Jump to content

kool kruiser

Members
  • Posts

    1,450
  • Joined

About Me

  • Location
    christchurch england
  • Interests
    soccer travel theatre
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Crystal, Azamara
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Venice

Recent Profile Visitors

The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.

kool kruiser's Achievements

Cool Cruiser

Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. Indeed ! we also found the Lobby bar a hopeless venue and gave up on it very early on. Looks great but doesn't work. For us, we will follow this board as the line evolves and they realise that they must provide what their customers want and not the other way round !! Take care Colin
  2. Thanks Adrian for, as ever, brightening up my days with your terrific missives. Everything you say was very much in accordance with our November trip, although the entertainment and enrichment seems to have improved a tad.Hope we meet again real soon. Love to E. Colin
  3. Ashley What seems surprising is that, with fewer passengers, internet on New crystal seems to be much poorer than on Old Crystal !!
  4. And, with Explora, the line in question, no up-charge !
  5. My needs are like yours and I understand what you are saying. However, my point is somewhat different . Crystal's competitors in this cruise sector all facilitate, without upcharge, the others to whom you refer. The decision by Crystal to nickel and dime them is, in my view, very foolish and should be reversed. I think Travelberlin/lvi has also put it perfectly.
  6. I have noticed that an enhanced internet offering has been introduced with a daily charge of $20 or $100 for seven days. Whilst being a relatively modest upcharge, for me at least, it goes against the grain for a cruiseline in the luxury segment to be making such a charge. Taking Explora as a comparison, their wifi had terrific reliability and speeds and was included in the fare, with no premium offering available or indeed needed. My understanding is that the other luxury lines, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea also do not have a supplementary charge option. I truly believe that this is an unwise move, appearing to be nickel and diming and ill-befitting of such an excellent product as Crystal, being more suited to the mainstream cruiselines. I hope there is a groundswell of negative feedback and this idea is rapidly kicked into touch. Thoughts ? ,
  7. Another big thank you to Terry for taking the time to keep us so well informed. Looking forward to those promised further thoughts etc.
  8. As the other cc'er very kindly name-checked by you, looking forward to your thoughts etc. Congrats on reaching 37, 47 or whatever that first number is... I know you will embrace and enjoy every moment, although I hope the change from your normal weather patterns will not cause an unexpected fever😀. Since we were onboard, I think the entertainment offering has significantly improved, whilst there seems to have been no compensatory decline elsewhere. Whilst I share many of Mr Stickman's views, I sincerely hope you become, like me, a conscientous objector to Exploraspeak and refuse to adopt such nonsense...sorry Terry ! Love to E and have a great time. Colin
  9. My take is that pricing is evolutionary. I recall that prior to launch Explora, in a lenghty presentation, stated that they would not discount or offer promotions, preferring to sail with many unsold cabins. My, that changed very quickly ! Crystal have indicated that they were not too worried with initial loadings, as they felt that many already had tied up their travel plans. Let's see how things develop, as their current passenger count on many sailings is very low, although some are very full. At present, they have an attractive upgrade offer. I have certain reservations preventing me from booking a further Explora cruise at present but my mind is certainly not closed. As for Crystal. two cruises booked, another in mind but too pricey for now. To sum up, I think the introduction of so much increased inventory in this sector means that optimum pricing levels have yet to stabilise.
  10. Thanks. I have never attempted a special order of a caviar dish but I do recall successfully requesting a special order of escargots. Our next two cruises are each short 7 dayers, so, with three speciality meals to fit in, together with a Thanksgiving menu in November, there is a strong possibility of our missing out on a favourite dish !
  11. Are you able to detail the exceptions, please? Thanks.
  12. As with Stickman, we are really happy with both, for very different reasons. Cabins for us are a place to sleep, wash and change. Of course, if luxurious and bigger cabins are your thing, then naturally Explora wins hands down. For us, we love the food quality and service on both. However, if it's entertainment and enrichment you're after, then it has to be Crystal. At present, subject to pricing, it will be Crystal for us by a whisker. The big downer on Explora is the never changing menus and poorer inclusive wines. Now if these were to change and entertainment and enrichment continues to evolve, a very difficult decision arises. So, both lines appeal for very different reasons, as the experience is so different. We feel so so lucky to be able to enjoy such stellar products.
  13. Thanks so much for again taking the time to post. Seems to be excellent programming. I noticed that the CD is Tanya, who we met on Explora. If you get a chance, please pass on my warmest regards and perhaps tease her that she now has a title in plain cruisespeak😀. Thanks and have a great cruise Colin
  14. Many thanks. Take clothing for all eventualities seems to be what is needed for this itinerary.
  15. Ken, your blog has been fantastic. Your second segment is on our radar for the future, at this time of year, as part of a bigger trip. As regards the weather, can you possibly provide an overview of the range, variations etc. This will help to inform packing, so as to ensure the experience is maximised. Thanks
×
×
  • Create New...