Pacificdaze

Hi Big M,

In your excellent summary you missed Solstice, April 9, 2016 Sydney to Hawaii. In just 2 weeks time we will be enjoying the 2014 Transpacific sail away :) and could be eager to repeat the voyage in 2016.

I had many well-informed responses to my thread on seasickness medication on the Aust/NZ forum. Latest reply was today 19/3/2014, so you should be able to locate it easily ( I don't know how to provide the link, sorry).

We are on the Solstice Sydney to Hawaii next month, and the seas can be quite rough, particularly between Aust and NZ.

I would suggest your friends obtain some medication for peace of mind, and cruise enjoyment. Bonine is the most recommended, and is available in USA or online. Sea Legs is available in NZ, and also effective. Avomine is available in Australian pharmacies, behind the counter I think, but can cause drowsiness.

The mid-ship lower decks are recommended for less motion in rough seas, and Aqua class cabins are on Deck 11.

Have a wonderful cruise with your friends. Some passengers on our cruise have already done this repositioning trip several times, and have also booked for 2015. It must be good! Susan

Shower gel - preferable to the supplied soap

Can someone please define a "cocktail dress" for formal night? What length, style, fabric, colour, etc? I may just rely on a long black skirt or long black pants with varied tops. Thanks for any assistance, Susan

Thanks so much Miamia, you have gone out of your way to ensure we have an enjoyable cruise. I will not even mind gaining a few extra kg, as that will show I have had a healthy appetite, and not avoided food through suffering nausea. Your information is easily understood, helpful and greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all who took time to reply, your advice and personal experiences clarified the alternatives available, Susan

Everyone has been so helpful with their advice. Yes, I will certainly shop for Bonine at Walmart near Ala Moana Centre, as I like special prices. My youngest sister is doing the reverse of our April transpacific cruise next October (i.e. Hawaii to Sydney), and she will appreciate this information as well. No seasickness for Susan :)

I haven't even cruised with X yet, but have had an unexpected & unexplained $4.83 added as amount owing AFTER I had made final payment 3 weeks before the due date. I had received an email stating Balance Owing 0, completed online check-in and printed our XPress Pass, then just happened to check back and saw this extra almost $5 added as Balance Owing. I quickly paid it, plus all the added currency conversion/cross-border/international fees for using a credit card, as I did not want a hassle before boarding in Sydney in April. It's only equivalent to the price of a cup of coffee, but very puzzling to be added 12 months after I booked in January 2013. We never use the mini-bar drinks or snacks, but will expect a further discrepancy there. Bemused Susan.

To the 3 previous posters, Your advice is very much appreciated. Once we arrive in Hawaii I must remember to buy some Bonine for future cruises...I wonder why it's not sold here. Susan

The great advantage of a 'third-party' booking site, is that you are shown all the accommodation available in that location for your required dates. It makes it easier to compare facilities and prices, and after making your decision, you can go directly to the specific hotel website if you prefer. I have been impressed by the efficiency of using a booking site for pre- and post-cruise accommodation, with all details for our 5 booked hotels readily available on my iPad. We will be staying at the York Apartments for one night prior to Solstice Sydney-Honolulu in April.

Often US cruisers recommend Bonine for seasickness, but Australian pharmacies do not sell it. What effective products have Aussies used? I would prefer a Non-drowsy product. Also I have read that it's best to start taking anti-nausea medication the day before sailing, as it's not effective if you are already feeling sick. So how do you know when to stop taking the tablets? We have 3 nights across Bass Strait to NZ, consecutive days at Bay of Islands and Auckland, then 4 sea days to French Polynesia, 3 days of shore excursions, then 5 sea days to Honolulu. I am hoping that after the first 3 days I will no longer need to take anything, but want to be prepared for Bass Strait, as our last ocean cruise was in 1980. Many thanks for all advice given, Susan

Beverage packages can be used in bars, main dining room and restaurants, but not for room service. However, you can carry your own drink back to your room, and perhaps enjoy on the balcony.

