4ever_cruisin

Hi Victoria2,

Thanks for your reply. Just a couple of questions if you don't mind: I noticed you mention you changed to mid-ship after sailing twice in that cabin - which one have you found better? Also, never having sailed on the Elizabeth I wonder if you would elaborate on whether the changed stern after the remodelling will alter 5189/5190 or it's balcony at all? Having only been on the QM2 I am not familiar with how the stern looks on both Elizabeth and Victoria - what is the main difference between the two sterns? And one last question : where can I read the info on the upcoming remodelling of Victoria? Thank you for sharing your knowledge - much appreciated.

Looking to book a Q5 on Queen Victoria for a cruise around the Baltics in August. Would love to hear from anyone who has possibly sailed in 5189 / 5190 - corner AFT suite. How was the suite / the weather/seas in that area in August / was there a lack of shelter on balcony?

Thanks for responses received so far. That spreadsheet is great, thank you.

I had actually read somewhere that 6305 had an overhang for a roof so you could stand outside even if raining so that obviously is not correct according to you shirazcruiser since you say it is not even shaded - thankyou for supplying me with that info. This is going to impact our enjoyment out on the balcony since we are heading for a South Pacific cruise in hot weather!

Hi, Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed in Celebrity Solstice Sky Suite 6305. I've read about the pole next to the bed but still have heaps of questions I would love answers for, namely:

Is the balcony covered for shade and is it private (ie do people on top look straight in)?

Do you get noise from Tuscan Grill located just underneath it?

Does the bathroom have a bath?

Is Luminae better than Blu?

What is Michael's club like? i.e. I read free drinks and tapas every day : worth going to?

This ship has just had a refurb so would love to hear from anyone who has recently stayed in this cabin. Would also love any photos! Have stayed in suite on Cunard but first time in a suite on Celebrity. Thanks in advance!

Thank you both for your replies. Also loved Blu - but as mentioned have not sailed in a suite with Celebrity before, only Aqua. Looking forward to Luminae now you have said that!

Hi, Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed in Celebrity Solstice Sky Suite 6305. I've read about the pole next to the bed but still have heaps of questions I would love answers for, namely:

Is the balcony covered for shade and is it private (ie do people on top look straight in)?

Do you get noise from Tuscan Grill located just underneath it?

Does the bathroom have a bath?

Is Luminae better than Blu?

What is Michael's club like? i.e. I read free drinks and tapas every day : worth going to?

This ship has just had a refurb so would love to hear from anyone who has recently stayed in this cabin. Would also love any photos! Have stayed in suite on Cunard but first time in a suite on Celebrity. Thanks in advance!

Good to know. You've been really helpful - thanks again!

Great - thanks heaps! Just googled Jinek Bay and it looks beautiful : will definitely put that one on the list. This is why I love CC so much : people are so helpful :) Really do appreciate all of your help. Thanks :)

By the way - did you find the Aussie dollar acceptable in the islands or do we need local currency?

Sounds great, thank you!! Unfortunately, need to be home for Christmas this year so will miss out on that but going in January instead. Am looking forward to it. If it is anywhere near as nice as Celebrity Reflection I am sure we will have a great time - would thoroughly recommend the Reflection for the med - was a great cruise. Actually, going with a couple of Kiwis we met on that cruise, co-incidentally enough! "The Anzacs" got together and this will be our third cruise together! We all found Celebrity great in general, staff were absolutely wonderful and absolutely nothing to fault hence why we thought we would try the Solstice from Sydney. Thanks so much for all the info on the ports, will make sure I take a printed copy of your post with us to make sure I remember your tips! Thanks again

Hi OzKiwiJJ,

Having not sailed on the Solstice or on Celebrity from/to Sydney before, I would love to hear your thoughts on the ship and cruise in general that time of year (Dec/Jan). Have not sailed to the Pacific Islands either and were thinking of just doing our own thing at the Ports rather than shore excursions, thinking it will probably be too hot for anything but swimming.

Any Thoughts?

Thank you all for your replies. Very grateful for all the info, it has really helped :) Much appreciated!

Thankyou very much for that very informative reply - it certainly makes it all very clear what is necessary: One needs to disembark as early as possible and that is now what I shall arrange. Just curious : Was that from the Celebrity website or did the cruise line supply you that information?

Thanks and totally agree. Would not want to put more pressure on the cabin staff and that is exactly why we were thinking of not going to breakfast until after we vacate the room.

Thanks for the reply. Any idea what time they will want us out of the cabin?

Hi,

Was wanting to not rush off the ship on disembarkation day and so was contemplating packing up room and then heading off for a leisurely last breakfast. Am traveling in Aqua class so have access to Blu restaurant -Any ideas how late it stays open on disembarkation day? Figure that as long as we free up our room we won't get kicked off immediately? Has anyone had any experience with doing this upon return into Sydney? Need to organize shuttle pick up too and of course will need to give them a pick up time so can't really just play it by ear! Thanks in advance for any feedback:)

Thanks so much Pepper. Will definitely give them a go and will let you know how I go.

