Just back from Tahtitian Treasures on Solstice

[Yoshikitty]

and had a wonderful time.

 

Here is our review:

We did the Tahitian Treasures Cruise on Solstice from Honolulu to Sydney for the second time now. We enjoy seadays and chose Aqua Class because of the breakfast in Blu and access to Persian Gardens. Dinner in Blu is a nice plus and we are happy to report that the food has been significantly better compared to our Blu experience from last year!

Our cabin 1543 showed some wear under the roof on the balcony (visible and rusty holes) beside this, it was kept extraordinarily well by our steward Santan. He was incredibly hard working and we can't praise him enough!

 

Overall the ship is still in very good condition - just the seats in the theatre desperatly need a new padding and one hot chair in Persian Guardens seems to be out of order for more than 1 year!

 

We love seadays and we have immensely enjoyed Brent Nixon's lectures and those of Mary Amanda (B. Nixon's wife).
The Hawaiian enrichment where enjoyable and authentic, but we had the feeling, that they have just been squeezed into the daily programme without very much attention - which resulted often tin conflicts with other important programme points. Too bad, because our tutors where hard working and overly friendly and helpful.

The shows where hit and miss, often very good and spectacular, but then noticeably cheap (repetetive jugglers and the comedian was not funny at all) and boring. Our cruise director Richard and his sidekick Tim where more entertaining than the jugglers and comedians of the main program.

 

Food in Blu was outstanding all the way and Ocenview Cafe always offered an incredible offering of various food and we always found something delicious there.

The crew is exceptionally hardworking and overly friendy - with one exception: Guest Service who had a different attitude: "No, you customer are wrong, we can't help you" and we could always feel that they where afraid that complaints could lead to potential refunds (which we never asked for).

 

We dined twice in Murano - top notch from beginning to end and being helped by Sandra was like being guest at a friend's home! She's a gem!

We also dined twice in Sushi on 5 and where excited about their offerings that had nothing to do with Sushi! We enjoyed the Lobster Ramen, the Lobster Wan Tan and in particular the Ramen Sliders (Wagyu burgers). Having booked the dining package for 4 nights in advance, Sushi on 5 and Murano gave a very good value for money. 

 

All meals in Blu where excellent and beyond what we have experienced last year, the staff around Tanja where absolutely outstanding and it was just like returning to family. It really was that good!

 

We did read a lot about Celebrity diming down and to be honest (with the exception of the lack of the daily 2 bottles of water) we could not sense anything compared to last year - quite the opposite: Everything was slightly better compared to last year.

 

One negative thing: 
We had to leave ports in Bora Bora at 6:00, Moorea at 5:00, Auckland and Bay of Island at 6:00. Keeping in mind the tender times, this all left not enough time at the destinations and we have heard complaints, that Celebrity excursions left viewpoints before sunset just to be right on time back on the ships. These stays should be longer (and have been mostly longer in the last year) to enable guests to enjoy more of these phantastic destinations.

 

Another niggle: Last year, we had an Hawaiian Farewell show with Hula dancers of all ages (particularly the little boys and girls where just adorable!!!) - nothing like that this year and we really missed it!

 

All in all, it was an almost perfect experience and we can highly recommend cruising on Celebrity Solstice!

 

Edited November 1, 2018 by Yoshikitty

[portofrome]

This cruise is in my bucket list. Thanks for your review!

[tybeelucy2]

I second portofrome, definitely a bucket list cruise! Sounds amazing. 

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for the thoughtful review.   We've done it once and loved it.   Would do it again without hesitation.

 

[Dimarie40]

Thanks for the review.  We are doing this cruise in the opposite direction next April and are really looking forward to the sea days and Tahiti. 

[Northern Aurora]

We have done three versions of this itinerary on Celebrity ships, and have enjoyed every one.  And each three stopped in Bora Bora -- there is simply something special about waking in the morning while at anchorage in that extinct volcanic caldera.  Thanks for the report.

Edited November 2, 2018 by Northern Aurora
misspelling

[Yoshikitty]

Thank you!

 

Totally agree about seeing Bora Bora, Moorea and Papeete in the morning.

For the best city view onto Papeete, make sure that your cabin is on the left side of the ship.

 

Tahiti is nice, make sure to stroll in and around the Grand Marche with all the shops and colours.

We have followed the strong advise from the ship's crew (we had a severe Noro outbreak last year after Tahiti) not to eat anything local and to only drink bottled water - no icecubes.

 

As for Bora Bora, we always rent our own boat (no license necessary) for selfdriving around the laguna, it's a true magical place!

 

https://www.laplage-borabora.com

 

We've had (again) a polynesian folk group from Tahiti on board and their show around the pool is amazing. Unfortunately, this year it has been too early and some atmosphere has been lost because the sun was still up when the show ended (last year, the show was at sunset and later).

 

We would also mention vocal guitarist Chris Hawks who gave us many pleasant moments in the Ensemble area and at the Sunset Bar.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2018 by Yoshikitty