Solstice May 2013

[FortyNinerLiz]

Any rumors on where Solstice will be going in May of 2013????

[Lois R]

Usually the new itineraries are released in April so we should know

where all the ships are going in about 3 months:D

[minz56]

Sostice ends up in Ensanada on 6 May 2013 after her sojourn in Australia/NZ.

 

I have no idea what she is doing next, but I understand that Solstice class ships are too large to go through the Panama Canal until the canal upgrade is finished, so that opens up a number of interesting options. Perhaps with the four Solstice class ships in operation by 2013 she won't do a season in Europe.

 

It will be interesting to see.

[Sloop-JohnB]

Any rumors on where Solstice will be going in May of 2013????

 

Sostice ends up in Ensanada on 6 May 2013 after her sojourn in Australia/NZ.

 

I have no idea what she is doing next, but I understand that Solstice class ships are too large to go through the Panama Canal until the canal upgrade is finished, so that opens up a number of interesting options. Perhaps with the four Solstice class ships in operation by 2013 she won't do a season in Europe.It will be interesting to see.

 

Here is a thought...

 

I've been reading up on cruising (here on CC and also in various outside sources... Newspapers, Magazines, Blogs and On-Line Publishers) and evidently a lot of cruise lines are announcing that they will be pulling out of Bermuda in 2012 and 2013 because they are unhappy with the current situation whereby the Bermuda Gov't has ruled that ships in port cannot offer "off shore" gambling to their cruisers (idea is that while in Bermuda the Bermuda Gov't wants you to gamble ashore in a Bermuda Casino)

 

Latest I've read says that Carnival, Princess and Holland America have all pulled the plug on Bermuda as a cruising Destination starting in 2012.

 

Celebrity though continues to hang in there, and by all accounts the Summit has had a successful run there.

 

IF the other cruise lines pull out totally, there will be a "gap" to be filled. And with Celebrity having by then all 5 S-Class Ships afloat they'll be looking for places to market those ships successfully.

 

Therefore wouldn't surprise me if we see Celebrity add the Solstice (or another S-Class Ship) to Bermuda or the Caribbean during the Spring - Summer - Fall Seasons of 2013 (if all things stay the same from a political standpoint)... to fill that HUGE Gap that has been left by the exiting ships / cruise lines... there have been several comments here on the CC CELEBRITY BOARD how there isn't enough Celebrity Ships sailing these Itineraries (Bermuda & the Caribbean) in the summertime.

 

Cheers!

[kath00]

Oh my gosh, I was just about to post this exact question. We'd love to do the Hawaii sailing in late April 2013 on the Solstice but it ends up in Ensenada of all places? Do we then fly out of there to go home??? It's a very strange port to finish the season in! I am hoping for a few month out of LA or SF so we can take her home to California!

 

Here is hoping she heads North towards Alaska for the season. Now that would be amazing!!! Katherine

[kath00]

Never mind. I see the X Millenium is doing a similar Hawaii cruise in Oct 2012 with the ship going through the Panama Canal after leaving Ensenada. I bet the Solstice will be heading South too (around the horn like the Mariner did)? Otherwise, why wouldn't it just end up in LA and dock there?

 

Kath

[minz56]

Never mind. I see the X Millenium is doing a similar Hawaii cruise in Oct 2012 with the ship going through the Panama Canal after leaving Ensenada. I bet the Solstice will be heading South too (around the horn like the Mariner did)? Otherwise, why wouldn't it just end up in LA and dock there?

 

Kath

 

I doubt she will go round South America as it is approaching winter there and totally the wrong time of year.

 

I'm thinking Alaska and then heading back to Aus/NZ in September 2013 and then eventually back to Europe via the Suez Canal in 2014. Now there's forward planning!!

[Gonzo70]

Never mind. I see the X Millenium is doing a similar Hawaii cruise in Oct 2012 with the ship going through the Panama Canal after leaving Ensenada. I bet the Solstice will be heading South too (around the horn like the Mariner did)? Otherwise, why wouldn't it just end up in LA and dock there?

 

Kath

 

One way cruises from Hawaii have to end in a non U.S. port because of cabotage laws (the PVSA) - therefore she would have to end in Ensenada or Vancouver. Generally when a cruise ends in Ensenada passengers are bused to San Diego at the end of the cruise.

