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CELEBRITY SOLSTICE REVIEW by Debsta - 1 NIGHTER

Debsta

By Debsta,
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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Debsta

Debsta

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CELEBRITY SOLSTICE – 9 DECEMBER 2012 – 1 NIGHT

 

Video here >>>>

 

I’ve put my “running around like an energiser bunny happy snaps” together in a video taken from my little Sony TX10! Hehe (cool camera which is also waterproof to 5 metres for all those snorkelling or sitting in the hot tub on deck shots :D) Sadly no hot tubbing for this little 1 nighter though but I did get a shot inside the fully cranked up steam room haha. The music on the video is not my normal rock type - thought I’d class it up a bit haha

 

1 night is not enough to do any type of true comparison or review to what a longer voyage would be like. For me, I would jump on her again in a heartbeat for a longer trip, even after experiencing some of the inconveniences encountered on this. She’s stylish without stuffiness – something that had bugged me for a while and why I had balked at booking a Celebrity cruise......I really was concerned about stuffiness! I found the vast majority of staff incredibly friendly that I encountered, although the poor bar staffed were pushed to the max. Perhaps it’s because I engaged them in conversation with a smile or I’m just too laid back for my own good or I was one of the first ones on and not stressed out LOL..............? This touch with a champagne and/or orange juice on boarding. I don’t think you can really do a comparison on a one nighter for dinner staff. I know on every other cruise they usually take a night or two to warm up.

 

These very short cruises are ‘tasters’ where you have an incredible amount of people all wanting to do the same thing at the same time. I know many were disappointed at not getting the “full service”, particularly in the Aqua/Concierge staterooms (hell I had to scavenge for a bar of soap – I also had shampoo and conditioner only in the cabin – the next morning the cabin steward included body lotion and a shower cap for the next occupants – yes he made the room up before I had actually taken my bag out when I went to breakfast).

 

It was my birthday so I was “expecting” some sort of acknowledgement (something on the cabin door, cake in the dining room – I had booked set dining) – any small reminder it was a special day. There was none. I’m sure others would have booked to also celebrate a special occasion and may have also been let down with the expectation. I believe Celebrity have let everyone down in this regard. After all, you are trying out a ship to see what you would get, and the TA’s and media were also trying out the ship to see what their clients would get. But to be fair, these tasters are very new and I hope they will learn from the feedback I’m sure they will receive.

 

There is a ton of outside space and some wonderful nooks and crannies on this ship. I’m sure there are many secret places to be found! The indoor and outdoor pool areas are fabulous and large. The lawn areas are just amazing (nothing like the sweet smell of freshly mown grass as your walking along), and two levels of lovely aft bar areas. Inside there are many options to eat, drink, chill and enjoy. Some of the drinks they were making looked AMAZEBALLS in the specialty bars! The free ship’s coffee was the best I have ever tasted!!! You could actually drink it and not want to puke afterwards with the bitter aftertaste I have experienced on EVERY other cruise!

 

My inside cabin 3152 had a door that actually opened out into the corridor. The bathroom was large and could easily entertain two people at once (no get your minds out of the gutter....at the mirror I mean!) with lots of storage space and no shower curtain in sight! This inside cabin was an OK size and had a 2/3 seater lounge as well. I’m not sure if this is a fold-out bed type lounge or not or if it had drawers underneath (forgot to check) but there is not much hanging wardrobe space or drawers. If there were two people in the cabin on a normal length cruise I think storage may be an issue (especially if two women were travelling together LOL). On the desk there were 2 x US and 1 x European power point.

 

Muster for my cabin was held in an indoor area on Deck 4 outside of the nightclub. We were advised to proceed to Deck 5 where names WERE marked off and then moved on down the stairs to Deck 4. You were not required to bring a life jacket and they had 2 small video screens in this area to watch the safety briefing. Being a midget, I couldn’t see it but I could hear it and various crew did a lifejacket demonstration which everyone should have been able to see. The fire doors at each of end of this area were closed after everyone had arrived until the end of muster, so there was no escaping! LOL

 

Sailaway was just after 8 pm and it was very windy and cold! I spent most of the time in the aft area around the lawn club for sailaway but when I peeked at the pool area there weren’t many people there but there was a band playing. There was a little bump to the ocean that night which I hazard a guess was due to the gale force winds! As I had no clothes to hang up the coat hangers were banging away! But then I only slept in there for 3 hours by the time I got back to the cabin after the credit card debacle.

 

The ship was alive with wonderful Christmas decorations everywhere!

 

In the video there are two staterooms, my inside cabin 3152 and an Accessible Sky Suite with Verandah cabin 1236.

 

I have included some of the drinks menus, drink packages, the daily paper “Celebrity Today” (to give you an idea of what they presented for 1 night – they had events organised from boarding onwards), the Open Passages Program details (their future cruise letter/deposit program – yes I bought 2 hehe) and a few other bits and pieces of paperwork I picked up. Unfortunately some of these have come out blurry during the upload process to youtube.

 

I did miss a complete area of the ship being the aft of Deck 5 where the specialty restaurants are, inside the Hot Glass Show venue, the Library, The Card Room, Team Earth and the Celebrity iLounge, so if those things interest you they’re not on the video LOL

 

I didn’t even look in the shops (amazing!) LOL. The casino did what it was supposed to – paid for my cruise LOL

 

On the sampler we had The Aussie Boys who I had seen on another ship (God only knows which one, I can’t remember LOL) and they’re entertaining enough (I read they had been on the ship for the previous 5 days). The comedian was hilarious!

