Rusty1963

2 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Rusty1963, thanks for joining us but just in case you aren't aware, if your guess is correct you have to post the next photo, preferably fairly quickly. Then stick around to responded to the guesses. 

I am aware but unfortunately was busy at work yesterday so was unable to post the next pic- apologies 

Is it Lisbon?

Lanzarote?

Apologies just tried to paste a link to an Adele take but link broken

13 hours ago, Phxazzcruisers said:

Then you had a very different dinner than we had on Solstice.  The filet was huge and so was the lobster and chicken breast.  No one from our group was able to finish the entire meal.  Everyone thought it was way too much food,.

I would agree with you.  We were recently on the Solstice and thoroughly enjoyed the show.  The filet and lobster were cooked to perfection and we certainly didn’t leave hungry.  

I’ve just returned from a cruise on the solstice - there were also matinee performances by some of the guest performers on 3 of the sea days at 2:30pm. 

The guest performers were were also top notch.

We recently had a cabin for 3 on the solstice. The cabin attendant took the mattress out of the trundle and placed this on top of the sofa.  My son is 6 foot, didn’t have his feet sticking over the edge of the bed and said it was reasonably comfortable.

Hopefully it will be a similar set up for you.

Happy sailing.

On 12/22/2019 at 7:25 AM, cruiser02 said:

Is LPC on the Solstice?? 

Yes,  I’ve just booked it for our upcoming cruise. 

The Wings Wildlife Park is also worth a visit.  It’s family owned and fairly small but has a good selection of animals and interactive.   We went on a ships excursion but you can also hire a car.  The seaside town of Penguin is pretty and a nice stop to walk about.

The Bells Line of Road on the other side of the mountains has also been reopened today with reduced speed limits and cautionary advice whilst the clear up takes place.  Conditions change but hopefully a step in the right direction. Thanks to all the emergency services and volunteers out there who have been involved in fighting the fires.  Stay safe

22 minutes ago, Suzi66 said:

You will still want to aim to board by 12.30 or 1 as one of your perks is the lunch in the MDR and as it is one of the things you have paid for you may as well get it.  We missed out the first time we were concierge as the person who put us through in the disabled area didn't give us the tickets or tell us where to go.  We made sure we knew after that time.

Thanks Suzi66

We are staying in Sydney for a couple of days as a pre-cruise treat for my wife’s birthday so will be in the CBD reasonably early.

The  main reason for booking  CC was the cabin location on the ship but agree that we should make use of the perks that we have paid for.  

Thanks for the tip re MDR lunch - will be sure to ask if we don’t get the tickets.

50 days to go and looking forward to it!!

22 minutes ago, Suzi66 said:

The Port Authority still has the later time, but Celebrity and Intercruises will want us all onboard for muster which is at 4.45 normally.

Celebrity normally embark by deck number and as you are concierge your deck number should get you on at around the right time for your lunch.

The only people that are really allowed to board when they wish are Suite passengers and those who are Elite, Elite plus and Zenith.  All others are supposed to board at approximately the time that is allocated to them. (Note the supposed)

Thanks Suzi66 - we might just dump the cases and go for a wander around the rocks

Just had an email from celebrity to advise that the sailing has been changed to 5pm which seems odd as it’s peak period @ circular quay.

They have also advised that embarkation is by deck numbers?

Can anyone confirm whether concierge class passengers can board when they wish?

Many thanks

Hi MargoK

Apologies that  it’s taken me some time to answer.

I cannot recall whether there was a mechanical platform on the bus to assist wheelchair users (and those with mobility issues) when we were in Melbourne last year.

I have checked the operators website by googling “Melbourne hoho buses” which does specifically mention that the trip is not recommended for those with mobility difficulties.

Perhaps  it would be worth contacting the company directly for clarification.

Sorry that I haven’t really answered your question.

We have been staying at the Meriton Suites in Waterloo, Sydney  for 2/3 days per month for the last 6 months (15 minutes bus journey to Circular Quay).

We have also stayed at a number of the other Meriton properties in Sydney CBD and at Olympic Park.

They have all the features of hotels with 24 hour reception coverage, parking,  pools , well equipped gyms etc but the benefit of separate bedrooms, useful lounge area and fully functional kitchens with hob, oven, microwave, coffee machines (pods) and laundry.

The suites are spotlessly clean, well maintained and serviced each day and are comparable in price to a hotel room.

I can highly  recommend them.  

There has definitely been a dust storm in the Central West, where the clouds have been pink for most of the day, although thankfully few fires.

I hope those in affected areas are all safe.

Another option is the hop on hop off bus.  There is a bus stop with ticket staff very close to the tram stop.  It takes you to many different attractions around the city including the MCC, zoo, markets and St Kilda on the way back.  The trams are also free around the CBD and docklands area (not the port) and you don’t need a MYKI card.  Enjoy Melbourne!!!

There is only a steam room in the locker area of the gym on the Jewel.  It’s small and it’s free.   Towels are available from staff in the gym.

Here are some photos taken in December 2018 after the refit of forward facing penthouse 9500.

The balcony was superb and didn’t find it too windy even at sea. We found it to be fairly sheltered up near the cabin window.

We enjoyed the trip to Wings when we stopped off at Burnie last December.  Taronga Zoo it is not, but set in the middle of gorgeous countryside with plenty of interaction with Koalas, Roos etc if that’s what your looking for.  The day we visited started off very wet and ended with bright sunshine.  The Tasmanian Devils were also very active, something we haven’t seen at other zoos. 

We really enjoyed the forward facing penthouse on the Jewel. The balcony wasn’t too windy and even when raining there was a little shelter near the cabin door.  Here’s a few pictures of 9500 after the upgrades.

9 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Also we had read that Norwegian Nickel and dime you to death.

 

we saw no sign of that.

I would agree with that - at the bars or theatre the waiters/waitresses  were happy to serve three drinks at a time using the drinks package with just my card 

12 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Lol, I wonder if that was the plan by the navigation staff. Was an explanation made for why Hobart and Burnie was swapped on the itinerary?

None that we were given, although the comedian on board reckoned it was a ploy by NCL to promote another trip in Burnie - driving the tractor on top of the wood shavings pile!!

39 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

Lots of people use the butlers very little. If the only difference is that people in the penthouse suites doesn't get the snacks in the afternoon it's not a big deal. 

I would agree, what sold the forward penthouse on the Jewel for us was the huge balcony, breakfast and lunch in Moderno if we wanted it and priority embarkation / disembarkation.

I’ve posted a photo or two of the newly updated suite 9500 on the Jewel 

There was a lot to like about NCL, we thought the shows were much more professional than RCL.

We mostly ate in the restaurants, although hit  the garden cafe or the  great outdoors for lunch, so managed to get more than 2 shrimps and thought that the guys at the outdoor bar above the pool deck were good fun.

Mr Gut, did you notice that the outline of the route that we took almost resembled a roo!!

You can tell what we were amusing ourselves with on the last sea day 😂