Solstice - South Pacific - Sky Suite – Live Adventure (Trip Report)

[delondin]

We went snorkeling in the afternoon and it was okay. By no means bad but not spectacular. I think they add in all the other activity’s because they know the snorkeling is not great. We skipped the cultural dancing and sarong demonstration to spend some time on the beach lounges. We did goto the coconut demonstration and enjoyed some fresh coconut. At about 3pm the boat took has back to the main island. Just was we pulled in it began to torrentially downpour so it was a wet run to the bus!

 

Back onboard we showered and had a hot tub. We had planned to just goto the buffet for dinner but ended up in Luminae. Delicious and saucy as always! Next time we eat there we are going to ask for healthy options.

 

Dinner Menu:

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner I dropped by guest relations to get a copy of my statement, They day before I had got a copy to find out ½ of our onboard credit was missing. They took my details and said they would email Miami to sort it out and call me the next day. Alas no call or voicemail so I had to follow up - and explain the whole story all over again. I’m hoping it gets sorted soon!

 

We crashed out in our room and watched the movie spy on the on demand system.

 

In retrospect was the Amedee island trip worth $250 each – probably not – at $200 I would have been happy. But I do not regret doing it.

 

Instead of guest relations, ask the michaels club concierge to help you.

[chrisaus]

Today was our second day in New Caledonia at Lifou.

 

We awoke to a simply stunning view! We did room service breakfast again - a boy could get used to this!

 

 

Suite members get priority tender access so we went to Michaels club and had a coffee before being escorted straight onto a tender craft.

 

On reaching land we walked about 15 minutes to Jinek Bay.

 

This was a total WOW! My BF who has snorkeled all over the Great Barrier Reef back in Oz said it was some of the best biodiversity he has seen. It was $15 AUD which may seem steep but was worth it. The coral is still in great condition and I hope they look after it.

 

Totally worth the walk and the cheapest shore excursion ever :p

 

I had a weird experience snorkeling – I noticed a larger man kicking coral and looking like he was struggling. I swam over to him and asked if he was okay and he said no and he had swallowed water. I said I would help him back to land and he proceeded to nearly pull me under water and managed to kick my flipper off. I settled him and said I needed to dive down to get my flippers. By the time I go them he was off swimming and snorkeling again in deeper water. Was a fool and just plain rude.

 

Here are some pictures:

 

 

[jagoffee]

 

 

After dinner I dropped by guest relations to get a copy of my statement, They day before I had got a copy to find out ½ of our onboard credit was missing. They took my details and said they would email Miami to sort it out and call me the next day. Alas no call or voicemail so I had to follow up - and explain the whole story all over again. I’m hoping it gets sorted soon!

it.

 

Previously your told us "so we had gratuities, $300 on board credit and classic beverage package included. We got another $200 for booking on board and my agent added another $100 so we were high rolling in $600 of onboard credit"

 

So if you missing 1/2 of it it must be the $300 on the on board booking. If you have not already done it I would sent an e mail to your TA to help sort it out.

 

Also you should be able to see your account on the TV if you wish to monitor the progress.

 

I had an issue on my last cruise booked direct with the OBC. The second time I visited Guest Services they called someone in Miami and sorted it out on the phone.

 

Good luck.

[chrisaus]

More photos

 

 

 

 

After our snorkel we walked back and looked through the markets and returned to the ship. The wait was about 30 minutes in the sun which was not to fun.

 

 

Edited March 27, 2016 by chrisaus

[Woobstr112G]

Simply gorgeous pictures.....:):):)

 

Bob

[chrisaus]

In the afternoon we alternated between hot tub/pool chairs/sleeping - a truly relaxing way to spend an afternoon (ohh add in a few cocktails to).

 

We went to see the rock show that night which was good fun. They have 6 great vocalists onboard at present and some great dancers.

 

 

 

[chrisaus]

Dinner was in Silk Harvest and was delicious and not too heavy. Jayne our drinks waiter was fabulous even mixing me a margarita. The wait staff was lack luster and service from them was on the slow and painful side.

