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

[I'm from Oz]

This was on my bed

 

I'm not going to lie..... I'm concerned.....

 

From the UK Govt travel advisory site for Indonesia

 

Summary

 

Still current at:29 February 2016

Updated:25 February 2016

 

Latest update:

Summary - recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia; the overall level of advice has not changed and you should exercise a high degree of caution

 

It goes on to say :

 

You should be particularly vigilant during holiday periods like Easter, Christmas, New Year, Nyepi (Balinese New Year, 9 March 2016) and Independence Day (17 August).

 

Will be in Bali on the 7th.

 

Words of re-assurance welcome.

 

I would be concerned too. No idea what plans you have but if I visited Bali again on a ship I would probably stay on board. I organised a Tours by Locals trip to Ubud which was so good but there's nowhere else I would ever recommend anyone unfamiliar with the place to visit.

 

There's a welcome on the dock which is probably worth getting on the tender for. As well as a quick look around the building where you gather in the cool to wait for your tour bus.

 

I would caution anyone thinking they can simply leave the 'compound' (you will see what I mean) and negotiate a taxi. It is essential you know what you are doing and exactly where you want to go.

[I'm from Oz]

Unfortunately for everyone you will have paid the compulsory visa cost organised by the ship as demanded by immigration. Remember this is the largest Muslim nation on the world and one of the most corrupt

[Davidc5412]

Will be in Bali on the 7th.

 

Words of re-assurance welcome.

[/color]

 

Bali is a beautiful place with generally lovely people

 

Being on our doorstep and with many Aussie travellers we get regular warnings of this nature.

 

The overall level of advice from Aust gvnt is to exercise a high degree of caution and this has not changed for many years

 

To put it in context the same advice is in place in relation to travelling to France (the whole of France not just Paris)

 

We were there on a cruise last year and had a wonderful time and never felt the slightest bit insecure

 

Sadly the world we live in today means nowhere can be considered entirely safe

 

I would however be sticking with organised tours both from the security and corruption point of view as mentioned above. The cruise ships generally have good relations with the local authorities due to the revenue they bring to the local economy - for example last year in Semarang we had a police escort the whole day to get us through the traffic in good time on an organised tour. would have been impossible without it

 

Loving your blog

Thank You

Edited March 1, 2016 by Davidc5412

[cricketts]

Words of reassurance are in the letter... "This common sense approach and heightened level of awareness will help our guests enjoy a memorable visit to Indonesia."

I'd stick to a Celebrity tour and have fun!

[Cassicruiser]

It is a bit disconcerting and worrying to see this kind of warning, and I think I would be cautious in Bali and do an organised tour in that case. There are many beautiful serene places to go. At this stage I would stay away from big tourist and shopping areas like Kuta or Seminyak, and probably the centre of Ubud (but you could go to the coffee plantation, artists villages, rice paddies and beaches), but that's easy to do as there are many other lovely areas to go to.

[NorbertsNiece]

Thanks for posting so quickly with regards to Bali.

 

Am booked on a tour organised by a CC roll call member. Tours by Locals, as follows :

 

Your private island tour will begin directly from port terminal. Best introduction of Bali by knowing some of Bali culture and art. Your day will be began with Balinese dance performance called Barong and keris dance at batu bulan village. Visiting Batik and hand weaving process and continued to visit Celuk Village (Silver Smith)then to batuan village to see classic temple was built in 944 saka (Balinese year) also visit home of painting where you can find genuine of art painting from classic, modern to abstract. Trip will continue to kemenuh village to see wood carving. Tour will be completed by visiting home of macaca or long tail monkey at monkey forest in Ubud.

 

Appreciate the heads up about the Arafura Sea.

[goodycruising]

 

Will be in Bali on the 7th.

 

Words of re-assurance welcome.

 

I have no interest in going to Bali or pretty much anywhere that is really hot and humid, but that aside, you can't know what might happen, and we must not live in fear. Take precautions, stay with others, and if you do go somewhere enjoy, as you have already been doing so far.

 

To put things in perspective, are you concerned about going around London or Sydney? We sometimes hear strange stories about some South Pacific port experiences, and we have seen some suspicious looking people hanging around when driving around Noumea and Vila.

