Annabelle100

Soltice. Sailed 16 Jan 2013

Deck - 6

Cabin # - 6302

Class – 2C balcony

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Bed near?(balcony or bath) – Bath

Quiet Cabin (With comments on problems. Note if connecting. ) –

Very quiet. Not connecting.

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –

The dark blue roof of the restaurant on the deck below stopped us looking down, but it was not a problem to us. From this helpful spreadsheet, I knew to expect the roof. It did not affect the view out. The roof was wider than I expected but no big deal. One side of the balcony had the regular partition, the other side was a solid wall which gave a feeling of privacy. The balcony is completely roofed over ( more privacy) but the sun often shone way in, which was welcome in cool New Zealand

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Oversized. Deep.

Was wind a problem? No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? n/a

Any specific problems with this cabin? None

Any other comments? We loved this cabin for the privacy, easier access to the gangplank (no waiting for lifts) , and low price. We liked it more than a high deck BA cabin on the Diamond Princess that we had for a similar Sydney to Auckland cruise. The balcony on 6302 was large and private. We liked being on a lower deck as it was easy to use the stairs instead of waiting for a lift. We used the stairs to get to and from the theatre, MDR, the gangplank, and the atrium where so much happened. The cabin is the last one at the back, before the sunset cabins, so there is a longer walk to the stairs and elevators, but this was a bonus to help walk off the calories. This cabin is great value. The obstruction of the roof below was not a problem to us.

__________________

Hello David,

Please add us to the list.

Annabelle100 Celebrity Soltice 16 Jan Syd to Auckland

Hello to ceejay3377 and Aussieflyer who I noticed are on this cruise. I am slowly catching up with the posts on the roll call.

Regards, Ann

We would like to try out the different dining options on our June holiday (school holidays).

 

What are we likely to expect?

 

Do you think that we will be able to dine when we choose or will it be over crowded at certain times?

 

I want to ensure that we do not miss the shows/performances. All suggestions and recommendations appreciated.

Good memories of the Pacific Dawn : Luke Mangan food, good curries in the dining room, great shows, and the top deck walking track.

From our experience on the Pacific Dawn, "Anytime Dining" for the evening meal does not exist. Your preferences will not matter, despite words that indicate otherwise. When we challenged the unavailability of Anytime Dining, we got surly, inadequate, service. Play by their rules, or avoid the dining room in the evenings.

The food at the Luke Mangan Salt Grill is fabulous and it's worth going on the Pac Dawn just for that. We booked as soon as we got on the ship. Alas, we only booked one night. If we go on the Pacific Dawn again we will factor the cost of eating there into our cruise price, and book several nights.

At breakfast and lunch we did not have any problems in the dining room. We arrived, we ate. The buffet was too crowded for us, but maybe we picked the wrong times.

The shows on the Pac Dawn were excellent. I liked the theatre/stage layout and we usually sat in the front row to better admire the costumes and foot work. It would be a shame if the shows were missed because of The Dining Room Games. I do think there is an attempt to set the evening meals to work with the show times.

Just disregard any words that promise Anytime Dining or similar for the Pacific Dawn. The marketing people and the food service people are not on the same planet.

Enjoy your cruise Aussie71.

Regards, Ann

The maths:

Taieri Gorge Railway $128 AUD return for two adults

Princess $398 AUD return for two adults

Difference $270 AUD

:rolleyes:Ann

Mr Princess, please post a report on this thread when you return. I hope you get back to the ship after the pub crawl. If you’re travelling anti clockwise, it will be ok. There will be difficulties :rolleyes: if the ship is travelling clockwise and you miss getting back on at Dunedin :eek: If you don’t make it back to the ship, please post that story too !

Thanks Happyassies, I’m leaning that way i.e ship tour. Apart from wonderful cocktails, what else can I spend OBC on ? We usually do own our research and do not use the ship tours, but this time I just want to relax. I keep picturing the train, right there, at the dock.

Oysterfiend, the longer trip is not available on the day we will be in port. The train only goes to Pukerangi on that day.

regards, Ann

Deciding between roughly $100 pp direct from the station, and $200 pp from the cruise ship for the Taieri trip, I would like to know what Princess offers on this train trip, specifically the Sun Princess.

Food ? Drink ? Commentary? Any extras ? Any frills ? Extra comfort ? Can wine be purchased ? Can passengers move between carriages ? Is it the same train that leaves from Dunedin station ?

We have booked the ship's tour for early Jan 2012. The $100 difference pays for lack of stress. I hope !

Is there a CC er out there who can tell me from experience what the cruise ship tour offers ? I've seen the train waiting at the dock when we have cruised in NZ previously, and it looked appealing to just step on.

I'd like to contemplate free flowing champagne and white gloved waiters. Yeah, I'm dreaming again. Pick up and return to the ship is the only difference I feel. Oh, a cuppa , bikkie, and sandwich too. And that's fine.

Regards, Ann

Memories, Ann. Travel is one of my passions.

 

I have a wish list of places that intrigue me, which I research (internet, hard copy and asking questions).

 

In this case, I've always wanted to cruise along the St Lawrence Seaway, visit Newfoundland and the islands south of Newfoundland.

 

Yes, I will do a report, Margo K, as it is difficult to find reviews of cruises, such as this one.

