solstice sydney to hawaii / just back

Thanks to all of you for answering my questions. The answers are all very helpful while I am planning this cruise. :D

We did this itinerary two years ago as part of a B2B2B, starting in Sydney and ending in Seattle. Amazing cruise on the Solstice and amazing ports, especially Bora Bora.

 

Prior to the trip DH and I both got the Hyatt Visa through Chase. One of the perks was two free nights each in any Hyatt worldwide. The Park Hyatt in Sydney was being renovated and was closed when we got the card, but I waited patiently and was able to book four nights prior to the cruise there. We had rooms looking out at Circular Quay and were able to see the Solstice docked right by the hotel. There were fireworks over the quay each night. All in all a wonderful experience and a great start to the cruise. Only consider the Visa if you can pay it off each month. BTW, I don't have any other affiliation with Chase other than that of a happy customer.

 

https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/hyatt-card.aspx

 

Bon Voyage

Going on the April 9th run of 2016. I second the Chase card for it's perks. We use the Preferred card to rack up points and got ow air for only points and 60dollars of taxes. Then used our IHG card and got two free nights at Holiday Inn at Circular Quay.

OP nodandade, thank you for the review and so glad you enjoyed Solstice. We are booked and have not cruised Celebrity before, and I hope you don't mind if I crash your thread to ask where we might get a cup of coffee (complimentary - included in our cruise fare), besides the dining room and buffet? I understand there is a Café which offers free snacks and pay coffee. Is there somewhere similar to Royal Caribbean's Café Promenade which offers complimentary coffee?

Thank you. :)

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OP nodandade, thank you for the review and so glad you enjoyed Solstice. We are booked and have not cruised Celebrity before, and I hope you don't mind if I crash your thread to ask where we might get a cup of coffee (complimentary - included in our cruise fare), besides the dining room and buffet? I understand there is a Café which offers free snacks and pay coffee. Is there somewhere similar to Royal Caribbean's Café Promenade which offers complimentary coffee?

 

Thank you. :)

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crashing is good.

I must say I am not a coffee drinker, so other than what you have mentioned,the only other place I used to go with my wife was café el baccio where if you bought a coffee (vast range there) you could pick as many of the sweets (e.g cakes and biscuits) as you liked free of charge to eat with your coffee,the same applied if you wanted to take your coffee to your room or balcony, maybe someone else may like to chime in with a suggestion or two.

the buffet coffee and tea section are open 24/7 so you might just like to wander past and grab a coffee and take it to wherever.

coffee in el baccio is not free so if you are both coffee drinkers and you drink a lot of it and like speciality coffees,then I would consider strongly a drinks package,we had the premium alcohol package and it was terrific there wasn't anything you couldn't get on it really.you may like to consider a non alcohol package.

happy cruising

the buffet coffee and tea section are open 24/7 so you might just like to wander past and grab a coffee and take it to wherever...

This is perfect, we shall do this - thank you so much. :)

Just asking if anyone can suggest tours on the days in port for Bora Bora and Moorea. Have heard a bit about them but open to suggestions.

Some are going on Patrick's Tour, which includes swimming with sharks etc. was it worth it? Not sure whether to tie up a whole day on a tour.

Thoughts?

Bora bora and Patricks tour was an absolute highlight on our cruise last October. We snorkelled with sharks/ stingrays then at a coral bay with beautiful bright lipped clams and stunning fish then lunch on a private island. Wouldn't bother with the land portion in a jeep, but would opt for shorter tour, stay on the island as they had dancing and entertainment we missed.

In Moorea we went with Frankyfrank tours for a 6 hr trip round Moorea, another fantastic day and both were worth every cent, best ports of call and tours.

Some are going on Patrick's Tour, which includes swimming with sharks etc. was it worth it? Not sure whether to tie up a whole day on a tour. Thoughts?

We have been with Patrick five times. We loved it each time. :)

We flew Air New Zealand in Premium Economy and it was fabulous. They have cocoon type seats and my 6'4" husband had more than enough room.