 

Menu:

 

They will let you order any main in mini size so that you can sample many dishes

[chrisaus]

 

 

 

 

[Woobstr112G]

Yummy food pictures.....:):):)

 

Bob

[chrisaus]

On the facebook group for our trip I had made contact with Moana tours and arranged tours for Suva and Lautoka. They had posted a few adds.

 

Our tour in Suva was listed as

“Tour 1

3 HOURS COMBO TOURS which is traditional village (enter the village;bamboo cooking,fire dance ,entertainment etc),countryside tour n stop over in Raintree Lodge,historical sites,waterfall and shopping in the end of the tour.

Cost .:35 AUD

25USD

52FJD

THAT ALL INCLUSIVE OF YOUR TRANSPORTATION OF TO AND FRO .VILLAGE ENTRY FEE AND ALSO WATERFALL ENTRY FEE .NO HIDDEN COST.ALL OUR TRANSPORT IS FULLY AIRCORNDITION"

 

We ended up getting it for $30 each a it was a fabulous bargain! We had a nice air-conditioned car – A corolla I think.

 

View from mountains driving to the village:

 

The village was not a big commercial venue but a real village using the fund from tours to fund tutoring for their grade 1 – 8 students after school and a new community hall. We were spoilt as for most if the presentation it was just the two of use and about 30 villagers.

 

 

Part way through 2 couples with 1 each in a wheelchair joined us. This was just before the dancing segment and it ended up us and the wheel chair couples all dancing with the locals. Must have looked so funny! Our lovely guide walked us up the hill to the church and showed us a great view of the valley. We enjoyed some traditional food and departed the village – a great hour I can recommend!

 

 

[chrisaus]

The waterfall was big disappointment. I would say don’t waste your time.

 

 

We got back to the ship and had a shower, hot tub and then went to buffet for lunch. We had our first run in with homophobes – I sat down at a table while my BF went to get some food. A couple I would say in their late 50’s asked to sit next to us. I said sure and they sat down. She stayed and he went to get food. My BF returned and we started eating. When the husband returned he mouthed to his wife “Gays” (well something worse but I don’t want to put that on here) and they both starred at us. I was not going anywhere so the man said to his wife “We need to move” and they moved. What sad people.

 

Dinner was in Luminae and we ordered much smarter (including a side of steamed vegetables)

 

 

Potato Soup:

 

Pate

 

Veal:

 

 

 

I have noticed that Luminae compared to the Infinity is a bit different in two ways 1) many of the little touches such as lime or lemon with your water are missing, this morning for breakfast I asked for watermelon and pineapple but this was met with resistance and I was advised they just have a fruit plate. 2 mins later in another section over a lady request watermelon and mango and for that waiter this was no problem.

And 2) you do not get the same waiter every meal – in fact it feels like it is different every sitting. They are much less aware of dietary requirements and specific requests.

Edited March 28, 2016 by chrisaus

[chrisaus]

Cant forget dessert:

 

[chrisaus]

We had booked the tour through the same company as they day before and they had advised we would have the same driver.

 

Tours at Lautoka are as follows :

COMBO 1 MUD POOL

-SCENIC

-GARDEN OF THE SLEEPING GIANT

-MUD POOL

-SHOPPING

COST:60 AUD PP

It's a 3hour tour.Transport and entree fees include .No Hidden Cost.

 

We had meet anther couple on the boat and they accompanied us.

 

This day did not go any near as well. It was not the same car or driver and he could not turn the car alarm off – so we spent first 5minutes driving around sounding like a ambulance with sirens wailing!

 

Now even worse the air conditioning in the car was not working! And Fiji was hot – like sauna hot!

 

I was not a happy camper.

 

We first went to the Garden on the Sleeping Giants where the driver told us entry was included – well excuse me but your add clearly says entry included. I was now hot and annoyed. I was not having it and showed him my phone with confirmation and left him to sort it out with his boss...

 

Luckily the gardens were beautiful. The path is slippery so be careful particularly if your in flip flops.