[kath00]

I hope you are right! I would LOVE to go to Alaska again and this would be the nicest ship in that area for sure!

 

I forgot about the PVSA. I thought you just had to stop at a foreign port. Didn't realize you had to end up in one...

 

How cool would this itiniary be:

 

1) HI to Ensenada

2) Ensenada to Seattle/Vancouver

3) Seattle/Vancouver RT through Alaska!

 

They BETTER release the 2013 itiniary before the 330 day flights for Spring Break 2013! We have the Allure booked for Spring 2013 but I would switch in a heartbeat to do this itiniary.

 

Katherine

[elena7seas]

I will be signing up immediately if they put the Solstice on ANY west coast itineraries!

[Galaxy]

Celebrity Eclipse,Constellation and Infinity will be in Northern Europe 2013.

[dkjretired]

Here is a thought...

 

I've been reading up on cruising (here on CC and also in various outside sources... Newspapers, Magazines, Blogs and On-Line Publishers) and evidently a lot of cruise lines are announcing that they will be pulling out of Bermuda in 2012 and 2013 because they are unhappy with the current situation whereby the Bermuda Gov't has ruled that ships in port cannot offer "off shore" gambling to their cruisers (idea is that while in Bermuda the Bermuda Gov't wants you to gamble ashore in a Bermuda Casino)

 

Latest I've read says that Carnival, Princess and Holland America have all pulled the plug on Bermuda as a cruising Destination starting in 2012.

 

Celebrity though continues to hang in there, and by all accounts the Summit has had a successful run there.

 

IF the other cruise lines pull out totally, there will be a "gap" to be filled. And with Celebrity having by then all 5 S-Class Ships afloat they'll be looking for places to market those ships successfully.

 

Therefore wouldn't surprise me if we see Celebrity add the Solstice (or another S-Class Ship) to Bermuda or the Caribbean during the Spring - Summer - Fall Seasons of 2013 (if all things stay the same from a political standpoint)... to fill that HUGE Gap that has been left by the exiting ships / cruise lines... there have been several comments here on the CC CELEBRITY BOARD how there isn't enough Celebrity Ships sailing these Itineraries (Bermuda & the Caribbean) in the summertime.

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

The issue of gambling in Bermuda is an old issue and is primarily a religious in nature. Some portions of the government wanted gambling and had passed regulations allowing it. Religious leaders pressed the government and knocked it down. There is no competition from casinos on the island since they have never had any and probably won't be getting any in the forseeable future. The actual issue was the cruise lines wanted to open their casinos while docked...

 

Solstice will probably be going to Europe that year, they may have five Solstice ships but also a good chance that Century will no longer be in the fleet...

[FortyNinerLiz]

I hope you are right! I would LOVE to go to Alaska again and this would be the nicest ship in that area for sure!

 

I forgot about the PVSA. I thought you just had to stop at a foreign port. Didn't realize you had to end up in one...

 

How cool would this itiniary be:

 

1) HI to Ensenada

2) Ensenada to Seattle/Vancouver

3) Seattle/Vancouver RT through Alaska!

 

They BETTER release the 2013 itiniary before the 330 day flights for Spring Break 2013! We have the Allure booked for Spring 2013 but I would switch in a heartbeat to do this itiniary.

 

Katherine

 

This is exactly what I am hoping for!!!!!

[Sloop-JohnB]

The issue of gambling in Bermuda is an old issue and is primarily a religious in nature. Some portions of the government wanted gambling and had passed regulations allowing it. Religious leaders pressed the government and knocked it down. There is no competition from casinos on the island since they have never had any and probably won't be getting any in the forseeable future. The actual issue was the cruise lines wanted to open their casinos while docked...

 

Solstice will probably be going to Europe that year, they may have five Solstice ships but also a good chance that Century will no longer be in the fleet...

 

TO DKJRETIRED,

 

Thanks for the additional info, much appreciated...

 

I had no idea about the religious aspect (the articles I've read, have all been vague as to WHY but I got the distinct impression it had to do with "land-based competition"... guess they were trying to be politically correct and not mention religion ;) )... so thanks for the further insight into the issue.

 

As always, CC seems to be the BEST place to learn about cruising issues.

 

Cheers!

[dkjretired]

TO DKJRETIRED,

 

Thanks for the additional info, much appreciated...

