MsCrystalina
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Posts posted by MsCrystalina
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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!
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I recently had my first Silversea cruise and wrote a summary for the Crystal site- as a newcomer unaware of past:
- July 15, 2014
- North Carolina
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.
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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!
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Just off the Spirit and all restaurants open. I ate in most and no staffing issues were present.
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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!
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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.
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Thanks so much!
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No response from SS. Does anyone know address of the embarkation port in Istanbul? thanks
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In regards to the physically demanding aspects here is a summary: There were early wake-up calls such as 5 to 6 am so as to get out before the midday sun and heat .
Even with starting early most days went into the afternoon. Walking was strenuous- lots of irregular steps, very high steep steps combined with very low steps at same venue kept one's eyes on the ground. Surfaces uneven at most sights- stones on sand. A few higher than comfortable jumps
into small boats on some of the tours.
Recommend very good walking shoes, wide-brimmed hats, loose cotton or linen light colored clothing. Make your totes as light as possible. Water was offered freely on the buses and there was a cold water system which was great for refilling bottles. All buses had a toilet.
This is probably worse example- on last day of trip in Cairo- wake up was at 5:30am for me to embark on the tour of Pyramids and Memphis with return to hotel by 4pm. I was picked up for drive to airport at 9:15pm for a flight that left at 1:15am. Due to the traffic and multiple checkpoints at the airport, was left with one hour before boarding. This was worse timing I was aware of and unfortunately did not sleep on the 4 hour plus flight to Paris! was it worth it- ABSOLUTELY YES !
i AM RECOMMENDING THE 12 DAY BE EXTENDED INTO 14-15 so to enjoy the amenities of the Four Seasons and the Sphinx .
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I just returned from the Sphinx and had one of my best cruises ever- even including many years of ocean cruising. I travel solo and enjoy it. In addition to me, there was another female traveling solo also. I received lots of exceptional service and met many people. The itinerary was demanding physically but was so much fun and very educational. have now done 3 solo cruises with Uniworld. The other 2 waived the single supplement but do not see that happening with the Sphinx due to the popularity of it.
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It was there in August and had cocktails with it. Also was served at receptions.
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Oh that's right- it was just one time on my last one with them. Good -Hope it is offered on the Sphinx !
I leave on May 12th to it!
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I am going on my third Uniworld cruise next month. I find their decor much to my taste. From the pics of Viking and some others- they look like a dormitory room or a Holiday Inn of years past.
The service has been excellent, food and front desk exceptional. On ocean cruises Crystal was my favorite and I find the food and atmosphere on Uniworld comparable to Crystal.
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Next month will be on this beautiful river boat! Does anyone know if there is a laundry room like the European boats?
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Thanks for the review. It looks like I would be very happy on Seabourn. were you able to tell if solos were onboard or any special activities for them?
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Just received word from my TA that the Amsterdam to Budapest river cruise is cancelled- was to leave 7 June. Am not going to book it for the 3rd time!
The ones greater than 7 days are too rare with CC. I won't fly for 9 plus hours to turn around in a week!
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agree- the river is not very wide and both sided are full of castles!! Days are so full (or at least on Uniworld), room is used only for sleeping!
Both sides are great!
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Thanks for the responses. Crystal has changed to anytime dining and am spoiled by always having a large table of couples and solos. Alas all appear to be headed this way Celebrity certainly appears to have a lot of positives and I will try it in the future.
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haven't booked yet, have another one on Crystal coming up but concerned as ships getting old and prices stay high.!
Thanks
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Hello, I am considering trying new lines over Crystal. I travel solo, am in 60's. . Are solo's welcome and comfortable on Celebrity?
thanks, Ms Crystalina
Open Booking Deposit Program
in Crystal
Posted
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.