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

[One_plus_one]

Melbourne. What a city! I've had a super day.

 

Getting tickets for local transport on the pier is easy. Bought Hoho ticket. The bus was waiting outside the port gates and left around 9am. We didn't need to change to the City route which was convenient. Two hours later I dismounted at the Queen Victoria Market

 

It's big. Very very big. They sell just about anything there, including chicks and hens....

 

I grab some fruit for lunch from the whole food / organic section.

 

There's a lot to see. Not quite convinced that all items for sale are genuine.

 

My friend from school appears.... I think its been 40 years. We walk and talk and talk and walk. I would never have seen much he showed me. Super time and of course many pics. Have a pic of 'Chloe'.

 

Currently sat on Hoho. Will take an hour to get back to pier so plenty of time. This city is heavy on traffic and pedestrians. This takes a different route back to Station Pier.

 

Hi Linda, Glad you enjoyed my home town. Thank you so much for your review and photos. It's great being along for the virtual ride with you! We are thinking about doing this cruise or one around Australia so your review is giving us an idea on what it would be like. We did the Med last May on Reflection (first time with Celebrity) and really loved it.

[chemmo]

Sincere apologies if I have missed you already posting this but could you let us know a bit about some of the staff on board.

 

Particularly interested in Captain, Captain's Club host and Michael's Club conceirge.

 

We cruised on Solstice a couple of years ago and wondering if we will meet any old friends....We board towards the end of March.

[hppytrvlr]

I have a strange question. Speaking of hair dryers. If I live in the U.S., 110 current, do we need to get a dryer for the ship or can we use adapters?

 

 

No need to bring a hair dryer each cabin has one. However, the cabin has both types of sockets, North American 110 and British 220. The hair dryer on the ship uses the 220 plug.

[NorbertsNiece]

I have a strange question. Speaking of hair dryers. If I live in the U.S., 110 current, do we need to get a dryer for the ship or can we use adapters?

 

 

No need to bring a hair dryer each cabin has one. However, the cabin has both types of sockets, North American 110 and British 220. The hair dryer on the ship uses the 220 plug.

 

We're rocking and rolling this morning..... true wind speed from 4Kts - 18Kts, ship speed hovering around 15Kts

 

Here's a pic of the sockets in my room

 

 

The hair dryer is stored in a drawer of the dresser..... a decent sized rubber band would be useful to keep the button depressed so you don't have to keep pressure on it to stay on.

 

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My watch battery has given up the ghost. Hannah if you're following maybe we can get this sorted in Fremantle? Not sure what you have planned!

Edited February 26, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Sincere apologies if I have missed you already posting this but could you let us know a bit about some of the staff on board.

 

Particularly interested in Captain, Captain's Club host and Michael's Club conceirge.

 

We cruised on Solstice a couple of years ago and wondering if we will meet any old friends....We board towards the end of March.

 

Captain Yannis Berdos is the Master. I've just been watching his talk on the TV that was recorded post-Sydney. Captain's Club host is Rose Dalisay and Michael's Club concierge is Jole Jacoby.

[NorbertsNiece]

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My watch battery has given up the ghost. Hannah if you're following maybe we can get this sorted in Fremantle? Not sure what you have planned!

 

Met Hannah last year on Rhapsody.... and she's on a cruise herself right now back on the 29th. D'oh. Wonder if the ship has anyone can handle a watch battery change.... don't think I'll get the chance in Adelaide..... this half hour back change in the time has got me confused this morning. That's my excuse ok?

[GUT2407]

The watch shop may be able to do your battery. On the ship. I know they can do a lot of baic watch maintenance.

 

There are some god jewel lets in Rundke Mall, Adelaide tha will do it while you wait.

[NorbertsNiece]

Someone remind me ..... how much is a bag stuffed full of laundry on Royal? Almost choked when this was on bed last night. Sorry it's blurred. $45. Seriously.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The watch shop may be able to do your battery. On the ship. I know they can do a lot of baic watch maintenance.

 

There are some god jewel lets in Rundke Mall, Adelaide tha will do it while you wait.

 

I just walked by a table set out with Citizen watches on Deck 4 and the girl there said no..... but then again that's not the watch shop.... thanks for the advice will try later.... am going out with CC friends tomorrow will post our itinerary later.

[NorbertsNiece]

Where's the time going?

 

We're already tethered to the buoy; my sources tell me it's not Athol.

 

 

 

We've been given an information sheet

 

 

 

 

I'm on deck 15 forward

 

[NorbertsNiece]

I pass the basket ball court to be greeted with this

 

 

I have a few pics of that view..... this one shows how far it seems we are.... or how close.....

 

I can zoom in on this....

 

 

I am still learning to not only look up.....

 

 

 

The buoy to which we are tethered

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

Tenders are provided by the Port Authority

 

 

I only just realised they are catamarans......

 

 

 

Explorer of the Seas is dis / embarking at the OPT

 

 

Luna Park is across the bridge at Milsons Point, on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour

 

Edited February 26, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

We pass under the Sydney Harbour Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Walking around the quay

 

 

The area is very well signed

 

 

 

I've walked past the OPT

 

 

 

There are many plaques to authors set in the ground. The Sydney Writers Walk is a series of plaques from around the International Passenger Terminal on West Circular Quay, down to the walkway between the ferry jetties and the train station, and all the way to the side of the Sydney Opera House forecourt on East Circular Quay. More about this here

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Many vendors here

 

 

The HOHO is easily accessed

 

 

The railway station is here

 

 

Straight to the airport

 

Edited February 27, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Customs House, more about the building here

 

 

 

The best kind of ship there is.....

 

 

 

 

So interesting to see how the shoreline changed over the years

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

I head downstairs below the Opera House. Ellie serves me a delicious GF snack, the name of which I have long forgotten.... I put her on the spot about which Museum to visit and she recommends the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) There are quite a few food outlets below stairs.

 

 

 

 

 

The view from the terrace

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Yeap. They're climbing. And no, I won't be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GUT2407]

We pass under the Sydney Harbour Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love sailing under the bridge.

 

My great uncle was in Sydney the day it opened (down from QLD) and was one of the first few dozen to cross it in a car.

[NorbertsNiece]

Have met with CC friends and purchased tickets for post next cruise.

 

I have no recollection whatsoever of taking this pic..... the plot is with my marbles.... long lost....

 

 

I head back to the pier

 

 

 

 

 

[GUT2407]

Yeap. They're climbing. And no, I won't be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And when I've been away the Coathanger and sails spell H.O.M.E.

[KazLoudspeaker]

Someone remind me ..... how much is a bag stuffed full of laundry on Royal? Almost choked when this was on bed last night. Sorry it's blurred. $45. Seriously.

 

And you have to do it without tearing the paper bag provided! We laughed as well.

 

Karyn

 

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

Beautiful neighbourhoods on the way to Bondi by cab

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Am conscious of the reduce / reuse / recycle theme everywhere