Bit of a Blog : Solstice : Auckland – Fremantle – Sydney : February 14th 2016

[NorbertsNiece]

 

From the Sky Lounge.... many many boobies.....

 

 

 

 

Willis Island on the horizon and some more boobies

 

 

I have a call to make at 0830 so head back to my room

 

Edited March 13, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[Blondie008]

There are times when I'm really on the ball.... and other times I just drop it..... or miss it entirely..... I've Indonesian currency which will now go to waste..... not a whole lot but some...... ho hum.... only just realised that when I read the Milli roll call that has cancelled Bali.... they're boarding Sunday but leaving Monday now and arriving in Darwin for an overnight and long day. Darwin will love that!!

 

If its really going to waste - donate it to the ships crew - they will have funds going of some kind - not sure who/what - but in a ship full of Indonesians - am sure it can go to good use - "Paying it forward" ;)

Thanks for feeding us all our daily Solstice Fix !

[NorbertsNiece]

I made my call and was given directions.... Ben met me in the corridor and escorted me through 'Crew Only' Doors. OMG.

 

 

Invited guests have started to arrive on the helipad...... boobies are busy above.... no umbrellas obvious at any time....

 

 

Willis Island is on the far horizon, we are headed straight towards it

 

 

 

 

You can see the island extends under water.....

 

Edited March 13, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[Swissmiss6253]

Still loving this. So exciting for you to go onto the Bridge! You must be very well liked.

[NorbertsNiece]

You recall how I like to go on walkabouts when on shore..... I'm not good at sitting still..... how I made the flights here I have no idea but I am so so glad I did.

 

So I go walkabout. I'm aware I'm being watched and that's fine. I really don't want to make work for anyone so I sit on the other side of the huge console listening to the reef pilot for a while. I know I'm someone's responsibility and knowing that bothers me as I don't want to be in the way or create concern.

 

 

 

 

These two.

 

 

He HAD to take his shades off

 

 

And then he hijacked my camera..... only realised this after I left the bridge and shared with some friends....

 

 

It's now on Twitter Ben, just saying. Sticking out tongue emoji.

Edited March 13, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh..... I was told tales about sharks, sea snakes and crocodiles......

[jannandjohn]

 

Oh..... I was told tales about sharks, sea snakes and crocodiles......

 

are you talking about the Captain?

[NorbertsNiece]

 

At 0915 a helium meteorological balloon is released from the NW corner of the island. I will be honest with you. I didn't actually see it. The wing was full of people looking for it, some with binoculars..... but I don't see it. I squint. Hard. Nope. Nada. So I point my camera in the general direction and click. I see it now.

 

 

 

There's a booby.....

 

 

 

 

That's the Bridge part of my day over. I'm going to say 48 minutes. The most exciting time I've had since ziplining on Oasis two years ago but way way better and still an adrenaline rush. The nicest people ever on that Bridge you could ever hope to meet. I am in awe of their professionalism, their dedication and their total commitment. And they're reading this. Where'd they get the time? Thank you is so inadequate. But thank you.

[Ian_H]

Hi Linda,

 

 

 

 

 

We are from Middlesbrough just round the corner from you in England. We are driving down to Heathrow in the early hours of tomorrow ready for our flight to Auckland via Hong Kong. It's our first balcony cabin in six cruises and we are really excited. We would love to have done the B2B but have a disabled son at home so 3 weeks is all we can manage. Look forward to meeting you,. Ann and Neil.

 

 

Hi Ann and Neil,

 

We are Ian and Anne and both from Middlesbrough. We live in Perth and will be taking our third trip on this beautiful ship on Sunday 20th March. Hop you're enjoying your trip.

[NorbertsNiece]

Thank you for all your super comments and help with maps both here and on social media. A collection was started by a guest for the Indonesian Crew and I really appreciate the advice on what to do with the notes I have. I'll see if the collection is still active.

 

Valerie, there ain't no sharks on this vessel. ;)

 

Not all the GF food pics are specifically prepared..... they cook like that a lot of the time!!! Oceanview & Murano for example. And the salt content is definitely lower than I've experienced previously. I'm wondering if the shift to cooking with corn starch as opposed to wheat starch is what some guests are noticing. I can always tell on my palate if I've eaten something with Gluten in...... maybe the lack of it is tangible to some. Hmmmm.

