare from Sydney airport to the Hyatt Regency on Sussex St., Darling Harbour? I am trying to decide if it would be cheaper to take a cab from the stand at the airport or pre arrange to have a taxi meet me and take me to the hotel.

 

 

 

Any information would be helpful.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

Barb

Hi Barb ,

We have sailed into cruise terminal near Circular Quay several times now and took a taxi to the International Airport where we leave our car , and each time the fare was about $45 - $50.

This is usually around 9 am and so sometimes more traffic.

Probably would be cheaper to take the airport train from there , but certainly easier our way with no luggage to cart around .

I guess the fare from the Airport to your Hotel would be similar as the cruise terminal is not too far from your Hotel , and somewhat dependent on time of day .

Should be plenty of taxis outside the Terminal , always has been in our experience.

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Or else you can simply ask your stateroom attendant for an ice bucket and water pitcher.

The stateroom attendant will refill them twice daily, when they service the room (or at other times upon request).

Back in "those olden days, those golden days" :p the water pitchers and ice buckets were provided in all cabins automatically, without any need to ask for them.

 

If you don't like the tap water in your cabin, you can take your pitcher up to the buffet and refill it there.

The environmental officer on one of the ships told us that there are extra filters on the water dispensers up there.

When we cruised Solstice Aqua in 2015 Honolulu to Sydney , there were 2 bottles of water in the cabin on arrival which were replaced every day .

We have cruise 3 more times with the same ship and Millenium in 2016 and 2017 and it is now seemingly only supplied on the first day .

Strangely, when I asked our TA about the change in policy , she contacted Celebrity in Australia who advised her in 2016 it was still definitely Celebrity policy to supply it daily in Aqua , but on board they said it was not .

Not a great amount of extra cost for us and I suspect just a further example of cost cutting by Celebrity.

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I would like to bring a bottle of Baileys on, to drink in the room. I am correct in thinking this isn't officially allowed, but usually it would be ok?

Yes , it was 2 years ago .

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We did this cruise in 2015 & 2016 and are booked to do it again in 2018 .

The first time we were a little apprehensive about the thought of so many sea days however we soon got over that ,and now , that is part of the attraction . Only once saw another ship at sea between Honolulu and NZ .

The thought of only one air flight and cruising home to Sydney are other benefits for us . We are really over air travel .

We sail on Aqua level and really enjoy the somewhat quieter and relaxed feel of Blu restaurant ( the food is good too ), not particularly excited about the spa benefits. Possibly old age talking here .

We find the ports in Tahiti interesting, not so much Papeete, but Bora Bora and Moorea are great , plus the Bay of Islands in NZ . We like a trip around Bora Bora swimming with the rays and sharks , only the black tipped ones .

Tend to organise our own shore excursions , partially as always feel a bit ripped off on the ship organised efforts , but are happy doing our own thing ., Celebrity not the only one guilty of that .

We really like the whole layout and feel of the ship and have always found her in good order and the staff very helpful and friendly. Always somewhere to sit in the public areas and reasonable presentations in the theatre on sea days.

Last trip we found the CD somewhat over the top but that is a matter of personal taste , he spoke too fast .

We sailed in her again last February from Auckland to Sydney and were just as happy although thought the shelter things they had put on the lawn a complete waste of time , evidenced by the lack of usage by passengers. The high cost to use them would be another factor.

We usually spend a few days in Honolulu prior to the cruise and next year will sail POA while there . Past experience tells us the POA is at a somewhat lower level than Solstice, but the ports are great .

I suspect the 2018 Cruise will not be our last , health permitting.

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We boarded Marina in Papeete a couple of years ago . Asked at the front desk if it was OK to bring bottle of gin on board . Was told “ only if I can come and help drink it “

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