Cruise-y

Does anyone know the cabin category percentages on the refurbed ships? Percentage wise, how many Sapphire to how many Aquamarine to how many singles, etc. etc. Thanks

I am frequently out of the country for months at a time and I can tell you that this is a real problem.

1) I love my neighbors and they love me, but I don't like to ask them to get my mail every day for months.

2) You can forward to a P.O. Box, but the advertising junk mail and "to any resident" stuff will still be delivered to your street address. It can accumulate fast. And yes, we have applied for all the "no advertising mail" options. It doesn't stop everything.

3) You can stop mail for 30 days but then the bulk for that period is delivered. My best option has been to stop for 30 days, then have a neighbor pick up the delivered bulk on my front porch, then stop again for 30 days, etc. It takes some maintenance while away. But beware, often a fill-in/weekend carrier won't stop delivery.  I've officially stopped mail days in advance (and even put a sign inside my mailbox reminding that the mail has been stopped) and returned home to a stuffed, overflowing box.

Roy, thanks for mentioning the clotted cream in your review. I’m sure those who appreciate a warm scone with tea agree.

As for Reflections, I consider myself tech-savy, coming from a career that required it, reading books on my Kindle app, getting all my other newsletters via email, etc. But I really do like a paper Reflections. It’s so much easier to access quickly whenever I want, carry to the pool, put in my pocket and such. Having it surreptitiously slid beneath my door to look forward to every morning was somehow appealing. I could peruse it with coffee on my veranda. I’m on vacay to avoid my computer, after all. 

I totally understand if it’s six pages that’s a lot of effort to print off every night for hundreds of pax. I wouldn’t want to be the employee stuck doing it. But does it need to be that big? Alas. 
 

“Over the Rainbow” rendition by Israel (IZ) is truly beautiful and truly original and we have all been inspired by it. Like many of us, the first time I heard it in Hawaii, many, many years ago. it brought me to tears. 
 

Unfortunately, it is now an overused replay at weddings, funerals, bachelor selection TV shows, talent fests and anything else maudlin. I don’t think it does justice to IZ’s honest and humble creativity to join the commercial masses in playing it at sail away.  But that’s JMO. 

I’ve been in a completely empty Palm Court, then walked downstairs and Starlight was packed. I’ve never seem a crowd in Palm Court, but maybe I don’t stay up late enough. 

19 minutes ago, Txcotn said:

First world problems. 

Like every other preference on a luxe cruise. 

30 minutes ago, Sweetpea711423 said:

Thanks for the update, Roy.  However, extremely disappointing, and very surprising given the availability of clotted cream previously on Crystal.  

 

Thanks again.

I’ve got to believe this is just an anomaly. One can’t have scones at a nice tea without clotted cream - Crystal or otherwise. Surely this would not be overlooked. But I must admit, I never do tea on Crystal  - it ruins my dinner. 

How very refreshing to read your reviews with no endorsements nor admonishments nor rhetorical questions. I've always been curious about QM2. Thank you Roy. 

13 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

It's totally understandable that they close Waterside for lunch when in port.

Most guests will be ashore but for those that are back on board then the more casual restaurants will be more popular.

Agree. Plus, the more casual restaurants can serve for longer spans of time as people come and go (in more casual shore attire). I want NC to survive - and that may mean cutting some features that are only used by a few. 

American Airlines actually tried to downgrade me once, through subterfuge.  I had used AAdvantage miles to book (online) two trips to Rome which included a plane change in Chicago. To my utter amazement, first class was offered for significantly less miles than business class (like half) so I nabbed it. There was an 8 hour layover which I actually wanted and planned. This was approximately 3 months prior to the trip. I assume the pricing may have been a glitch. 

A few weeks before my flight I got a notice that American had “automatically” changed my first flight so I would have a 35 minute layover. Everyone knows you can’t do an international layover at O’Hare in 35 minutes. Flights from my city to Chicago are always late. At a minimum, your bags won’t make it.  And if I inevitably missed my flight, there was not another until the next day, with business and first class undoubtedly full. 
 

i was furious. And I’m Platinum Plus. It was a ruse to sell those first class seats at a better price. I was told there was no way to change it back by multiple agents because it was “automatic.” I won’t bore you with details but I had to finally pull my own shenanigans to get it back. 

1 hour ago, AtA said:

Was on the inaugural Serenity cruise.

I have more for each but since you only asked for 1 each, here it is.

I would like to see the more for each. Thank you

9 hours ago, AtA said:

I got a bad cold on the inaugural cruise….When I went down (masked), I was told they don't even test anymore unless the person asks. 

Hmmmm. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? 

21 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Guest don't even use sanitizer and you really think they are going to put gloves on.  I doubt it. 

Correct. But I can use the gloves so I am not touching utensils they picked up. It’s for my protection. 

Most better buffets now start with packages of lightweight, oversize, clear plastic gloves that are easy to take on and off. That is something Crystal should implement. It may have nothing to do with Covid, but a lot to do with other transmittable illnesses like Noro. 
 

It’s better to be preventive than reactive. 

The only time I ever saw a Gala was on a 14 day cruise with 4 sea days so that follows the guideline. We usually booked more port-intensive cruises. 

