cruisr

Too bad,  I really liked that ship. 
Mitsui OSK is the buyer and she will leave the fleet on August 22, 2024

Seabourn will work to put guests booked past 8/22/24 on other sailings

Wonder why they sold her?  Bean counters at work?

16 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

I met him on board.

I can tell you his lifestyle isn't that healthy and I for one would not be taking any advice from him about health.

@Mr LuxuryI just think its case of you leading astray this poor man.  I heard he was writing another book about how to stay strong against the temptation of fine wine, strong drinks and brilliant conversation.

Yoga on a beach? Chanting in a forest?

In all seriousness I have looked at these “mindful” excursions and none of them spoke to me so I passed on being mindful.

@SLSDWhat cruise do you have booked?

I like the idea that Explora has about entertainment, different venues, different artists, etc.

The best entertainment I experienced on Seabourn was on the Pride and it was an opera theme cruise.  It was fantastic and the singers were amazing.  I do enjoy when “local” entertainment is brought on.  Really enjoyed in Dublin when a group of high school kids were brought on.  They performed brilliantly and gave off a River Dance vibe.  Very talented.

2 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

This is sounding like grade school.

 

My basketball is bigger and better than yours.  I have the best bicycle faster and sleeker than your.

 

And I thought this thread was about price comparisons between current and past pricing on Crystal.

 

Keith

Not at all.  Amenities, whatever they may be, are part of the price/value equation.  If certain things are on other luxury lines and you can sail on those lines for less, that goes into the equation. Bars, lounges, jigsaw puzzles, whatever.  I look at a lot of different things before I decide which cruise line I book.  I think someone on here always says “choice is good” 😉

I have done a variation of this itinerary and have been to just about all the ports except the northernmost port in Scotland,  Did it in May.  Weather was crazy.  In southern Scotland we had blue skies and an around the pool tastings of scottish food and whiskey.  People couldn’t believe how great the weather was.

Iceland is incredible and not to be missed.  I have been there in May and in July and again weather can change in ten minutes.  
 

Go, you will enjoy it.

12 hours ago, TER777 said:

Perhaps Old Crystal used this company. Does anyone know?

They did not.  Air department as well as itinerary planning was all done in house, no outsourcing to a different company.

I guess it’s cheaper than hiring full time employees and all the costing which that involves.  Time will tell if it works out.  They may have contracts and bulk rates with many carriers but they may not be what the guest wants.  Time will tell how this works out.

Good.  Maybe this one will make things better. There is no customer service from HQ and it trickles down to the ships. 

@Keith1010Quick question,  Are your bags packed yet?

21 hours ago, travelberlin said:

There was an expiration date for the double upgrade plus the OBC at Explora if you are MSC diamond. I believe it was either February 23rd or 28th. There is no expiration date for matching status between others and MSC.

Ivi

Got status matched to Diamond status and picked a great Explora cruise with a 15% single supplement.  Thanks for the info on the MSC status match which would apply to Explora.  I expect prices to drop on Crystal and if they do, for singles and doubles I will revisit that choice.

The huge difference for me in choosing Explora over Crystal is the 15% single supplement.  I sometimes sail as a single and my choice of the IMO awful window cabins forward on Crystal or paying almost double if I want better is ridiculous.  Explora has larger suites and I like their itineraries.

October will be cold, rainy and generally not pleasant.  Not sure if you would even want to be in the pool.  There is also a chance of snow depending on the port.  I was really surprised when I saw how long the Alaska season is for 2023.  In the past they were out if Alaska by Labor Day.

You can always opt for keeping your luggage with you and disembark with it.  This eliminates the need for hoping your luggage off loading from the ship is done in a timely manner.  There is no traffic on Sunday, especially in the AM.  I have done this self debarkation a number of times in different ports and with wheels on my suitcase I never had an issue.

I did not book anything either.  i have two cruises booked for his year and one for next year on other luxury lines and saw nothing of interest for 23/24 on Crystal.  Maybe in 2025?

For those that are booking, keep it up as I went out to lunch with my TA today (she is a personal friend) and she had questions today on a sailing and she called Crystal and got through immediately as I did yesterday.  Crystal needs those bookings so they are still there for us waiting until 2025.

4 hours ago, MsCrystalina said:

I sent a request for a holiday Serenity quote.  Had a phone message left from a personable male 2 days later.    Left a message on his vm as sorry to have missed the call and repeated the questions I wanted answered.    Three days now and no callback nor even an email.    I thought I could save my TA being on hold for hours as is happening to all.      Will recheck their web site when hell freezes over to see if anything meaningful has been added.     

The rush is over.  Less than one minute to get through to reservation agent. 

45 minutes ago, goldengatecruisers said:

I was also told the Crystal Reservations Agents are in Guatemala.  I wonder why they have outsourced the sales office as I thought it was previously stateside.

They can pay outsourced people in other countries a lot less than U.S. based employees.

I found I got better answers when I ask my questions in Spanish.  Every phone agent I spoke to is in Guatemala.  LOL my Spanish gets me by as I usually ask basic questions and understand the answers.

I may have asked the gal I spoke to if I can stay with the Captain.  She did say, “Si” so I guess I know where my suite is LOL.  

If you look at your $500.00 open booking deposit it actually says on it that the shipboard credit can not be used in the casino.  I think they will have one.

23 minutes ago, oakridger said:

 

This may be a problem for me but I'm waiting to see how things shake out before I make any decisions one way or the other.

 

~Nancy

LOL. It’s Definitely a problem for me.

On 2/4/2023 at 3:57 AM, Stickman1990 said:

 

5% on these bookings - long term who knows but I believe it’s currently a double discount so probably 2.5%
 

By comparison another luxury line does offer past cruisers a discount - but only on selected cruises - it’s not on everything

Yes, certain cruises and I have received 10% past guest discounts on these cruises.

Didn’t book anything and I was hoping there would be a reason to.   Maybe 2025?

I hope all of you that booked have a wonderful cruise.  I have two cruises booked this year on other luxury lines and one for 2024 so far that I am looking forward to.

1 hour ago, nancygp said:

Yes

 

Nancy

Thanks, calling to cancel our open deposits and get our money back as nothing interests me as a single and my husband when we travel together.  Sad as we were looking forward to sailing on Symphony and/or Serenity again.  Maybe in 2025 but that depends on how new Crystal delivers the product and choosing new and more interesting ports.

That $500.00 deposit is still completely refundable if nothing is booked in the first 90 days (to get the OBC),  There are only fees after you apply to a booking?  That is till correct, yes?

Nazareth?  They are cruising to Nazareth which is closer to the Sea of Galilee than to Haifa?  Call me a nit picker but there is no excuse for this.  Maybe they will be like one of those Duck Boats that go on land and sea because it appears they are also going to Laconia which is an inland location 90 minutes from Monemvsia.   I will leave it to others who want to play the Crystal version of Where’s Waldo to find other examples.

I and am not impressed with the itinerary.  Much as I love days at sea this is not compelling.  I was considering LAX to PPT but not anymore especially with just HNL and  Maui listed.  What is with 3 days in PPT?  I get its a turnover day and they don’t get in to late but they should have added an extra day somewhere and just did an overnight in PPT.  Get the disembarking bodies off in the AM and new people in that afternoon.