Celebrity Solstice Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Wonderful Holiday. Lovely helpful smiling crew. A Joy to be around. We have done 5 previous cruises and never on Celebrity. If this is what this cruise line always offers we will most certainly be travelling with them again. We are a couple 61 and 67 and were not looking for a specific itinerary just a relaxed holiday. This vessel suited us perfectly. Its not got the wow standout flashy but a more sophisticated vessel I believe they spend their money on the things that count. Also I felt other ships which we have travelled on more suited to the younger set and family holiday fun. It didn't have roller skating, slides etc. At our age we worry about dislocating something so they are always irrelevant other than entertaining to watch. We seem to tolerate child cruising easier than most but I must admit it was nice to not have them taking over the lifts and pools. Only about 10 children on board who were looked after and taken care of extremely well with more one on one staff than normal.
We loved the real grass on the top deck and used the area often enjoying the ambiance of the outside aft bar with its wonderful high views and picnic wine tasting on a blanket was very different. We also loved the onboard glass blowing studio in the same area. That was such a treat as were the many enrichment talks. We boarded in Fremantle quickly due to half the ships passengers staying on from the last cruise and disembarkation in Sydney was a breeze. We were supposed to go to Bali Darwin Cairns Whitsundays Brisbane Newcastle and Sydney. We enjoyed all except Bali. This was cancelled due to Terrorist Warnings issued by Indonesia and Australia. The staff mainly Indonesian and looking forward to visiting family held up very well. I was more upset for them than the passengers. I won't go into that any further only to say this is the way of the world and ultimately it is the decision of the shipping company and safety always prevails. Thank Heavens. Two nights Darwin was not so bad. Berthing at their lovely marina we got to see a little more than we had intended. I would have liked for mostly the lovely international travellers to have been more informed on what they were travelling past as they went around Australia. It was like the entire West Coast of Aus was not there. Unlike us they were here to see and learn.
What else can I tell you. Wonderful Gym overlooking the water with very good up to date gear. I didn't use the Spa but it looked good.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Veranda 1C
Very quiet. No entry exit or overhead noises. No view obstruction. Forward Portside If weather rough may not suit as too high and forward. Roomy not interconnecting and bed next to balcony for optimum views.
Port Reviews
Perth (Fremantle)
The Port of Fremantle has a cheap hop on hop off small tram which will come past the ship when it is berthed. Fremantle itself is very interesting to walk around as it is Australia old with a bit of history. The train which will take you directly into Perth is very close to the Port in fact runs past it. Train fares are very cheap and after 9am to 3pm you can do an all day pass for about 7 Aus. Trains run to Perth only 15min away every 15 mins. You can without hassle travel to Perth or the Esplanade get on a city free bus see the city and then go to the marina by the free bus and travel to Fremantle next to the ship by Ferry. Extra cost but not expensive. Just ask. The service staff are very helpful. You may like to run by train all the way to Joondalup the North of Perth. No problem. Regular 15 min trains all for same cost.
Perhaps train to Perth and get a Taxi to Kings Park and back. Cheap. You get a good birds eye view of Perth and surroundings.
Darwin
We got off and jumped on the Hop On Hop Off bus and had a lovely day. It parks just outside the marina gate and they travel around every half hour. It is a fabulous way of seeing Darwin and hearing all about the place. Cost 30Aus each as we are seniors and then they sold tickets to the Crocosaurus Park for less than at the gate. 25Aus each. We got off in the city at the museum which was free and then the war museum. The best time to see kangaroos was on the last bus late arvo. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit as the Wharf is good and close to town. There is a lift that takes you from the marina housing up to street level but it is about 500 meters away around the walkway. If hot it can be a bit much for elderly.
Newcastle (Australia)
We did not do an excursion but took the free bus to town. We did not see much more than we did from the ship. Have been there before. It was nice as the townsfolk came out for our departure and there was a cannon salute. Cruise ships in there are abnormal. Everyone was happy to have us there.
Brisbane
As our vessel was too large for the normal port we were berthed at a commercial venue. It is a long way from Brisbane and we have been there before so we didn't go in. All was well organised. I would suggest you take the ship transfer or an excursion here due to the distance from anywhere.
Cairns
Once again we did not do an excursion. The ship had to berth out and tender in. The bus transfer into town was a reasonable price as we were about 20 mins away and Taxis for two would have cost a fair bit more. The city centre offers as most do mainly shopping though you get to see their lovely waterfront. Hop and Hop off available from city only but expensive and shows little. Local transport for a short stay is difficult to organise from where we arrived into. Yorkeys Knob. I would suggest a ship excursion unless in a group. If you wanted to do the skyrail to Kuranda it is reasonably close. About 10 mins by Taxi.
Bali
We did not go there. Ship diverted due to Terrorist Warnings.