CCC's

We also cruised on Celebrity Solstice in November 2013 Sydney to Auckland. Our cabin was on level 7, Portside and were very happy with this side of the vessel.

 

The cruise terminal at Circular Quay, Sydney has recently been substantially upgraded and I have read that it is possible that the vessel will dock either way (bow in or stern in). So, advice is go with portside as you will see land on that side during the majority of your cruise up the east coast of both the south and north islands of New Zealand.

 

It is a fabulous cruise and in particular the Fjords are breathtaking.

Hi Eagle4413. Yes, CBD means central business district..... i.e. right in the centre of the city. As advised by "MrsWaldo" above you will be departing from Circular Quay so taxi or train will get you there in a short time. Apparently there is an underground concourse from the Swissotel to Town Hall train station, which should make the train very accessible for you. Enjoy your cruise.

Hi, We are looking for a reasonable hotel in Sydney and saw That the Swissotell has good ratings. Does anyone know how close it is to the cruise terminal ? Also if you have stayed there could you tell me how it was. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. :D

 

The Swissotel is right in the heart of Sydney CBD. This is an ideal spot for checking out this wonderful city. You can definitely walk everywhere from this location. It is on bus routes and a very short walk to train stations. You could not chose a better location.

 

It is a reasonable walk from Circular Quay, where the Overseas Passenger Terminal (cruise ships) is locacted. Would take approx. 15-20 minutes to stroll there. However, with luggage I would suggest either a taxi which would be the best means of travel or you could walk a few minutes to the train station (Town Hall station) which is 2 stops to Circular Quay, where the cruise ships are docked.

 

I would book this location anytime, particularly if you are spending a few days sightseeing around Sydney before leaving on your cruise ship.

Thank you for your lovely Review. I felt as though I was with you through the whole trip. I am so glad you enjoyed your holiday and your Review has made me very keen to go on our cruise on the Solstice this November.

But who wants to be cured :confused: :p ;)

 

Ummmmm I get your point.

The only "recognised" cure for your addiction is ...... pass all your future booked cruises to some other worthy person and go COLD TURKEY ! I am worthy, honest.

[quote name='Dramamine 2'][IMG][IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2ir5j5x.jpg[/IMG][/IMG][FONT="Arial"][SIZE="6"]Inside sources have sent me pictures
of the new chairs by an Italian designer.
Just elegant !!
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Very funny......table turn-around should be about 15 minutes so diners shouldn't have to wait too long to be "seated" !!!

We have booked excursions we particularly wanted in advance and prepaid. Once on board the excursion desk was able to credit the prepaid amount back to the credit card and used OBC. We were careful to prepay with the same credit card used to pay for on excess onboard expenses.

 

Do you think this will also apply to pre-booked/paid Specialty Restaurants (Tuscan Grill). ?? I really want to book this restaurant for our evening sailaway from Sydney Harbour.

Call Captains Club & ask them. You'll get a more accurate answer - you might even like it

 

 

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I did exactly as you suggested. Emailed Captains Club, but no reply after 7 days. Not one to give up easily, I then 'phoned Celebrity using their Australian phone number (1800-754500) and they confirmed that I could receive an upgrade from C3 to C2 (with no loss of my 123Promo) but my Aussie T.Agent would need to contact them. Back on the 'phone to my T.Agent and repeated word-for-word what Celebrity had advised. Had to wait 1/2 hr. on 'phone waiting for my T.A. to get back but all is now excellent. I have been upgraded to Cabin 1124 which is a "hump" cabin with extra balcony space. I am one very happy cruiser now.

 

Thanks for all the good advice.

Thanks for your ideas. I am looking for under $200 a night in February, 2016.

 

Hi, Notice you are from U.S. so is that US$200 or AU$200. The downward spiral of our AU$ means your US$200 would buy a bit more! You could also check out accommodation sites here in Aussie, eg wotif.com.au for a start. Just plug in dates, location (Sydney CBD) price range, and away you go.

Call Captains Club & ask them. You'll get a more accurate answer - you might even like it

 

 

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Being in Australia I can only find a US 'phone number. Do they have an email address? Thanks for your help.