I’d be surprised if that returns. It was entertaining in some ways, but my vague recollection is a giant crowd around the table with cold rock lobsters on ice. So many people were piling their plates with huge heaps of them that I could barely nab the last one. I had to snake my hand in (underneath) from 3 rows back - and almost got my arm stabbed by a fork. I remember thinking it reminded me of mass market cruise lines. And that was all pre-Covid of course. 
 

Any other food from that buffet, which I ate on my lap in the Cove (rather than carry it into Waterside to find an empty table), remains unmemorable. 

I know this isn't going to be a popular response, but I think there are enough lurkers here that might appreciate it.  Please let me know if you are one.

First: There are many, many experienced and excellent TAs on this board and they provide a great deal of expertise and help to everyone here. I've gained from all of their top notch and informative responses. I would use any of them in a heartbeat. This is their lifeblood and I understand that.

For years, I had a superb liaison at Crystal who was, for me, as good as a TA. She answered my emails instantly at all hours of the day and night, even on weekends (like 10 pm on Saturday night or 7 am on Sunday morning), and she always had an immediate answer or solution. She arranged for personal items in my room (specialized electronic hook-ups, particular wines and alcohol, fruit, flowers, canapés, etc.). She easily changed rooms for me. I got generous OBC just like everyone else. I couldn't have been happier.

I did my own air because I used mileage credits, but she offered to do air, and if she had, I'm sure she would have arranged changes for me if needed.

With that all said, my special liaison lost her job when Crystal was bankrupted. She has moved on and not returned. I was assigned a new liaison, who was good for an email or two and then disappeared. 

I don't know if I can capture that magic again. I'm guessing probably not. I've always been a do-it-myself person and it's never let me down, but I'm waiting to see what happens when Crystal opens up online booking. 

I sympathize with all of this concern, but I wonder why people feel that they have to book cruises, with payments, so far in advance? Oftentimes years away. This is weird to me, because I always book late and I can always get a cabin. Maybe it's not the exact cabin I want, but ok. Maybe I miss out on getting restaurant reservations at the particular times I want, but I never lose money with bankruptcies or Covid. And I don't have to stress about it.

I'm honestly not being critical, just wondering. This has always been a puzzlement to me. Especially when Crystal went belly up and some people had paid in full for many cruises, years in advance.

Admittedly, I don't cruise as much as people on this board so I am probably missing something. For a lot of family and community reasons, I just can't plan anything that far in ahead.

Blankets (wool, mohair, etc.) that aren’t laundered between users = yuck

Aaron - Thanks so much.
1) Which rooms have plugs and USB ports on both sides of the bed now?

2) Can we see a list of included wines like we could in the past? 

3) Has the shade availability by the pool improved? 
 

thanks again

Thanks for the good review which was quite helpful to me. I never watch TV on a cruise and I never use the cabin phone to call other rooms and I never send laundry out. So all of that is immaterial to me. I do like the extra spaciousness of a suite, however. 

Here’s the most important question though: did the canapés include pigs in a blanket?

We never book a cruise more than 2 or 3 months ahead due to many other responsibilities. Even though I’ve always qualified for unlimited dining, I could never get more than one night at Umi Uma (even on two-week cruises). They were always full by the time we tried to reserve. We only got one night (usually at 9:00) because it was guaranteed. That was Old Crystal - but can’t imagine it will be much different now. 

My personal choice: 

I ALWAYS give generous tips to my butler, cabin attendants and servers even if it is “all inclusive.” But it is not required and never asked for. 
 

I’m just so thankful I don’t have to sign a bar tab for every drink. 
 

And I’m thankful I can afford a lux cruise. 

And I totally understand there are new-to-Crystal cruisers here who have that question. 
 

2 hours ago, Boatie 1 said:

I have tried to hold back my thoughts BUT all this talk about milestone sounds so very elitist and like a good ole boys club...You make someone like my husband and I who only book the Crystal Penthouse when we go on the Serenity like 2nd class citizens. We happen to travel Regent and Crystal and fortunately are able to book the "Big Boy Suites". But we are not bragging about where we stay and all our perks. It isn't flattering to hear all this and it makes some people uncomfortable. I know I am going to hear grief on this but this isn't a closed fraternity. I felt relaxed about dining reservations in the specialty dining rooms since we are booked in the Crystal Penthouse, but now it sounds like we have to have competition with 100 hours folks etc.

I am as excited about the ship being back as most of you are and happy to be sailing again. But it sounds like High School to worry about whether our name was on a plague and who knows who etc..I too have some special favorites on board but don't feel the need to name drop!!

We all should thank our blessings just to be able to sail again. AMEN!    Boatie

There is a good ole boy group on this board, for sure. But remember that the vast majority of Crystal cruisers have never visited CC or any of the other social networks. I’ve rarely met anyone onboard who even knew about CC. Believe me, most guests couldn’t care less how many bolts are on deck 7. 
 

Even as a PH guest I’ve been bumped off a “reserved” Avenue stool a time or two. I just moved to another seat and made different friends. 

2 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

Several have contacts in Crystal. Some don’t choose to bother them with non essential questions - they’re busy trying to get a cruise line up and running

Any major question I’ve ever had has been quickly answered when I called or emailed my Crystal liaison. Sometimes within minutes. And I’m just a plebeian. The idea of insider info puzzles me. Why would Crystal make it available to only a few?
 

Thanks Stickman.

Wow there is some serious work going on. Thanks for the post. This is the first real peek we’ve seen.