Cruise-y

If the cruise is full (and several heading to warmer climates are full during Christmas and into January) then the limited shaded lounges won’t be available unless you get there super early. Hopefully the crew can bring out additional umbrellas if asked. 
 

There’s still quite a bit of availability on the cruise right before Christmas, so you should be ok on that one. 

Can you still ask for sun umbrellas to be placed next to your chair on the deck?

18 minutes ago, ryndam said:

Random observations for today.

 

1. If you are ever on a cruise with Annette Manhuyod, run, do not walk to the venue. She has a voice that rivals Whitney, Streisand and Garland. Just saying. 30 minute SRO set in the Palm Court. She could have kept the crowd another hour.

 

2. James Fox doing Billy Joel is back. Just wow. That’s all.

 

3. Dined in OO tonite. Between the two of us we shared 6 different starters, 2 different main courses and 3 different sorbets. Some were misses. Three were absolute hits. (Steak tartare, fig tortonelli, lamb chops). Both sorbets were fantastic.

 

4. The Avenue Saloon was the gayest gay bar we’ve seen at sea in ages. Pianist played Bohemian Rhapsody. We have never heard that live in the Avenue. And “It’s Raining Men”  - Weathergirls version. Wow. Totally spontaneous. I’m telling you, Mark Farris or Joel Spire never attracted a crowd like this one tonight. Don’t lecture about gays here. It was the most incredible, inclusive party we’ve seen in years.

 

5. Dislike #1 - no more self serve in the bistro. This was already explained earlier due to lack of a hand wash sink required by US & Canadian health authorities.

 

6. Dislike #2 - the nice Italian soap, conditioner, shampoo square bottles are really difficult to dispense.

 

7. Dislike #3 - the phone system snd the in room tablets remain an unfinished work-in-progress. Fussy annoyances.

 

That’s all for Wednesday. Night.

 

Rob

Thanks for the post. The Avenue sounds fabulous. Can’t wait. I’m really tired of Billy Joel and Frank Sinatra though. Could we do something new? 

Here’s a screen shot of all of Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editor’s Picks for the Luxury Category. 
 

A couple of the Serenity January cruises are nearly sold out. The Panama Canal transit has only a few cabins left. Is it better/worse to be on a full ship (crowds) or a nearly empty one (some venues not always open)? 

On my past Caribe sailings men were perfectly fine in jackets and no ties. Women dressed up a bit more but no hosiery in the tropics! 

3 hours ago, ryndam said:

This afternoon’s snack.

 

Thank you for posting. On OC one had a choice of nouveau canapés or traditional. Is this true on NC? I liked the modern twists but I missed the pigs in blankets of the traditional offering. 

6 hours ago, ryndam said:

Yesterdays and todays activities, for those that may be interested.

 

Rob

Thanks for posting these. Can you get a paper copy? Yay! I thought they were ipad only. 

22 minutes ago, ctjon said:

I'd like to see different food type restaurants - maybe "local" cuisine depending upon where you are sailing.  I'd also like to see a location specifically setup for cooking classes.

Agree. Good call. Cooking classes, regional cuisine and French cuisine would all be super. Just keep the promenade and Nobu. And while we’re expounding, cycle in some new speakers. It would be good to have some new educational experiences.

I love Crystal. I love champagne on embarkation. Not a big fan of the chopped iceberg Cobb salad. Plenty of other great things to eat. Sorry, I guess you'll have to call me a glass half-empty kind of guy.

Assuming all else is the same (cuisine, enrichment, entertainment, itinerary and staff):

Promenade deck without a doubt. It's unique and a draw.

Nabu. 

The cozy Avenue Saloon of Symphony.

Which is your favorite and why? Details!

Kauai is truly beautiful and I'm sure that Crystal made this decision with the best interests of everyone, including the local community.

5 hours ago, Princess Calee said:

I realize an itinerary will change regarding the "begin" time of an excursion, but what time do they generally begin in the morning on an international itinerary?  I also realize that on an excursion that will be lengthy (7 hours or more), they will need to begin early.  Mainly just referring to an excursion that will remain within the port.  Hope I have been clear in my question.  Thanks for your assistance!

I have future morning excursions booked that range from 9:00 to 11:00. Some are at 10:00 or 10:30. But I've taken excursions in the past that started at 7:00 am. It just totally depends on what you are doing, how far you are going, if lunch is included, etc. You can't generalize because they are all different. The excursion will state a start time and how long it is, so you will know before you book. Hope this was helpful.

6 hours ago, TRIPACIAN said:

I don’t know of any cruise line that shows this information on their website.  Crystal did in the past and I think they are planning on doing this in the future.

One of the reasons I first chose Crystal, many years ago (besides the itinerary and cuisine), is precisely because they DID show the lecturers and entertainment on their website. As I recall, there were several lectures I wanted to hear. It pushed me from one line (with a similar itinerary) to theirs. I can't emphasize enough how important this is to decision-making when people are deciding between brands, especially with new clients.

I want a full and exciting itinerary, but I also want good enrichment on sea days.* Crystal needs to get this old amenity back on their new website ASAP.

* Not the same guys over and over

Ha ha! Yes a golf cart. That’s what I get for thumbing on my phone. 

2 hours ago, travelberlin said:

In the Caribbean? Can you recommend something?

Oh my yes! We just walk down the beach for a while or ask a local and almost always find wonderful little places with fresh grilled fish, plantains, peas and rice, oxtail, grilled chicken, stews with island veggies, lovely tropical fruits, etc. All delicious. Perhaps not to your liking but we love local Caribbean food. Sometimes we rent a golf course and drive. 
 

I also pick excursions that might include lunch.

I love to eat local food when in port. Some of my best meals ever. 

 I enjoy sauces and garnishes of all kinds. I think they enhance food, when added creatively and with a measured hand. 
 

Osteria only has 4 main choices. The breaded veal chop and baked sea bass just seem plain and uninspired to me. And I am a very adventuresome eater. I’d like to see a few other options.

I will give it a go but expect to be eating mostly starters, which all look very good. I’m not expecting old Prego, just a little more zing to the mains. JMO

Well I have to admit, in full disclosure, that when I first read it in the guide and posted here, I was mistakenly thinking shoe trees, not shoe horns. Complimentary shoe horns I kinda get. Trees not so much. But I suppose those of you with nice Italian shoes probably use trees too. So mea culpa. 
 

However, I have no recollection of seeing either horns or clothing brushes on any previous Crystal cruises, so they must not have made an impression on me or my traveling companion and got tossed on the top closet shelf. 

Thanks to all for the photos. The starters look really good, especially the lobster. I've looked at the menu and I'm struggling a bit with the mains.

In looking through the “Before You Sail Guide” for the nth time, but the first with NC….

Who still uses shoehorns and clothes brushes as amenities? Aren’t these early 1900s artifacts? 
 

If you do use them, I really want to know. And why. Are you stretching your shoes? Brushing lint from your morning jacket? And why is Crystal providing them?? I’m befuddled. Thanks.  

Thank you!

Could I see some Osteria food photos?thanks!

They are listed in order of price and I’m surprised at the large percentage of Sapphire rooms. I would have assumed Aquamarine.