Cruise-y

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.

On 3/6/2023 at 3:01 PM, Stickman1990 said:

Our exceptional teams in Marketing, Hotel Operations and Destination Management are building unique experiences that will take place in these lounges.

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. 

21 minutes ago, Emdee said:

As our second we tried an expedition ship which was less formal. But I think it is likely 2 and done for us though their itineraries continue to entice.

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.

@Stickman1990Thanks much for the pics and additional info. And for the recipes! Not to belabor this because I’m sure nobody else cares, but it looks like you can sit at tables and dine in the shade but not much lounging in the shade? Love being able to dine al fresco!

19 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

 

I’m certainly happy to answer any questions about our experience 

Thank you for your report. I was glad to hear about the enrichment. What were some of the subjects? Did they have cooking classes? Did you find the food equally good/inventive in the MDR (whatever they call it)? How much shade was in the pool area compared to Crystal?  Thanks

I couldn’t care less about a butler. But I agree flying economy is agony if it is more than a few hours. 

The itinerary is important to me, even if I’ve been to a place multiple times before, because there is always something new (and perhaps obscure) to experience. I always get off the ship, because it is not my destination. 
 

But I also want a luxury experience with excellent cuisine and included drinks (not because I drink a lot, but because I hate the hassle of constantly signing tabs). I want great modern enrichment. And I do want a veranda and a walk-in closet because I want to enjoy my room space. 
 

In the past, Crystal was well known as a true value luxury experience (if you got a smaller OV room or single supplement) and that was certainly very great - but we all know how that ended. 
 

Going forward, I expect Crystal to be profitable so that the quality will stay high. That comes with a price. 

1 hour ago, Post it said:

In order to attract the Gen X crowd, Crystal may need to look at the music offered on board.  I was quite surprised that one night's entertainment in the main theater consisted of Doris Day songs. 

Good post for this topic and good food for thought. I'm old but I was once put off by a misogynistic comedian who is loved by many here.

I think a lot of regular posters here forget that many others have responsibilities with family, volunteerism and community, as well as a myriad of other vacation travel interests, that prevent multiple cruises a year. I just spent 2 months overseas for family reasons and go back again next month. I’m lucky to have retired from a career with the means to travel (if not the time), but many others here, especially Gen X, may also have financial constraints or work commitments that prevent them from cruising often.
 

Thus, a simple “try it out to see if we like it” option can be a big risk either in terms of time or finances. I think that’s why some want to see better answers on the website about so many different things. Not because they are raining on others’ enthusiasm.

The best lobster I ever had anywhere on land or sea was my last cruise on Crystal, just a few months before Covid. None of this whole tail stuff. It was tender claw meat served over risotto at Waterside - and very early in the 2-week cruise. When I asked for it later, the waiter told me it was fresh and they were not in an area where they could get it again, unfortunately. 

The entire port side of the pool deck used to be smoking. Because shade is very limited by the pool, and that smoking section is in the shade, it really cuts back on availability. 

My point exactly. People who are booking now expect to like it because so much will be the same. 

I don’t know about a database of past reviews, I just know what I’ve seen here on the Crystal CC message board over the years. I can’t imagine spending $100K+ for a months-long world cruise on a “new” line and not expecting it to be good! That’s a pretty big crap shoot. 
 

The people who are currently unhappy aren’t booking right now. That’s all I’m saying. 

36 minutes ago, hypercafe said:

I want the old Crystal prices back as they were my cheap ride. That's pie in the sky so I want to read unbiased reviews and decide what their value is compared to other lines. I feel at this point booking with Crystal is like like buying a mystery box, could be good or really disappointing.

Crystal isn't coming back at the old prices. They need to be profitable this go round.

For the first wave of passengers, I doubt very much that we will see anything but glowing reviews. These are people who love Crystal no matter what. That is perfectly fine, no problem with that, but don't expect to see unbiased reviews at first.

When I was there for 10 days, wearing my abaya, I never felt any stress or pressure or anything. In certain areas I could take the scarf part off, but not all. Parts of my hair always showed, though.

It was perfectly ok in the grocery store if your abaya was a bit short and your jeans and trainers (track shoes) showed underneath. At the nail salon (no windows), everyone ripped them off the minute they walked in. Sitting with all the women in their regular clothes and talking was a lot of fun.

I ate (fantastic) Indian food in an area that was pretty restrictive. We sat in separate rooms in the restaurant, each with a door. All the women patrons there (except me)  also had face coverings. If you wanted your waiter, you pressed a call button and the women could put their face coverings back on before the waiter opened the door.

