bigdawgs

We are on the same Jan. 5 cruise as you. We live approx. 45 minutes from Port Everglades and plan to leave the house around 10 AM, drop our car off at Park 'n' Go, arriving at the pier (I think it's Pier 25 - midport) by 11:00 AM. They will most likely start the boarding process around 11:20 - 11:30.

Bon voyage - see you on board.

Larry & Ethel

We were aboard the Solstice last year from Dec. 10 through Dec. 23 (in Australia and New Zealand), during the Summer Solstice. Nothing was said, nothing was done. Again, a missed opportunity. (I guess everyone was so busy planning for Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's that it never occurred to X to commemorate the occasion.)

Whether you are celebrating the Summer Solstice down under, or the Winter Solstice (up and over), Happy Holidays to all.

Larry & Ethel

Boynton Beach, FL

Heidi:

When we were on the Solstice last December (13-day Australia/New Zealand) there were many mah jongg games going on in the card room (deck 9). However, I must warn you -- all of the maj jongg players were men -- and these were serious games -- not the kind played here in South Florida by the ladies. In the Caribbean routes, it's almost exclusively women playing mah jongg.

I don't know what your itinerary is, but I would take that into consideration.

Ethel

First, let me say that we live in South Florida where it is summertime most of the year. Although we are from New York originally, we have become accustomed to the sub-tropical climate.

Having said that, we were on a 13-day round trip cruise out of Sydney last year, sailing on Dec. 10th. As the previous posters have indicated, the weather in Dunedin will most likely be chilly, warming up slightly as the day goes on.

Milford Sound was actually cold, rainy and foggy so the ship (the beautiful Solstice) did not spend much time there, unfortunately. I would bring a warm jacket (perhaps one with a hood).

Moving on to the North Island, when we arrived at Akaroa, it was suddenly summer - bright, sunny and warm. We spent the most wonderful day there. Most folks were wearing shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, etc.

The next couple of ports (Auckland, Bay of Islands) were also warm. Tauranga was a bit cooler because it was overcast most of the day.

I hope this was helpful.

Bon Voyage - your cruise will be fabulous.

Larry & Ethel