‘I found the perfect Bali beach alternative you don’t even need to fly to’

But you’ll need a boat. Bear with me, I’m getting to my point.... You see, I’m at a stage in my life where when I travel, all I want to do is relax.

I don’t want to make hard decisions, I don’t want to deal with logistics and I especially don’t want to deal with crowds. That is particularly hard when I love a Bali beach club.

Now, what would you do if I told you that you could have your very own personal slice of paradise that delivers all the things you love about a Bali beach club… but without the chaotic stress of crowds and logistics?

Where your hardest decision today is either to go snorkeling around the vibrant coral reef or to order another delicious cocktail by the infinity pool?

You don’t even have to fight your way for a lounge chair near the pristine, untouched white sand beach. Now that is peak relaxation and luxury. 

This is Fiji’s Malamala Beach Club.

Read more

Best time to go to Fiji if you want ‘ideal’ weather

If beach clubs were people, Malamala would be that girl. You know the type: effortlessly stunning, completely unbothered and radiating a quiet beauty that doesn’t need to shout over a crowd.

Reaching her is a masterclass in ease, offered as a seamless shore excursion aboard Celebrity Cruises’ revitalised Celebrity Solstice.

Calling the Solstice the “boat” you take to get there feels like a massive understatement – it’s a stunning cruise ship fresh off an $355 million ($US250 million) revamp that you simply have to see to believe (but more on the cruise later). 

After you step off the Solstice, a quick catamaran ride takes over, dropping you right onto the white-sand shores of the world’s very first private-island beach club, Malamala.

Your only agenda when you arrive is to spend the day in leisurely style: soaking up the tropical sun, lounging by the resort-style, infinity-edge pool and taking in the postcard-perfect backdrop of the Mamanuca Islands.

The absolute best part? You don’t have to even think about a single detail.

Everything is handled ahead of time (as well as part of your day pass) so you can completely switch off – from the island-style BBQ buffet lunch to a welcome cocktail and a personal tab card preloaded with two complimentary drinks. 

Whether you spend your afternoon perfectly horizontal or decide to chase a few thrills by snorkelling, playing beach sports, or kayaking around the island (fun fact: you can lap the whole thing in under 20 minutes!), it’s the ultimate Fiji day out.

In my opinion, it far exceeds all Bali beach clubs (and yes, I am sad to be in the office writing this, reminiscing about the impossibly beautiful clear blue water, practically begging you to drop your towel and walk straight in. Sigh). 

Introducing Celebrity Solstice

In case I haven’t sold you on this yet, then we need to talk about Celebrity Solstice. If Malamala Beach Club is that girl, then Celebrity Solstice is her fabulously wealthy, globetrotting aunt.

You know the one. She just got back from a multi-million dollar wellness retreat, her outfits are impeccably tailored, and she absolutely refuses to let you lift a finger.

She’s the one pouring you champagne and telling you to go lie down while she handles all the dinner reservations. 

I was lucky enough to be one of the 2832 guests on board revamped Celebrity Solstice’s maiden voyage to Honolulu via New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa – and with an incredible 2:1 guest-to-crew ratio, that completely unbothered, zero-logistics level of “rich aunt” pampering is practically guaranteed.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rooms, the dining, the entertainment and of course, my highlights. 

The rooms

Let’s talk about where you’ll be sleeping (after all, it’s going to be your home base for the entire trip). 

This wasn’t just a matter of swapping out a few pillows - Celebrity Solstice upgraded every one of the ship’s 1,479 cabins and even added 54 brand-new staterooms to the floor plan.

Read more

Little-known bikini rule Aussie cruisers need to know about island destination

If you really want to go all out, they’ve introduced four new room categories. You can now choose from the Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View, two different types of Panoramic Ocean View Suites or if you really want to lean into that ridiculously luxurious lifestyle – the spectacular Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite. 

We stayed in one of the beautifully refreshed Veranda staterooms and it was the perfect private sanctuary.

Imagine waking up, throwing open the doors and having your very own balcony to watch the ocean glide by before you’ve even had to look at another human being.

It’s spacious, thoughtfully designed (pro tip: there are tons of handy storage space hidden right under the bed for your suitcases!) and delivers that instant sigh of relief the moment you walk in.  

Plus, if you’re lucky enough to snag access to The Retreat Lounge and Sundeck like I did, you get to elevate that VIP feeling even further.

You’ll find a brand-new sundeck featuring an oversized hot tub, dedicated outdoor seating (hello cabana-life!) and a redesigned exclusive lounge.

Enjoying complimentary beverages and gourmet bites while unwinding in style with the services of a dedicated concierge?

Sign me up.

We probably took the retreat access too literally and spent every single day of our trip there, falling asleep to the sound of the ocean breeze and remaining blissfully unbothered by the real world.

Trust me on this one, this is one of those rare experiences where if you can swing the upgrade, you should do it.

It is so worth it. 

The dining

Remember how I said my travel philosophy right now is strictly ‘zero logistics’? The only real decisions you have to make here revolve around where you want to eat – and pro tip, the correct decision is simply doing it all, just on different nights. 

