Bit of a Blog : Solstice : Auckland – Fremantle – Sydney : February 14th 2016

[tnfcruise]

I have very much enjoyed your blog and would really like to see that FB set of photos. Are you willing to share your FB name?

 

 

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[NorbertsNiece]

Thanks. Here's the link.

Edited April 3, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[tnfcruise]

[emoji2][emoji111]🏼️

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[jlf1]

Next cruise and 'Bit of a Blog' will be on Princess I'm afraid. I'm itinerary focused and my TA, who put this cruise package together, has put an awesome bucket list cruise tour together for South America that includes Macchu Picchu.

 

Linda,

 

I have followed this Blog and your Baltic Blog as well. You have an awesome writing style and your pictures are great. I'm now going to find your other blogs to read them start to finish. So entertaining and useful.

 

I have only ever cruised on Princess but have read many times on CC that Celebrity and Princess have more similarities than differences so based on that and my past cruises with Princess please don't be dismayed that your only choice to South America is with Princess.

 

Happy travels,

 

Judy

 

PS We did a land trip to NZ and OZ in 1991.......remember very well looking for the fly nets..............was very much needed because the flies were so bad that they were in our ears and up our noses. The fly nets saved our whole visit to Ularu.

Edited April 4, 2016 by jlf1

[NorbertsNiece]

Judy :D

 

The writing style has evolved..... as has my waist line.... so please don't go back too far.... The surprise on the cruise on Freedom is fun.

[Cassicruiser]

Hi Linda (and anyone still reading)

We just got back on Sunday from our 8 night cruise on Solstice, and thought I'd share some observations. I was the one who asked you to look for Anne Klein watches for me when you were on board - needless to say I bought 2! We had a wonderful time, the Solstice is indeed as beautiful as you said, and I wish we could have cruised for longer this time.

Some differences, which I think were due to it being a shorter cruise:

There were no specialty dining specials - 2 for 1 or otherwise - and they seemed to be busy every night. I'm not sure where everyone was, but we had 8.30 dining and the dining room was always half empty.

In the dining room the daily favourites remained the same each night (Salmon, grilled chicken, steak) no butter chicken, crumbed fish, etc.

They had Bananas Foster on the menu on the second last night, which I got very excited about, but then the waiter said they had run out of bananas so it was replaced with something else. Had to have Creme Brulee again darn it! :) :)

I tried twice to go to the relaxation room on deck 11 forward but there was always a staff member either in there or at the desk outside so no go :(

We had a different Captain (Captain Taramas), very heavy Greek accent and seemed not as personable as the other captains I have seen. Ben was still the Cruise Director and is sensational - loved both him and Activity manager Pete. Really enjoyed all the shows they put on, and Pete really is multi talented. As is Chiko - what a voice hey!! Did you hear him do The Prayer, where he did the female and male voices in tandem?

The production shows were the best I've seen on any ship, and for future cruisers do not miss Rhythm and Soulstice - what an outstanding show. It was on in the afternoon on our cruise. The specialist entertainers were hit and miss but we still went to every show and don't know how anyone could complain about the wonderful entertainment provided.

 

I have to thank you again for doing your blog, it was wonderful to read prior to my cruise and I found myself thinking of you when I saw anything gluten free, - oh and I ordered an Iglu in Cafe Al Bacio :)

 

To anyone with an upcoming cruise on Solstice - lucky you! You will have a fabulous time.

Edited April 12, 2016 by Cassicruiser

[NorbertsNiece]

Hey :D

 

So glad you bought a couple of watches..... I had no idea what I was looking at there at all..... worn the same watch for many years....

 

It really was a feature on both cruises that someone was posted outside the Oceanview taking reservations for dinner.... I had no trouble at all negotiating half price at any venue.

 

I'm amazed numbers are still growing reader-wise for this blog. I'm delighted that people continue to find it informative and good reading.

[cjcruiser27]

Hey :D

 

 

 

So glad you bought a couple of watches..... I had no idea what I was looking at there at all..... worn the same watch for many years....

 

 

 

It really was a feature on both cruises that someone was posted outside the Oceanview taking reservations for dinner.... I had no trouble at all negotiating half price at any venue.

 

 

 

I'm amazed numbers are still growing reader-wise for this blog. I'm delighted that people continue to find it informative and good reading.

 

 

Did you post any pictures when you did your side trip to the "rock"? I haven't seen any. Thanks!

[NorbertsNiece]

Did you post any pictures when you did your side trip to the "rock"? I haven't seen any. Thanks!

