Celebrity Solstice Review
Cruising Great Barrier Reef was a bucket list event
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This is our 3rd Celebrity cruise, and was booked over 18 months ago, prior to our 1st cruise, so we selected for the itinerary. First time to Australia, so we spent 4 days exploring Sydney before the cruise, which is easy to do on your own. Stayed in the CBD near the cruise ship quay, so we walked or used the ferry system to visit sights. We found the local citizens to be lovely; friendly, helpful, interesting and well traveled. Everyone from the taxi driver from the airport, staff in stores and restaurants, to people sitting next to you on a ferry were engaging and at ease, leaving you with a warm feeling about the country.
Solstice is our 3rd S ship cruise, and the oldest in the line. The interior common areas of the ship are very well maintained, it appeared very clean. This was a summer cruise, and the pool area was in high demand. Few people saved chairs by leaving hats and book, but never sitting in the chairs, and the Pool Butlers were quick to remove dishes and towels left behind, making it easy to find a seat.
We were looking forward to trying out the new 'theatre' on the grass area for outdoor movies, having seen pictures and read about this feature on the Infinity. Solstice has the big screen, but they had benches (no back) used from the Corning Glass show with just a few chairs with backs. They seem to be trying to use the grassy Alcove area as the Movie Theatre, but did not provide the outdoor patio furniture with cushions to relax on.
Cabin Review
AquaClass 2
The cabin (AQ1652) was well maintained, and our steward kept the room spotlessly clean and made up. He was available, and asked frequently about our needs. Although Aqua did remove the bottled water in the room as a perk, the steward provided bottles as needed, so we were never without water in the cabin. The one flaw was the ship just returned from dry dock (October 2016) and the overhang on deck 12 is in serious need of repainting. The balcony chairs appeared to have been visited by birds, but we came to think it was peeling paint, as the overhang showed large chucks of peeling paint.
Port Reviews
Sydney (Australia)
Stayed in the Central Business District and toured the city on our own. Opera House tour was well done, givng us access to the 3 larger venues in the complex, including watching sets being built for shows starting that day. Easy to access Taronga Zoo taking ferry over and the skylift to the entrance of the zoo. It was then and easy walk down hill, to return to the ferry. Day trip to Manly was great, as Saturday they have street markets, and very busy beaches.