Would love to know a little bit more about your flight. Are there adjustable legs rests? Do the seats recline or just slide down? Do you remember your seat numbers? We are on the Solstice in November and December and will be flying home from Auckland.

Thanks so much for your replies, I think we will opt for the shorter trip.

So looking forward to our cruise, first time ever for me. Any helpful tips appreciated.

We did Patrick's tour, without the optional land portion, in April 2013 when we were on the Solstice. We had booked it before seeing him on Amazing Race (not as a contestant): Me to DH when viewing the episode: "Isn't that who we booked with on BoraBora?" I can recommend it wholeheartedly. Probably the very best experience of the entire B2B2B cruise. Take lots of sunscreen!

Betsy

We did Patrick's tour, without the optional land portion, in April 2013 when we were on the Solstice. We had booked it before seeing him on Amazing Race (not as a contestant): Me to DH when viewing the episode: "Isn't that who we booked with on BoraBora?" I can recommend it wholeheartedly. Probably the very best experience of the entire B2B2B cruise. Take lots of sunscreen!

 

Betsy

Thanks for that info, we have decided on the 3/4 day with lunch as it finishes at 2.30, so plenty of time to wander after that.

Just yeasterday I discovered this itinerary for 2017 and am seriously considering it! One question though regarding flying in. I've never been to Australia. If I leave (Toronto) on April 17 would I be arriving on April 19th?

Many thanks,

Camelia

We already have a Roll Call up for this April 2017, please join us!

if I do book I will definitely come to the roll call! It seems so far away...

Camelia

Great to read some first hand experience from this cruise. DH and I are booked on the Solstice Sept 2016. Starting to worry the balance due may alter by the time we pay it and what the cost of beer and wine will be now our dollar is dropping and the world economy is a bit ratty at the moment. Fingers crossed our conversion to USD is not too grim.

thank you for that info, I am soaking all of this information up like a sponge. we too are looking at premium economy on Quantas as we cannot afford business class either, but wish we could. You found there was enough leg room in premium economy and were the seats configured two and two? Do the seats recline only as far as economy seats do? Thanks for the hotel info I do not have Hyatt points have Hilton but will definitely look into that hotel to see if it is affordable, how many days did you stay?

We are leaving on a HAL ship October 3rd from San Diego to Sydney .We booked on Orbitz ,The Sydney Boulevard hotel which is a 4 star & the airlines put their people up there . cost for 6 nights was a bit over $800 USD .We booked our flights with air miles .Sydney to Auckland ( a bit over 3 hours) Quantas coach ,then 9 1/2 hrs from Auckland to Honolulu on Hawaiian airlines ,first class followed by 51/2 hours from honolulu to SD on alaska airlines first class . American air miles used 62,500 each of us . american did the arrangements .We could bnot get a available business on Quantas the day we were flying out

What is nice is that since we bought a Westin time share in Palm Desert ,we can buy star points at $1550 for 80000 star points which becomes 100,000 American air miles . For the Sydney to LAX we could have bought enough air miles at $1900 to fly business class for both of us one way .We no longer fly coach but either business or first class ;because of the cost of star points with Westin.We only bought the time share because of the great air line deals ;but ,we have come to really get fabulous use of time share vacations all over

Just yeasterday I discovered this itinerary for 2017 and am seriously considering it! One question though regarding flying in. I've never been to Australia. If I leave (Toronto) on April 17 would I be arriving on April 19th?

 

Many thanks,

 

Camelia

Depends on departure time, but it's quite likely.

Many arrive here in Sydney around 7 a.m. 2 days later from that part of the world.

Correct, We have the Air Canada flight out of Vancouver. Leave around 11PM in the evening on the 7th and arrive on the 9th at 8 AM.

Just to add, you're not actually flying for 2 days though. It's because you cross the international date line, so lose a day heading west.

When you fly back to the US/Canada you gain a day, so actually often arrive the same day you left.

