MsCrystalina

Year ago when Downton Abbey was to have the season finale, Crystal arranged it to be shown on the cabin TVs. I think it started as a passenger from UK had the video and a special request was sent to the UK broadcasters to allow it.

To wcsdkqh- you are so right! looks like every one of Delta flights- to and from Capetown- even if change Atlanta as origin- go to AMS and use KLM!! Any out of way 2 nonstops with a layover to get there would be better than that!

I am considering my first Regent cruise and find the included airfare to be a plus for Capetown . However, after reading this thread feel a bit anxious. Have flown Delta to J-burg nonstop then SA to CPT in past. Does Regent use KLM to ship one to AMS-and onward- absolutely horrid history with them- bags delayed on both flights in past, on one half of river cruise!

I don't think Silversea has any reason whatsoever to be concerned about Crystal. I have sailed with Crystal for about 10 years and 17 cruises. It took me thru Asia, Africa, South Pacific and the MId-East. along with less far cruises. I just loved it- with 25 to 30 percent solo supplements and found it affordable with excellent service. Other than the solo discount nothing was done for solo travelers - I don't care for dance hosts and don't eat at 6pm to be at a "solo group table". There were few gatherings for solo cruisers. They only have 2 ships. I will be on my second Silversea later this year. The solo activities, spacious staterooms and variety of dining were outstanding. It was a bit more expensive than the old Crystal. The new Crystal has designated forward, window cabins on deck 7 for solo occupancy. The bathtubs have been removed. Those rooms are reasonably priced in some instances but actually high for the limited space. I just checked what a balcony room (215 sp ft +) would cost me for a Caribbean holiday and it was a ridiculous $11,999.00. Also, the itineraries released thus far are not interesting and have very few ports. At present Crystal has nothing to entice me to sign on. There are newer ships with more amenities and great food, service and itineraries to experience!! That said there are those who cannot wait to get on-which are but a small number in the scheme of things!

Even the more expensive veranda suite ( ? aquamarine) does not even have a walk-in closet.

PaulMCO- Yes indeed! I didn't want to spread the news. My TA told me about it and have been studying the Regent options past 2 days!! On SS in Oct/Nov but have found some great itineraries at zero supplement - air included and large staterooms with or without a veranda before or after Oct!!!

With no response from the Crystal person regarding cost of a solo in a veranda for the holiday Caribbean cruise, I called my TA. It is 11,999- unacceptable to me for that itinerary. She did reassure me that the window cabins on 7 have been renovated. I think will put that amount toward a more interesting itinerary on a newer larger balcony stateroom on another line. Perhaps things such as price and itinerary will improve with time!

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.

They are about 25- 30 inches in height and are not obstructive unless one is lying on the veranda floor. My favorite cabins as veranda deeper and quieter location!

I am a past solo WC segmenter. I chose cabins on 7 with a window several times. Those rooms on the old 7 were solidly sold out and it appeared to me that most were world cruisers- solo and couples. Historically they were first to fill up on the WC journeys. On the non-world cruises (such as Caribbean) I was aware of the star dance couple having cabins on 7. Same for cabins on 5 on Symphony in pre-covid times.

History & Wine- thanks for the WC info!

The entry level balcony on Silversea was 40 square feet larger than the Aquamarine suite and had same features plus a full tub. When their single supplement is 25 percent there are several voyages I can get for less than the 7 th floor forward rooms allotted to we misfits!

it is not on the site.

I have had a suite on 5 and I was not aware of any obstructions while on the balcony. I did not spend a whole lot of time on it but was able to sun and take pictures of the sea and ports. Of course, the higher one is the wider and further the view.

Amazing that thousands of people have given sums of money for what is an unknown entity! No updates as to the progress on the "refurbishment" (has it even started?), size and costs of the staterooms, and long delay in itineraries. I was a Crystal cruiser who must see and study a product before throwing money at it. With thousands wanting to be on the very first sailing, I suppose there will be drawings, a lottery or more costs! Unbelievable and comical situation to me.

