Headed out on Solstice Saturday and WILL Have A Great Time!

[comfy_critters]

9 hours ago, matador316 said:

I'm with you too, literally! Looking forward to 7 glorious sun-filled days on Solstice! Will post review and pics after returning. 

Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing your review and pics after returning. We'll be on Solstice for 7 days in April and can't wait! 

[davekathy]

2 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

Heck dk here I thought that I was an influencing factor in your sailing decisions!!!

 

Missed the boat on that one... LOL

 

bon voyage

Bo, I know. I hate to be a bummer. 😉

[Barwick Cruiser]

11 hours ago, Guindalf said:

We're flying from Atlanta to LA on Friday and boarding the Solstice Saturday. We'll be in a Sky Suite.

 

With all the negativity on this board, MUCH more than the boards for other lines, I understand that post-pandemic, cruise lines must make changes to survive. Cruise ships need to sail at over 100% to make a profit and ships are still sailing as low as 25% full. This means they must get creative where they can.

 

Yes, there are cuts. Yes, there are bar closures, yes, there are new charges, but the alternative i NO CRUISING AT ALL. I'll live with the changes in order to gt my week of R&R, no matter what cutbacks there are. I'll be happy with what I get.

 

I accept that cruising is a privilege and many people may get no vacation at all, so it's time to shut up and accept things will be different, but still awesome!

 

We have a reservation on Princess for Alaska at the end of September and I was considering cancelling in favor of the solstice, but all the poor comments made me think that the people on board the Discovery Princess will be happier than the X passengers.

With all due respect it’s absolutely easier to have a glass half full attitude when you can afford to sail in a suite and the aforementioned cuts don’t impact your onboard experience to the same degree as those, like me, with an upcoming sailing in a veranda who paid to enjoy an experience that has been vastly reduced from what we were promised when we booked only a few months ago. No doubt we’ll still enjoy our break from our cold and snowy winter however the value and experience, especially as it pertains to dining will not be what we had been looking forward to only a few weeks ago. I sincerely hope everyone that is on a cruise in the next few months has a wonderful holiday in spite of the cutbacks, we’ll be doing our best for sure, fortunately the crew often makes our holiday extra special and it sounds like they’re as attentive and wonderful as always. Bon voyage! 

[Wakepatrol]

Don’t go to the sail away festivities. Instead schedule a meeting with the food and beverage manager to discuss recent cutbacks. Visiting a port you’ve never seen,?nah stay aboard and schedule a meeting with the chef to lecture him on how his French onion soup is too sweet. Shows  - skip those  and bring your camera to the buffet and take pictures of each station they have set up, and what’s on it. Please measure the size of the shrimp in the shrimp cocktail as well.  Have a great cruise

[Georgia_Peaches]

11 hours ago, Guindalf said:

We're flying from Atlanta to LA on Friday and boarding the Solstice Saturday. We'll be in a Sky Suite.

Seems like a lot of folks in this thread are on your cruise!  I’m getting so antsy bc we’re doing this cruise March 4th also flying from ATL the Friday before. Do you mind sharing which hotel you booked?

 

I will look forward to your review. Enjoy!

[hartwickds]

11 hours ago, Guindalf said:

We're flying from Atlanta to LA on Friday and boarding the Solstice Saturday. We'll be in a Sky Suite.

 

With all the negativity on this board, MUCH more than the boards for other lines, I understand that post-pandemic, cruise lines must make changes to survive. Cruise ships need to sail at over 100% to make a profit and ships are still sailing as low as 25% full. This means they must get creative where they can.

 

Yes, there are cuts. Yes, there are bar closures, yes, there are new charges, but the alternative i NO CRUISING AT ALL. I'll live with the changes in order to gt my week of R&R, no matter what cutbacks there are. I'll be happy with what I get.

 

I accept that cruising is a privilege and many people may get no vacation at all, so it's time to shut up and accept things will be different, but still awesome!

 

We have a reservation on Princess for Alaska at the end of September and I was considering cancelling in favor of the solstice, but all the poor comments made me think that the people on board the Discovery Princess will be happier than the X passengers.

See you on board Saturday! Despite the cut backs it will be a great cruise on a great ship (my 4th time on the Solstice)

[Mickey22]

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

You will have a wonderful time.   We were on Solstice for a B2B in December.  She is in beautiful condition, albeit not Revolutionized.   The staff is incredible .  The Retreat host, Mar is one of the best in the fleet.    Food was both well presented and tasty.

 

If you are able book a whale watching with Cabo Whale Watching -   best I've ever done and reasonable. 

Hello Jim,

We will be on the Solstice in March and  have 2 days in Cabo. Are you referring to Whale Watch Cabo? If so did you take the Zodiac Adventure Tour and how far is it from the port? 
 

Thanks, and while I don’t post much I love reading your live reviews!

     
   Jane

[sdpete]

Any chance you or anyone else on this cruise can post the printed daily planner for each day?  

[NutsAboutGolf]

3 hours ago, sdpete said:

Any chance you or anyone else on this cruise can post the printed daily planner for each day?  

 

It's all in the app

[Bo1953]

23 hours ago, davekathy said:

Bo, I know. I hate to be a bummer. 😉

dk - I can guarantee you that I will not start a thread over it... LOL

 

bon voyage

[yoshi]

I forgot to mention a few things about our cruise earlier this month, you can save some $ by booking some things in advance. We did the Hot Glass Class and made some beautiful glassware (vase and a flower) book in advance at onboard experiences and it is a good savings. We did the vineyard on a golf cart tour in Ensenada that was a nice day. Also bought some casino credits where you get 10% credit play if you book in advance. We were fortunate to get our cabins with the BCC so wanted to get a few extras on this cruise.

Don't forget to stop by Cafe Bacio to check out the treats, they had some goodies like coconut macaroons (my favorite) and lemon tarts. The coffees and teas cost $ but the goodies are complimentary☺️

[manmachine]

Keep repeating to yourself.  Keep repeating to yourself.  Journey Wonderfull, not Journey Wonderfullofcutbacks.

Edited January 27, 2023 by manmachine

[Wink87]

On 1/25/2023 at 6:59 AM, Guindalf said:

We're flying from Atlanta to LA on Friday and boarding the Solstice Saturday. We'll be in a Sky Suite.

 

With all the negativity on this board, MUCH more than the boards for other lines, I understand that post-pandemic, cruise lines must make changes to survive. Cruise ships need to sail at over 100% to make a profit and ships are still sailing as low as 25% full. This means they must get creative where they can.

 

Yes, there are cuts. Yes, there are bar closures, yes, there are new charges, but the alternative i NO CRUISING AT ALL. I'll live with the changes in order to gt my week of R&R, no matter what cutbacks there are. I'll be happy with what I get.

 

I accept that cruising is a privilege and many people may get no vacation at all, so it's time to shut up and accept things will be different, but still awesome!

 

We have a reservation on Princess for Alaska at the end of September and I was considering cancelling in favor of the solstice, but all the poor comments made me think that the people on board the Discovery Princess will be happier than the X passengers.

I'm on the sailing right after yours. First time in a suite and poor DH got an ear infection and vertigo. Dr said no travel. 27 yo granddaughter able to get off work with short notice and will join me. Looking forward to your review!

[kelleyd]

I realize the recent sailings have been low in numbers, but I would love to know how long it takes to tender into Cabo.  More like, the earliest I will be on land.  Or maybe even - port time says 12:30, what time is everyone booking their tour start time?