susanannie

seaworthy98

Crystal should let you know by tomorrow. I cannot find the post from Walter Littlejohn (there are so many different boards on low water these past weeks), but he laid out Crystal’s whole process. The last step is notifying passengers of itinerary changes five days out. 

We were on the Mahler amended itinerary sailing September 1-17. We were originally scheduled Amsterdam to Budapest. The amended itinerary was round-trip Amsterdam. Like almost everyone else, we selected this itinerary specifically for Vienna and Budapest. About 60 passengers decided to travel on the amended itinerary.

What I learned on board is how many moving pieces there are to totally reroute a ship, especially when so many others are rerouting at the same time. There are limits to how many can dock in any one place, in addition to the availability of tour guides and venues to visit. The competition for resources is great. In addition, Crystal offers a Michelin dinner option and a Signature event that cannot be held everywhere. It is like doing a 5,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. It involves corporate headquarters, booking agencies and onboard staff scheduling the buses and handling the anxious passengers. I am amazed at the trip Crystal provided (and I’m a pretty tough customer).

When we boarded, we were given excursion choices for the first three days only. The other days were still being finalized. Luckily, Crystal was able to arrange a charter boat that sailed down the middle Rhine for a couple of hours so we could see the castles. This was part of a full day tour to Rudesheim, leaving on buses from Koblenz. In addition to the boat ride, we had a wonderful lunch in Rudesheim, visited the Mechanical Instrument Museum and rode a cable car over the vineyards with a beautiful view of the Rhine. It was a lovely day.

We were scheduled for three nights in Bernkastel, Germany. If I hadn’t read Sarasota Scott’s cruisecritic posts (he was on the amended cruise before us), I would have wondered what we were going to do in this sleepy little town for two days. The excursions included a Bernkastel walking tour with wine tasting, Landshut Castle hike, and full day trips to Luxemburg and Trier. The full day trips were great and we were never in a bus for more than 60 to 75 minutes.

Cochem and Koblenz (Germany) offered tours of castles and a fortress, city walks and eBike adventures. All worthwhile.

There were four tours in Dusseldorf, Germany. I enjoyed the walking tour with tastings. We ate from a produce stand, had candy and hot chocolate,and ended with a feast of meats, cheeses and beer fit for Henry VIII. I enjoyed Dusseldorf so much that I hope to return.

There were four tours in Arnhem, The Netherlands. A castle (more like a palace), the amazing Airborne Museum, an eBike tour and a museum tour.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands offered four tours including The Hague,the Delft’s Blue factory and Kinderdijk & Dutch windmills.

In Ghent, Belgium, you could take tours in town or an all day tour to Bruges. In Antwerp, Belgium, you could likewise stay in town or take an all day tour to Brussels. The Crystal Signature Event in Antwerp was magical.

There was no hint that this itinerary was not planned months in advance. The excursions were professional and meaningful. The buses were never crowded with passengers. (On more than one occasion, the group could have fit into one bus, but we were split between two buses for comfort.) I never saw more than 17 passengers per guide. One time the group was split 7 and 10 between two guides. There was always at least one Crystal representative with each group to handle any issues that might arise. In many ports, the tours were spaced so that you could take one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The service was impeccable. The food was excellent.

I hope this helps explain my perception of why the amended itineraries don’t all visit the same ports or offer the same excursion choices.In my opinion, Crystal is doing an amazing job trying to bring guests a superior experience.

Am I still disappointed that I missed Vienna and Budapest? Yes. Am I the least bit disappointed that I sailed on the amended itinerary? Not at all.

I know that this post is too late for smj223, but I wanted to share my experience for anyone else with an upcoming Crystal river cruise who may have to face an amended itinerary.

We were on the Mahler amended itinerary sailing September 1-17. We were originally scheduled Amsterdam to Budapest. The amended itinerary was round-trip Amsterdam. Like almost everyone else, we selected this itinerary specifically for Vienna and Budapest. About 60 passengers decided to travel on the amended itinerary.