Youthful enthusiasm

Hi there,

We are also looking forward to this super cruise, and snorkelling in French Polynesia. From what I have read, for the tender ports of Bay of Islands, Moorea & Bora Bora, those on Celebrity excursions have priority with boarding the tenders (life boats) to shore, followed by cruisers in suites, Aqua & Concierge class, those who are Elite or above with the Captains Club loyalty program, followed by the remainder of the cruisers. I have read somewhere that you are allocated or collect a number...makes sense to keep things orderly when close to 3000 people want to go ashore.

I have not seen your name on our roll call for this specific cruise, and you are very welcome to join our group as it is worth getting suggestions from others who have more cruising knowledge, are familiar with Solstice, and have researched the ports we are visiting. Also, have you registered for the Celebrity Connections party, there will be a link at the top of this Cruise Critic page, which will be a chance to meet other like-minded cruisers (e.g. those who prefer planning their own excursions) at a social gathering, usually on the first sea day.

My cruising experience is limited, but I have learned so much from reading various Cruise Critic forums over the past 10 months, and I will enjoy meeting those who have already helped me.

Perhaps someone with actual tender experience will also reply, and extend the knowledge of those unfamiliar with the process.

See you at sea, Susan

Tablets (medicinal or iPad-type)

Q- quiz games/puzzles

Repellent for insects e.g. RID

Thanks micmacmissy, for your reassurance that we will enjoy the fresh sea air on the balcony of 6165. Your photo is also great at showing the partly-obstructed view.

Organiser (holds much more than just shoes!)

Is there also a smoking area outside the theatre, near the forward elevators. I have seen it mentioned several times on CC, but hope it's rarely used during the day, as we are also in 6165. Will definitely book starboard next time as I detest smoke.

Thanks Richard, we will be on Solstice in April, Sydney to Honolulu via NZ and French Polynesia. I have no plans to use wifi on the ship (expensive, slow, unreliable), so your recommendation for Papeete is much appreciated. I will be able to log-in and read my family's messages for my Good Friday birthday :). Cheers, Susan

Sorry for doubting your maths James, but I just realised that I am counting down to April 11 when Solstice sails, but you are counting down to your 50th birthday...what day is it? Mine is Good Friday 18th, but crossing the dateline confuses things...Lillyloveselvis will celebrate her birthday twice with 2 Wednesday 16ths. Hope you are enjoying some slightly cooler days for the renovation. Cheers, Susan

I'm counting the days too, but I calculate only 82. It was definitely 100 days on 1st January, and it's the 18th today...actually 19th now. James, you have laboured too many hours in the sun during this heat wave. Your big birthday is closer than you think!

Hi Barry,

Next April we will take the train from Sydney Domestic Terminal to our hotel near Wynyard station. We think it's a quicker option than a road trip.

We sailed on another Russian ship, CTCs Fedor Shalyapin, Dec 1979 - Jan 1980 to Noumea, Suva, Apia, Pago Pago, and Port Vila. There were 800 passengers, and all cabins had ensuite bathrooms. We still remember the magnificent midnight buffet on New Year's Eve, under the stars on the top deck. Another night, many crew performed in the spectacular Russian show, most memorable being the gymnasts and the Cossack dancers.

This 2 week cruise was a great introduction to the South Pacific, and we have since enjoyed longer holidays in Fiji, Western Samoa, Cook Islands, Norfolk Island, and we are returning to Vanuatu in 3 weeks time. Very excited to be cruising Sydney to Hawaii via French Polynesia in April 2014 on Celebrity Solstice...ships have certainly increased in size and facilities over the past 30+ years.

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Pacificdaze - 11 April 2014 - Celebrity Solstice - Sydney to Hawaii via New Zealand and French Polynesia

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Hi lily, There are 100s of people on the roll call for this cruise...find it under Celebrity roll call, and select this specific Solstice April 11 cruise. Ruth is compiling a detailed roll call (with names, locations, cabins, dining, etc) and James has a map with thumbtacks of where we all live. Both links are mentioned in recent posts around page 38. Looking forward to meeting you on board, I'll be celebrating my 60th plus one, with my birthday on Good Friday, Susan