This cruise was amazing. All the ports were outstanding. The Solstice is in excellent condition. There were lots of activities for sea days: ukulele lessons, hula lessons, Maori Poi Ball dance, cooking classes, a passenger chorus, outstanding lectures (Pacific Ocean, WWII, Women of Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes etc). Blu and Oceanview Cafe were both great. Crossing the Equator ceremony was lots of fun.. Damian our CD was very entertaining. The crossing was smooth with only one day out of New Zealand a little bumpy with 15 ft swells.
The Sail Away from Sydney is the most beautiful I have ever experienced. We sailed at night and the Opera House was all lit up.
Unfortunately the new production shows are not very good with the worst one the supposedly "Mozart" show. The guest entertainers were very good.
I have always stayed in AQ below the pool deck and never had a problem on M class ships. However, on the Solstice every morning around 6:30 am the thumping would start. The loungers were being put back out and they were being slammed down vs placed down. This was the only problem we encountered.
Just took , a $2 bus to the beach.