What I learned on board is how many moving pieces there are to totally reroute a ship, especially when so many others are rerouting at the same time. There are limits to how many can dock in any one place, in addition to the availability of tour guides and venues to visit. The competition for resources is great. In addition, Crystal offers a Michelin dinner option and a Signature event that cannot be held everywhere. It is like doing a 5,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. It involves corporate headquarters, booking agencies and onboard staff scheduling the buses and handling the anxious passengers. I am amazed at the trip Crystal provided (and I’m a pretty tough customer).

When we boarded, we were given excursion choices for the first three days only. The other days were still being finalized. Luckily, Crystal was able to arrange a charter boat that sailed down the middle Rhine for a couple of hours so we could see the castles. This was part of a full day tour to Rudesheim, leaving on buses from Koblenz. In addition to the boat ride, we had a wonderful lunch in Rudesheim, visited the Mechanical Instrument Museum and rode a cable car over the vineyards with a beautiful view of the Rhine. It was a lovely day.

We were scheduled for three nights in Bernkastel, Germany. If I hadn’t read Sarasota Scott’s cruisecritic posts (he was on the amended cruise before us), I would have wondered what we were going to do in this sleepy little town for two days. The excursions included a Bernkastel walking tour with wine tasting, Landshut Castle hike, and full day trips to Luxemburg and Trier. The full day trips were great and we were never in a bus for more than 60 to 75 minutes.

Cochem and Koblenz (Germany) offered tours of castles and a fortress, city walks and eBike adventures. All worthwhile.

There were four tours in Dusseldorf, Germany. I enjoyed the walking tour with tastings. We ate from a produce stand, had candy and hot chocolate,and ended with a feast of meats, cheeses and beer fit for Henry VIII. I enjoyed Dusseldorf so much that I hope to return.

There were four tours in Arnhem, The Netherlands. A castle (more like a palace), the amazing Airborne Museum, an eBike tour and a museum tour.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands offered four tours including The Hague, the Delft’s Blue factory and Kinderdijk & Dutch windmills.

In Ghent, Belgium, you could take tours in town or an all day tour to Bruges. In Antwerp, Belgium, you could likewise stay in town or take an all day tour to Brussels. The Crystal Signature Event in Antwerp was magical.

There was no hint that this itinerary was not planned months in advance. The excursions were professional and meaningful. The buses were never crowded with passengers. (On more than one occasion, the group could have fit into one bus, but we were split between two buses for comfort.) I never saw more than 17 passengers per guide. One time the group was split 7 and 10 between two guides. There was always at least one Crystal representative with each group to handle any issues that might arise. In many ports, the tours were spaced so that you could take one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The service was impeccable. The food was excellent.

I hope this helps explain my perception of why the amended itineraries don’t all visit the same ports or offer the same excursion choices.In my opinion, Crystal is doing an amazing job trying to bring guests a superior experience.

Am I still disappointed that I missed Vienna and Budapest? Yes. Am I the least bit disappointed that I sailed on the amended itinerary? Not at all.

Does anyone know where the Crystal Mahler is currently?

 

Thanks....

Is this Barbara? Are you scheduled to leave on Crystal Mahler on October 3rd?

This is Susan. I got off Mahler yesterday. We did round trip Amsterdam instead of Amsterdam to Budapest. It is my understanding that Mahler is doing a similar itinerary right now.

If it turns out that your itinerary is also adjusted, I can help you by sharing the experiences we had on our trip.

Even though it is still disappointing that we did not make it to Vienna and Budapest, we had a great time and saw many places we may not have ever visited like Luxembourg, Brussels and Bruges.

Susan

We are sailing on an amended itinerary. Look back through this thread and you will see the amended itinerary I posted. We were supposed to sail from Amsterdam to Budapest. We are now doing round trip Amsterdam.

I’m on the Mahler now. What would you like to know.

Susan

The socket will look like that in Type F (two round pins). This socket will also accept plug Type F and Type C, as well as adapters:

 

https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

Thanks!

Susan

I am currently on the Mahler and we are having a Faboulous Cruise. Currently we are about to dock for an over night stay in Bernkastel. Good tour choices from here, we picked a full day in Luxembourg. Tomorrow a full day tour to Trier. We had a great visit to Koblenz and Cochem....great places and wonderful tours. It’s like a private yacht experience due to cancellations. Great food and super staff...I’m loving it!!

