CCC's

Hi everyone,

We sail on Solstice departing 3 April from Sydney. Checking daily for my eDocs/luggage tags link to appear but no luck yet. Does anyone have a rough idea when I can expect them to appear on my Reservation page. I thought it was about 2 months before cruise but not so sure now.

Thanks for your advice.

So disappointed. But good excuse to book another cruise when he is the skipper. I am a glass half full girl !

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Cruising NZ departing Sydney 3 April 2017 for 10 days. Does anyone know whether Captain Tasos will be the skipper. I have read on CC that he is an exceptional Captain ie. very friendly, personable, funny and all round great Captain. Also read that his daily updates should not be missed!

Thank you Bagwhan and Caribill for your responses. Much appreciated.

Hi fellow cruisers. Will be on Solstice with my daughter on 3 April 2017 and considering purchasing unlimited internet whilst on Solstice (10 day NZ cruise).

Firstly, what is the cost and is it better to purchase before sailing or when on board. Secondly, we are Classic in Captains Club so is there any discount applied to the cost.

Also, how is the internet speed or is it still dismally slow?

Any advice appreciated.

I believe they want accommodation near Central railway station as they are returning home by train.....

Totally agree with Northern Aurora. You are cutting it very fine and leaving no room for the "unexpected". On the morning of disembarking make your leisurely way to the Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel, which would entail much less stress. This hotel is literally on the door-step of the International Airport. You walk out of Rydges, walk over the crossing, and you are there. Also, I believe you could more than likely get a room overnight for under $AU200, which can be booked using any of the hotel booking websites.

Thanks. I have purchased $us125 on Celebrity website to cover my upgrade from Classic to Premium drink passage. My cruise is on 3 April Celebrity Solstice and really not confident of exchange rate in 3 months.

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The Oz Celebrity website is still showing $32.50 AUD per unit which is .769 unless my math is wrong. When we looked last night money exchanges were only offering .71c. Who knows what the USD is going to do over the next couple of months....anyone have a crystal ball?

 

 

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How did you calculate the above rate of .769? Really curious. Thanks.

We will be cruising on Solstice early April and would love current advice re: meals in dining room and also Oceanview cafe. Also have you dined at Murano yet? Is she still looking in good condition or starting to show her age. Thanks for your feedback.

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I have booked Ovation of the Seas for January 2018 (Sydney, Tassie, S.A.) for 8 nights. As it is a new ship I am closely watching all reviews on this ship and I must admit they have been somewhat "underwhelming" to the point of being very negative.

To all the seasoned cruisers out there - is this normal for a new cruise ship experiencing teething issues? Take a look at the most recent reviews on CC and you will understand my concern. Also, would the fact it is primarily in China/Asia for the bulk of the year before coming to Australia have any bearing on the matter, ie Chinese market and Australian cruise market are somewhat different in what they each expect from a cruise holiday.

Any advice would be great.

I have recently come back from a cruise on the Silhouette. During that cruise I made copies of all the menus I could find. There are a bunch of them on my site at this link, http://thepreismans.com/silhouette_ta_16_menus.htm.

 

Included in the menus for the Sky and Passport Lounges are the different drinks and liquors included in the Standard, Classic and Premium beverage packages. I hope they help to answer some of the questions that are frequently posted on this board. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for your great effort. These are invaluable for the two cruises on Solstice I have planned in the next 12 months. :D

Check out http://www.viator.com They have tours in a lot of New Zealand ports and have a "return to ship on time" guarantee. You are the only one that knows what type of tour you like to do so it's something you really need to research yourself.

I have just booked four (4) shore excursions with Viator.com throughout the south island of New Zealand. I have used them a number of times over the last 10+ years. Also, I checked their pricing against what is offered on board Celebrity Solstice and they are so much cheaper, in fact, one excursion was half the price of the ships tour. Definitely recommend them for any shore trips. :cool:

From my previous experiences with Solstice at the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) in Sydney, you will be able to drop off your luggage from about 8.30-9.00am and then do your walking tour around the terminal area, and nearby The Rocks, Opera House and Botanical Gardens. Would also highly recommend that you take a round-trip ferry ride on our beautiful Sydney Harbour. The ferries leave regularly from the pier which is adjacent to where the Solstice is berthed. You can also enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the many cafes situated close to the OPT as well.

Boarding the Solstice, I believe, will start at about 11am and once you have embarked on the ship you will not be allowed to leave, particularly if the Solstice sails that evening. If you do not sail until the next evening, you will be able to get off the ship whenever you wish, but must return approx. 2 hrs. before sailaway.

