LIVE: Dec 23 2019, Solstice, 12 Night Holiday New Zealand Cruise

[mahdnc]

[mahdnc]

The low clouds quickly burned off and the sun came out in full force today in Newcastle. We did a Quad Bike Tour on the beach with @MommyImHungry and @vanilla sky  

 

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by mahdnc

[peter1956]

12 hours ago, mahdnc said:

 

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. 

 

I used a Nikon D5500 DSLR camera for most of the zoo and some of the fireworks photos (all handheld). Believe it or not, many of the fireworks photos were taken with a handheld iPhone X. 

Thanks. They were great photos

[lovedecruise]

• Thank you so much for answering all my questions. I feel as though we will be so much better prepared for the cruise, when we board tomorrow. We do hope you had an amazing cruise and continue to share your wonderful experiences with us here at Cruise Critic.

[mahdnc]

We just left Newcastle. Below is a photo of Nobby's Lighthouse located at the entrance to the harbor.   @Suzie66, this time I watched the fort fire it's cannon as we sailed by. I missed it during our GBR cruise and didn't even know about it until you mentioned it later. 

 

It's dinner time now. Then packing. Then maybe the casino one last time. 

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

10 hours ago, mfabz said:

Thank you for taking the time to speak with Melissa.  We were hoping she would be on board in February.

 

Melissa told me that she will be replaced by Luanne. I don't know the spelling of her name, so it's probably not right. 

[villauk]

On 1/2/2020 at 5:47 AM, mahdnc said:

This was followed 3 hours later by Elegant Tea accompanied by a string duet at the MDR, Deck 3.  I counted about 70 attendees. There were two people who were turned away by the Captain's Club Host, Melissa, because they were wearing shorts. 
 

 

 

Much prefer the Elegant Tea in the MDR rather than Blu where the seating is far too close together.

Edited January 3, 2020 by villauk

[mahdnc]

We arrived in Sydney. It's going to be hot today. Like the day we got on board, it's a two cruise ship day today (according to our cab driver). 

 

[mahdnc]

Our flight leaves SYD at 2:00 pm. Consequently we got disembarkation Group 35. 

 

Last time we disembarked in Sydney, we did early self walk off to catch our 11:30 am flight. So we were one of the first to get off. This time we were among the last. 
 

It all went pretty fast. Lining up to get off the ship, getting our bags, and passing through immigration.

 

 

Because we toured a farm at Napier, we answered the "been to a farm in the last 30 days"  question as a "yes" which flagged us to go to another agent  Our daughter bought some Manuka honey in New Zealand, so she answered "yes" to the bringing in bee products question which was an additional flag.  Anyway, we answered some simple questions, and we were on our way. 
 

The cab line was a bit long, but it was very orderly and well managed. We had to wait a little longer for a Maxi Taxi because of all of our luggage. Total wait time for a cab was about half an hour. 

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by mahdnc

[peter1956]

Thanks for the great live blog and pictures.

Have a safe flight home.

[Muffinz]

Thanks for another excellent blog / review.... safe travels 

good to know that Solstice is still in good shape for our cruise in April 🚢

[gfkcruiser]

I really want to do this sailing but concerned about the long flight from the US.

 

As for Tea - I find that the Trans Atlantics draw a big crowd and our Caribbean cruises have been drawing a much smaller crowd.  On a recent sailing - we and a few others were told to go to Blu - but tea was actually in MDR.  Crew member came up a few minutes after 3 to tell us we were at the incorrect place.  

[mahdnc]

We are stuck in SFO because our plane to Chicago had a dent in it. This was discovered after we boarded. So we got off (with all our carrry-ons), changed gates for a new plane that will leave some three hours later than the original flight. 

 

Well at least our son got to go straight home since he lives in San Francisco. 

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

10 hours ago, Muffinz said:

Thanks for another excellent blog / review.... safe travels 

good to know that Solstice is still in good shape for our cruise in April 🚢

 

Thank you. I would like to do your upcoming Solstice cruise some day. 

[mahdnc]

4 hours ago, gfkcruiser said:

I really want to do this sailing but concerned about the long flight from the US.

 

As for Tea - I find that the Trans Atlantics draw a big crowd and our Caribbean cruises have been drawing a much smaller crowd.  On a recent sailing - we and a few others were told to go to Blu - but tea was actually in MDR.  Crew member came up a few minutes after 3 to tell us we were at the incorrect place.  

 

The TA sailings are well known for the number of Elites (and above) on board, so I'm not surprised. 

 

A year ago, we did a 14 night Caribbean cruise (Reflection) and the entire 1st floor of the MDR was filled for Elegant Tea. 

[mahdnc]

One of the Hot Glass Show crew on our sailing broke his leg on the ship. He is now flying home to Chicago and is seated behind us. 

