Old Sea Dog

We returned late last night from Symphony having had a great cruise with just 147 passengers 

The ship operated in all departments as if it was full

I had conversations with the Captain, Cruise director, Future Cruise Booking personnel and 

Herbert, Food & Beverage Manager who all explained that the present passenger numbers were all factored into the operation before sailings commenced.

The projections are that numbers will be low for the next few months but they are already showing positive growth for the ship’s return to Europe in early 2024.

The present sailing has 250 guests who I’m sure will have a fabulous cruise to Mumbai.

We are booked for a back to back early in 25 and can’t wait.

Aboard Symphony tonight was formal and an approximate 60-40 split in favour of formal

Waterside looked very fitting of the occasion 

On 10/14/2023 at 7:28 PM, avalon1025 said:

I’d say wait a bit,  I’ve placed some clients on the new crystal and though on board product is still great,  there are still issues with this start up.  Missing reservations on board for restaurants and shore excursions.  No record of transfers.  Etc.  Bring all your paperwork and back up on board,  not what I’d call luxury right now 

We are at present on Symphony and the above comments could not be further from the reality on this sailing 

The ship it’s personnel from top to bottom are exceptional,the food is improved from OC.

Tonight is formal with Captains greet and meet and majority of passengers are dressed accordingly which gives the ship an elegant look and feel

You would be very hard pressed to find this quality of product on any other line and I speak from experience of just a mere thirty sailings with Crystal 

Yes it is well worth the experience.

We have been fortunate to do it three times however if you are elderly like ourselves we would recommend breaking the journey each way

On our first visit we did the return direct from Auckland with just a change of planes in Singapore and it took us nearly a week to recover. Subsequent visits we have stayed over in Dubai, Hong Kong, and found the trip totally manageable and enjoyable.

All the advice you have been given is very relevant to a trip of this nature from the U.K. 

15 hours ago, BWIVince said:

Some Crystal Harmony memories, from her first couple years in service…

 

 

The aft elevator lobby on Tiffany Deck 6.  This area changed a lot on the subsequent ships.

 

 

The Vista Lounge at Sunset.

 

 

The Trident Bar when it still dipped down into the Neptune Pool.  The sunken bar-top on the right-hand side of the photo (beyond the white tiled pool surround) served the swim-up barstools inside the pool in its early years.

 

 

The Crystal Plaza’s original furnishings, and with the fountain in action.

 

Time flies…

 

Vince

This series of photos is the very reason we enjoyed Harmony so much and the transition to Symphony was so painless 

As the present passenger numbers are low has anyone experienced a complement upgrade.

Just curious 

19 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

As a throw back, remembering when NYK was the owner, it was the Japanese Hostess who also did the needlework sessions. 😍

 

Patty

We were fortunate to cruise many times with her, she was so genuine so much so that when my daughter got engaged onboard she came to my wife and I in tears to congratulate us. A charming person

On 8/25/2023 at 2:09 AM, CruiseCriticAaron said:

Hi everyone,

 

Cruise Critic will be sailing aboard Crystal Symphony when it debuts in Piraeus on September 1. We're doing a quick segment over to Izmir but will be posting photos in our Live From coverage, as well as updating our full Ship Review for Crystal Symphony.

 

If there's anything you're curious about with Symphony's relaunch, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to check it out once onboard!

My wife would like to know if they do or intend to have the crafts get together for painting, needlework,knitting 

Thankyou

2 minutes ago, Dizer65 said:

Hello. After much research I’ve chosen Crystal for our next ( and second ) cruise.  It was the Scoops Ice cream bar that swung it 😛
On looking at the website it would seem the only option to book is to call, or am I missing something ?   I’m in the UK.  
Thanks 

Firstly you have made an excellent choice.

Yes the options you have are by phone or getting a TA to act for you.

When I booked I was unable to find a U.K. based agent so booked with one in the USA

If you can find a good U.K. agent then it does make things easier re conversion of currency.