Hope this info helps.

Thank you Blu33yes for your insight. It is good to have a "local" giving the new ship a test run for us. Glad you enjoyed the unique experience.

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. I am confident that all the "bugs" will be ironed out by the time I take my cruise (in 18 months time). I think the key points to take from the negative reviews is that you need to get all your ducks in a row BEFORE starting your cruise, ie book your restaurants at the time you want, book onboard entertainment, book onboard bumper cars/iFly/etc. Don't leave it until you are on board and possibly 3,000+ other passengers are trying to do the same thing !

Also, as much as I find all reviews very helpful (the good, the bad, and the ugly) it is human nature to complain when you are upset about a perceived grievance. However, not everyone will spend the time to review a cruise when it has been very enjoyable and you have no complaints whatsoever. With that in mind thank you to all cruise passengers who share their experiences with everyone on CC.

Another idea to use up an hour or so......in the past we have boarded one of the ferries and just stayed on board as it did a nice little tour of the harbour e.g. out to Watsons Bay and stopping at a lot of other terminals on the journey. It was very pleasant, sitting down for the full harbour trip and the cost was minimal. If your parents hold a Pensioner Card they can receive discounted ferry tickets as well. A bargain.

I daily check CC's cruise reviews and have noticed that there has been an 'unseemly' number of negative one-star only reviews. Is this considered normal for new ship sailings or is there more problematic issues in the background which could continue into the future.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

PS: I have booked an 8 night cruise on Ovation in late January 2018 from Sydney, so have a vested interest in any comments.

Interestingly, when I try to book a cruise on Ovation departing from Sydney (where the Royal Suite programme will be in place), I am told the programme runs through 2017 only. I am wondering what happens for the 2018 departures...and that is the reason why I'm hesitant to make an actual booking.:confused:

I have booked on Ovation departing Sydney on 27 January 2018 for 8 day cruise to Tassie/Adelaide. Booked through an Aussie online booking site which primarily deals with cruising. Just Google it and you should be OK.

Thanks Biker19 for the link......I have now read the "fine print" and fully understand the T & C's for Australian bookings.

If a deal becomes available in the future that is 'too good to refuse' I will be certainly testing the Aussie regulations.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Thanks for info. I needed to know whether it was worth the effort to check for price drops when it is closer to final payment. And I will definitely keep in mind that the exception would be 'new bookings only'.

I have check CC's threads regarding taking advantage of price drops before Final Payment - in particular for Australian cruises. Can't find any reference to Aussie cruises.

Can anyone advise whether it is only in the US that you can take advantage of price drops (cancel old booking and re-book using new but lower price).

My details are - booked on Ovation of the Seas, leaving Sydney for an 8-day cruise on 27 January 2018.

What high praise and I am sure well deserved. Currently reading a lengthy pictorial review of the first Ovation of the Seas cruise and very good reviews were given to all dining areas on the ship.

I hope that this first cruise will be the benchmark for all future cruises and they will be awarded a genuine 5* accolade by all future cruisers, of which I will be one, but not until January 2018 (Sydney).

Can't wait for you to continue your pictorial review. It is excellent. I am booked on the Ovation of the Seas in January 2018 (soooo far away). Sailing from Sydney to Tasmania, South Australia and back to Sydney on 8 day cruise. Booked cabin 7658 balcony which is similar to your cabin.

Being a brand new ship it is always great to get first-hand knowledge of what to expect. The Ovation does not reach Sydney until December this year, but I am sure it is eagerly awaited by many Australian cruisers.

As it is so very different to most cruise ships currently operating your insights and impressions are very welcome. Many thanks.

I was on Solstice last Nov/December 2016 travelling to Noumea, Lifou and Isle of Pines. Cruised to Noumea many years ago so this time only did the hop-on hop-off bus which you can purchase a ticket from the main cruise terminal in Noumea CBD. Cost about AU$15. On my long ago trip to Noumea we visited the Cultural Centre which was wonderful, beautiful architecture and cultural displays. Try to visit this if possible.

At Isle of Pines, which is a tender port, I bought an excursion from the ship, costing about US$70. It was approx. 2 hour tour of island with a guide in an air conditioned mini bus. I really enjoyed that. Drove all over the small island and had very interesting commentary from the local drive. Also, he took us to a Grotto which was the highlight of the trip. You walk through rainforest (easy) to the grotto where religious items are displayed high up the wall of the grotto. There is also a very interesting story attached to this special place. Visited old church, local school, and many other places of interest.

I would recommend you purchase this excursion from the ship (I don't normally do this) but this one is excellent and well worth the money spent.