Just asking if anyone can suggest tours on the days in port for Bora Bora and Moorea. Have heard a bit about them but open to suggestions.

 

Some are going on Patrick's Tour, which includes swimming with sharks etc. was it worth it? Not sure whether to tie up a whole day on a tour.

 

Thoughts?

We were on the Millennium from Hawaii to Australia two years ago. One of the many highlights was New Caledonia. We took a tour by boat to a natural Preserve island with beach area, snorkeling area, and glass bottom boats. We swam with sea turtles, colorful fish and beautiful sea snakes! The snakes were also capable of crawling on the shore. I believe they were sea kraits and they have venom stronger than cobra venom but due to their tiny mouth, never attempt to bite humans. They will swim right next to you! It was a real exciting thrill to do that.

We were on the Millennium from Hawaii to Australia two years ago. One of the many highlights was New Caledonia. We took a tour by boat to a natural Preserve island with beach area, snorkeling area, and glass bottom boats. We swam with sea turtles, colorful fish and beautiful sea snakes! The snakes were also capable of crawling on the shore. I believe they were sea kraits and they have venom stronger than cobra venom but due to their tiny mouth, never attempt to bite humans. They will swim right next to you! It was a real exciting thrill to do that.

How was the millennium? I'm looking at her for March 2016 going to 2 stops in Fiji and then Tahiti then Hawaii. Our other option is Hollands Boordam of the seas with our Aussie friends for 25 days Sydney to Hawaii then Vancouver.and overall cost less than 18 nights on millennium. I love our friends but I absolutely disliked our 7day Alaska on holland. Liked Alaska, hated the ship. Don't know if it would be worth it I'm booked on both. I also booked RCCL for 2017 Sydney to Hawaii. As you can see we really like the South Pacific and loved the solstice and would book her again but the other 2 cruises offer some variations. I'm ranting now but the original question is how is the millennium?

How was the millennium? I'm looking at her for March 2016 going to 2 stops in Fiji and then Tahiti then Hawaii. Our other option is Hollands Boordam of the seas with our Aussie friends for 25 days Sydney to Hawaii then Vancouver.and overall cost less than 18 nights on millennium. I love our friends but I absolutely disliked our 7day Alaska on holland. Liked Alaska, hated the ship. Don't know if it would be worth it I'm booked on both. I also booked RCCL for 2017 Sydney to Hawaii. As you can see we really like the South Pacific and loved the solstice and would book her again but the other 2 cruises offer some variations. I'm ranting now but the original question is how is the millennium?

We were on the Millennium for 46 days. They treated us - well, like celebrities! We did have to change cabins for the back to back to back legs of the cruise but it was no problem at all.

On the second leg (Hawaii to Australia), we were in a Concierge Class cabin. Had a strong sewer smell from the toilet. Housecleaners tried fixing it by pouring Clorox down the toilet - didn't work. After 2 days, the Captain's Club hostess escorted us to a new cabin for the remainder of that leg - a Sky Suite! Wonderful experience.

Next leg, we moved to an aft stateroom with a huge balcony. Very nice.

It is a great ship. It does not have the grass areas like on the Solstice class but I don't care.

I am sure you would enjoy the ship.

We were on the Millennium for 46 days. They treated us - well, like celebrities! We did have to change cabins for the back to back to back legs of the cruise but it was no problem at all.

 

 

On the second leg (Hawaii to Australia), we were in a Concierge Class cabin. Had a strong sewer smell from the toilet. Housecleaners tried fixing it by pouring Clorox down the toilet - didn't work. After 2 days, the Captain's Club hostess escorted us to a new cabin for the remainder of that leg - a Sky Suite! Wonderful experience.

 

Next leg, we moved to an aft stateroom with a huge balcony. Very nice.

 

It is a great ship. It does not have the grass areas like on the Solstice class but I don't care.

 

I am sure you would enjoy the ship.

Thank you. On the solstice I enjoyed the hula classes and lei making and all the South Pacific type activities and also the Tahitian dancers they brought on board. Do they do the same in millennium?