Are you aware of the captains club offer for a free upgrade...you can book c2 for the price of a c3. Ask your TA or celebrity booking rep.

 

 

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Recently booked an 8 day South Pacific Cruise on Solstice (I am from Aussie-land). I am also a member of Captains Club. I took advantage of the 123 Promo and because I booked a C3 cabin I received all three Promos. After your comment about upgrading from a C3 to C2 I contacted my Travel Agent and was told that this upgrade is not available to me. They would have to cancel my booking and re-book a C2..... which would also mean I would lose my 123Promos. Does this sound correct? He was a tad vague about these details, so not 100% sure he knew what he was talking about !

Hi, we just booked a cruise on solstice. Really looking forward to it.

We booked verandah cabin on deck 9.It includes all drinks OBC &gratuities..... A good deal....nice to have something to look forward to in 2015.Anyone sailed conceiege class on ?Your views would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

Col

 

We have also taken advantage of the current 123go Promo. Booked Concierge (deck 9) for the first time and received all three Promos. Did our sums as follows ...... Book Balcony and receive one Promo (Drinks - worth approx $900). Book Concierge and receive all three Promos - In addition to the Drinks Promo, the extra two Promos, being Gratuities $216 and $300 OBC equates to approx. $500+. Our Concierge cabin compared to Balcony cabin was an extra $300, so still approx. $200+ ahead.

 

Agree that the normal "extras" with Concierge (canapes, bubbly, tote bag etc) would not normally entice us to book Concierge but given the special 123go Promo and receiving all three in the Promo, it was a no-brainer and we have $200+ to spend on board. Shouldn't find that too hard to accomplish.

 

We sailed Solstice in November 2013 for the first time and absolutely fell in love with this wonderful ship. Can't wait for our return visit this coming November 26. Already booked for a return to Tuscan Grill and might even try Murano this time (Lobster cooked at your table looks very special).

Sailed on Celebrity Solstice last November and one suggestion could be ...... when you arrive at the Customer Relations area there is a machine which dispenses Ticket Numbers. Then, when your number is called or is lit up on a board above the Customer Relations desk, you go to desk No.1, 2, 3, 4 etc. and get served. Using this method means you don't have long, snaking lines, but everyone can either stand around casually or take a seat somewhere close by. Very civilized in my books.

A couple complained loudly and bitterly that they had paid for an Ocean View Balcony but received a Port View Balcony instead and demanded to switch cabins...the Hotel Director told them he would take care of everything after the ship got underway. :rolleyes:

 

This one made me absolutely speechless........ Still shaking my head AND STILL SPEECHLESS.

We cruised on Celebrity Solstice in November 2013 from Sydney. These arrangements were in place then. We dropped our luggage off at the terminal about 11am then spent next 3 hours visiting Manly then Sydney Zoo. Great way to kill a few hours. We returned about 2.15pm boarded immediately with no delays whatever. Very civilised way to start any cruise holiday.

Hi Ratacake. Small world but Nambucca Heads is definitely a beautiful part of that big world. You will absolutely enjoy your cruise on the Solstice. There was nothing I could fault during our cruise to NZ. Try to dine in Tuscan Grill one night if you can. Being at the rear of the ship it has wrap-around glass windows and the view is glorious. We dined there on our overnight stay in Sydney before sailing the next arvo. That was very special.....and the food was first-class as well.

 

I am glad I have booked so early for my April 2016 cruise, now that I know that Solstice will be the only Celebrity cruise ship in our waters and demand will probably be higher with only one ship available. Also able to book our previous room (7129) which for us was perfect. We actually like the feel of the ship moving a bit. It added a little bit of excitement to our cruise.

 

Enjoy your upcoming cruise on the Century and also Solstice next year. I know you will not be disappointed.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have sailed on the Solstice in November 2013 (Sydney to NZ) and have booked again on Solstice in April 2016 for 8 days South Pacific cruise. I was absolutely blown away by the Solstice. Amazing cruise ship. However, I was hoping Celebrity would at least continue with 2 ships in our area but looks like we will only have the Solstice going forward. As Celebrity Solstice ticks "all the boxes" for my cruising requirements I am very happy that she is the ship which will continue sailing Australia/Pacific waters.

