Celebrity is our favorite cruise line. This is the ship we’ll sail on for 14 nights beginning on January 5, 2016, ending on January 19, 2016. Built in 2008, it’s rated 5.5 stars, of a possible 6 stars  We love the smaller size of 2850 passengers as opposed to many of the larger ships with a capacity with upwards of 5000 passengers.

In 18 months, on January 4, 2016, we’ll be departing Fiji to arrive in Sydney, Australia, spending one night in a hotel. 

The following day, we’ll make our way to the Port of Sydney to board this 14 night cruise on the Celebrity Solstice as listed below which ends in Auckland, New Zealand on January 19, 2016 when we’ll make our way to New Plymouth, New Zealand to live on the on the Alpaca Farm for 83 days. 

Please refer to Part 1 and Part 2 posts from the past two days to see all the criteria and factors that come into play when pricing a cruise. Please click these links below in the event you missed them over the weekend:
Part 1, Booking cruises
Part 2, Booking cruises

When reviewing the prices below it appears that our total cost for two would be US $4498 EU $3676.69. Not so fast. Based on the addition of taxes, fees, and gratuities and the upgraded category for our preferred cabin number, the cost had jumped to a total of US $5340.32, EU $3928.51.

By researching prices for our choices. we were able to find an all-inclusive total for US $4771, EU $3509.70 through the free site, Cruise Compete. 

By doing so, we then asked  Anna at Vacations to Go to match this best price. She was able to match the price after sending her the link as to where we found the best pricing. In other words, many cruise agencies have the ability to “match the best price found.” However, proof in writing that the best price is always required when asking for the best price discount.

14 nights departing January 5, 2016 on Celebrity’s Celebrity Solstice
Brochure Inside $3,298 Our Inside $1,649 You Save 50%	Brochure Oceanview $3,998 Our Oceanview $1,999 You Save 50%
Brochure Balcony $4,498 Our Balcony $2,249 You Save 50%	Brochure Suite $8,298 Our Suite $4,149 You Save 50%
$$$ Book now and receive a FREE US$100 per cabin onboard credit on select categories plus choose one of the following offers on  select oceanview, balcony, and suite categories: an additional US$300 per cabin onboard credit (for a total per cabin onboard credit of US$400), FREE pre-paid gratuities (a per cabin value of US$336 to US$434), or a FREE beverage package for two, which includes select alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages onboard (a per cabin value of US$1,372).
Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.
The prices shown are US dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. They include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees.
Important Note: Visas are required for this itinerary.
ITINERARY
DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE   DEPART Tue Jan 5 Sydney, Australia 6:30pm Wed Jan 6 At Sea Thu Jan 7 Melbourne, Australia 8:00am 6:00pm Fri Jan 8 At Sea Sat Jan 9 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 8:00am 6:00pm Sun Jan 10 At Sea Mon Jan 11 At Sea Tue Jan 12 Milford Sound, New Zealand (Cruising) 8:00am 9:00am Tue Jan 12 Doubtful Sound, New Zealand (Cruising) 1:30pm 2:30pm Tue Jan 12 Dusky Sound, New Zealand (Cruising) 4:30pm 6:00pm Wed Jan 13 Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand 9:00am 7:00pm Thu Jan 14 Akaroa, New Zealand 8:00am 6:00pm Fri Jan 15 Wellington, New Zealand 8:00am 6:00pm Sat Jan 16 At Sea Sun Jan 17 Tauranga, New Zealand 8:00am 6:00pm Mon Jan 18 Bay of Islands, New Zealand 7:00am 6:00pm Tue Jan 19 Auckland, New Zealand 6:00am

Here are the details of the ship, the Celebrity Solstice, rated a 5.5 stars (out of a possible 6 stars):

