Balcony worth it cruising New Zealand?

[Sousaphone]

Can anyone enlighten me about what one will see while cruising New Zealand on the way to Australia on the Solstice? Trying to figure out whether to book an ocean view or balcony stateroom...

[lizzy77]

Definitely a balcony:) We love to have a balcony. It's so nice to be able to checkout the scenery any time you want. Have fresh air, breakfast on the balcony, have a drink before dinner, read a book, or just chill out on your own space. The scenery going through the sounds is good from a balcony too without the crowds on the upper decks.

[Sousaphone]

Thanks Liz! I appreciate your quick response! Balcony it is!

 

What did you like or did not like about the Solstice?

 

Did your cruise go to Hobart, Tasmania? I'd like to visit the animal sanctuary there. Don't know if there is a Celebrity excursion.

 

Any seasickness issues?

 

Sue

[Australian family]

I agree too that a balcony is great. It is cold crossing the Tasman, but good to be able to use your balcony to view the sounds.

 

We enjoyed sitting on your balcony on the sail out of Sydney. Is also great to go out on, when you arrive back in Sydney in the early hours, to see the heads.

 

We also used the balcony on the sail out from Dunedin. The balcony was handy in all the ports to just go outside and view the scenery on the way into the ports, and to see what the weather was like.

 

We are hooked on balconies.

[This_Beats_Working]

I would do Balcony just for Milford Sounds. We did it on Princess and turned up the TV for the commentary whilst sitting on balcony

[sun-set]

Can anyone enlighten me about what one will see while cruising New Zealand on the way to Australia on the Solstice? Trying to figure out whether to book an ocean view or balcony stateroom...

 

We tried our first balcony cabin on the Carnival Spirit and we did enjoy the experience but it was not quite what I expected we found it too restrictive to sit out on the balcony more that a couple of minutes, the main advantages was fresh air, a good view, a much bigger viewing area than ocean view and clean windows when the door was shut.

The only disadvantage was a whistling sound from door seals.

As for viewing the Sounds or any scenery you are bound to miss out on seeing some views perhaps the best ones, I would always go up on deck, the balcony is far too restrictive you need to move around and being with fellow passengers is part of a cruise for us.

Don't forget you have 50% chance of being on the wrong side for the views.

Edited March 17, 2014 by sun-set

[Wastegirl]

A balcony is a definite advantage just make sure you book on the side that will be facing land during cruising. We did not use our balcony while traversing through the sounds, open decks with a 360 degree view is best for this. However the sounds are just a one part of a NZ cruise and being able to access a balcony when approaching the sounds is an advantage and once having left the sounds you still continue adjacent to the coast and if your balcony is on the land side it is a stunning view.

 

Also coming into most ports in New Zealand is scenic as well and as this is done usually early in the morning you can be on your balcony in your 'jammies' catching the view. It really was quite amazing how close to the coast line we travelled all round New Zealand. However we were on a HAL ship but I assume Celebrity would take a similar route.

 

Also keep in mind the time of year. Even in the middle of summer the South Island can be 'nippy' so bring along something warm.

[goodycruising]

I would also check where the oceanview cabins are situated. If they are far to the front, then I would be hesitant of possible rough seas over to NZ, and if they are on Deck 3 then I wouldn't go under the casino maybe, but under the shops would seem ok.

 

I would say balcony any time on any ship, but that is just me. On a ship going to NZ I would say a balcony as the sounds is a fairly long journey, and as the day goes on after an early start it is nice to relax or snooze in the cabin. When in Milford sound the ship turns around, and I think it is lovely both sides anyhow.

 

Also I have noticed just from a few quick looks on Solstice that the oceanview is not much cheaper than the balconies, and the ones I see on a website that show those sort of statistics seem to be running at about 15-20% left to sell for cruises late 2014, early 2015, so upgrades may be unlikely.

[lizzy77]

Thanks Liz! I appreciate your quick response! Balcony it is!

 

What did you like or did not like about the Solstice?

 

Did your cruise go to Hobart, Tasmania? I'd like to visit the animal sanctuary there. Don't know if there is a Celebrity excursion.

 

Any seasickness issues?

 

Sue

 

Hi Sue. We love Solstice as it's a bright modern ship and She is so big she seems to sail the rough seas better than others we have been on. It never feels crowded( until you have to tender) and all the balcony cabins are good. We have been on a cabin crawl where we went to nearly every cat of cabins on Solstice and I have to say all the balconies are all good. Even the obstructed views are not obstructed in my opinion. Best cabins are the ones on the hump( where the ship goes out in the middle) those balconies are huge and they are ones we have had on all our Solstice cruises. There is a good bit of info about cabins on the celebrity section of CC at the top. Before you book your cabin check out the comments there about the cabin.

We have never been sea sick but we always take phenergen, an anti histamine, with us. Take them if you feel sick, It may make you a bit drowsy but rather that than being seasick.

We have been to Hobart on a Princess cruise and it's a great port as you dock right in the city.

[Miamia65]

It's always worth having a balcony.

[MicCanberra]

It's always worth having a balcony.

 

Agree, but perhaps the OP has budget issues and the top decks will give you 360 degree views where as the balconies can only give you one side.

I would go for the Balcony in any case.:D

Edited March 17, 2014 by MicCanberra