 

Yes indeed. :)

 

They start here

[supersecdd]

As Linda knows' date=' we were on Solstice cruising Sydney-Auckland just a few weeks ago. A couple of updates.

 

[b']Sydney sailing[/b] - agree Oceanview Bar or Sunset Bar would definitely be the best places. However, as you are at Athol Buoy, you are already out in the Harbour, so you will be better off taking your shots of Bridge and Opera House when you travel to and fro on the tender.

 

For things to do in Sydney agree with Fiona, simply take the tender to Circular Quay and walk - round to the Opera House, Botanical Gardens, The Rocks. You are returning so, don't overdo it, if the weather is fine, simply soak up the atmosphere around the Quay area, time a visit to the Opera Bar in the evening (you have a late sailing) and watch Explorer of the Seas depart from the Overseas Passenger Terminal (at 9pm) then jump on your tender back to Solstice!

 

Tendering for Elite passengers is a breeze - check with Captain's Club Hostess (you should have info in your stateroom about tendering for Elite passengers, if not talk to Rose). If there is a problem in Bali it is to do with the Balinese authorities. :) We had no probs in NZ. Rose escorted all Elite passengers down to the tender to board while tender numbers were still being called. No need for a tender ticket.

 

Sounds - you should have an invitation, again as an Elite passenger, to go on to the helipad. This was very worthwhile. We had blankets on offer as well as hot chocolate (weather was not great, but at least we got in!) :p

 

Look forward to following your travels and catching up in Sydney. :)

 

Thanks everyone for the information. It would help if you listed the month you travelled and the temperature. I'm looking for cooler months to cruise.

I've never done a Back to Back cruise. Is it hard to book yourself?

[supersecdd]

Hi Linda (and anyone still reading)

We just got back on Sunday from our 8 night cruise on Solstice, and thought I'd share some observations. I was the one who asked you to look for Anne Klein watches for me when you were on board - needless to say I bought 2! We had a wonderful time, the Solstice is indeed as beautiful as you said, and I wish we could have cruised for longer this time.

Some differences, which I think were due to it being a shorter cruise:

There were no specialty dining specials - 2 for 1 or otherwise - and they seemed to be busy every night. I'm not sure where everyone was, but we had 8.30 dining and the dining room was always half empty.

In the dining room the daily favourites remained the same each night (Salmon, grilled chicken, steak) no butter chicken, crumbed fish, etc.

They had Bananas Foster on the menu on the second last night, which I got very excited about, but then the waiter said they had run out of bananas so it was replaced with something else. Had to have Creme Brulee again darn it! :) :)

I tried twice to go to the relaxation room on deck 11 forward but there was always a staff member either in there or at the desk outside so no go :(

We had a different Captain (Captain Taramas), very heavy Greek accent and seemed not as personable as the other captains I have seen. Ben was still the Cruise Director and is sensational - loved both him and Activity manager Pete. Really enjoyed all the shows they put on, and Pete really is multi talented. As is Chiko - what a voice hey!! Did you hear him do The Prayer, where he did the female and male voices in tandem?

The production shows were the best I've seen on any ship, and for future cruisers do not miss Rhythm and Soulstice - what an outstanding show. It was on in the afternoon on our cruise. The specialist entertainers were hit and miss but we still went to every show and don't know how anyone could complain about the wonderful entertainment provided.

 

I have to thank you again for doing your blog, it was wonderful to read prior to my cruise and I found myself thinking of you when I saw anything gluten free, - oh and I ordered an Iglu in Cafe Al Bacio :)

 

To anyone with an upcoming cruise on Solstice - lucky you! You will have a fabulous time.

 

What is an Iglu? Maybe there weren't any dining specials offered because they were all booked up. It's a shame about the MDR; I like Bananas Foster too.

Debbie

Florida

[supersecdd]

Linda,

 

PS We did a land trip to NZ and OZ in 1991.......remember very well looking for the fly nets..............was very much needed because the flies were so bad that they were in our ears and up our noses. The fly nets saved our whole visit to Ularu.

 

Where can you buy the fly nets ahead of time?

[cjcruiser27]

Yes indeed. :)

 

 

 

They start here

 

 

It didn't work when I hit the "here" button[emoji30]

[NorbertsNiece]

It didn't work when I hit the "here" button[emoji30]

 

I have 20 posts on each page and I was linking you up to page #63...... post #1242.

Edited May 5, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Where can you buy the fly nets ahead of time?

 

They have them for sale right there at the resort.... no idea where else you can get them.