 

I had no idea about the religious aspect (the articles I've read, have all been vague as to WHY but I got the distinct impression it had to do with "land-based competition"... guess they were trying to be politically correct and not mention religion ;) )... so thanks for the further insight into the issue.

 

As always, CC seems to be the BEST place to learn about cruising issues.

 

Cheers!

 

Bermuda has been a problem for the cruise lines for the past few years First and perhaps foremost is the fact that the demand in Bermuda seems to be diminishing. Celebrity used to have two ships going to Bermuda every week-end in the summer. Another problem occurs because of the size of the ships. Bermuda has Coral reefs all around the island and this limits the size of ships coming into the ports. Years ago when Celebrity and other lines had smaller ships it was easy to get a ship into Hamilton, the Capital. You berthed right on the main street and it was just a great place to be...Ask anyone who has cruised both Hamilton and Docklands to see which they prefer and I would guess it will be hands down Hamilton. Bermuda has been researching and proposed doing some massive dredging to better accomodate larger ships. We just have to see how it plays out. I would love to go to Bermuda every year as Bayonne is a half hour from my NJ shore house and the best way to go is by cruise ship...

 

Below is a link to an article which reports that Gambling was approved in Bermuda and covers most of the subjects involved. The Govt. rejected the approval at a later date and it was never implemented.

 

http://www.eturbonews.com/2958/cruise-ships-can-run-casinos-while-bermuda-po

 

Enjoy your cruise and find the secret stairway..

[Sloop-JohnB]

TO DKJRETIRED,

 

Thanks for sharing even more info... a good read.

 

Knew about the fact that ships used to dock in Hamilton, as Mr Sloop had been there many years ago... and he was surprised to hear that they now were docking way out "in the boonies" (his words). But it does make sense as cruise ships have gotten bigger over the years and therefore Bermuda had to build / locate a facility that could accommodate the newer ships.

 

Mr Sloop and I have been reading up on Bermuda (and what it is like to cruise there) as it may be our next Cruise Destination... lol we are expecting that we will be bitten by the cruise bug after our first sailing, and will be in search of a "antidote"... although I have been assured there is no true "cure" ;)

 

So we want to have a few ideas prepared when we are aboard the Solstice next week... as of now both cruise itineraries we are considering involve the revamped Summit... either Bermuda in the Spring, or the Southern Caribbean next winter.

 

Cheers!

[ghstudio]

Celebrity is building their Asian presence each year. I would not be too surprised to see the solstice return to Asia for some interesting cruises.

[dkjretired]

TO DKJRETIRED,

 

Thanks for sharing even more info... a good read.

 

Knew about the fact that ships used to dock in Hamilton, as Mr Sloop had been there many years ago... and he was surprised to hear that they now were docking way out "in the boonies" (his words). But it does make sense as cruise ships have gotten bigger over the years and therefore Bermuda had to build / locate a facility that could accommodate the newer ships.

 

Mr Sloop and I have been reading up on Bermuda (and what it is like to cruise there) as it may be our next Cruise Destination... lol we are expecting that we will be bitten by the cruise bug after our first sailing, and will be in search of a "antidote"... although I have been assured there is no true "cure" ;)

 

So we want to have a few ideas prepared when we are aboard the Solstice next week... both cruise itineraries we are considering involve the revamped Summit... either Bermuda in the Spring, or the Southern Caribbean next winter.

 

Cheers!

 

As I said, I would do Bermuda every year on a cruise, it is my favorite of all the islands even though its not in the Caribbean. A prime reason to me in going to Bermuda is being there for three days and not leaving. You can get on and off the ship anytime. With the smaller ships I also miss going to St. George and seeing the ship go through the "cut." You could almost touch the rocks on either side of the ship, it was so tight. All the cruise lines also cut down the time in Bermuda. We used to leave on a Sunday and get into Bermuda Tuesday morning, leave late Friday afternoon, getting back to NY on Sunday. They did the same thing from Saturday to Saturday. Now they take two days to get to the island, more money to make in the Casino I guess...

[constantcruiser]

Many folks on the roll calls for Solstice's French Polynesia and Hawaii cruises are waiting to book until they see where she'll head after Ensenada. DH & I are among them. As much as I would love to see Solstice head to Alaska in early May after the Hawaii sailing, if that was the case I can't imagine why they would end that cruise in Ensenada instead of Vancouver.

