New to celebrity aussie needs help....

[aussie mim]

Hey :)Guys, ive done a couple of cruises before but not celebrity, Ive booked the October 23rd 2013 sailing from Sydney to Fiji, and tossing up with a few things first and most important Drinks package, I know we are going to get them just not sure which one ill prob go premium at the extra cost for the cocktails etc, but hubby and other blokes on cruise only really drink beer and rum so heres my question are there many beers (and what kind ) for under $5 and is there rum and scotch for under $8 limit. or should they pay for premium package as well, and ive read somewhere that soltice is going to be refurbished this month april i gather after she leaves OZ, do any one know if this is true and is she having any major work done or just a refresh. What is age group usually on soltice i here most cruises from OZ shes 50/50 aussies and americans. And in the casino do the pokies take cash or do you use your sea pass, and last one we have booked early dinner for our group sailaway is 6.30pm, definately dont want to miss sailing out of sydney harbour, so can we go late to dinner first night or do we just dine somewhere else first night. THANKS

[TLCOhio]

Hey :)Guys, ive done a couple of cruises before but not celebrity, Ive booked the October 23rd 2013 sailing from Sydney to Fiji, and tossing up with a few things first and most important Drinks package, I know we are going to get them just not sure which one ill prob go premium at the extra cost for the cocktails etc, but hubby and other blokes on cruise only really drink beer and rum so heres my question are there many beers (and what kind ) for under $5 and is there rum and scotch for under $8 limit. or should they pay for premium package as well, and ive read somewhere that soltice is going to be refurbished this month april i gather after she leaves OZ, do any one know if this is true and is she having any major work done or just a refresh. What is age group usually on soltice i here most cruises from OZ shes 50/50 aussies and americans. And in the casino do the pokies take cash or do you use your sea pass, and last one we have booked early dinner for our group sailaway is 6.30pm, definately dont want to miss sailing out of sydney harbour, so can we go late to dinner first night or do we just dine somewhere else first night. THANKS

 

Looks like you have an exciting, interesting cruise upcoming. Assume this will be your first sailing on the Solstice, right? Great, classy ship. From the two connections noted below, you can get either a shorter or longer version with lots of nice pictures for what you wukk like and can enjoy on the Solstice.

 

We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, going from Australia to Auckland/NZ doing 14 days on this ship we loved in the Med in June 2011. Plus, doing some pre-cruise options for Cairns/Port Douglas, the Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, then Kangaroo Island near Adelaide before departing from Sidney’s scenic harbor. And, doing the mid-cruise ship over-night trip to and in Queenstown and then stopping in Hawaii on the way home to break up that long, long flight back.

 

We'll have the 1-2-3-Go package to give us the free drinks package on our cruise. Based on what you have said, our experiences and what others have shared, it does not seem that needed for you to spend the extra money to get the premium package. Your choice! Your money!! Lots of good beers and choices are covered with the more basic package. Some of the fancy drinks can be ordered as a half-sized drink and allow you to stay within that covered cost structure.

 

Yes, the crowd on this cruise might be a little older as it is harder for those younger and/or with children to get away for such long periods and/or to more distant locations. There will be a good mix of those from Australia, NZ and the U.S., but there will be a variety of other nations and folks represented. Overall, our experiences and those of friends and others with more experience rate the crowd on these ships to be good, varied and fairly active.

 

Other questions, interests for this ship or with Celebrity?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 127,718 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at 2,898 views for this shorter version started late last week of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

[4774Papa]

We just completed the Top End cruise from Perth to Sydney, loved Australia and the people.

The Solstice is a great ship, you will love the food, service and entertainment.

We never buy a drinks package, except for a wine package.

If you drink a lot of soda, specialty coffee, bottled water and A LOT of alcoholic drinks, perhaps you should do the drinks packages.

One package runs about $55 pp per day. For a 14 day cruise that is $770 per person. Including our seven bottle wine package, we didn't spend more than $600 for both of us on a 17 day cruise.