Recently sailed on QM2 and noticed a lovely crystal spinning earth globe in the gift shop (they actually had a couple of sizes on display). Unfortunately QM2 was out of stock of all sizes at the time we were on her. Was wondering if anyone else noticed these and if anyone has any idea where I could actually purchase one from on land. Any leads would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the link Bob. Will do.

Recently sailed on QM2 and noticed a lovely crystal spinning earth globe in the gift shop (they actually had a couple of sizes on display). Unfortunately QM2 was out of stock of all sizes at the time we were on her. Was wondering if anyone else noticed these and if anyone has any idea where I could actually purchase one from on land. Any leads would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for your reply MicCanberra. Good to know we can at least get it on board - thank you.

I sailed with Celebrity Reflection last year in the Mediterranean and they had it on board but was not sure if Solstice also had it since it sails from Sydney. Was included only in the Premium Alcohol package on that ship though. Since what is included is based upon price I would love to know what it costs on the Solstice to figure out which package suits.

Can anyone confirm whether Celebrity Solstice sailing out of Sydney does indeed carry non alcoholic beer on board (eg O'Doul's brand) and if so: is it included in the Classic Alcohol Beverage Package or the Premium Alcohol Package? Any recent photos with alcohol prices from Solstice would also be appreciated especially listing any non-alcoholic beer. Thanks in advance:)

I'm so looking forward to enjoying the amenities of the Grills. Posts like yours are a wealth of information and I am so grateful to those of you who share what is possible and possible if you ask nicely :)

I too am very grateful for all of the responses - it is really good to get genuine good advice from past passengers who have experienced Queens Grill. You have me very excited and also have armed me with the knowledge that I need to go on a diet before I step on board :)

To follow on after reading your comments, when you arrive your butler will ask what you want for the bar. If you don't want liquor, you can request wine instead. That's what we did. We ended up not even opening the wine and just left it. You can also ask for champagne, if that is your preference. I understand that if you ask for Veuve Cliquot nicely, you may get it. I think I will order the champagne on the next trip with some orange juice and make mimosa's.

 

I could have done without the canapés in the cabin. I usually ended up leaving them. After tea sandwiches and scones with clotted cream, it was too much. Dinner was only two to three hours away.

 

In the QG dining room, it will indicate on one of the pages of the menu the five or six most common special request meals. I seem to remember them as Dover sole, Beef Wellington, Duck L'orange and there was another one I can't remember. Let your waiter know at breakfast or lunch so they can have it prepared. They take time to execute. The maitre'd will come by the table to confirm.

 

Some of the chefs have an Indian background. I took advantage and asked them to make a sampler platter of their favorite Indian dishes. It was lovely.

 

One of our table mates was Vietnamese. She was having a hard time with the sea state one afternoon. She requested that they prepare her a plain rice gruel with a plate of steamed vegetables. She thought that the simple food would help her queasiness. My husband, the health nut, saw the plain steamed vegetables and began to order them, too. They became fast friends with their fruit platters and steamed vegetables. The staff was very concerned that she should feel better.

 

If you want a special dessert, this is the time to ask, as well. The first night a couple asked for cherries jubilee with the full flambé. Not to be outdone, I asked for Bananas Foster the next night. I think they can do baked Alaska if you ask. The sky is the limit for table side dining presentation. You don't see waiters that are skilled in the art much any more. So, take advantage of it. The cheese cart is abundant with a huge wheel of Stilton.

 

I am already dieting for my trip in January. Thank goodness there is a promenade deck, a gym, ballroom dancing and I never take the elevator, it's all stairs. You have to take every opportunity to burn calories so you can pig out at the next meal. I've chosen formal gowns with expanding waists. Got to think ahead.

Wow, thank you for all of that information. Am very grateful for all the inside knowledge you and other past Queens grill passengers have passed on. Will be sure to be nice to our butler! You have me very excited and also fully aware I need to diet prior to stepping on board! Better start right now!!

Thanks RemPuck, My birthday will co-incidentally also fall within our cruise so I will put my thinking cap on for my 'favourite birthday dinner' treat - I am getting really excited reading all the great privileges that come with QG : did not know the half of it when we booked!

Small gathering in the suite sounds like fun - I will be sure to include spring rolls in my request, thanks!

Hi Mudhen, Nice list you had :) You are getting me really excited about experiencing QG!! So does your waiter ask for any special requests at the start of the cruise or how does it work? Can't believe how spoilt we will be if that indeed is the case! Also, did you ever entertain in your suite and if so, can the butler arrange canapes or other nibbles etc for 4 people for no extra charge - thinking it would be a lovely thing to do on the balcony on a seaday afternoon perhaps.