[kath00]

Many folks on the roll calls for Solstice's French Polynesia and Hawaii cruises are waiting to book until they see where she'll head after Ensenada. DH & I are among them. As much as I would love to see Solstice head to Alaska in early May after the Hawaii sailing, if that was the case I can't imagine why they would end that cruise in Ensenada instead of Vancouver.

 

Well, today Celebrity is having a sale and if you book the 11d Hawaii to Ensenada cruise, you get $300 off. So we booked! :) :) :)

[FortyNinerLiz]

Well, today Celebrity is having a sale and if you book the 11d Hawaii to Ensenada cruise, you get $300 off. So we booked! :) :) :)

 

Wow!!!!!

[shipfriend_max]

Any rumors on where Solstice will be going in May of 2013????

 

Solstice ends her 2013 Hawaii cruise the 7th of may 2013 in Ensenada - than I think she will operate in Alaska! ;)

And Infinity comes to Northern Europe. ;)

Just look for the ship.

http://www.stranda-hamnevesen.no/GeirangerfjordenCPGD2013

[kath00]

Here is the problem with Alaska:

 

1) Ship can't dock in Vancouver due to size?! Has this really been confirmed? I hear it is too tall to go under the bridge.

2) Ship can go from Ensenada to Seattle without violation of PVSA BUT people who board from Hawaii CANNOT stay on to Seattle since that IS a violation of the act. Soooooo, maybe there is no way people could do B2B to Alaska at all if they boarded in HI.

3) That only leaves people who board in Ensenada as a starting port and head up to Seattle as the possibility. That means no B2B unless you start in Sydney. Blech. I can't see them being able to fill a ship that way.

4) Or, everyone who boarded in HI must get off in Ensenada and reboard the next day in San Diego in order to avoid the PVSA violation since it's a 24h mandatory "space" between debark/embark. Even then, I think it's a violation to go from San Diego to Seattle since it is US to US port.

 

So basically I see no options UNLESS the ship really CAN fit under the bridge in Vancouver...

[FortyNinerLiz]

Here is the problem with Alaska:

 

1) Ship can't dock in Vancouver due to size?! Has this really been confirmed? I hear it is too tall to go under the bridge.

2) Ship can go from Ensenada to Seattle without violation of PVSA BUT people who board from Hawaii CANNOT stay on to Seattle since that IS a violation of the act. Soooooo, maybe there is no way people could do B2B to Alaska at all if they boarded in HI.

3) That only leaves people who board in Ensenada as a starting port and head up to Seattle as the possibility. That means no B2B unless you start in Sydney. Blech. I can't see them being able to fill a ship that way.

4) Or, everyone who boarded in HI must get off in Ensenada and reboard the next day in San Diego in order to avoid the PVSA violation since it's a 24h mandatory "space" between debark/embark. Even then, I think it's a violation to go from San Diego to Seattle since it is US to US port.

 

So basically I see no options UNLESS the ship really CAN fit under the bridge in Vancouver...

Thank you so much for that information. I hope it can fit "under the bridge"!!!!

[minz56]

Here is the problem with Alaska:

 

1) Ship can't dock in Vancouver due to size?! Has this really been confirmed? I hear it is too tall to go under the bridge.

2) Ship can go from Ensenada to Seattle without violation of PVSA BUT people who board from Hawaii CANNOT stay on to Seattle since that IS a violation of the act. Soooooo, maybe there is no way people could do B2B to Alaska at all if they boarded in HI.

3) That only leaves people who board in Ensenada as a starting port and head up to Seattle as the possibility. That means no B2B unless you start in Sydney. Blech. I can't see them being able to fill a ship that way.

4) Or, everyone who boarded in HI must get off in Ensenada and reboard the next day in San Diego in order to avoid the PVSA violation since it's a 24h mandatory "space" between debark/embark. Even then, I think it's a violation to go from San Diego to Seattle since it is US to US port.

 

So basically I see no options UNLESS the ship really CAN fit under the bridge in Vancouver...

 

Re the Ensenada problem - Century does a similar itinerary this year, with a Honolulu/Ensanada cruise. It's next cruise is from San Diego on the same day so I guess she repositions from Ensanada to San Diego without passengers.

 

I assume this means that anyone wanting to do a B2B from Honolulu to Vancouver (in the case of Century) will have to take a bus from Ensanada to San Diego.