 

I had pen and paper with me on the Bridge. I don't have many answers to questions you might have but do ask. I can always go back ;) :D :)

 

Have just found this Willis Island meteorological site. This radar one. And this Australian Broadcasting Corporation programme from a year ago which I haven't the courage to try and stream here.

[boeckli]

Good on you Linda - what a thrill to be invited to the bridge to watch!! A very special feeling indeed ;)

Well deserved too! Enjoying your blog very much - looking forward to our 4th Solstice cruise in November :)

[DebbieMacG]

Thank you for your wonderful live Blog, I've been reading from the start. You're doing a fantastic job 😀🛳

[Radio]

I made my call and was given directions.... Ben met me in the corridor and escorted me through 'Crew Only' Doors. OMG.

 

 

 

Wow, thanks to you Linda for this wonderful "LIVE" post. I am loving every photo and am enjoying your wonderful content. I too love to go on the Bridge and I wish I was there now.

 

Thanks again. . .:)

 

Radio

;);)

 

.

[NorbertsNiece]

Thank you for your wonderful live Blog, I've been reading from the start. You're doing a fantastic job 😀🛳

 

Thank you but I honestly think the ship and itinerary (planned and unplanned)are doing most of the work.

 

Wow, thanks to you Linda for this wonderful "LIVE" post. I am loving every photo and am enjoying your wonderful content. I too love to go on the Bridge and I wish I was there now.

 

Thanks again. . .:)

 

Radio

;);)

 

.

 

Mark :D

When's your next broadcast?

[NorbertsNiece]

Four weeks on board.

 

I've finally worked out that if I turn right when walking down to my floor on the forward staircase I'm in my corridor (I nearly always walk down to Deck 3 from anywhere).

 

Discovered today that Cafe al Bacio runs an overflow in the Bistro when it's not meal times.... here's the evidence post Bridge visit :

 

 

Friends have a huge balcony on their standard room...... it's angled just at the hump

 

 

 

 

 

Guest choir rehearsal, Elton John's music in the afternoon then Senior Officers hosted a Captain's Club hour in the Sky Lounge. Got a chance to hug Ben to say thanks again. Didn't hug the Captain; we touched knuckles.

 

Edited March 13, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Something else they do in Oceanview from time to time that I hadn't seen before..... pick your fish or piece of meat and have it cooked to order.

 

 

 

Oh my

 

 

Everyone got a certificate today :

 

[One_plus_one]

Different GF bread..... not previously tasted by anyone I know.... not good

 

 

Oh Linda, you make me laugh with your GF bread/muffin posts.. I know what you mean as I've tasted them all here and there.. You should give them a rating say from 1 Linda (spongy and tasteless) to 5 Linda's (Best ever - e.g. doesn't bounce) ;) In all seriousness, your review is fantastic and you are a great advocate for us gluten free folk. Let's hope Celebrity keep up the good work in providing some interesting options for people with a food intolerance/allergy in the future. I loved the international options in the Oceanview on the Reflection, it was great to see dishes that were relevant to the ports we visited in the Mediterranean.

 

Congratulations on the bridge visit. How exciting to get the VIP treatment!

[AntjeG]

"Europe" was wide awake but not able to read your blog this morning :D because the kids kept me busy. Just now able to catch up.

 

Linda, this indeed seems a once in a lifetime experience to me. Lucky you to be invited on the bridge. Thanks for sharing your adventure. I really appreciate all the work you put in this blog.

 

so you're saying there should be port fees returned for our lack of visit to Bali though we had extra time in Darwin?

 

Sorry to say that you probably won´t get anything back even if US and AUS/NZ cruisers do. I suppose you booked your cruise in the UK and then it´s European Union travel law. This means your price includes port fees & taxes. You don´t get anything back if you miss a port (because the price you pay is "the end of it" - I´m not sure how to explain in English but I hope you know what I mean). The good side of this is that you also don´t pay more if a port raises port fees. Your cruise fare is what you pay at final payment and that´s really final. But we Europeans also loose our deposit if we cancel before final payment so that´s the other side of the story.