Received from our TA a notification from Crystal that they will now provide visa’s for Egypt and Oman onboard.

Charge will be made to your onboard account 

22 hours ago, Worldtraveler22 said:

Interesting update from Port agency in Suez. Here is what he wrote to me today. 
 

You do not have to do anything, all will be arranged by us as port agent with the Cruise company.

Wish you a happy sailing onboard and a lovely visit to our Country Egypt

 

Best regards,

IMHO this just muddies the water even more. Crystal have categorically said they are not involved In Egyptian visas as it’s the passengers responsibility and this implies that they will have to be.

Personally I’d be very wary of his statement.

This was quite a saga.

Firstly our US TA contacted Crystal as I enquired if they were doing a group visa.

The answer was no you must do your own.

After reading both the U.K. government and the Egyptian embassy requirements all they confirmed was visa on entry at airports nothing about sea ports.Phone calls and emails to help desk went unanswered.

After contacting local TAs no firm answer was forthcoming so it was recommended we go for a multiple entry one so we at least we’re covered as we did not want to be refused entry at the second port.

We used the online visa service which also gave us grief as it has done with our Canadian travelling companions.

I must say the cost was a shock but we now have the required documents so no need to worry 

I hope you have a trouble free experience 

Beware  Egyptian Visa

We are U.K. citizens on the October 9 th sailing and visas are a must.

However we were advised that the single entry one was not appropriate for this voyage as we are in and out of the country on at least three occasions.

So we applied and received a multiple entry one which cost 120 US per couple.

The website is not the best and can be difficult to navigate from our experience.

42 minutes ago, crickette said:

It doesn't surprise us that the new Crystal is describing a different dress code than seasoned Crystal cruisers experienced on OC.  As I have said before, we think NC will have a stronger European style, and that approach to evening dress is generally more elegant.

Plus 4

Plus 2

They are at present all by coach and total twelve hours each however they are subject to change.

On which our love affair with Crystal started

1 hour ago, bitob said:

FYI. Fabulous place. We stayed there for several days at the end of 3 week trip to Egypt. I’ve never seen it on a cruise itinerary 

It together with Aden we’re on the very first itinerary for those who had paid 500Us

Both ports were of much interest especially to any British passengers.

Just noticed that on the above cruise the port of Sharm El Sheikh has been removed so visit to Mount Sinai & St Catherines Monastery now impossible 

Has anyone on Cruise been advised by Crystal? 

Hello Anne

We are booked for this in October. If they will still allow guests do you want to come aboard?

Roy & Sue

5 minutes ago, Emdee said:

Fear of the sea snails?

And the cost of hull cleaning 

23 minutes ago, avalon1025 said:

.  Also,  my agent won’t touch crystal right now 

Agents I’ve used in both the U.K. and US have both said the same.

If agents are doing this how is one able to make a deposit for a future booking??

Does anyone know what the projected number of passengers are likely to be on the above sailing ?

This is our inaugural cruise with Viking as our normal cruise line Crystal with whom we have completed twenty five consecutive voyages has both ships across the pond sailing itinerary’s that are of no interest to us.

We are looking forward to an enjoyable and restful week during which we can compare products for future consideration.

Wishing everyone both onboard at present and those to board next Saturday Calm Seas & Happy Sailing.

As loyal Crystal passengers for the last twenty seven cruises we are now considering Viking due to lack of interest in Crystals proposed new Itinerary’s.

We are looking at Barcelona to Buenos Aires this autumn. Although we have previously done a similar itinerary could any one advise us as to how the two lines compare regarding food and onboard activity.

Thank you

would someone who has been onboard recently please

advise if Formal Wear is still worn on Chic Evenings,and at other times as personal choice?

We are four mature adults on Feb 17th Singapore-Abu Dhabi who are coming from Crystal and are unsure re present dress codes.

Thank you for any information :)