As a note, I had to have a visa to be there for that length of time. On the visa form, I lied and said I had never been to Israel.

P.S. We stayed in a compound and made wine in the bathtub. LOTS of stores sold the unique equipment that you needed for that.

I'm not really concerned if the new Japanese restaurant is a Nobu brand or not. He has a restaurant in my home city and I've never even been. There are too many other great and innovative sushi restaurants where I live. And, like others, I loved Umi Uma when I was on Crystal. 

Jacque Pépin advertises his presence on Oceania. Sometimes he even cruises with them for a week (well marketed in advance as a theme cruise) to attract business. That's cool, and I love Jacque, but I was never overly impressed with the French restaurant on Oceania. Or any of the other restaurants for that matter.

I spent 10 days in Saudi five years ago. I had to wear an abaya but I walked around , visited tourist sites, went to the grocery store, restaurants, tourist locales, salons, etc. It was quite an educational experience. 

14 hours ago, travelberlin said:
 

Please those going on the WC 2024 give us kindly a review of your impressions. Not just the positive things please. 
 

Ivi

😂

I (usually) don't travel single so I'll be the first to admit I'm not qualified to answer, but, from an outsider's view, it looks like the designated "single" cabins have a super, super great supplement - it's almost nothing.  I was shocked at how good it is. If you want a better cabin, you will have to pay much more, and I think many cruise lines compare. (I have a relative who paid 2X for a cabin in the past when he was traveling single.)

The "old" Crystal did offer a great single supplement, much better than anyone else. It was why so many singles sailed with them. But the "old" Crystal also went out of business. Obviously the "new" Crystal is trying to be more profitable (and let's hope they are, so we can continue to sail with them).  Perhaps as the market settles out, and if they need to book cabins in the future, they will change their strategy.

I have a lot of single friends and I value their friendship very much. I hope it can all work out,  but I can see why Crystal is doing what they are doing, at least for now. I hope that makes sense.

P.S. I like to have a veranda, so I totally get that, but I don't think the forward cabins on Deck 7 are so bad.

10 minutes ago, Sdancer said:

New Crystal posted "GUEST TO SPACE RATIO 1 TO 93.1 CU FT" (?!). 

Am I missing something? Sorry, somehow burial mausoleum sizes come to mind :).

I would rather have "guest to staff ratio".

 

 

 

 

Some guests expect to have their bags unpacked, their baths drawn, and cosseted white tablecloth course-by-course room service (from different specialty restaurants)  served on their veranda. Others are happy with canapés at 5 and see you tomorrow. I’m in the second camp, which is why my butlers always tell me to specifically ask for them next time. 

13 minutes ago, Observer said:

It is challenging to write a sentence with a verb without using a tense.  
 

 

It is impossible to write a sentence with a verb without using a tense. 

2 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Wise words and a good post and without rose tinted spectacles.

Wait and see is the best approach most of us can take in the situation  

Yes I also agree with all this for sure. I'm excited to see the ships roll out with similar amenities and some improvements to spaces. It's fun to discuss and speculate - a welcome change from memories and pep talks. But I'll wait for some more details. 

I can only book a few months in advance for any trip and that's always worked fine for me. I'm not too worried about itineraries right now. I suspect some might change a bit anyway.

We always booked an old PH and that seems to relate to Aquamarine so… 

Good:

- Walk-in closet that has room for luggage and seems to have enough drawers to replace the old cabinets and desk drawers. All clothes items in one spot instead of socks crammed in the desk and underwear next to the bed. Yay!

- No space-wasting useless tub. Big walk-in shower. Yay! 

- Sitting area seems more spacious without the uncomfortable love seat but will have to experience. I like the décor. 

- Adding Tastes and keeping Bistro, Italian, Trident and presumably some kind of Japanese TBD. Win/Win

- Deep-sixing Silk and Brazilian steakhouse. 
- Keeping Avenue and Promenade

- Updated workout area 

Actually can’t think of any bad so far but we don’t know a lot yet about many other things. 
 

Big Hope For:

1)USB ports and plugs on both sides of the bed. 

2) More overhead coverings (shade) on the pool deck and please redo the seating so it isn’t just a few big, hogged sofas in the shade and then millions of loungers crammed together in the sun. We’re all old. We don’t need to sunbathe.

Don’t Care: No Casino 

Last May I paid $1500 a night  (total for 2 people) for a tiny oceanfront suite in Maui with no food or entertainment. Way not worth it. These prices are reasonable IMO. Especially if you are going to Europe or Med