 

Sorry for the bad selfie!

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by mahdnc

[youwash]

11 hours ago, gfkcruiser said:

I really want to do this sailing but concerned about the long flight from the US.

 

As for Tea - I find that the Trans Atlantics draw a big crowd and our Caribbean cruises have been drawing a much smaller crowd.  On a recent sailing - we and a few others were told to go to Blu - but tea was actually in MDR.  Crew member came up a few minutes after 3 to tell us we were at the incorrect place.  

 

We too are concerned about the long flight but I guess we'll find out in about 40 days. Three sisters from Wis. and husbands. We sail on Feb 17th  and starting from Wisconsin with a flight out Wednesday the 12th to Houston for overnight at our sisters and then Thursday the 13 New Zealand Air 15 hours to Auckland.  Booked in economy but have upgraded to a Sky Couch. I don't even want to think of the return which is United Melbourne to LA to Chicago.  I've blocked out how many hours that will be. 

 

 

 

[mahdnc]

We have finally made it home. Sadly, there’s no dog to greet us because we put Cookie down in Nov. I’m still not used to it to coming home to an empty house. 
 

Our last travel snafu occurred at O’Hare. Our pre-arranged limo/taxi couldn't make it because of a broken water pump. So we waited in line for a cab and paid a lot to get home as we live in the far suburbs. But, we are home. 

 

 

Right now, Solstice should be on her first of two sea days as she makes her way to New Caledonia (10 night round trip out of Sydney). I am sure all the passengers are excited for the great trip and cruise experience that awaits them.  I remember that feeling!

 

Coincidentally, we have that cruise booked for next year (Jan 3 2021, Solstice 11 night South Pacific).  We are not 100% sure we will be able to make it because of our kid's vacation time from work, especially our son. We will see. We have been very lucky to have done a Celebrity cruise as a family in Dec/Jan every year for the last 8 (and all but one have been 12 nights or more) . Hopefully we will be able to do a 9th. 

Edited January 5, 2020 by mahdnc

[Suzi66]

2 hours ago, mahdnc said:

We have finally made it home. Sadly, there’s no dog to greet us because we put Cookie down in Nov. I’m still not used to it to coming home to an empty house. 
 

Our last travel snafu occurred at O’Hare. Our pre-arranged limo/taxi couldn't make it because of a broken water pump. So we waited in line for a cab and paid a lot to get home as we live in the far suburbs. But, we are home. 

 

 

Right now, Solstice should be on her first of two sea days as she makes her way to New Caledonia (10 night round trip out of Sydney). I am sure all the passengers are excited for the great trip and cruise experience that awaits them.  I remember that feeling!

 

Coincidentally, we have that cruise booked for next year (Jan 3 2021, Solstice 11 night South Pacific).  We are not 100% sure we will be able to make it because of our kid's vacation time from work, especially our son. We will see. We have been very lucky to have done a Celebrity cruise as a family in Dec/Jan every year for the last 8 (and all but one have been 12 nights or more) . Hopefully we will be able to do a 9th. 

I am really hoping to see you on that cruise.  It will be nice to do a cruise together again (AND actually meet each other).  Glad you are home safely and that you looked after the ship for me for when I get on in 9 days (not that I'm counting or anything)

Susanne

[hammo]

Exactly what Susanne said ... see you onboard Susanne.

[lovedecruise]

4 hours ago, mahdnc said:

 

 

Right now, Solstice should be on her first of two sea days as she makes her way to New Caledonia (10 night round trip out of Sydney). I am sure all the passengers are excited for the great trip and cruise experience that awaits them.  I remember that feeling

 

You are correct, we finally made it onboard and have started our journey to Noumea.  As you said, the ship is in pretty good shape.  The crew are wonderful and the food has been good as well. It’s pretty smooth sailing at the moment, with fine weather so far.  

[mahdnc]

8 hours ago, lovedecruise said:

 

You are correct, we finally made it onboard and have started our journey to Noumea.  As you said, the ship is in pretty good shape.  The crew are wonderful and the food has been good as well. It’s pretty smooth sailing at the moment, with fine weather so far.  

 

I trust you have foot stools on your balcony! Enjoy your cruise!

[mahdnc]

10 hours ago, Suzi66 said:

I am really hoping to see you on that cruise.  It will be nice to do a cruise together again (AND actually meet each other).  Glad you are home safely and that you looked after the ship for me for when I get on in 9 days (not that I'm counting or anything)

Susanne

 

Susanne,

 

Your 13 night itinerary looks awesome. I hope you enjoy your cruise. 

 

As for next year's South Pacific cruise, I think there's a good chance we'll doing this cruise. I also think that there’s a good possibility that we’ll be doing it without our son. 
 

And, yes, it would be great to finally meet each other. 
 