[NorbertsNiece]

What is an Iglu? Maybe there weren't any dining specials offered because they were all booked up. It's a shame about the MDR; I like Bananas Foster too.

Debbie

Florida

 

It's a wonderful drink......

 

Caffe Frappe : Espresso, ice, milk, and choice of cafe, chocolate or vanilla flavour......a milkshake basically.....

 

Edited May 5, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[QE2_Fan]

Hi Linda, not sure if your still here (well in your Blog, I know you've left Oz!!) I have been trying to find the ships daily for when you were in Airlie Beach. Did you post it at all, I know you had issues trying to upload alot of them! I was trying to research the pier location where the ships tenders dock, if anyone knows this would appreciate the info!

 

Cheers!

Matt

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[I'm from Oz]

Hi Linda, not sure if your still here (well in your Blog, I know you've left Oz!!) I have been trying to find the ships daily for when you were in Airlie Beach. Did you post it at all, I know you had issues trying to upload alot of them! I was trying to research the pier location where the ships tenders dock, if anyone knows this would appreciate the info!

 

Cheers!

Matt

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Matt - we came in at Abel Point Marina on Radiance in 2013. Have you not been in there yet? :eek:

 

Just a short walk to town. Lots of locals come to help if you want local info but there's also a booking office there for tours if you wish.

[QE2_Fan]

Matt - we came in at Abel Point Marina on Radiance in 2013. Have you not been in there yet? :eek:

 

Just a short walk to town. Lots of locals come to help if you want local info but there's also a booking office there for tours if you wish.

 

 

 

Thanks! That was quick!! Haha, we stayed at Hamilton Island many years ago but have not visited the area by cruise ship! Our first time out to the GBR though which we've booked to do from Cairns.

 

Oh and I found the dailies, must've missed them in post #1312 drooling over all the photos...again!!

[NorbertsNiece]

I'm still here..... ;)

Glad you found them.

[cjcruiser27]

I have 20 posts on each page and I was linking you up to page #63...... post #1242.

 

 

Thanks so much[emoji4]

[QE2_Fan]

I'm still here..... ;)

 

Glad you found them.

 

 

 

Well Hello There!

 

Thanks, I've come back here and referred others to this blog many a time as a source of information and just for an awesome free cruise around Australia and NZ lol.

 

Cheers

Matt

Edited May 15, 2016 by QE2_Fan

[I'm from Oz]

Thanks! That was quick!! Haha, we stayed at Hamilton Island many years ago but have not visited the area by cruise ship! Our first time out to the GBR though which we've booked to do from Cairns.

 

Oh and I found the dailies, must've missed them in post #1312 drooling over all the photos...again!!

Being in the same time zone helps ;)

 

Oh, and I happened to be online

[Setting sail for fun]

Linda,

 

I was so lucky to find your latest blog a few days ago! I enjoyed your previous blog on Rhapsody last year.

 

You have a wonderful sense of adventure and a real talent to be able to share it with all of us. I may never be able to visit these places, but I have so enjoyed the experiences through your blogs. Many thanks!

 

Now I am going to have to locate your Freedom blog to find out about the surprise!

 

Take care. Will be looking forward to your next adventure.

 

 

Debbie

[VitaminSea53]

Norbert's Niece,

I am savoring all your posts about your Solstice cruise starting in Auckland. We are booked on this trip and it will be my first on Celebrity. I also follow a GF diet (Celiac).

What sorts of GF nibbles did the Cafe al Baccio have?

Cheers!

 

Am currently in my lovely room on board with the gentle motion of the ocean reminding me just how luck I am to be here. Uploading the pics of today from here was quite tedious but I was able to go walkabout on board and grab a coffee and some GF nibbles at Cafe al Baccio whilst they uploaded.

 

I was the only one to tip the coach driver for manhandling cases. I know it's not expected. But still.

 

Check in was not 21st Century at all. Carryon luggage scanned, we were channelled initially at the door by Captain's Club status but the lines converged and we were all in a zig zag lane in a rather dimly light room to go through passport control. Then the medical questionnaire was taken off us then more lines to check in. The CC line had a queue. The regular line had no-one waiting so that's where I went. Was quite smooth and really didn't take long. Enjoyed the welcome glass of champagne and signed up for the 'non-alcohol premium drink package'. Sorted dining GF with the Maitre d', spoke with the groups co-ordinator about some Cruise Critic activities, visited with some CC friends..... toured the ship of course....

 

Here's today's Celebrity programme.