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

[mahdnc]

The weather is gorgeous!

 

Here is our docked position

Edited December 26, 2019 by mahdnc

[Scottygirl1]

Did you see this?  People removed from your ship in Picton!  

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118468149/cruise-passengers-removed-as-ship-docks-in-picton

 

[mahdnc]

52 minutes ago, Scottygirl1 said:

Did you see this?  People removed from your ship in Picton!  

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118468149/cruise-passengers-removed-as-ship-docks-in-picton

 

 

No, this is the first I've heard. When we got back on the ship at about 5:30 pm, there was a young man in a wheel chair being escorted of the ship, but I did not see security personnel nor police......

[Suzi66]

14 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

No, this is the first I've heard. When we got back on the ship at about 5:30 pm, there was a young man in a wheel chair being escorted of the ship, but I did not see security personnel nor police......

By the paper reports they got off before any of you did at Picton.  That may have held up your disembarking process by just a little bit of extra time as well yesterday.

[mahdnc]

3 hours ago, Suzi66 said:

By the paper reports they got off before any of you did at Picton.  That may have held up your disembarking process by just a little bit of extra time as well yesterday.

 

Whatever they did and whenever they did it, it was done discreetly!

[mahdnc]

Venus shines brightly in the western sky (upper right hand corner of the photo).  We are getting another clear sky tonight. It is a very windy night tonight however and white caps are visible in the ocean. The ship is sailing remarkably smoothly nevertheless. 

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

[Suzi66]

Napier is probably the one cruise stop in NZ that I haven't been to.  I'm very interested to see what it is like.

[mahdnc]

 

We had a terrific port day at Napier partly due to the magnificent weather, but mainly because of the tour we took.

 

 

I signed us up for a private tour of a 5th generation family owned working farm a few miles north of Napier.

 

The tour started with some skeet shooting for my family which was well organized, followed by a fun ATV tour of the hilly 1100 acre farm which held cows and sheep. We saw the dogs in action as they were herding the cows which was impressive. 
 

 

The tour ended with a nice home made lunch with the owner's family on the back patio of their house. 
 

It is likely to be the high point of the cruise with my kids. 
 

Edited December 27, 2019 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

[mahdnc]

 

Like Picton, a free short shuttle bus ride was required to take us from the industrial port to the town of Napier. 

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by mahdnc

[hcat]

3 hours ago, mahdnc said:

Venus shines brightly in the western sky (upper right hand corner of the photo).  We are getting another clear sky tonight. It is a very windy night tonight however and white caps are visible in the ocean. The ship is sailing remarkably smoothly nevertheless. 

 

 

Excellent shot!  Love all your photos.... 

Great family journey!

[countess5]

Have you been getting the daily announcement about the fines for taking food off the ship. It went on and on every day. You think by day three people would get it! 😂

 

Cheers! 

[Jim_Iain]

Thank you for your wonderful blog.   We will be taking this same cruise next year and your review and photos are causing excitement.   I'm hoping we have the beautiful weather you are experiencing.

[mahdnc]

We will be docking shortly at Wellington. 

[mahdnc]

Another port, another shuttle. This will be our third stop in New Zealand. And the third time that a free shuttle will be needed to take us safely out of the industrial port and into the city. 

 

 

[mahdnc]

Having a simple breakfast in our cabin....

 

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by mahdnc

[Suzi66]

5 hours ago, mahdnc said:

Another port, another shuttle. This will be our third stop in New Zealand. And the third time that a free shuttle will be needed to take us safely out of the industrial port and into the city. 

 

 

From memory, Dunedin is the only place you have to pay for a shuttle into town when visiting NZ unless you are doing the 90 minutes to Christchurch from Akaroa and then that is to be expected or the hour to Rotorua from Tauranga (same there).  Unlike Australia who stung us for the shuttle into Cairns and the one into Brisbane.

[mahdnc]

We took a half day tour of Wellington. When we pulled into port, the skies were completely cloud covered. 

 

 

By noon time, the sun came out and the weather was quite excellent. 

 

 

The above photo shows 3 New Zealand symbols: a statue of NZ's 15th Prime Minister, the Beehive (Executive Building), and a blooming Pohutukawa tree (New Zealand Christmas Tree). 

 

 

The above panorama shot is taken from the hill that has a solitary wind turbine on it. 

Edited December 28, 2019 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

Last shuttle is at 545pm. Our daughter got a new tattoo this afternoon in Wellington which was fine except the procedure finally finished at 5:20 pm. And then we rushed off to catch the shuttle which is where I'm posting this update.

 

 

By the time we got there, there were three empty shuttles ready for passengers. The shuttle pick up point was across the street from the Amora Hotel in Wakefield St.

 

Edited December 28, 2019 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

There are quite a few Pohutukawa Trees in bloom here in Wellington. They are a very charming aspect of this country especially for our Christmas cruise. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2019 by mahdnc

[afto]

Thanks for taking the time to put together this very interesting and useful review. I am loving the photos, especially those gorgeous evening shots of the ship and the sunset. 

[mahdnc]

Good morning from Akaroa. It looks like we lucked into another day of sunshine!

 

Edited December 28, 2019 by mahdnc

[mahdnc]

Akaroa is our only tendered port on this trip. 

 

[mahdnc]

Solstice is now dropping anchor.