David

[WeBcruisingMN]

Hi David - just 'found' your review after perusing the boards for some other info. Not sure if you remember me, but just wanted to say HI and so glad that you had a wonderful NZ holiday cruise this year with your family. The Sounds looked beautiful - we hope to do that cruise someday (have only done a week on land of North Island, including the White Island tour in March 2018....which now we are SO grateful to have had a safe experience of that!).

 

We used your early 2018 GB Reef Solstice cruise review A LOT, as we planned our Solstice Australia cruise (which was March 30, 2018). Do you remember our youngest daughter Theresa was studying abroad there and we flew over to take her on the cruise? Anyway, she met a nice young man, Chris, who was on the cruise with 18 other family/friends - and their 'cruise fling' is still going strong after 21 months of 9000+ mile long distance dating! He lives in Melbourne, and she is now in Austin, TX - pursuing her grad degree at UT. John and I just went on a Liberty of the Seas cruise out of Galveston with Theresa and Chris, while she is on her grad school January break.  I love to read your tales of traveling with your young adult kids, because we enjoy that so much too!

 

We are looking forward to our next cruise (and returning to Celebrity, Royal was nice - but waaaay too many little kids for us!) - we will be on the South America/Antarctica Feb 2, 2020 Eclipse sailing. Have you done South America? I thought maybe you had....if you have a review for that, would you mind linking me up to that? We mostly have all of our planning done....but could maybe glean some more.

 

Anyway - all the best to you and your family in 2020. Thanks for sharing such good info on Cruise Critic; it is appreciated! I'll attach a quick photo of our daughter and her boyfriend with us on the Liberty - they are such a cute couple, I think. Probably if they get married, it may have to happen on a cruise ship!?! SHARON (from MN)

[mahdnc]

1 hour ago, WeBcruisingMN said:

Hi David - just 'found' your review after perusing the boards for some other info. Not sure if you remember me, but just wanted to say HI and so glad that you had a wonderful NZ holiday cruise this year with your family. The Sounds looked beautiful - we hope to do that cruise someday (have only done a week on land of North Island, including the White Island tour in March 2018....which now we are SO grateful to have had a safe experience of that!).

 

We used your early 2018 GB Reef Solstice cruise review A LOT, as we planned our Solstice Australia cruise (which was March 30, 2018). Do you remember our youngest daughter Theresa was studying abroad there and we flew over to take her on the cruise? Anyway, she met a nice young man, Chris, who was on the cruise with 18 other family/friends - and their 'cruise fling' is still going strong after 21 months of 9000+ mile long distance dating! He lives in Melbourne, and she is now in Austin, TX - pursuing her grad degree at UT. John and I just went on a Liberty of the Seas cruise out of Galveston with Theresa and Chris, while she is on her grad school January break.  I love to read your tales of traveling with your young adult kids, because we enjoy that so much too!

 

We are looking forward to our next cruise (and returning to Celebrity, Royal was nice - but waaaay too many little kids for us!) - we will be on the South America/Antarctica Feb 2, 2020 Eclipse sailing. Have you done South America? I thought maybe you had....if you have a review for that, would you mind linking me up to that? We mostly have all of our planning done....but could maybe glean some more.

 

Anyway - all the best to you and your family in 2020. Thanks for sharing such good info on Cruise Critic; it is appreciated! I'll attach a quick photo of our daughter and her boyfriend with us on the Liberty - they are such a cute couple, I think. Probably if they get married, it may have to happen on a cruise ship!?! SHARON (from MN)

 

 

Sharon, 

 

Hi!!  Of course I remember you.  I remember that your daughter was studying at Newcastle (and that your GBR cruise stopped there) and when Solstice stopped there a couple of  weeks ago, it made me think of you guys.  I was guessing that you all probably toured the university and saw her dorm when you were there. 

 

That is a pretty amazing story about your daughter and her boy friend.  And thank you for sharing that awesome family photo--they are indeed a very cute and happy couple.  I take it that they will not be joining you on your next cruise, but I am sure they will be sailing again with you in the future.

 

Yes, we took a South American cruise although it did not do Antarctica.  It was a 15 night holiday sailing on Infinity from Valparaiso, Chile to Buenos Aires.  It sailed on Dec 24 2016 and we celebrated Christmas off the Chilean coast and New Year's near Cape Horn.  It was a great cruise--here is the link.  You are going to enjoy it--and I am envious that you are doing the Antarctic.  

 

Our family is now starting to spread out (we are from Chicago, as you may remember).  Our son moved to San Francisco a year ago to go work for Apple.  Our daughter just finished her Ph.D. and will be moving next month to North Carolina (where my wife is from) to work for the EPA.  So we are trying to use these annual cruises to get the family back together.

 

Thanks again for posting.  It was wonderful to hear from you.  May your entire family have an awesome new year!!