You could start with Trattoria Rossa, a gorgeously designed new Italian spot that feels like an exclusive hideaway. You get a front-row seat to the chefs making fresh pasta by hand every single day.

Do yourself a favour and order the carpaccio and the rich lobster risotto, soak up the sauce with their endless, tasty focaccia and absolutely stay for the tiramisu - they assemble it right at your table.

Or, if a premium steak is calling your name, the Fine Cut Steakhouse is where you want to be. It’s a Forbes Travel Guide-rated favourite, famous for its 30-day dry-aged cuts.

We went straight for the tomahawk, and it was a standout; pure melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Paired with their service, it’s exactly the kind of decadent meal you deserve after a hard day of doing absolutely nothing. 

If you are craving Japanese, Sushi on Five pairs locally sourced sushi with an impressive selection of imported sakes. I recommend the lobster ramen, but whatever you do, make sure to save room for the caramelised gingerbread and wasabi gelato dessert. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it does. I dream of this.

For a touch of old-world charm instead, Murano serves classic French dishes with a contemporary twist. I ordered the roasted beet salad and the butter-poached lobster tail (are you sensing a theme here? I will use any excuse to order lobster on this ship) and it did not disappoint.

(Side note: If there’s one extra experience you shouldn’t skip, it’s the behind-the-scenes tour on board. We learned that a 16-day sailing goes through roughly 60,000 bottles of water, 300,000 eggs, 6,000 bottles of Heineken and over 456 kilograms of lobster. Take that as you will, but I definitely did my part to put a dent in that lobster tally).

But what if you don’t feel like making a reservation at a specialty restaurant? 

Don’t worry, the complimentary dining options are just as fabulous. For a grand, upscale experience, the main dining room, Grand Épernay Restaurant, feels like stepping onto a classic Hollywood movie set – complete with sparkling chandeliers, a towering two-story glass wine display and flawless European-style service.

Looking for a casual, breezy vibe? The Oceanview Café has a great marketplace layout with live cooking stations for made-to-order breakfasts and lunches, all back dropped by sweeping ocean views. Alternatively, you can grab a quick, fresh-grilled burger right by the pool at the Mast Grill & Bar without even having to put real shoes on. 

Finally, because balance is key, you can follow up a spa treatment with a light bite at The Spa Café. Or, head up to the brand-new, open-air Sunset Park Café on the top deck for fresh bistro classics like breakfast sandwiches and salads. Pro tip: Whatever you do, clear your schedule for their warm cookie hour. I officially need that in my life.

The entertainment

Once you are appropriately stuffed and ready to be entertained, the Solstice has completely reimagined its nightlife and social spaces.

Consider this your blueprint for the ultimate low-effort, high-luxury getaway:

• A zen escape at The Persian Garden: Not all entertainment requires putting on real clothes. If your ultimate vibe is doing absolutely nothing, grab a pass to The Persian Garden. It’s an adults-only aquatherapy sanctuary where you can blissfully float between aromatic steam rooms and tropical rain showers. I booked myself a 50-minute massage at The Spa – and in true zero-logistics fashion, I fell asleep during the whole thing. I was that relaxed. 
• Golden hour at Sunset Park: This lush, half-acre oasis has completely transformed the top deck. Snag a drink from the newly expanded Sunset Bar, soak in those unmatched ocean views and enjoy a mix of open-air concerts, lawn games or even an outdoor movie (they have a great lineup of recent hits like Wicked and Freakier Friday).

• Post-dinner cocktails and cabaret: Wander over to the brand-new Boulevard Lounge & Bar. It has this incredibly chic, cabaret-inspired energy where you can sip on handcrafted cocktails while being serenaded by candlelit concerts and duelling pianos (with audience requests!).   
• A night at the theatre: While the ship’s grand Solstice Theatre hosts massive, brand-new production shows and high-flying acrobatics, we decided to grab our drinks and go the comedy route instead. We caught Joel Fenton’s stand-up set and let me tell you, it was an absolute experience. I highly recommend it – my ribs physically ached from laughing so hard. 
• The ultimate hangout at The Parlor: I’m just going to come out and say it – this was one of my favourite places to be on the entire ship. The Parlor is this incredibly cool, elevated sports and gaming lounge where you can just completely decompress. We spent hours here catching live games on the big screens and getting into some friendly, low-stakes competition over darts, Skee-ball and throwback board games. Pro tip: It’s also the best place to be to watch NRL (and AFL if that tickles your fancy) live and LOUD.

The verdict

Suffice to say, I’m sad to be home. It’s too damn cold in Sydney and my mind is still completely adrift in the South Pacific.

Bali will always have its charms, but if you want peak relaxation where your hardest daily choice is simply whether to order another cocktail or another plate of lobster – trust me.

Skip the flight, catch the boat and let the cruise world’s most glamorous aunt show you how travel is actually supposed to feel.

The writer travelled as a guest of Celebrity Cruises.