Celebrity Solstice
| The first ship to be a part of Celebrity’s Solstice class, the Celebrity Solstice features many of the personal amenities passengers have come to expect from Celebrity while carrying 2,850 passengers. Each of the ships in the Solstice class feature wireless Internet throughout, larger staterooms with flat screen televisions, spacious bathrooms, more storage space and plush European bedding. Balconies are available in 85% of the ship’s staterooms, and the Solstice-class ships include an exceptional range of guest-inspired services and amenities made possible due to the ships’ larger size. Spa-enthusiasts aboard the Celebrity Solstice can enjoy the 130 “AquaClass” veranda staterooms, with unlimited access to the Aqua Spa relaxation room and the Persian Garden, and exotic aromatherapy and steam room. AquaClass guests also receive exclusive complimentary dining in Blu, an intimate 130-seat specialty restaurant. |
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See below the text for more details about this ship and our booked cruise on September 23, 2014, one year from now.
First, an update on the recent terrorist attacks in Kenya:
Many of our friends have contacted us inquiring as to our safety after the horrific attacks on a shopping in Nairobi. We are saddened by the loss of life and the injuries sustained by many Kenyan residents and visitors.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those lost in the devastation and extend our wishes for healing and recovery for those injured.
As for us, rest assured, we are far from the attacks, a 7-hour car ride, a one hour flight. Although we have no TV and can’t stream news due to data restrictions, we were abreast of the situation only hours after it commenced.
When we registered our travel itinerary with the US State Department many months ago, we couldn’t help but notice numerous warnings for travelers to stay out of discos and shopping malls, often targets for these heinous attacks. We have taken these warnings seriously with no intentions of visiting either a mall or disco.
Today, when once again we went grocery shopping, the gates to the small strip mall were closed, attended by armed guards, checking bags, packages, and trunks along with opening the door and looking at the passengers in the vehicles. Alfred, our driver, made the transition relatively seamless, speaking in Swahili to the guards as we were waved on after the inspection of the vehicle.
The Nakumatt Grocery Store had several guards at the entrance but this has been the case each time we’ve shopped. As I entered to shop, I was “wanded” to ensure I had no concealed weapons.
When Tom walked upstairs in the strip mall to the SafariCom phone store to buy more SIM card scratch cards (to add more data to Hans’ Hotspot we’re using), armed guards stood in attendance at the door, wanding, checking ID and inspecting passports.
Well aware of the risks in Kenya before we booked our plans, it’s comforting to know, now that we’re here, that the Kenyan government takes these risks seriously. But, as we see, many scenarios are difficult to fully protect based on the carnage that occurred at the upscale mall this past weekend.
Tom and I also consider our safety with the utmost of concern, avoiding unguarded restaurants and points of interest. Yes, we are across the street from the Indian Ocean and had hoped to spend time walking the beach during the day.
However, the risks on the secluded beaches are many and we choose to stay away. We’re able to see the beach when dining in resorts located on the ocean, all of which are guarded, none of which we will walk at night.
In the realm of the recent events, our lives of travel seem so small and insignificant. Although we all carry on in our own lives, in light of the devastation around us, the memories lingering in our hearts and minds.
Now, on to the second leg of our newly booked travels.
Yesterday, we left at the point whereby we traveled to Boston, MA, USA by cruise ship from London on our eventual path toward Hawaii where our kids and grandchildren will visit us on our rental house in Kona for Christmas.
British Columbia Canada (one way, under $250 each!), where we’ll
stay for 6 nights touring this enchanting city.
(Please excuse editing. Each time we copy and paste cruse itineraries, they appear differently when pasted and are impossible to edit).
| 12 nights departing September 23, 2014 on Celebrity’s Celebrity Solstice |
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| $$$ Early booking bonus! Book now and receive a FREE US$100 per cabin onboard credit on select categories. | |||||||||||||
| Promotions may not be combinable with all fares. | |||||||||||||
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| ITINERARY |
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| Tue | Sep | 23 | Vancouver, BC, Canada | 5:00pm | |||||||||
| Wed | Sep | 24 | At Sea | ||||||||||
| Thu | Sep | 25 | At Sea | ||||||||||
| Fri | Sep | 26 | At Sea | ||||||||||
| Sat | Sep | 27 | At Sea | ||||||||||
| Sun | Sep | 28 | At Sea | ||||||||||
| Mon | Sep | 29 | Honolulu, Oahu, HI | 1:00pm | |||||||||
| Tue | Sep | 30 | Honolulu, Oahu, HI | 8:00pm | |||||||||
| Wed | Oct | 1 | Kilauea Volcano, HI (Cruising) | ||||||||||
| Wed | Oct | 1 | Hilo, Hawaii, HI | 11:00am | 8:00pm | ||||||||
| Thu | Oct | 2 | Kona, Hawaii, HI | 11:00am | 8:00pm | ||||||||
| Fri | Oct | 3 | Lahaina, Maui, HI | 8:00am | |||||||||
| Sat | Oct | 4 | Lahaina, Maui, HI | 6:00pm | |||||||||
| Sun | Oct | 5 | Honolulu, Oahu, HI | 7:00am | |||||||||
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| Cruise (includes port charges) | 3,558.00 |
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| Government Taxes* | 270.02 |
| Pre-Paid Gratuities | 288.00 |
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| Total Sale (US$) | $ 4,116.02 |
*subject to change by the cruise line.
Payments
| Paid To | Type | Amount |
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| Celebrity | CC | 900.00 |
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| Total Payments (US$) | $ 900.00 | |
| Balance Due (US$) | $ 3,216.02 | |
Final payment due July 1, 2014.