 

On our recent Vila (Sth PAcific) trip we were lucky that a family of 5 had space for 2 in the van they were in and we had a great day out and about, but the driver did hit us up for some more money. We agreed to stump up a bit more as we were all happy with the day, but that can be where things go pear shaped. We would not have gone alone just the two of us. He went to a village that had no other tourists around, and we had no idea where we were.

 

So you are right to be cautious, but also obviously well travelled. Have a good day whichever way you end up spending it. I would imagine there will be plenty of people staying on-board.

[I'm from Oz]

Thanks for posting so quickly with regards to Bali.

 

Am booked on a tour organised by a CC roll call member. Tours by Locals, as follows :

 

Your private island tour will begin directly from port terminal. Best introduction of Bali by knowing some of Bali culture and art. Your day will be began with Balinese dance performance called Barong and keris dance at batu bulan village. Visiting Batik and hand weaving process and continued to visit Celuk Village (Silver Smith)then to batuan village to see classic temple was built in 944 saka (Balinese year) also visit home of painting where you can find genuine of art painting from classic, modern to abstract. Trip will continue to kemenuh village to see wood carving. Tour will be completed by visiting home of macaca or long tail monkey at monkey forest in Ubud.

 

Appreciate the heads up about the Arafura Sea.

If you are on a Tours by Locals tour I'm sure you will be fine. You will be with a local. Our guide was Hindu and such a wonderful guide (we were only a group of 6). We did all you have listed as well as going up to Ubud.

 

Take real care at the monkey forest. We skipped that bit. The monkeys in Indonesia carry rabies (as do the dogs). Our son's friend was bitten while they were there on a surf trip - he was not immunised and spent some time in hospital.

 

Oh and I agree with Davidc - Balinese people are generally lovely. This is a predominently Hindu island. I asked our guide (Hindu) about how the island was coping since the Bali bombings and how things were recovering after the tsunami in Aceh. He explained that the people in Bali believed that the disaster which befell Aceh was Karma! This really is one of their beliefs - if something bad befalls you karma will happen so something bad will happen in return!

 

Go and enjoy yourself. Remember to take plenty of water and I found a wet neck band useful. I also usually carry a wet face washer in a plastic bag. The humidity is draining but your vehicle will have A/C.

[OzKiwiJJ]

 

Bali is a beautiful place with generally lovely people

 

 

Yes, I agree, however that doesn't stop the nastier people in Indonesia from operating in Bali.

Edited March 1, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[Cassicruiser]

You will be fine in the monkey forest as long as you don't carry any food and don't try and interact with the monkeys. Generally people get bitten if they try to touch or feed them.

Also be aware that when going to the Batik and painting places, they really expect you to buy something, as they assume all tourists have money to spend. It's easier when you're in a group, but we went just 5 of us and felt very uncomfortable when we didn't want to buy anything. And if you do buy - bargain! Especially at one of the painting place. We bought a beautiful large painting, the starting price was $900 and we eventually got it for $350. And I reckon we still overpaid.

Also if there's time - ask your driver to take you to the rice terraces just outside Ubud. Its so beautiful there, and you can have a drink overlooking the rice paddies at a cafe.

[Disco Duck]

My friend and I parted company and I headed downstairs to the museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

No.

 

 

 

I will be so lost every morning when your trip is over and there won't be any postings from you. I have really enjoyed all of your posts and looking at your pictures. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

[NorbertsNiece]

I've had a super day today.

 

This morning I went early to the passport handover and the line for my deck was 2 people....

 

Lunch time we had a CC lunch; 85 turned up. We were sat on deck 3 of the MDR, right behind the Luminae section, and Celebrity laid on some wonderful antipasti platters. Ben, the Cruise Director, came and sat for a while and the Executive Sous Chef also made an appearance. I really do recommend the MDR for lunch..... the food was very good.

 

I helped some friends out in the iLounge after lunch to print off some urgent papers and others to book a tour for the next cruise online.

 

I've finished one book and am well into another now. I also managed a nap. Woke up in time to get ready for 'Chic' night.

 

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

 

I've had an informal sit down today with three officers. I've never divulged names when I've done this before and don't intend to now. We'll be meeting again next cruise so if you have questions you'd like me to ask let me know here.

 

Molecular Bar will be changing into something offering high end cocktails. Different menu.