I received an email regarding the new NOVA yesterday. Very beautiful lounges, dining venues and staterooms. Walls of glass including elevators! Hope is on schedule as will board in mid -October!

I recently had my first Silversea cruise and wrote a summary for the Crystal site- as a newcomer unaware of past: 144 July 15, 2014 North Carolina #60 Posted October 14 I just completed a 9-night cruise on Silversea Silver Spirit from Istanbul to Athens with pre- and post-cruise stays independently booked. It felt like I had 3 wonderful vacations! I found the veranda suite to be better than my 17 trips on Crystal. The separate shower plus a tub was much better than standing in the tub. The walk-in closet held all my clothing with a 6-drawer chest so my things were in one place and not all over the room! I am not a light packer and there was spare room . The room included a comfortable bed with Italian linens, a wall of granite covered console/desk/mini-fridge, and make up area with nice bench and even more shelves. There was a full-size comfortable sofa and a larger table for dining. Multiposition chairs on the balcony and a butler is standard for all cabins. I would have had to pay much more than I did for a penthouse suite on the past Crystal. The first evening a cocktail gathering was held for solo passengers and was a great success - with dining companions for the duration established from the large population of solos on board. On Crystal these rarely occurred and were never on first night or early in the cruise. The Crystal 6pm solo tables in the restaurants were found very insulting to me. Silversea definitely has the expertise to treat solo travelers special and the 25 percent supplement is reasonable. The diversity of dining venues was enjoyed- especially the jazz supper-club venue Silver Notes and the French - La Dame. IMHO the $60 charge was worth it. The main dining room Atlantide had many choices and one could have caviar and fois gras with every meal if so inclined. My one concern was the steaks- one overcooked and one perfect but not as tender as expected. Breakfast was in Terrazza which had multiple stations and not the long lines of CC. It was never as crowded or loud as the Lido. Russ Grieve was the cruise director and he was extraordinary- he can sing, dance and run Trivia. Such a nice, welcoming, happy talent! He got crowds dancing with the on-board entertainers during a show in the Panorama lounge. The onboard 6 singers and musical trio were very good. There were no big production shows as on CC but what I did attend were entertaining and I found the singers to be on par with CC. Best of all the duo in Silver Notes from Capetown- a female singer and male pianist are the best act on the sea. She sung plenty of jazz from all the greats and also some pop. They did 2 sets during my leisurely dinner there. It is a smaller place and that makes it better. Excursions were included and were of the quality of what I paid for with CC. There was only one that was basically a trip to shop at a tourist trap on Santorini. The butler was nice and had my requested wines and champagne stocked promptly and restocked . He did help me with necklaces. I did not want any between meal snacks but one of my "group" asked once for champagne and caviar one afternoon and it showed up daily. I found all except the front desk people to be very friendly. The 2 times I asked them anything I got the impression I was bothering them, and they never smiled. The cleaning and wait staff knew my name and delivered excellent service with a smile. No complaints., In summary I had a wonderful time with a new cruise line which was a totally different experience than Crystal. I found the differences to be better- or at least to me. I do plan to sail with Silversea in the future.

I agree- I have and do want to make all my arrangements and have no use for the door-to-door plans! As a solo can do much better with hotel rates than the cruise lines offer me!

Just off the Spirit and all restaurants open. I ate in most and no staffing issues were present.

I agree with you- more of the "older" did not dress up- no SS yet for 2 weeks but on Crystal, Cunard HAL and Princess "younger" more dressed up!

On a recent Uniworld Nile cruise, we had police escort car for the 2 tour buses along with one behind the buses. A well-dressed security guard was on each bus and with us during the tours. My transport car to/from the airport in Cairo had a driver and a security guard who met me before baggage claim. There was one couple who chose to have a private car guide in Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel and included driver plus a guard. Would expect same from Safaga to Luxor- is at least 3 hour drive with guard outposts along the road.

Thanks so much!

No response from SS. Does anyone know address of the embarkation port in Istanbul? thanks