Celebrity Century will be sailing in Australia/Pacific waters for the last time this coming season. Are there any plans to replace Celebrity Century with another Celebrity ship for future cruising seasons in Australia/Pacific?

We sailed on the Solstice last November, Sydney to New Zealand (12 days). The first night the Solstice was docked in Sydney overnight and actually set sail the following evening. What we did was book the Tuscan Grill on the actual night it was docked in Sydney. The view overlooking Circular Quay and surrounding city was absolutely wonderful. The food was excellent+++ and the steak was the best I have ever, ever eaten. And the charge was only $35 per person.

 

Now, the interesting point about eating on this particular night whilst still docked in Sydney was..... we actually overlooked the Quay Restaurant. Our view, our food, our surroundings were as good, if not better. But at the Quay Restaurant for two persons with wine probably would have set us back about $300+.

 

So, the Tuscan Grill was a "bargain", but at the same time very First Class.

We cruised on Celebrity Solstice for 12 days Sydney to New Zealand in November 2013. I did my review on my return (absolutely loved everything). However, a small number of fellow passengers were not so happy. It made me scratch my head and wonder ..... "were we on the same cruise" ?? There are passengers who are continually 'half-empty'. By that I mean that they will also write about the negatives which to them become overwhelming without considering the many positives of their cruise. Human nature. You can't change that.

 

I was so happy with every aspect of our cruise that I have now booked an 8 day South Pacific Cruise for April 2016, just so that I can get the same cabin on the Solstice.

 

Enjoy your trip...... I am sure you will.

It's the new cruise dynamic. As I recently posted, the CEO of RCL was recently on CNBC

He said that their business plan was to cut costs and expand revenues by 15% per year.. That translates into higher fares, and a diminished product for us the cruiser.

One hasn't any further to look than the now extinct MDR buffet, the new lower grade steaks in Tuscan Grill etc ....

The effort and money is going into the venues where they can increase revenue...suite restaurants, gastropubs, etc....

 

Oh please, don't say that the steak in the Tuscan Grill has gone down a notch. When we dined there 10 months ago the steak was the most glorious meat I had encountered in a long while. I still talk about it to friends. Surely, they wouldn't do that !!!!

Thought I might throw in an Aussie perspective here as well - 12 night Australia to New Zealand cruise on Celebrity Solstice (in 2 days time!!) for 2 persons, balcony stateroom :-

 

Cruise Fares + prepaid gratuities - $4076

Flights to/from Sydney - $316

Accommodation before & after cruise - $280

Boarding our Cats - $300

Shuttles to/from airport - $60

Taxi fare - $25

Luggage storage 1 day $30

Travel Insurance - $140

Car parking at airport $120

Excursions Sydney & New Zealand - $450

Specialty Restaurant (1) - $70

Misc.+ drinks/coffees on ship - $600

Ship tour (bridge, galley etc) - $150

TOTAL = $6617

 

Oh dear..... didn't think it would be that much! But, most has already been paid before we even start cruise. Hope this helps our Aussie cruisers.

I still cant believe there are people out there that are brazen enough and daft enough to break the rules and not understand the consequences of their actions. It really makes the blood boil to see and hear acts of stupidity as it should make everyone's blood boil who upholds and obeys the rules.

 

To add a little levity here because things are getting soooo serious..... does boiling blood and a boggled brain hurt ?? Furthermore, I hope it is not contagious.

I am sailing on Celebrity Solstice on 4 November 2013. Since I booked in January this year whenever I see an advert by P & O, Princess, Carnival I check out whether I got a good deal or not. Invariably I am always happy with my deal. I read the other day that on Solstice there are 85% balcony staterooms. Now that is a fairly high percentage of balconies compared to other cruise lines I have mentioned here. I believe, correct me if I am wrong, that to have a balcony on say, a P & O ship which has a much lower ratio of balcony cabins, it can be much more expensive than Solstice, mainly I believe because they are not the "Norm" for that cruise ship.

 

This comparison is only for balcony staterooms, not inside cabins or oceanview cabins. Probably the other cruise lines would be much more competitive price wise for these types of cabins. Am I correct in my assumptions ? I am not a cruise snob but I do like to get the biggest "bang for my buck".