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

NorbertsNiece

By NorbertsNiece,
in Celebrity Cruises

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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We held a CC fundraiser for Dick who passed away pre-cruise, we walked 10 laps of the track, and raised $342 (which includes the winnings from a CC slot pull).

 

It was requested we donate to Island Reach via their website : http://www.islandreach.org/

 

I've not been able to forward the donation as their donation page appears broken or maybe it's just the connection here....

 

I've reached out to them on FB. An email to them has bounced.

 

Can someone please try their donation link for me and tell me if you have succeeded in opening it.

 

We had a super turnout for the walk and really appreciated the supportive cheers of those who sat and encouraged us on!!

 

 

Great work.:D

The link works, perhaps it is the server/connection/speed.

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NorbertsNiece "Live from...." Rare

NorbertsNiece

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Great work.:D

The link works, perhaps it is the server/connection/speed.

 

Thanks for trying..... I've been talking to them on FB..... the email address on their website was wrong!!!

 

Still can't access the payment form on the laptop in my room though I can do just about anything else.... albeit slowly..... using Chrome and IE. Took off the Adblocker.....

 

They have another link that I also can't open which is through The Ocean Foundation......

 

https://oceanfdn.org/donate/island-reach?caid=701A0000000i0Fl

 

Going to head to the Internet Cafe..... won't be able to rest till it's done.

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NorbertsNiece "Live from...." Rare

NorbertsNiece

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Thanks for trying..... I've been talking to them on FB..... the email address on their website was wrong!!!

 

Still can't access the payment form on the laptop in my room though I can do just about anything else.... albeit slowly..... using Chrome and IE. Took off the Adblocker.....

 

They have another link that I also can't open which is through The Ocean Foundation......

 

https://oceanfdn.org/donate/island-reach?caid=701A0000000i0Fl

 

Going to head to the Internet Cafe..... won't be able to rest till it's done.

 

Major fail at internet cafe. Have lost most of afternoon. Both links provided by charity organisers won't load on these servers. So frustrating. Will try ashore tomorrow. Hope there's free wi fi somewhere

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Thanks for trying..... I've been talking to them on FB..... the email address on their website was wrong!!!

 

Still can't access the payment form on the laptop in my room though I can do just about anything else.... albeit slowly..... using Chrome and IE. Took off the Adblocker.....

 

They have another link that I also can't open which is through The Ocean Foundation......

 

https://oceanfdn.org/donate/island-reach?caid=701A0000000i0Fl

 

Going to head to the Internet Cafe..... won't be able to rest till it's done.

 

Good luck.:D

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Major fail at internet cafe. Have lost most of afternoon. Both links provided by charity organisers won't load on these servers. So frustrating. Will try ashore tomorrow. Hope there's free wi fi somewhere

 

Bummer, hopefully you can get it sorted.:D

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goodycruising

goodycruising

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I have put a link to your blog on the Aust/NZ board here on CC. I hope you don't mind, but you have so many great pictures and info. I have cruised NZ several times as well as land trips, and I am learning from your posts still! You are making me want to go on Solstice again sooner than our next booking! :)

 

I noticed a thread on CC about Reflection changing Bistro on 5 to a Sushi place. Could you see if they have changed much on Solstice please if you are going past? Is the Molecular Bar different now also please?

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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I have put a link to your blog on the Aust/NZ board here on CC. I hope you don't mind, but you have so many great pictures and info. I have cruised NZ several times as well as land trips, and I am learning from your posts still! You are making me want to go on Solstice again sooner than our next booking! :)

 

I noticed a thread on CC about Reflection changing Bistro on 5 to a Sushi place. Could you see if they have changed much on Solstice please if you are going past? Is the Molecular Bar different now also please?

 

We were on over NYE and the head chef Robert told us that Bistro would go and become more area for Café Al Baccio as the Australian cruises have such a high demand and they would have light lunch menu (my speculation is that this is most likely to be at a surcharge). Molecular Bar was still there, however, the menu was somewhat reduced.

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Cassicruiser

Cassicruiser

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We were on over NYE and the head chef Robert told us that Bistro would go and become more area for Café Al Baccio as the Australian cruises have such a high demand and they would have light lunch menu (my speculation is that this is most likely to be at a surcharge). Molecular Bar was still there, however, the menu was somewhat reduced.

 

That makes a lot of sense. Did he say when this would be?

 

We were on the Millennium in Alaska last year and there were never lines at Al Bacio, could get a coffee and a seat pretty much any time of day, which was wonderful. However on an Aus cruise on Royal Caribbean, the coffee shop (Lattetudes I think it was) was so packed constantly that I just gave up most of the time. Seems Aussies love their coffee...

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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That makes a lot of sense. Did he say when this would be?

 

We were on the Millennium in Alaska last year and there were never lines at Al Bacio, could get a coffee and a seat pretty much any time of day, which was wonderful. However on an Aus cruise on Royal Caribbean, the coffee shop (Lattetudes I think it was) was so packed constantly that I just gave up most of the time. Seems Aussies love their coffee...

 

Yes, Aussies love to sit around and socialise and drink whether it is coffee, water, tea or alcoholic drinks. The cafe's and bars are always buzzing on Aussie cruises. He didn't mention when it will happen and in light of how the Reflection goes perhaps it is not hard and fast just yet and will wait until the Solstice's return in November.

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NorbertsNiece "Live from...." Rare

NorbertsNiece

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I have put a link to your blog on the Aust/NZ board here on CC. I hope you don't mind, but you have so many great pictures and info. I have cruised NZ several times as well as land trips, and I am learning from your posts still! You are making me want to go on Solstice again sooner than our next booking! :)

 

I noticed a thread on CC about Reflection changing Bistro on 5 to a Sushi place. Could you see if they have changed much on Solstice please if you are going past? Is the Molecular Bar different now also please?

