Relaxing vacation, nice ship, good service, unimpressive ports of call.

Celebrity Solstice Cruise Review to Transpacific

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 40

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5
Celebrity Solstice

19 Night Tahitian Treasures (Sydney To Honolulu)

Sail date: April 11, 2018

Ship: Celebrity Solstice

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7326

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

All in all it was a fun and relaxing trip. We went to Australia a few days early which was good. I was less than impressed with the ports of call. I don't like so many days at sea but the ship was very nice and I spent alot of time at the pool and other activities. I thought the price of sodas and beer was a little high and I did not like being charged for cycling class or the $10 min bet at the casino. Hopefully our Ireland to Iceland cruise next year will be better.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Smooth and professional

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
The dining rooms were very nice, food was good, service was exceptional. We did not visit the specialty restaurants. WE weren't advised of the specialty restaurant schedules, dress codes, venues, specials etc.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
I spent a lot of time at pool side which was enjoyable. I attended a lot of the glass blowing sessions and enjoyed them immensely. I was surprised and disappointed that you charged extra for the spinning class. The cost to play bingo was overpriced. The $10 minimum bet at the casino is one of the reasons that the casino was usually empty. A $5 minimum or even a $2 table would have made for a full, lively and entertaining venue and you would have made as much money. The on deck movie selections were poor. The nature talks were very good and much appreciated. I think you could have done a better job candidly explaining what there was to do and see at each port of call the day before arriving. I played mahj Jongg and enjoyed it but was distracted by the band noise from the 3rd deck. The same goes for the library and card room.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Really good entertainment, great job.

Children's Programs

No children

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Everyone was very helpful, courteous, cheerful and professional. Sanjay was our steward and was exceptional.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
The ship layout was very nice and I don't think you could keep it any cleaner. We loved our stateroom and location, very quiet. Multiple pool area/decks was nice to get in or out of the sun and wind. Lawn was a nice touch.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Very nice cabin, well maintained, quiet. We loved it. Sanjay did a great job. Thanks

Ship tip

Don't do a relocation cruise.

Ports of call

Sydney, Australia

5 out of 5
Very nice port but we really didn't know what to do with the time we had.

Bay Of Islands, New Zealand

2 out of 5
Really a nothing port.

Auckland, New Zealand

3 out of 5
Would have been a nice port if we had had time to do anything. With a 5 day at sea following, we could have left late evening giving us time to do something. With a 4;30 departure we had time for for a ferry to Waikeke Island and a couple of wineries. Would liked to have rented a car and gone to Rotorura but no time.

Cross International Dateline

4 out of 5
No big deal.

Papeete, Tahiti

2 out of 5
Crowded, dirty, traffic gridlock. Took a 4 hr bus excursion around the island that turned into an 8 hr excursion because it took them 3 1/2 hrs to fix a flat on the bus. Island tour was nice but the traffic gridlock encountered on the return was ridiculous. Nothing special about this port for sure.

Moorea, French Polynesia

4 out of 5
Nice stop. We took a snorkeling excursion that was fantastic swimming with the stingrays and reef sharks.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

3 out of 5
An OK port. We did a 4x4 tour which wasn't really a 4x4 tour. Saw some pretty overviews but pretty much a nothing port. I wish we had done another snorkeling excursion. The ship needs to have talks about each port and an honest presentation of the things to do and maybe not bother doing at each port. What are the highlights and claims to fame, not just the excursions offered but an honest candid critique of what's there and what are the best values.

Hilo, Hawaii

4 out of 5
Good port but we've been there. Lava wasn't flowing into the ocean so we did not do an excursion.

Lahaina, Maui

4 out of 5
Good port but we've been there. We did not do an excursion.

Honolulu, Oahu

4 out of 5
Good port. We rented a car for the day and drove around the island killing time until our night flight home.

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
Didn't get off until nearly 10:30 but O well, somebody has to be last. No problem, luggage was there.
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