Celebrity Solstice - Sydney / Auckland - 12 Nights Great Barrier Reef (20 Mar to 1 Apr 2020) - from $1049pp @ CruiseSaleFinder

AssociatedCruise Sale Finder on 31/01/2020 - 16:14 cruisesalefinder.co.nz (193 clicks)
Last edited 07/02/2020 - 17:02 by 1 other user

From NZD $87 per person per night based on 2 guests

Sailing Dates

Departs: Fri, Mar 20, 2020
Arrives: Wed, Apr 1, 2020

Ports of Call

Package Includes

Private ensuite
TV for in-cabin entertainment
In cabin safe
All main meals onboard
Musical stage shows and entertainment
Special guest entertainers
Latest release movies (in cabin and on big screen)
Choice of Bars and Lounges
Fully supervised children's programs for ages 3 to 17 years

Travel Cruise

16 Mar 2020

Related Stores

cruisesalefinder.co.nz

closed Comments

danvelopment on 31/01/2020 - 16:25

I'm always interested in cruising but it's so difficult working out whether you're going to get nailed with a massive automatic tip at the end.

Of the resources I can occasionally find, they only ever talk about Australia and never NZ.
- Jaxson on 31/01/2020 - 18:43
  
  Talk to your travel agent and make it clear you need to know all eventually costs upfront.
  
  Gratuities are basically tips for the staff. It’s a somewhat foreign concept to kiwis but very common overseas. Local cruise companies (P&O for example) have stopped this separate cost and just roll the value into one advertised cost for customers. Others brands will still charge it, but you can prepay before you leave.
  - danvelopment on 01/02/2020 - 09:52
    
    I've only ever talked to a travel agent once in my life and it was to discover what I could get myself they couldn't get (I wanted to fly Singapore Airlines to Japan, in Tokyo, out Hiroshima stopping over in Singapore on the way back on the promo price, they said they couldn't do that. So I hopped on the Singapore Airlines website and booked exactly that).
    
    So I don't really have any faith in travel agents.
    
    I know what gratuities and tips are, but don't want to support the garbage American tipping system. I like what we have here, higher wages, all prices incorporate tax. What you see is what you get most of the time. Japan is even better. They'll hand you 1 yen back if you buy something that's 99 yen and give them 100.
    
    If the final price is higher than the advertised price, I have no interest. The only extra I should pay is drinks, food in the better restaurants, offshore stuff, whatever.
    
    Pay your staff more, bin mandatory tipping. I've been on a P&O cruise before which is why I want to go again and left the cleaners a sizable tip at the end. But P&O doesn't always have the destinations I'm interested in.
    
    Or, at the bare minimum, advertise the price inclusive of everything.
    - Jaxson on 01/02/2020 - 13:13
      
      Yeah understand, but these are not NZ ships or companies, they only visit here. Their systems are aligned with how the rest of the world operates in cruise terms. Local companies do roll the gratuities into the final price, but international ships from outside the Pacific region most likely will not. Staff end up paid the same regardless, and gratuities assist all staff onboard, not just the few you interact with.
      
      Big tip I’d suggest for any New Zealand cruise, is ensure you take out travel insurance with specific cruise options included. Specifically cover for missed ports due to weather, as the climate here is simply all over the place now, with no guarantees of fine weather in summer anymore.
- Meridian on 01/02/2020 - 23:09
  
  Celebrity Cruises
  Celebrity Cruises fares include the daily stateroom service for all Australian and New Zealand bookings. This also applies when Australians and New Zealanders sail on cruises departing from other countries, if the fare was booked and paid in AU/NZ dollars. An 18 percent gratuity is added to all bar, mini-bar, spa and salon services and in-room dining on ships sailing in all destinations, including Australia and New Zealand.
  
  This is the same as royal Caribbean which I have gone on.. if you pay in NZ dollars the added 15 per day per person or whatever it is is included. You still pay on drinks etc as above. I dont drink on cruises as my wife doesn't drink at all or use a salon etc so never end up paying any extra.
mrtron on 31/01/2020 - 22:05

+1

Appears Taxes on top!
- danvelopment on 01/02/2020 - 10:00
  
  Just double checked, it looks like it's inclusive of tax, it's just when you press the book button it applies it for 2 people. Says $1000pp but clicking the button says this:
  Inside Stateroom Guarantee - Category Z NZD $1,350.36 2 Adults
  - Hide pricing by guest
  Adult 1 NZD $675.18
  Adult 2 NZD $675.18
  Subtotal Taxes and Fees NZD $1,350.36 NZD $748.00
  Total NZD $2,098.36
  Pay Now NZD $0.00
  Within 24-48 hours, we will ask you to pay NZD $2,098.36
  
  $1300 for 2 adults plus $750 tax. Or $1000pp.
  
  What I'm unsure about is I clicked the info button and it says tips are included if you book in Australian dollars, but everything is listed in NZD. Which makes me think you have to pay mandatory tips on top.

This was posted 4 years 10 months 23 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.