Sydney to Auckland |
2 of 2 people found this review informative
|
| |
|
Reviewed By: Crouch, Kent, Garden of England on 4th Feb 2012
|
| Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Century |
Sailed:
January,
2012 |
| Destination:
Australasia
|
Age: 46-55 |
| Cabin: Outside |
Occasion: Getting to a destination |
|
This was our first cruise with Celebrity although we have done over 30.
This 12 night cruise started in Sydney from the International Cruise Terminal located in The Rock District next to The Harbour Bridge and opposite The Opera House. Boarding commenced @ 11am (we had arrived at 10.30). It was quite well organised with the exception of not being handed our customs declaration forms to complete until check-in opened. We were then trying to complete these and being told to hurry up and keep the line moving. If these had been issued while we waited it would have saved a lot of time once inside the terminal building! On boarding the ship we were welcomed with a glass of bubbly which was a nice touch. Unlike other cruise lines, we were not shown to our state room (these were not ready until 1pm, rather late we thought considering you have to vacate by 8am on the last day!)
We took lunch on deck 11 then sat in the sunshine until told cabins were ready.
We had opted for the late sitting dinner @ 8.30pm which we attended every night. We had asked for a large table, this we got and enjoyed our other dinner companions along with good food and service.
The evening entertainment was mixed with some not to our liking but then this is an American ship and no one does better British entertainment than Thomson, fact, check the reviews!
After years of booking suites on top decks I have discovered that if you don't have good sea legs like me, you are better off on a lower deck and mid-ships. I choose one near the Medical Unit which a: was quiet and b: little movement when the sea was rough (which it was crossing the Tasman Sea!)
Ports of call were Hobart, Tasmania, The Three Sounds, Dunedin, Akaroa( for Christchurch), Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Bay of Islands and Auckland.
As with most Cruise Lines the trips are expensive but we did 4 (3 involved 90 minute coach travel each way)
One of these was Christchurch which although I am glad to have done the devistation was awful. We had 5 hours here with not much to do, very little in the way of shops and places to eat.
Anyone doing this cruise or any involving New Zealand needs to be warned that the weather here is very inclement. I like many on the cruise (including new staff members) were caught out by not packing warm clothing. Although sunny some times, temps going through the Sounds and on the South Island were only around12c!!
Once we got to the North Island things improved with warmer weather and sunshine.
The passenger mix on this cruise was Americans, Aussies and Brits with around 20% of other nationalities. The average age was 50+
The staff ratio was 1 to every 2 passengers.
The Celebrity is the oldest in the fleet but we found it to be very clean although, in need of a refurbishment in some areas with stained restaurant chairs & carpets.
Our cabin had plenty of storage and hangers and room under the huge bed for storing our large cases.
The bed was very comfortable and we both had excellent sleep even when the sea was rough.
There was plenty of activities on board, some of the sporting and game show ones involving the ships officers which was the first time I have witnessed this. I thought this was a great idea.
The best bit of the cruise for me was apart from seeing a P&O ship in Sydney (docked in a downtown area) we did not see another one for the entire cruise!
We had paid our tips "up front". Being an American ship this seems to be the norm for us Brits (known as bad tippers!) I prefer to pay the staff directly and this I would try to do when we travel with them again.
Overall we enjoyed our cruise, there were a few things that could have been improved on but I have yet to find the perfect cruise whatever the price!
|
| Quality of Food |  |
| Mainly in the formal dining room except days when we had trips booked. | | Entertainment |  |
| Will Martin, a young Kiwi classical singer, not usually my kind of music but he was very good.
An Aussie comedian who was ok. Also the Broadway show was ok but the rest more suited to an older audience. | | Shore Excursions | |
| Tauranga for Rotorua to see the Geysers, hot mud pools and Maori culturual experience although expensive @ $265 each | | Staff |  |
| Our table waiters, Irfan and Julie, also Olga our wine waiter was very efficent | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities |  |
| | Cabins | |
| | Overall Rating | |
|
Receive a FREE copy
of Fodor's
Complete
Guide to
European
Cruises
|
.jpg_thumb.jpg "Santorini sunset")
Previous Cruise Reviews
