Cruise-y

Many on these boards cruise 10 times a year or more and one or two dud cruises (start-ups with lots of things still missing, crummy itineraries, etc.) is no big deal. It’s easy to just blow it off and get on the next cruise. The glass is half full for sure. We need to remember that a ton of people (maybe not on CC or maybe just lurkers here) cruise once every few years (due to other vacation venues, family responsibilities, limited time off, $$$, whatever) and a dud can be a big disappointment. JMO

Does anyone know if NC is planning to invest in a production cast or has that gone by the wayside?

Ok, but.... “Billy Joel tribute show featuring xxxxx” and “Elton John tribute show featuring xxxxx” sound like solo artists, not full productions. And no offense, but neither of those tired artists are ringing my bells. And do we still need computer classes? I guess I’m totally in the minority here.

Just a note on forwarding mail to a PO Box…. yes that will work but keep in mind that bulk mailers (with no specific address) or mail sent to “resident” or “occupant” or the like will still get put in your old mailbox. Also, a few pieces here and there will get through as the forwarding just fails. You’ll still have to have a neighbor or someone check your old mailbox, if for no other reason than to toss the junk mail. That’s my experience. We used to have the same mail person every day who might know you are gone and not deliver the junk - but those days are over. Unless maybe if you live in a small town You can hold all mail for up to 30 days - that works better unless you are gone longer of course.

Oh yes of course. I totally agree. I think I’m mainly looking to see if it seems things are “off and running” if you will. The lack of info so close to sailings just makes me nervous about a PIF booking. I understand this is a start-up and things are slow - but still, these seem like easy things to at least start hinting about. I wonder how the cabin refurbs coming? Maybe a teaser pic or two?

I’m looking at both. If there are shore excursions of note I guess I have missed them. Thanks - I’ll dig again. I’m just looking for overall indications of robustness, I guess. I’d like to see onboard entertainment/enrichment too.

I lecture on estate appraisals, although not on cruise ships. It might be a good topic though, given the demographics.

I'm really, really excited to get back on Crystal again. Like all of us, I can't wait. But I have a lot going on in my life so the only time I can book a cruise right now is September. I guess I'm going to address the elephant in the room. That is... the lack of information on port excursions, speakers and entertainment. I totally understand that most of the posters here couldn't care less. I get it. You cruise all the time so don't care. That's fine. But I do care. And I suspect a lot of lurkers do too. If I book a cruise for September (and I'd prefer more exciting itineraries but I understand that is a separate issue), then I have to pay in full by June. Some here say "wait, because all that data will be coming in soon" but I'm wondering why it isn't coming already? Crystal has used shore excursion companies in the planned port cities before. This isn't new ground. And a new spate of lecturers would be very welcome (I'm a subject lecturer myself; I know there are plenty to choose from.) Are any shows in process? If so, where's the marketing blurb? Truly, I'm not trying to be negative, but I have a lot of choices for a September vacation and I need a little boost here. Maybe this data has been posted on the website and I’ve somehow missed it? That is certainly possible.

Thank you. Which few? This is really just to help me make other choices. And I know what the Crystal group likes in a lux cruise.

What is your second favorite luxury cruise line (after Crystal)? And why? Thanks.

I, too, am hoping to see some lists of speakers, shore excursions, entertainment, slots to sign up for specialty restaurant reservations, etc. I would think that the PIF pax for the late July sailings would need access to that by now?

Crystal’s website shows Symphony arriving in Venice on 9/15 but not leaving until 9/18. Does anyone know what this gap means? I assume it’s not possible to do an onboard B2B over that gap? Thanks.

I don’t care about casinos at all. But I do care about enrichment lectures and evening shows. I want to see what is planned before I book - and hope we will see the same caliber as OC, because a smattering of comics and lounge singers is offered on every cruise line. The end of July is nearing the 90 day mark and we haven’t seen much on this yet.

And ice cream.

Good idea for a survey. Pretty telling isn’t it? I just voted neutral and it looks like the vast majority (65%) agree with me. I never use casinos.

Endeavor is a prime example. But I don’t think inaugural cruisers will care.

Yes, true, it is kind of a minor thing. And you can eat great and inventive sushi in many big cities (like mine). But it is pretty super for cruise fare. Really good. And since everyone wants the "old" Crystal back, this is just one more thing.

Yes I got an email about it also, with photos and lots of information about how many free Umi Uma bookings you could get per cruise, etc.

I agree. I loved the old Waterside and thought it was just as good as the specialty restaurants, in every way. I hope that carries forward.

People who cruise 10 times a year don’t care if they roll a dud once in a while

True. But without a cruise fare.

Is this much ado about nothing? We can afford a $$$$ cruise but we don't want to pay $50 to eat at Nobu (or whatever it will be)? On my last Crystal cruise (days before Covid), I was allowed unlimited access to all dining because of my cabin category. I booked late, and maybe I was slow on the draw, but I could only get one Umi Uma reservation over 2 weeks. And yes, that is one of the very few things I asked my butler for help. (The rest of the time he got off.) So, cabin category or 100 cruises didn't seem to matter. But I didn't really care, because 1) The cuisine in Waterside was so very good I didn't worry about eating anywhere else and 2) There is a Nobu restaurant in my city, so I can eat there any time I want.

When I saw these words I immediately thought that this will be where we will sign up for shore excursions, future cruises and other A&K destinations. Like their marketing center. Plates of cookies, glasses of champagne…. have a seat and our sales rep will be with you. One of the ships (can’t remember which one) doesn’t have windows so I’m not going to just be hanging out in there.

Ahhh for the old days of Barefoot Cruises. 35 pax on ancient sailing vessels. The entire time spent in swim suits, shorts and flip flops. With travels to the most obscure, tiny, Caribbean islands as far south as you can get in the Caribe. And absolutely the most beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters I’ve ever seen. Little villages on 1/2-sqare-mile islands with no tourists; but full of tropical fruits and fresh caught seafood. All inclusive, but closet-sized rooms with port holes. No formal nights there! Maybe not luxe but pretty dang relaxing if you were a stressed-out corporate person with a precious week off. Barefoot Cruises went under because the ships ultimately couldn’t pass safety inspections.

I can think of plenty of threads that went off topic (caviar comes to mind) and plenty of people happily chimed in and nobody complained. Everyone’s comparison opinions, good or bad, right or wrong, are helpful to me. I can skip what I don’t want to read. I can figure out myself what to ignore. I don’t give a hoot what the thread title is. I love Crystal and will sail them again. But I don’t understand this business of limiting posts to only positive things about Crystal.