Not a traditional Christmas for this cruise

Item: Celebrity Solstice
Rating: 4.6
Author: sekearney

Celebrity Solstice Cruise Review to South Pacific - Australia

sekearney

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 68

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5

12 Night New Zealand Holiday (Sydney Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 23, 2019

Ship: Celebrity Solstice

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 1255

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

We really enjoyed our cruise and made some wonderful new friends. This was the 4th time we have cruised to New Zealand on the Celebrity Solstice. We did expect that being a Christmas/New Year cruise that there would have been more celebrations and traditional Christmas meals. New Year was celebrated more than Christmas. On Christmas day it was Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas - for a cruise in Australia/New Zealand why did we have to respect the beliefs of the minority. When we are in their country that's fine, but they should respect us in our country. This was my only disappontment.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We were conceirge and had priority embarkation - we were on in a flash.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

I felt that they catered more the for Asian/Indian market in the buffet. Main dining room food was excellent.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

We really didn't partake in many of the activities.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Unfortunately the timing of the performances did not allow us to attend many of the shows. We were usually still in the dining room at the time of the performances.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our room attendant was friendly and did a wonderful job. Carla in the main dining room did a wonderful job in finding us a table each night, whenever we rolled up.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Clean but probably due for a bit of a refit.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Great location - mid ship. Cabin was clean thanks to our room attendant. Balcony furniture probably needs to be replace soon as it was a little tired, which is understandable as it's out in the weather everyday.

Ship tip

If you want to enjoy a traditional Christmas - this is probably not the best cruiseline to pick.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Sydney, Australia

4 out of 5

Unfortunately very smokey due to all the bushfires.

Thumbs Up 0

Picton, New Zealand

5 out of 5

Lovely little town.

Thumbs Up 0

Napier, New Zealand

5 out of 5

Wellington, New Zealand

5 out of 5

Akaroa, New Zealand

5 out of 5

Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand

5 out of 5

Didn't like having to pay for a shuttle bus into town. I think that this should be included.

Thumbs Up 1

Cruise Dusky Sound

5 out of 5

Cruise Doubtful Sound

5 out of 5

Cruise Milford Sound

5 out of 5

Newcastle, Australia

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

2 Comments

Cruiserike0322 4 years ago

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

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Shh813 4 years ago

I think Happy Holidays was perfect as Hanukkah also was on Christmas Day. So you're saying it should only be Merry Christmas and forget about our Jewish shipmates who might have been on the cruise.? That's not very nice of you at all.

Thumbs Up 3

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Other reviews of this sailing

Wonderful Staff and great locations aroind New Zealand, smooth seas and good weather, but not our favourite ship

Fun with friends