Observer

Are any changes in cruise line policy/practice ever applauded universally? 🙂 As I recall, the Crystal decision to include alcoholic drinks in the cruise fare was the source of much controversy.

“All inclusive“ is a very ambiguous term. Silversea includes tours in every port, with no charge. Crystal.AFAIK does not.

Only a limited number of massage slots are made available online. Many others can be booked once on board.

I used to be a real fan of Luggage Forward. But they are now so restrictive -- and their customer service has suffered as they have grown -- that I do not use them any more.

I understand that unpacking and packing are advertised services, and my butlers have routinely offered such service. I would never ask for unpacking. The butlers are very busy on embarkation afternoon/evening, introducing themselves to guests, providing requested sodas or spirits, trying to sort out issues like missing luggage, etc. They are servicing a number of suites. To ask them to unpack seems unreasonable. Packing is another matter IMHO. Most of the settling in work has been resolved, and there is a full day during which the butler can schedule packing.

I am happy to have your information that smoking is not permitted on the promenade deck on Serenity. As I recall from my most recent Crystal cruise, several years ago, smoking was permitted on one side of the aft decks. (I think it was the starboard side.) Is this still the case? On a related topic: is the exercise equipment still installed on the aft decks? I do not recall seeing it in recent photos. TIA.

This is great news! I have sailed much more on Serenity than Symphony, and my recollection of Serenity is much clearer. I recall that there was an area forward of the promenade deck at the bow of the ship where crew could gather and smoke. (As I recall, no crew were smoking the odiferous cigars that some people used to smoke in the stern seating area.) Like most Crystal cruisers, I care a lot about the wonderful crew. As an ex-smoker myself, I know how good it is to have a smoke if one is so addicted. Do crew still have access to this area for a smoke break? If not, are there other areas where they can smoke?

Do you really want my thoughts? I posted a long message (written partly while on Serenity in the South Pacific, as I recall) during the Edie era. I think I wrote this in 2016. It is clearly dated. But it may give some people something to take shots at. I would add one further request/requirement: Every cabin, no matter the size, should have a verandah. Crystal has offered very little detail about the new “Exclusive Class” ships, named by one wag on this board as the Crystal Mirage since there are so few details. Perhaps Crystal is simply being cagey and waiting for a big, splashy announcement. They seem to like those. On the other hand, perhaps they are still deciding on key elements of the new ship(s?). Against the second possibility, I thought we might help Edie and her colleagues by describing some of the things *we* would like to see in a Program of Requirements to be presented to the architects of the “Exclusive Class” ships. I am presuming to launch this conversation/thread with some personal thoughts. I hope others will chime in (if only to disagree with me). These are personal observations on a) things I like and would like to see preserved and b) things I would like to see changed/improved from the current ships. I have sailed on both Symphony and Serenity, but I have always sailed in standard suites and never sailed in Penthouse accommodation. Thus, some of my "asks" for the new ships may already be provided in premium suites. KEEP SMALL STANDARD SUITES: Okay. I guess this got your attention for a starter. A huge complaint about Crystal is that the standard suites are small for a couple -- especially by comparison by offerings on other luxury lines. But it's a fine size for a solo, and Crystal has a loyal solo following. Why can't Crystal increase the size of the standard suites to current industry standard for luxury ships, but keep a number of suites at the current smallish ~ 210 sq ft. size for solos and couples who will accept them? I believe that Cunard is creating a number of single occupancy suites when refitting the Queens. SOUNDPROOFING: I have frequented all of the luxury lines (not all of the ships), and from time to time have had noise infiltration from adjoining suite or corridor. I have never had this issue on Crystal. I have found soundproofing to be excellent. This is very important and cannot easily be retrofitted if they get it wrong first time around. Please don't skimp here. MORE/FASTER ELEVATORS: Current waits for elevators at busy times (e.g, end of show or return of excursions) are very frustrating. There may be a standard calculus for a desired ratio of passengers/elevators. But the Crystal demographic is older. Fewer climbing stairs. More with walkers or scooters that take up space. The situation is compounded with people who know they have to take elevator up even if they want to go down, because if they wait for a down elevator it will be filled. PORT/STARBOARD IN ELEVATORS: One of the nicest touches I recall from Serenity (and don’t recall from Symphony) is the indication above the elevators doors of which direction port and starboard will be as one exits the lift. It changes from elevator bank to elevator bank. I am accustomed to trying to figure out on other cruise lines which way to turn on leaving the lift. No guesswork required on Serenity. What genius thought of this simple but ever-so-helpful feature? Please keep it on Mirage and her sisters. KEEP BISTRO: This is one of jewels of Crystal. Keep it and perhaps even expand it so that one could make a proper light dinner there. KEEP DINNER SITTINGS: There are some people -- like me -- who appreciate fixed dining times, same table/server, etc. I understand that this group will be a minority. But I hope the MDR will be organized so that those who want old-fashioned dining will have the option to book times and tables for the entire cruise. The number might change from cruise to cruise -- 10% on one cruise electing this option, 20% on the next cruise. This may have implications for galley/dining room design. SPEAKER IN BATHROOM: For reasons that presumably do not require explanation, a powerful exhaust fan is above the toilet in the suites. It makes a lot of noise, thus making it very difficult (nearly impossible) to hear the audio from the TV while in the bathroom. One doesn't want to turn up the volume so high as to disturb neighbors. Luxury hotels have speakers in the bathrooms that transmit the audio coming through the TV. I gather this feature is currently present in Penthouse accommodations. Why not extend it to all suites on the Mirage? ROOM SERVICE CARTS: The need here is for arrangements to get food that is supposed to be hot to a room at at least lukewarm temperature. If one is living at the front of the ship, the food has to be transported from the galley to your deck and then on an open cart (without any heating cabinet) along the entire length of the ship. My food has regularly arrived tepid at best. How about room service carts with heated cabinets on “Exclusive Class” ships? Perhaps coolers as well. The open carts currently used are probably not much different from those used in prisons. BTW: I have never stayed in Crystal butler-supported suite. Life may be –doubtless is! -- different/better there. But it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope for warm food on deck 9. SHOWER IN EVERY SUITE: The current deep bathtub w/shower is not luxury -- esp.for aging passengers who have difficulty negotiating high tub rim. The default should be walk-in shower in every suite. No one will object to having a tub added when possible. ELECTRICAL PLUG IN BATHROOM: I know there are safety issues, but a plug is needed for personal hair dryer, electric shaver, etc. PROMENADE DECK: Don't sacrifice wrap around teak promenade deck. It's a distinctive Crystal feature. Friends who just returned from Regent Voyager will now move to Penthouse on Crystal largely because of prospect of using promenade deck. INCREASE SPA SIZE: I don’t think it’s enough to have only one sink and two showers for ~500 potential passengers (50% of 1000). On a luxury line like Crystal, I do not think one should have to wait in line to use the sink to shave or take a shower after a workout or treatment. I know some passengers who shower all the time in the spa because they find it awkward/dangerous to climb in and out of the snug tub/shower combination in most suites. Other luxury lines have much more favorable ratios in their spas. Ideally, the Mirage will have a better ratio. KEEP TASTES/CASUAL OPTION OUT OF THE WAY: Tastes (Serenity) is always casual and is out of the way (deck 12). Thus, slobs like me who do not want to dress up can go up there on BTO evenings. With this option, a man would not need to bring a jacket on a Crystal cruise. The fact that this casual restaurant is out of the way makes a guest feel less awkward going to the restaurant "underdressed." One would still feel awkward if Silk Road or Prego or even Bistro were declared "casual" on BTO evenings. So keep an always-casual option on the “Exclusive Class” ships and place it out of the way so that casually dressed guests will not feel awkward going to dinner on BTO evenings. GIVE CREW PREMIUM ACCOMMODATIONS: I do not pretend to know what happens below deck, crew accommodations and amenities. But these should be prime considerations in a Program of Requirements. The heart of Crystal is the crew. This draft POR has focused on guest areas that I know best. But please, please don't stint when planning for crew life.