VacationsToGo.com

Celebrity Solstice Ship Rating:  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.  Ship Statistics  Year Built 2008 Tonnage 122,000 tons Registry Malta Length 1,033 feet Beam 121 feet Passenger Capacity 2,850 Crew Size 999 Total Inside Cabins 102 Total Outside Cabins 1,323 Cabins & Suites w/ verandas 1,177 Suites 56 Maximum Occupancy per room 5 Age Restrictions One person must be 21 or older Dinner Seatings 2 Seating Assignments  in Main Dining Room Assigned Dining Hours 6:15 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Dining Room Dress Code Dining Tipping Recommended? Yes Tipping Guidelines Added to onboard account. $12.00 per person, per day in staterooms, $12.50 per person, per day for Concierge/Aqua class, $15.50 per person, per day for Suites. 15% tip included on beverage orders. Onboard Currency US Dollar Services & Amenities Bars/Lounges 14 Beauty Salon/Barber Shop Yes Casino Yes Chapel No Disco/Dancing Yes Elevators Yes Hot Tub 10 Cell Phone Service Yes Internet Center Yes Wireless Internet Access Yes Note: Available in certain areas Laundry/Dry Cleaning Yes Library Yes Movie Theatre Yes Outdoor Movie Screen No Onboard Weddings Yes Self Serve Laundromats No Shops Yes Showroom Yes Spa Yes Video Arcade Yes Fitness & Sports Facilities Basketball Court Yes Fitness Center Yes Golf Driving Net No Golf Simulator No Water Slide No Water Sports Platform No Ice Skating Rink No Jogging Track Yes Mini-Golf Course No Rock Climbing Wall No Swimming Pool 3 Tennis Court No Cabin Features & Amenities Hair Dryer Yes Safe Yes Telephone Yes Television Yes 24-Hour Room Service Yes Kids Facilities Babysitting Yes Children’s Playroom Yes Kiddie Pool No Supervised Youth Program Yes Teen Center Yes Special Needs & Requests Adjoining Cabins (private connecting doors) Yes Kosher Meals Yes Single Occupancy Cabins No Single Share Program No Wheelchair-Accessible Cabins 30 Speak to a Cruise Specialist 800-180-095 Call toll free from Portugal to our US offices Open Mon 12am-4am, 12:30pm-12am, Tue-Fri 12am-8am, 12:30pm-12am,  Sat 12am-8am, 3pm – 12am, Sun 12am-2am, 4pm-12am

Here is the deck plan for the Celebrity Solstice from which we chose our preferred cabin on this level in Category 2B.  Please scroll to the right to see the far right of the entire deck plan. 

Celebrity Solstice Deck 7 – Sunrise

Sky Suite Category S1 Features include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, two beds convertible to queen-size, bathroom with shower/tub combination and washbasin, living room with sofa queen sleeper and vanity, mini refrigerator, 40″ LCD TV, and veranda with lounge seating. (stateroom: 300 sq. ft., veranda: 79 sq. ft.) Family Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda Category FV Features include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, master bedroom with two beds convertible to queen-size, second bedroom with one twin bed, sitting area with sofa convertible to trundle bed, vanity, privacy partition, 32″ LCD TV and veranda. (stateroom: 575 sq. ft., veranda: 53 to 105 sq. ft.) Sunset Veranda Category SV Features include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, sitting area with sofa, two beds convertible to queen-size, vanity, 32″ LCD TV and veranda. Some staterooms may have a trundle bed. (stateroom: 194 sq. ft., veranda: 54 sq. ft.) Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Veranda Category 1A Category 2A Category 2B Features include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, two beds convertible to queen-size, sitting area with sofa, vanity, 32″ LCD TV and veranda. Some staterooms may have a trundle bed. (stateroom: 194 sq. ft., veranda: 54 sq. ft.) Ocean View Stateroom Category 07 Features include an ocean view window, two beds convertible to queen-size, vanity, 32″ LCD TV and a sitting area with sofa. Some cabins may have a trundle bed. (177 sq. ft.) Inside Stateroom Category 11 Features include two beds convertible to queen-size, vanity, 32″ LCD TV and sitting area with sofa. Some cabins may have a trundle bed.(183 to 200 sq. ft.) Legend: Convertible Sofa Bed Inside Stateroom Door Location One Upper Berth Triple Occupancy Quadruple Occupancy Two Upper Berths Connecting Staterooms Wheelchair Accessible Stateroom Featuring Roll-In Showers

In all, we’re thrilled with the price, our cabin selection and of course, the itinerary as shown above. As with all of our cruises, we’ll be sharing details and photos of the ship, the ports of call, the excursions we choose and the meals.

More follows tomorrow with details of the second cruise we booked in the past few days on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Photo from one year ago today, July 7, 2013:

A year ago, we wrote about mechanical issues and nuances of living in a 300-year-old house in Boveglio, Tuscany, Italy. his photo of Tom standing in the hallway, at 6 feet, 1.83 meters, his head almost reaches the ceiling. If he didn’t walk down the hall straight and centered, he’d bang his head. also note, the  upcoming doorway at eye level in which he had to duck to enter. For more details about the old stone house, please click here.