[NorbertsNiece]

Cairns / Yorkeys knob tomorrow

 

Massive logistical nightmare for the tour organisers. Here's what's said in the Daily :

 

Tender Service to go ashore

As we are returning to Australia from International Waters, the Celebrity Solstice will have to be cleared by Australian Authorities upon arrival. While immigration has agreed not to conduct a face to face immigration we anticipate this process will take some time. Once the ship is cleared, our guests on excursions leaving to the Great Barrier Reef will be collected by Catamarans, so we expect our first independent tender to go ashore at approximately 9:00am. We are working with the Australian Immigration to ensure the ship is cleared as quickly as possible and will make announcements advising guests when we are ready to begin the tender process. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please note depending on weather conditions the estimated travel time from ship to shore onboard the tender is approximately 30 minutes. The last tender from ashore is at 4:00pm. Please Note:

 

• Guests going ashore independently should get a complimentary tender ticket in the Cellar Masters, Deck 4 after 9:00am.

 

• Once you have your tender ticket, please wait in any of the public lounges for your number to be called over the public address system.

 

• Physically challenged guests are asked to contact Ext. 0 (Guest Relations) for last minute information on weather conditions.

 

• For safety considerations, motorized wheelchairs and scooters cannot be transferred via the tenders to the pier, our crew is not permitted to lift guests or Guests equipment. Assistance with collapsible wheel chairs and walking canes will be provided.

 

• Later in the afternoon we expect less congestion, at which time we will announce that tender tickets are no longer necessary.

 

• Please use extra caution when entering and exiting the Tender, using hand rails and watching your step. Please be seated while on the tender.

 

_________

 

From reading CC I'd booked a Cruise Ship excursion and so glad I did. So Australian authorities have to clear the ship once arrived.

 

1500 heading to the reef..... 4 reef catamarans will pick them at 2 platforms on the starboard side and take them straight there..... no stop off in Cairns.

Then the ship tenders will lower to take cruise ship tour guests ashore around 9am. Then anyone else.

 

I'm on an excursion to Kuranda via jungle train and skyrail. I booked this back in the UK ages ago...... have learnt from bitter experience that popular excursions sell out fast..... I bought Premier seating and that is sold out. Now here's the interesting thing. Read this :

 

 

I reached out to Celebrity pre cruise to advise them that I would be requiring GF food and they denied that food would be served..... will get back to you in due course ;)

Edited March 13, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[Disco Duck]

I am so happy for you. You deserve it with all the hard work you have done with your great posting!

 

 

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[Disco Duck]

When you go on tours and they cannot guarantee the GF food have you found that you are able to get other things. Is it mostly salads? I have been told by Royal Caribbean that they can never guarantee when I go outside and so far I have been pretty lucky.....salads :)

 

 

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[NorbertsNiece]

When you go on tours and they cannot guarantee the GF food have you found that you are able to get other things. Is it mostly salads? I have been told by Royal Caribbean that they can never guarantee when I go outside and so far I have been pretty lucky.....salads :)

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

You're making me think here..... Dunedin the restaurant served salad. Rotorua the restaurant had GF sandwiches. Darwin they were making the sandwiches fresh so I asked for the filling without the bread. I think in all these weeks these are the only excursions where lunch was required. When I've done my own thing it's not been an issue..... I've found something ashore or come back to the ship for a late lunch.

[AntjeG]

 

I'm on an excursion to Kuranda via jungle train and skyrail.

 

I am sure you will have a great day! I did this tour during the land portion of my trip when I stayed in a hotel in cairns. I loved it and it was one of the best excursions I did during my trip.

[QE2_Fan]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QE2_Fan : Have been told they stop selling the drinks packages 3 days before cruise disembarks. Currently nothing but sea to see outside on the starboard side.

 

 

A belated but very appreciative THANK YOU for this info! I will have it included in the Celebrity Drink package FAQ Thread!

 

Wow haven't you had an exciting couple of days! I think Celebrity might offer you a job onboard as their new resident live blogger !! [emoji38]

 

 

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[QE2_Fan]

 

1500 heading to the reef..... 4 reef catamarans will pick them at 2 platforms on the starboard side and take them straight there..... no stop off in Cairns.

 

 

OMG! That's a lot of bodies thrashing around the ocean looking for fish and coral! Think there will be more people than fish photographed underwater!!

 

Great info thanks for sharing this as we are unsure whether to try and hit the reef or go visit inland when in Cairns in October. Good to know time isn't wasted having to tender ashore first then heading out...as its a relatively short stay and not feasible (or safe time wise) to do a GBR private tour.

 

Look forward to hearing about your Kuranda railway journey, sounds lovely....will be even nicer to find out if you got fed on the train or not!

 

 

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