 

I had lunch in Bistro on Five which is their crepe restaurant (cover $5 pp) and you can have as much as you want The savoury crepes were yummo and the dessert crepes to die for, especially the banana and chocolate one....nom nom. I didn't eat in the buffet, but the food looked great and people that ate there said it was good. My particular dinner meal in the main dining room was very so so, but the others on my table were happy with theirs. I had a pasta dish and the pasta was over (or under?) cooked, but the shrimp garlic sauce was good. The smoked salmon entree still had large bones in it which put me right off! Poor choice by me, which was a shame.

 

I probably can’t answer any questions other than what I have written........ So many places, so little time. I had a birthday to celebrate!!!!! I couldn’t be everywhere and see everything! although I tried hehe

 

There is a pretty good blog here as well to give you more idea. http://beyondships.com/Celebrity-Solstice-Tour-1.html

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NSWP

NSWP

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Great review Debsta. Can we entice you to join us on Solstice to NZ on 4 March? You could help Sutho take his wonderful pictures.

 

(Good to hear the ship's coffee is drinkable, better than the Princess variety, ugh.)

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Debsta

Debsta

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Probably because we don't know what you look like mate.

 

I do :p

 

Welllllllll I think it was more that he knew me...........our eyes locked with a steady gaze as I wafted across the check in floor....................................

 

more will be revealed in the upcoming novel "50 strokes of Interline check-in" :D:D:D:D

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Flipper133

Flipper133

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I do :p

 

Welllllllll I think it was more that he knew me...........our eyes locked with a steady gaze as I wafted across the check in floor....................................

 

more will be revealed in the upcoming novel "50 strokes of Interline check-in" :D:D:D:D

 

Perhaps you two can do an insurance advert :D

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gbenjo

gbenjo

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I have to say I was impressed by the Intercruises check in staff. Best experience I've had to date with my check-ins there.

 

You have quite an international crew now too!

 

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ...............Yes we do :(:(

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Debsta

Debsta

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Thanks for the review and the video Debsta. If you get time, would you be able to load a couple of the bar menus here as I could not really see the prices and would be interested before our cruise next month? Thanks

 

There's a trick to the video that I've just discovered. At the bottom of the video frame there is a little symbol that looks like a cog....click on it and move it up to the highest HD number. That resolves the clarity.

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MMDown Under Holiday Sharing Rare

MMDown Under

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Thanks for your detailed review and video, Deb.

 

"It was my birthday so I was “expecting” some sort of acknowledgement (something on the cabin door, cake in the dining room – I had booked set dining) – any small reminder it was a special day. There was none. I’m sure others would have booked to also celebrate a special occasion and may have also been let down with the expectation. I believe Celebrity have let everyone down in this regard. After all, you are trying out a ship to see what you would get, and the TA’s and media were also trying out the ship to see what their clients would get. But to be fair, these tasters are very new and I hope they will learn from the feedback I’m sure they will receive."

 

Sorry to hear that you didn't receive any recognition of your special day. Someone slipped up!!

 

Belated Happy Birthday on behalf of Celebrity, Deb.

 

My daughter arranged a birthday sign and balloons for our cabin door on the Ocean Princess, even though we disembarked prior to my birthday (which I share with you).

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6andy6

6andy6

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There's a trick to the video that I've just discovered. At the bottom of the video frame there is a little symbol that looks like a cog....click on it and move it up to the highest HD number. That resolves the clarity.

 

...OR if you want to look at it frame by frame so you can read all the brochures you scanned, just use to 'left and right' buttons on your keypad (you do have to stop the video first). usually they are found on the bottom right of the keyboard (they will be an up and down arrow as well - don't use these).

 

Btw Deb - passengers look a respectable mob...most looked as tho they dressed accordingly (no bikini's in the dinning room or singlets).

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Aussieflyer

Aussieflyer

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A question about the prices of alcoholic drinks and the listed price on the menus (that you so thoughtfully photographed Debsta). Was the gratuity added on top of this. I cannot see a comment to this effect on the menus but it is the practice and I am expecting it to be the case. My dinner wine was listed as one price and when the chit came for me to sign 15% had been added. I am curious about the bar prices.

Why I ask is that if the premium beverage package covers drinks up to $12 all cocktails would be more expensive and therefor not fully covered as they are listed on your menus as $11.50.

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The_Big_M

The_Big_M

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Yes, the price shown is not inclusive, as is the American way. The 15% appears on your receipt only, the prices you see there have that added to them.

 

Not sure about the packages, but I suspect they would cover the base price since gratuities are extra and not quoted in the price, i.e. I think that would be included.

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Aussieflyer

Aussieflyer

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Yes, the price shown is not inclusive, as is the American way. The 15% appears on your receipt only, the prices you see there have that added to them.

 

Not sure about the packages, but I suspect they would cover the base price since gratuities are extra and not quoted in the price, i.e. I think that would be included.

 

That's what I assumed was the case, however, it means that the $12 covered per drink in the premium drink package would not cover the cost of a cocktail then.

Being listed at $11.50 with 15% makes them $13.25 :(

I know that premium package holders only would pay the difference but it is a bit poor for Celebrity to advertise that the drink package as " In addition, you can enjoy our entire selection of Beers as well as Spirits, Cocktails and Wines by the Glass up to $12 per serving." if there are no cocktails that can be enjoyed!

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