 

Scott,

 

I can't tell you how influential you have been in helping us decide whether or not to take the amended Mahler cruise embarking on September 1. Thank you!!

 

Are you able to convey the shape of the 220v sockets in the cabins? We want to bring adapters so that we can use the 220v as well as the 110 v receptacles.

 

Our adapter kit has flat-vertical, flat-angled, and short/long round peg. We also have the large 3-prong style. Do any of these shapes look like the sockets in the cabins?

 

Thank you again.

 

Susan

Diane--

Here is the info. Sorry about the formatting.

* Guests who wishto cruise on the amended itinerary may do so and will receive the followingbenefits:

* A Future Cruise Credit of $2,000 per guest,valid toward any Crystal experience (Ocean, River or Yacht Expedition)embarking on or before July 31, 2020.

* For guests with independentflight arrangements as the amended cruise now ends in Amsterdam rather thanBudapest, we are pleased to provide up to $1,000 per guest reimbursement forthe cost of amending the return flight from Budapest (BUD) to Amsterdam (AMS)or towards the purchase of a separate economy-class ticket from Amsterdam toBudapest on September 17.

* Guests who donot wish to travel on the amended itinerary may cancel and receive a FutureCruise Credit equal to 100% of the cruise fare paid, valid toward any CrystalExperience (Ocean, River or Yacht Expedition) embarking on or before July 31,2020.

Shore Excursions

Our onboard and shoreside teams are diligently preparingfor your client's alternate itinerary, including setting up new shore excursionopportunities. Registration forms will be delivered to their suite on board theship.

Pleasereview these options with your clients, and let us know their preference nolater than Friday, August 24.

Susan

We just got our schedule change from the travel agent by email. The format is really bad, but here goes:

NEW Itinerary:

Day

Location

Arrive

Depart

Sep 1

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Embark am

10 pm

Sep 2

Nijmegen, Netherlands

8 am

4 pm

Sep 3

Cruising the Rhine River

Sep 4

Koblenz, Germany

10 am

10 pm

Sep 5

Bernkastel, Germany

6 pm

Overnight

Sep 6

Bernkastel, Germany

Overnight

Sep 7

Bernkastel, Germany

10 pm

Sep 8

Cochem, Germany

7 am

12:30 pm

Koblenz, Germany

8 pm

Overnight

Sep 9

Koblenz, Germany

8 pm

Sep 10

Düsseldorf, Germany

6 am

11 pm

Sep 11

Arnhem, Netherlands

8:30 am

8 pm

Sep 12

Rotterdam, Netherlands

8 am

6 pm

Sep 13

Ghent, Belgium

7 am

10 pm

Sep 14

Antwerp, Belgium

5 am

10 pm

Sep 15

Amsterdam, Netherlands

4 pm

Overnight

Sep 16

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Overnight

Sep 17

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Disembark pm

I am currently on the Mahler and we are having a Faboulous Cruise. Currently we are about to dock for an over night stay in Bernkastel. Good tour choices from here, we picked a full day in Luxembourg. Tomorrow a full day tour to Trier. We had a great visit to Koblenz and Cochem....great places and wonderful tours. It’s like a private yacht experience due to cancellations. Great food and super staff...I’m loving it!!

 

Scott

Thanks Scott for taking the time to report on your cruise. It is very helpful information on whether or not to go with an amended itinerary.

Susan

Thanks Diane and Mrs. Claypool for your thoughts.

There are so many possible scenarios playing out in my head that it is hard to keep track. I know that no plans can be put into action until Crystal lets us know what they plan to do. Not knowing when they will make their decision is the hardest part for me.

It is nice to be able to share information with people who are in the "same boat."

Susan

Diane and Mrs. Claypool,

We are also on the Mahler scheduled to leave Amsterdam on September 1. We were originally scheduled to sail at the beginning of September, 2017, but the ship was not completed in time. This is looking like a second disappointment for me. My husband is excited about any adventure. I am most disappointed about the possibility of missing Vienna.

If the September 1 itinerary is about the same as the last two Mahler cruises, are you going to go ahead with the amended itinerary?

Diane, we also received our cruise documents weeks ago.

Susan