 

Happy for the blog to be shared far and wide..... it's all about sharing info at the end of the day.

 

Where's the Molecular Bar? I spend a lot of time in Cafe al Bacio if truth be told.... whilst I can't partake of the breakfast there the coffee is wonderful and today I had an unplanned afternoon nap in one of their deep chairs.

 

I sorted the gifting of the money to the charity..... one of my daughters put the transaction through with no problems at all back in the UK. Oh the joys of FB.

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GUT2407

GUT2407

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Happy for the blog to be shared far and wide..... it's all about sharing info at the end of the day.

 

Where's the Molecular Bar? I spend a lot of time in Cafe al Bacio if truth be told.... whilst I can't partake of the breakfast there the coffee is wonderful and today I had an unplanned afternoon nap in one of their deep chairs.

 

I sorted the gifting of the money to the charity..... one of my daughters put the transaction through with no problems at all back in the UK. Oh the joys of FB.

 

Great that you got the donation sorted.

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GUT2407

GUT2407

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We were on over NYE and the head chef Robert told us that Bistro would go and become more area for Café Al Baccio as the Australian cruises have such a high demand and they would have light lunch menu (my speculation is that this is most likely to be at a surcharge). Molecular Bar was still there, however, the menu was somewhat reduced.

 

Surprised how few from OS realize what a big coffee culture we have here. Especially in the cities.

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goodycruising

goodycruising

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Happy for the blog to be shared far and wide..... it's all about sharing info at the end of the day.

 

THANK YOU :)

 

Where's the Molecular Bar? I spend a lot of time in Cafe al Bacio if truth be told.... whilst I can't partake of the breakfast there the coffee is wonderful and today I had an unplanned afternoon nap in one of their deep chairs.

 

It was next to the art area, just around from the Cafe on Deck 5. They made some lovely cocktails there, but the position of it made it not a very inviting place to linger.

 

molecular20pic.jpg

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LuckiePuris

LuckiePuris

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Thank you loving the review!! Fantastic detail and photos :)

 

Hoping if it's not too much trouble, I could please ask you a huge favour? In the main dining room evening menu, on the left hand side there was a beautiful Hungarian dessert wine listed every night. Would it be possible for you to please note the name for me? I would love to buy it on land!

 

Thank you and look forward to the rest of your trip!

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NorbertsNiece "Live from...." Rare

NorbertsNiece

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It was next to the art area, just around from the Cafe on Deck 5. They made some lovely cocktails there, but the position of it made it not a very inviting place to linger.

 

molecular20pic.jpg

 

Ah yes.... seen that...... called Galleria Tastings...... at least that's what the name on the side says.... will grab a pic.....

 

Got up at silly o'clock to try and catch sail in..... no chance..... sun isn't up and we're in......TV says ship speed 0Kts

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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It was next to the art area, just around from the Cafe on Deck 5. They made some lovely cocktails there, but the position of it made it not a very inviting place to linger.

 

molecular20pic.jpg

 

I agree, there is not a lot of atmosphere at this bar but then if you are there with friends then you create your own. I really don't get the art auctions on ships.:(

I suppose they must be making money or it would have stopped years ago.

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NorbertsNiece "Live from...." Rare

NorbertsNiece

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I'd gathered notes from CC to take ashore at ports of call and here's what I have for Sydney from 'christopherg' and 'Queenslander' on the roll call.

 

For such a big city a lot of interesting stuff is easily accessible to the cruise ship passenger and can be done without the expense of booking a tour.

Right next to where our ship would normally have been parked (if another boat hadn't beaten us to it), is the historic Rocks area (just ask for a free map at the information centre and go for a walk), or take a walk around the Opera House to the Botanical Gardens for great harbour views.

 

For some of the coolest harbour views make like a local and go for a ride on a harbour ferry ($10au?) or the taxi boats can be fun if don't mind a bit more expense.

 

If its a nice day don't miss iconic Bondi Beach (but don't spoil it by going in a crowded tourist bus). Suggest you take a ferry to Rose Bay or Watsons Bay then grab a taxi to North Bondi (great views from the North Bondi RSL).

Then walk south along the beach to The Icebergs (can't miss it) - sign yourself in as a day visitor (could be handy to have your divers licence for ID) - and for the best beach views anywhere make your way onto the balcony.

 

If you get there around lunchtime and see a couple toasting the view with a bottle of Moet it will probably be me and Jenny.

 

The Queen Victoria Building in George St Sydney is an architecturally beautiful restoration of an old building and I think one of the most interesting shopping centres I have ever seen. It has a quite a few floors of unique stores, fashion boutiques and galleries as well as an elegant tea room where you can relax and perhaps do some people watching. A good place to see whether you want to go shopping, just browse or enjoy high tea. Good too if it's rainy weather and you want to spend a few hours inside.

 

Another good café is at Watsons Bay near the swimming enclosure - the same sensational views as Doyles Fish Café at a fraction of the cost.

 

----------------------

 

I'm still struggling to download yesterday's 'Daily'. Sigh.

Edited by NorbertsNiece
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NorbertsNiece "Live from...." Rare

NorbertsNiece

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Currently only two local tenders running and they've both filled and headed out. Am waiting for priority boarding for the next one.

 

--------

 

They just announced that those not in line will require tender tickets. This is when a bit of status comes in handy.

Edited by NorbertsNiece
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