ccarter

4 hours ago, jelayne said:

Aqua Class & Concierge Class  cabins on the ships that haven’t been Completely revolutionized have footstools and chairs that have a recline.  The footstools were a perk of Concierge and Aqua Class cabins.

Oh thank you! Yay for footstools. I read somewhere that some people were buying blow up foot stools🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry for the confusion. I think I meant reclining chair with footstools. Not loungers. But again there  are footstools in pictures of AQ hump cabins How do they get theirs?

We are booked on the Solstice.AQ class. Back in the day you had to request loungers for the balconies from the cabin steward . I’ve been eyeballing recent photos and it seems that these cabins may already have them. Anyone out there have any recent experience or information ?

I know there are many threads about how much booze you can bring or smuggle on board but I could not find anything about non alcoholic drinks. Has anyone tested the limits of let’s say cases of water, soft drinks etc? It isn’t forbidden nor do I see anything by X discussing limits.

Now the twist. I won’t even be going through the usual big scale embarkation. I have arranged to board at the first port on day 2. So I will be boarding by taking a tender to the ship. 

1 hour ago, calicakes said:

If you’re not picky about your cold brew, you can always bring the cold brew filter packs and a plastic pitcher and make it. I bring regular hot coffee into the room, let it cool down overnight. I only drink iced coffee too. I also prefer cold brew.

Thank you for the clever ideas! 

8 hours ago, hcat said:

Bringing a few plastic food containers. And decent crackers,  cheese spreader.

Plus real straws,  paper cups and  plates. Fiji water, small cans of spicy  V 8, diet cola, 2 btls wine.

 

 We have a Sunset Veranda cabin...way aft .

Hope to save some back and forth steps by.bringing afternoon snacks back from the buffet. ..I don't believe we get canapes in a balc cabin and room service can be iffy.

I am hoping you can help me. Sounds like you know how to stock your cabin! I am trying to get a sense of how much non alcoholic beverages you can bring above the 2 bottles of wine. Is it unlimited? How much is too much? I would like to bring several quart bottles of cold brew which is a type of ice coffee and some protein drinks which is actually a medical thing. Any advice would be appreciated!

Happy Honeymoon! Can you find out when the laundry special is? I think it is a fill the bag for one price thing.

Ohhhh! You check both! I thought it was either or! Duhhhhh😜

Thanks again. I don’t know why I read it like that.

On 8/5/2019 at 8:38 PM, Keith1010 said:

Starting in October of this year people traveling to New Zealand from transit visa waiver countries will now need a NZeTA for New Zealand when arriving by Cruise Ship.

This includes passport holders from USA, Canada and several other countries.

 

This is a change from the past.  Obtaining the NZeTA is similar to getting an ETA for Australia.  

 

I signed up for notification as to when the application process would begin (originally targeted for mid-July, then end of July and notification received last night that the

on-line applications can be submitted via the website.  Very shortly an app on an IOS device can be used as well.

 

This link will take you to the website where you can apply for the NZeTA and where pretty much all of your questions can be answered.  I would suggest reading the information there as it will tell you what is required when arriving by cruise ship, airplane ,etc.  and who needs and is eligible for this and who is not.  

 

The process is simpler than I had thought when initial information was provided and while it says the turn around time can be up to 72 hours our approval was given in minutes from susebmission.  i suspect this might vary based on answers to the questions.

 

To apply you will need information from your passports available and a credit card.

 

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/nzeta

 

Keith

Thank you so much! Way more knowledgeable than my TA! Does anyone  have any knowledge or opinions about this  part of the application?

It seems like a gotcha the option to understand vs agree.

Oh wow!!I didn’t think that I would ever be lucky enough to see them from my Itinerary!

HNL to SYD 17 days Sept 23rd. I would be happy with anything 2019 Solstice. I just want to get an idea of the day to day life on board and when things generally happen. I love sea days but this will be my first longer that 2 week cruise with 12 sea days! Things  I am looking for include:

yoga, Pilates, core classes in the fitness center.

free drink events😈

ballroom dancing classes💃🏻🕺🏻

Captain club events with the cruise 🚢 Officers 

wine tasting events 

laundry special fill a bag

live music when and where.

I would appreciate any information you may have. Thank you so much for your willingness to help. 

I need your help finding the dailies from the Solstice. I have searched and searched and I have found a few. They are all from several years ago and there have been so many changes.

I will only ever do Aqua class. Blu is everything! Excellent food in a beautiful more intimate dining  space.

I wouldn’t even be on a ship this big if it wasn’t for AQUA!!!!! We spent 2 weeks on the Solstice in AC now have booked a 17 day cruise on her again. Just a coincidence that it is the same ship. I am sure I am going to be unpopular with my next comment.... but no kids allowed in aqua class. So that means no kids in Blu except if they are in a suite. We actually love the overhang on the hump cabin balcony. Shade all day. That means we don’t have to deal with chair hogs for  the few shaded places near the pool. So much of our day is spent away from the masses. I prefer my meals in Blu as much as possible. I am not a fan of the MDR. Aqua class is a much more gentile and relaxed vacation away from lines and crowds.