second class
Celebrity Solstice Cruise Review to South Pacific - Australia
12 Night New Zealand (Auckland To Sydney)
Sail date: December 16, 2015
Ship: Celebrity Solstice
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 1211
Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
The ship was nice and so was the staff, the sailing was fun. We have been over 300 days at sea on a variety of ships. This was my least favorite, because we felt like second class people. We were told we couldn't go up front to see the sounds because it was reserved for the elite. Celebrity, Princess cruises let everyone take turns going up front, maybe you should see how they do it. We were not the only ones that felt that way. Also they held seats for the elite, but they didn't release them when the show started. Why not, did they not want us to sit with them? There were children running unsupervised it seemed very dangerous 4,5, 6 years olds (I asked them their age and where their parents were, the parents were dancing or out by the pool?) you might want to check on doing something about that before someone gets hurt.
Our rooms were clean perfect and the room service was very good, they were there to help us with any problems.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ports of call
Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand
11 Comments
cruisellama 5 years ago
If willing and able to upgrade to Aqua or Suite class you'll get some perks. You'll see better service and benefits by upgrading rooms on Celebrity. There are 4 basic ones that get offered: Internet, pre-paid gratuities, OBC, and drink packages. Suites generally get you all 4.
As for loyalty program perks - you need to do the "time at sea" to get those.
JCSJCML 6 years ago
True, but still a decent topic.
Aha! An idea for another thread.
glomarrone 6 years ago
Holland America does not do this at least on any of the many cruises that I have taken on this line.
BDRebel 6 years ago
True, but still a decent topic.
BonMike 6 years ago
Wow, what an old thread to bring back .
BDRebel 6 years ago
I was on Solstice in August '16, and, although they did occasionally rope off the seats or close the top deck bar, the ship never made me feel as if I was a lower class than anyone else. I guess it is all in perception.
deconz 6 years ago
Going on my first Celebrity cruise in 2019 so have a long way to go to get some perks
ByeCelebrity 7 years ago
noname111 8 years ago
Thank you for posting your review.
I am not exactly sure I got your meaning about "seeing the sounds" but it seems to be an itinerary-specific comment (re: Dusky Sounds).
I share your frustration with how some cruise lines handle elite passenger perks versus others. We are not top tier on any given cruise line because over the years we have chosen itinerary over sticking with a specific line. Our loyalty points are scattered over many companies as a result.
Be that as it may, I understand that for passengers who have "voted with their pocketbooks" and stuck with a specific cruise line, getting a "thank you" for their loyalty is important. I don't agree with cordoning off an entire section of prime viewing space during scenic cruising periods. The decks are public space to which everyone should have access.
One option might be to have pay-for access for non-elites. Yep, I realize this adds to the nickel and diming problem. I'm not sure there is a solution that will make everyone happy.
Happy sails!
tony777 8 years ago
dustyroadrunner 8 years ago
.