Celebrity Solstice Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,220 reviews

First Cruise, Fabulous; Will Cruise Again

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Celebrity Solstice
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kwkiwi
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

Rating by category

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Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2015
Cabin: Deluxe Veranda 2A

Decided to go on the Christmas cruise for a change with my husband and our two teenage boys. Even though we are New Zealanders we thought it would be cool to see NZ coastline from the sea. We have travelled a lot but never on a cruise. On the whole really loved Celebrity Solstice, the room, food and also the entertainment.

The itinerary was just great with a mixture of port stops and days at sea. We hired rental cars to tour and took one excursion on the train in Dunedin. You will see some of the most spectacular scenery that NZ has to offer. Of course my views might not be the views of others on the cruise as we are all different, especially in respect to food quality and enterainment value.

Was a bit concerned about two things, 1. was level 7 too low on the ship and 2. would there be too many kids??

Cabin Review

Deluxe Veranda 2A

Cabin 2A

Level 7 is a great location on the central hump, looks straight down to the sea. Also handy if elevators are slow and you need to use the stairs. Short walk to common areas on levels 3-5. Minimal motion from sea swells. Very clean, well maintained. Fabulous bed.

Twice a day servicing of the room is lovely for the stay at home Mum, the ultimate luxury.

I believe these cabins would go very quickly when cruise is opened for bookings. If travelling in a family group try to get interconnecting cabins. They are indicated by the dashed line on the deck plans. I would rather book one of these and than pay for the speciality restaurants than get concierge or aqua cabins.

Port Reviews

Bay of Islands

Tender port, was very orderly getting off. We hired a rental car. Would probably do a local sightseeing cruise if going again. Visited the Waitingi treaty grounds which are a significant site for New Zealanders. Great little market going at Paihia township.

Tauranga

Ship berths right next to local town of Mt Maunganui which has the sandy beach, walk up the mount and also some nice shopping only 5 minutes from the trip. We hired a car and drove down to Ohope Beach as I wanted to see what it was like as many people holiday there. It was really beautiful.

Akaroa

Tender port, it was orderly leaving the ship. Quaint little town but we struck a heat wave and too hot to walk around. The rose gardens looked lovely. We hired a car and drove round the Banks Peninsula which has spectacular coastal scenery.

Hobart

Unfortunately it hounded down with rain when we got off and stopped the moment we got back on. Took the hop on hop off bus which was the only option on a wet day. Looks like an interesting city but need to walk around. Went to the Salamander markets but too wet to enjoy sadly.

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