Which side of ship is best for Auckland to Sydney?

For the Celebrity Solstice in November, which side of the ship would be best, or would aft be best, for Auckland to Sydney itinerary? Thanks!

Topside.

Like almost all other cruises, you will be far from land, unless sailing into or out of a port. So one side isn't going to be better.

Does your cruise include Milford Sound? If so, back to topside.

Topside. Like almost all other cruises, you will be far from land, unless sailing into or out of a port. So one side isn't going to be better. Does your cruise include Milford Sound? If so, back to topside.

Agree with CruiserBruce's wise judgement. Before sailing Sydney to Auckland, I had assumed and hope there would be an advantage with being on the port side. BUT, from the "real-life" experiences, that concept of "topside" worked best for most of the sail-aways. You could see and enjoy the sights and experiences on BOTH sides. In the back part of the ship worked especially well for many of the sail-aways. Below are two visual examples. Many more samples of photo "evidence" proof can be found on my full live/blog connected below.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 177,794 views for this posting.

As the Solstice starts its sail-away, here is that view from the top, back of the ship. Lots and lots of super great memories from Sydney during our only two-and-a-half days there.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

Here is our wonderful roll call Master Mike from Miami, capturing some of our Cruise Critic group (good folks from Kansas and South Carolina) during our sail-away party at the Sunset Bar on the magical 15th level of the Solstice. Such a wonderful location to soak up the spectacular sights during this sail-away. I am keeping some names secret of folks pictured in case they are members of the government “witness protection” program.:

If there were no other factors involved I would pick starboard.

This would give afternoon sun on the NZ sea day and be north facing on the Tasman crossing.

It also gives coastal views on the two transits between Breaksea and Doubtful Sounds; and Thompson and Milford Sounds.

Thank you all & Hi Terry! I was really wondering about which side is best for when we are in the ports. I do realize it doesn't matter when you are at sea:). We are probably going to get off in Dunedin and make our way to Queenstown for a few days and spend an overnight in a boat on Milford Sound, instead of staying with the ship. We would then be skipping the Tasman crossing which I think I would hate!

The only port with any consistency would be Tauranga; stbd side to.

At Auckland Princess wharf varies, but generally more stbd side to. Last time I saw Solstice there it was port side to.

Wellington depends often on the wind if strong, so can be either.

If light winds commonly stbd side to.

Bay of Islands and Akaroa are at anchor.

Thanks smooch!

The only port with any consistency would be Tauranga; stbd side to.

 

At Auckland Princess wharf varies, but generally more stbd side to. Last time I saw Solstice there it was port side to.

 

Wellington depends often on the wind if strong, so can be either.

If light winds commonly stbd side to.

 

Bay of Islands and Akaroa are at anchor.

We've done this cruise twice so here are my opinions.

The starboard side is best for the Auckland to Sydney itinerary - but it books up fast, we finally have a starboard cabin booked for our next NZ cruise but couldn't get one for the last two. You do get some coastal views, especially when going around East Cape on the sea day after Tauranga.

The best place to be for sailaways out of most of the harbours is the Sky Lounge, forward on deck 14. Watching the ship navigate the narrow channels at Tauranga and Port Chalmers from this spot is spectacular, and as an added bonus you might see some albatross at the entrance to Otago Harbour.

The best position for entering Milford Sound is port side forward on deck 15. Make sure you're up on deck as the ship is approaching the sound, don't leave it too late - you'll see why when you get there. :D Look out for the seals basking on seal rock in the late afternoon sun.

Thank you all & Hi Terry! I was really wondering about which side is best for when we are in the ports. I do realize it doesn't matter when you are at sea:). We are probably going to get off in Dunedin and make our way to Queenstown for a few days and spend an overnight in a boat on Milford Sound, instead of staying with the ship. We would then be skipping the Tasman crossing which I think I would hate!

I would suggest flying to Queenstown to explore that area before you board your cruise. In my opinion the most spectacular way to see Milford Sound is to enter it from the sea, the scenery has the most impact that way. I have done the overnight on the sound and it was very enjoyable, and the drive over to Milford is also spectacular, but it's a long trip for one night. Of course, you can fly into Milford from Queenstown, and that is spectacular as well. Yes, I've done that one too. :D

What you miss by leaving the ship in Dunedin is the scenic cruising though Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. These sounds are pristine and can only be visited by ship.

We've done the Tasman crossing twice. Solstice is very stable, even in moderately rough seas, which we had on our first cruise. On our recent February cruise, the Tasman was relatively calm.

Thank you Ozkiwi - that is really helpful!

We've done this cruise twice so here are my opinions.

 

The starboard side is best for the Auckland to Sydney itinerary - but it books up fast, we finally have a starboard cabin booked for our next NZ cruise but couldn't get one for the last two. You do get some coastal views, especially when going around East Cape on the sea day after Tauranga.

 

The best place to be for sailaways out of most of the harbours is the Sky Lounge, forward on deck 14. Watching the ship navigate the narrow channels at Tauranga and Port Chalmers from this spot is spectacular, and as an added bonus you might see some albatross at the entrance to Otago Harbour.

 

The best position for entering Milford Sound is port side forward on deck 15. Make sure you're up on deck as the ship is approaching the sound, don't leave it too late - you'll see why when you get there. :D Look out for the seals basking on seal rock in the late afternoon sun.