PennyB

I got off the Solstice just before Christmas. I have a gluten sensitivity as well. The menus in the main dining room and the specialty restaurants all have each thing offered on the menu labeled. There were 4 (gluten free, vegetarian, lactose free and I'm not sure what the other one was). I had no problem at all. The Oceanview Cafe is another story, although they do offer gluten free pasta and pizza on request. I can, for the most part, just look at the dish to know if I can eat it or not. If I'm not sure... there is a ton of other stuff that I know I can eat. I would put it on your reservation, but don't worry too much.

We got off the Solstice just before Christmas. We did the 12 night cruise from Auckland to Sydney. We booked two excursions thru Celebrity (Akaroa, NZ and Hobart, Tasmania) and three as a package with Shore Excursions Group (Tauranga, Wellington and Dunedin, NZ). Shore Excursions is just a middle man to hire local excursion companies, but they did a great job with the ones they hired, the buses/vans were new, clean and the drivers were very knowledgeable. BUT if for some reason the excursion is delayed (more on that) the ship will not wait for a non Celebrity excursion. The 'guarantee' is to get you to the next port. Big deal as that could be several days later if you have some sea days in there. On our Celebrity sponsored excursion in Akaroa the bus broke down and we got back 2 hours AFTER the ship was set to sail. Not only did the ship wait for us, but many of the ship's officers were at the tender to meet us and welcome us back. Nice touch Celebrity :) Lesson learned for me that I will not take non ship sponsored all day or afternoon excursion again. Maybe morning as there would me ample time to return even with a breakdown.

My luggage was 'lost' coming off the Solstice in Sydney last month. Someone took my luggage by mistake. Luckily we both were staying a few extra days in Sydney and it was returned to me at my hotel. When we filled out the lost luggage form at the pier, the Celebrity representative said that Celebrity's liability ended when it left the ship. If it hadn't been returned we would have gotten nothing from Celebrity and a meager amount from our travel insurance (barely covers the cost of the suitcase let alone the contents).

Hi,

I just got off the Celebrity Solstice 12 New Zealand cruise. My boyfriend and I chose the Premium (alcohol) Package. I knew the package would be a money saver for him :). Me on the other hand I wasn't so sure. Out of the 12 days, 5 days were at sea days. I think that is important to remember. So... the average 'at sea day' for me:

1) Special coffee at Cafe al Bacio

2) Another cup for breakfast because the stuff in the Oceanview or Dining room is terrible !

3) Fresh squeezed orange juice for breakfast

4) Bottle water

5) foo foo drink (or 2) by pool or on your balcony

6) wine late in the day while getting dressed

7) cocktail before dinner

8) wine with dinner (maybe more than one if you are in a Specialty Restaurant)

9) nightcap

#5 was the only one I missed in port. Sometimes I had 2 bottles of water on port days.

With the Premium (alcohol) package they only charge you the difference between the $12 max wine and the wine you choose. With the Classic Package they charge you the WHOLE amount. I may be a wine snob, but the wines on the Classic Package aren't good! Of the 4 times we upgraded to the better wine, we were only charged the difference once.

The BIG plus is never having to sign for a thing! That was huge to us. Did my Honey get his money's worth? Ubetcha... Did I ? I think/know so !

SHIP: Solstice

CABIN #: 1667

DECK #: 11

CLASS: S2

AREA: AFT

BED NEAR: Bath

QUIET?: Yes

BALCONY VIEW: Amazing

BALCONY SIZE: Huge

WIND A PROBLEM?: Definitely NOT

SOOT A PROBLEM?: a little, but nothing that wasn't cleaned by the attendant

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Absolutely LOVED this cabin. Would book here again in a heartbeat. The only problem was the obnoxious neighbors that were either fighting with each other or hollering at the room attendant. Read that it was a long walk to the elevators, not bad at all. I've had longer walks in a non aft cabin !

Miched

 

I wasn't aware that they had a duty free liquor shop on the ship, if I use my credits for a bottle can I bring it to my room for consumption?

No you cannot. They will deliver it to your cabin the last night of the cruise.

We are cruising on Celebrity Solstice in December and I am really struggling with excursions. We cruised/land toured in Alaska last summer and we loved the excursions that had sightseeing planes and helicopters. I've googled and followed several links, wrote them and they all said that their service is not an option for people on cruise ships. Can anyone help me out? Thanks !

Has anyone ever used Hinterland Tours? One of the other companies that comes recommended is fully booked.

Can you tell me what company was recommended? In the process of planning excursions. Thanks !