Something will be happening to Cellar Masters, "an exciting step forward in a positive direction".

Where Bistro on 5 currently is, something Sushi orientated will be emerging.

All this was described as re-purposing within a budget.

 

I've requested Solo cabins!!

 

The Edge Class sounds intriguing. Celebrity appears to be heading towards distancing itself from its rivals by being innovative and thinking out of the box. The Skysea collaboration with RCL also sounds fascinating.

 

I was told there was going to be a Space Shuttle. I think I was being tested ;)

 

100 people boarded in Adelaide for the run to Fremantle. I queried a Muster drill. They didn't get one but received information to their staterooms.....

 

I discussed the Art on board and hope to be able to post more information regarding this in the upcoming days.

 

We talked about 'Chic'. Got a very strong reaction to that when I raised it. Target market is early 40s. They don't own Tux per se. They don't want the weight restriction when travelling. They do like to dress up though (Brits especially was mentioned).

 

I've been incredibly impressed by the customer facing presence of the Officers on board. They are so genuinely 'nice'. I hate that word but am struggling at this hour to find a word appropriate. And when an officer gives you their direct line it's quite something to be trusted not to be pestering them with 'stuff'.

 

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

 

And the clocks go back yet another hour tonight.

[roxette]

Molecular Bar will be changing into something offering high end cocktails. Different menu.

Something will be happening to Cellar Masters, "an exciting step forward in a positive direction".

Where Bistro on 5 currently is, something Sushi orientated will be emerging.

All this was described as re-purposing within a budget.

 

 

Thank you so much for your live reports.

 

I will be on board the Solstice on the first cruise after the dry dock in Singapore in October.

 

My favourite venue on the S class is the Cellar Masters, so my question is; will it remain a wine bar, or transformed to something completely different?

 

Thank you once again and have a fantastic journey

[NorbertsNiece]

Thank you so much for your live reports.

 

I will be on board the Solstice on the first cruise after the dry dock in Singapore in October.

 

My favourite venue on the S class is the Cellar Masters, so my question is; will it remain a wine bar, or transformed to something completely different?

 

Thank you once again and have a fantastic journey

 

It's clearly an under-utilised space.... what I gathered today is that Miami is working on it.... Or..... I'm not going to be told.... well I'm working on it.... any major changes will take place during the refit but some things will be introduced before..... e.g. Molecular Bar menu.....

Edited March 1, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

There's a lot of flu on board (not the stomach kind)...... a few of the CC roll call are struck down. The medical facility this morning was standing room only apparently.

 

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

 

 

 

Medevac pics previously posted.

 

The B2B meeting

 

 

I've arranged a small group to tour the MDR galley

 

 

Setting up for lunch

 

 

Making humous

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Plating up is under way

 

 

The special orders section is tucked out of the way

 

 

 

The pass....

 

 

 

Jars of pickles..... not sure where they will be put to use

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Drinks station

 

 

 

Note : instant mash

 

 

Sample menus..... we did not eat from one of these for our group lunch

 

 

Each dish on the MDR is illustrated and its very specific plating described

 

 

Desserts

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The bakery

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

There are 14 galleys on board. The one being gestured towards is the Room Service office where calls are received. The Room Service galley is elsewhere.

 

 

In return for gifting a pair of binoculars I am treated to a gelato. Mnomnmomnmomn

 

 

 

Not quite sure what qualifies this as elegant. The presence of a violinist perhaps.

 

 

These aren't for me

 

 

These are

 

[NorbertsNiece]

These aren't for me

 

 

Or these

 

 

Or these

 

 

This is

 

 

The bread on the GF canapés was inedible.

[NorbertsNiece]

In room movies on demand

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Afternoon tea in Oceanview

 

Not GF

 

 

 

 

 

Live music by the pool

 

 

This is an Affogato...... and is delicioso

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Getting repetitive

 

 

 

My table neighbour has a coffee with Amaretto

 

[MMDown Under]

I just enjoyed Trumbo, at the movies. Excellent cast and movie based on a true story.

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

We were to be seated here.... I went to check out the area

 

 

The menu we were to have

 

 

I then took myself on a walkabout and had seen a space on the deckplans that merited investigation...... this is a relaxation lounge all the way forward on Deck 11 and is accessible not just from the spa but from the the room corridors