 

 

 

 

 

[chrisaus]

 

We then went to the mud paths – now I had something in my mind that was a bit nicer. I was thinking spa with mud pools etc… This place was well what would you say umm “authentic”. They were so disorganized we did not get a guide like everyone else until I went and finally got one. You stand around and cover yourself in mud from a bucket, then you spend 15 minutes drying off before you get into a nasty hole (read “pool) were your try and remove the mud from you. We were gagging it was so gross. Think of all the dead skin, infections, old band aids in the bottom of this whole (were indecently the get the mud out of each morning … ewww.

 

You get into a cleaner pool but you are still scrubbing mud off. This pool is warm.

 

As bus after bus arrived I got the feeling this operation was similar to cattle dipping, pumping them through – warts and all :P

 

I was over it by this stage – mud pools are not my thing. I have now done it once and well never again.

 

 

 

We drove back to the boat. You can see the damage from the cyclone about with billboard ripped down and lots of branches etc everywhere. I showered and showered and showered and then showered some more…

 

We had hamburgers for lunch for ocean grill and Afternoon was around the pool and hot tub. Please celebrity turn the music up – this is not a nursing home – some music with a beat can add to the atmosphere so well.

 

Easter decorations around the ship:

[chrisaus]

At 7pm we went to the comedy show. It was a c-

 

Celerity needs to select a target demographic or at least stratify its entertainment. This guys was clearly playing to the 50+ audience but celebrity are advertising to attract a younger demographic... I think most of the under 40s left by about 25 minutes. I had no idea who he was trying to mimic when he sung but it seemed that back in mimic day people did a lot of pelvic swivels and collar pulling up. When he is introduced as “Australia’s leading corporate comedian” my hopes for a good show crumbled… Corporate is safe, corporate is boring… were on holidays not a corporate event…

 

Went to the officer cocktail party for captains club members at 7:50 and it was alright. Pretty quite and dull.

 

We invited some friends for dinner and had a wonderful meal in Luminae. They really did a great job to impress and a particular shout out to Jennifer the sommelier who went above and beyond to get everyone wines they liked.

 

 

 

 

 

They had a special - a butter chicken which was amazing! not on the menu

 

 

We partied the night away in the sky lounge until the wee hours. I have no idea why the cruise director has moved the DJ from the Sky Lounge down to Quasars – The nights he was in the sky lounge it was going off! When the band is in the Sky Lounge it’s like a Tuesday night RSL special…. Sort it out team!

[Cassicruiser]

Really enjoying your travels and anecdotes about the ship, as we board on Friday!!

Disgusting behaviour from the homophobes - can't believe there are some that still think/behave like that! Sad little people. :mad:

Looks like the weather has been a bit iffy on your cruise - is it still very warm though? Just wondering whether to pack anything a bit warmer, or if usual summer wear will be fine?

[goodycruising]

Enjoying the review, loved the mudbath story, yuk!, but disappointed about the dwindling minority of people that don't just accept everyone as humans. We have a good friend that is going on Celebrity soon, (with BF and some other friends) and I hope he doesn't have that sort of behaviour. We were talking to a couple the other day, where the husband is a Vietnam vet, and he expressed some comment about marriage. I thought it was bizarre for someone that has complained about not being accepted on his return from war. He is not nearly as nice a person as our friend that is going on holidays soon!

[charlie52]

Enjoying your review! Thank you for posting the Luminae menus and titling the food pictures. We will be on board in a few weeks and it is nice to see what to expect.

[twins_to_alaska]

Enjoying all the food pictures! We'll be on Solstice to Alaska in Aug in suite.

[twins_to_alaska]

And I'm sorry you encountered unwelcoming shipmates.

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for sharing. Wonderful pictures too.:D

[Woobstr112G]

And I'm sorry you encountered unwelcoming shipmates.

 

Ditto.....:):):)

 

Bob

[ozscot01]

I'm really enjoying your review and grateful

For the heads up about the mud pools. Will definitely avoid like the plague, which perhaps you're lucky not to have caught[emoji12]

So sorry to hear about your encounter with the silly old goats. You said your first encounter, I truly hope it is your only encounter.

Looking forward to reading more.

[MicCanberra]

Best to avoid them I would think.