We have Eastern Canada pencilled in for late northern summer/early fall 2012-- research under way, so I am very interested in your trip.

Please post a review on the Aust NZ cruisers site so Margo ( a big hello to you Margaret) and I can read about this adventure.

Enjoyable background reading ,hard copy available, used, from 6 cents from Amazon ; Kindle $14.

THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TO TOWN: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland Journalist Defede calls our attention to a sidelight of the events of September 11, when the town of Gander (pop. 10,000) was overwhelmed by more than 6,500 air travelers grounded when U.S. airspace was shut down. For a week, DeFede relates, the locals provided food, shelter and supplies and reassurance; "they placed their lives on hold for a group of strangers and asked nothing in return." Here the generous Newfoundlanders get due recognition.

Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc

After reading that book, we want to meet Newfoundlanders.

Apologies for hijacking this thread. I'll go back to my corner (actually, I will go to work ).

regards, Ann

At last, David, could you please add for August -

 

26th August - MMDown Under - CTMA Vacancier - Montreal to Magdalen Islands

******WOW*******

MM, I'm fascinated by your choice of cruises/adventures. What's your research methodology ???

I'm off to find out more about the Magdalen Islands.

Kind regards, Ann

MMM, there's variation between states, and also variation between state and private schools for school holiday times. And variation between private schools. Simple, eh?

For state schools: http://australia.gov.au/topics/australian-facts-and-figures/school-term-dates

regards, Ann ( Non-teaching staff. I'm not that strong :) )

Hi all,

 

I just got a quote for a 4-nighter on the Pacific Dawn, Brisbane to Auckland. It is during school holidays (1-5 Oct) which suits me perfectly as a teacher. And the best part? Mini Suite $549 pp!!!! And the online agent has quoted return flights from Auckland to Melbourne at $170pp.

 

So all up?

 

• Flights Melbourne to Brisbane $155pp (I could probably find cheaper, but I prefer to fly domestically with QANTAS)
  
• Mini Suite $549 pp
  
• Flights Auckland to Melbourne $170pp
  

TOTAL $874

 

Now I am one of those who swore off P&O after a not-so-good experience on the Sun, but for this price, and did I mention it was a mini suite:D, I am willing to give them another go.;)

That sounded so good that I reached for the calender. Alas, it's not school hol time for me.

Those mini suites on the Pac Dawn are massive. It will be a wonderful little holiday. Enjoy :)

regards, Ann

Hi Ann and Dan

Sarah, Matthew and Samantha live in Napier now.

Pete and Norma

 

ps I guess there's an outside chance we may be down there visiting! no promises though.

'

Hello Pete,

I've sent you an email at your xtra address :)

It's nothing private CC folk ! Just didn't want to crowd this forum.

Cheers, Ann & Dan

Hi Ann (and Dan)

 

We are on this cruise as well....I have established a Roll Call but it is a bit inactive at the moment

 

Love the idea of sailing out of and returning to Brisbane

 

cheers

I'll check out the Roll Call. Sailing out, and returning to Brisbane was the deciding factor for the NZ NYE cruise.

We just finished a 7 day P & O cruise on Saturday, chosen because it was Bne to Bne. It was so easy. One day we will have to get on a plane again.

See you in December ! Dan will be the one in a kilt.

Ann

Hi Ann and Dan

 

Does your cruise come in to the Bay of Islands?

If it does then, as long as we are at home, we would love to host you for the day and show you some of the features of the Bay of Islands.

 

Look forward to hearing from you.

 

Pete and Norma

Hello Pete and Norma,

Thank you for your generous offer. We are in Napier Jan 5 and Tauranga Jan 6. I’m guessing some ships tender in the Bay of Islands ? Not this cruise. An outing with the locals would have been grand.

We’d love to see you again, but I think distance will not allow it on this cruise. I checked the driving distance Tauranga -> Waitangi (just chose a random Bay of Island place ) and the answer was 430 kms ! Eek.

Regards, Ann & Dan.

Dec 28 2011 , Sun Princess , return Brisbane to NZ .

Regards, Ann & Dan

Happy sailing Ann & Dan. Enjoy the Islands.

 

Saw Lynda's post yesterday about being delayed going to Perth (got the email too - but Pete forgot to tell me until this morning) so all fingers and toes crossed they make the ship in time!

Thank you Margaret and Pete.

I hope all cruisers out there make it to their ships safely, and on time.

We do not have to contend with delayed flights due to ash, or earthquakes, but we got a text from P & O today to say boarding will be delayed tomorrow. Ho hum. We are packed and ready to go. Now.

We will raise a glass to you across the water on NYE.

Regards, Ann

Hi Guys

Have a great cruise. Thinking of you.

Pete and Norma (and family)

Thank you Pete.

I had an email from Lynda (Motnyl) today . They were due to fly yesterday, but Perth airport was closed. They are now leaving tomorrow for their Sun Princess trip. Wishing them well.

Greetings to your delightful family.

Ann and Dan

Thank you for the Bon Voyage greeting, David. Much appreciated.

Please add another cruise for us. We have booked on Sun Princess 28 Dec 2011 return to NZ from Brisbane.

I do want to try the "new "ships that are now visiting Aus, but sailing to and from Brisbane, with no air flights involved, won us again.

Kind regards, Ann