I do not believe I was problematic. I was a runner (near marathoner) until my 60s. On Crystal I was a walker. I understand the realities of runners. Please note a passage you failed to quote: "I always stayed well to the side when going against the flow." They were not trying to point me in the right direction. They were simply expressing their sense that the Promenade Deck was to be used only in their (the stated) direction and that there was no accommodation for a septuagenarian who was conscientiously out-of-the-way. Their rudeness certainly included hostile tones. I would not be surprised if it also included profanity, though I have no specific recollection.

Agreed about top deck tracks. That's no-go land for me. When on Crystal I followed precisely your suggested strategy of walking on the shady side of the Promenade. This of course meant turning around at the bow and stern of the ship. That was no problem. I always stayed well to the side when going against the flow. But on a number of occasions (more than one might expect/hope for on Crystal) other promenaders who passed me while they were going with the flow made censorious comments, several asking me whether I could not see the wooden arrow indicating the proper direction. Perhaps their rudeness was a function of oxygen deprivation. :)-

It is not covered, which is a real problem for people who must strictly limit their exposure to sun.

Spirit has pan-Asian restaurant Indochine. I love it. Moon does not have it but has instead SALT Kitchen, with cuisine related to area in which ship is sailing.

I am a solo traveler, like you. I also require a veranda. I have traveled on all three lines you mention. For me, one of the great attractions of Silversea is the availability of reasonable single fares. You might want to look at this site: https://www.silversea.com/best-luxury-cruise-deals/single-occupancy-supplements.html You will see that there are lots of very reasonable supplements available for veranda cabins. Obviously, as the cruise fills up the supplements may increase in cost. I try to book early. Good luck!

I am curious about the SALT charge. Is this a charge for a special culinary excursion? I have eaten frequently in SALT Kitchen and have never had a surcharge. Is this a new "enhancement" on Nova?

Not only theoretically. Actually. My post was prompted by seeing such conduct, especially over the past few years.

I also welcome the new dress code, largely for the reason you specify. I think that enforcement is an issue and that it is unfair to ask crew to be the dress police. I particularly regret the many instances when guests will arrive in a venue like Panorama at 5:45 in their shorts and T-shirts and remain there with cocktails for, say, an hour. Could the CD perhaps make a brief announcement in all public areas at, say, 6:15 PM reminding people of the evening dress code and that it is now in effect?

A good question. As I recall from Original Crystal Serenity, a handful of cabins very forward, that had deeper verandahs, did have a solid plate at the bottom of the balcony railing. The deeper verandahs are apparent on the deck plan.

I entirely agree. I bring my own iOS devices, and any iPad provided would be sitting in a drawer for the duration of a cruise. I was puzzled that Crystal would be providing iPads in every cabin. However, the discussion thus far has been about the delay in receiving the iPads, the fact of the iPads have arrived, etc. I imagined that the member posting these posts knew the difference between a tablet and an iPad. I was impressed that Crystal was buying a top-of-the-line product. iPads are clearly not needed, and Crystal is apparently not providing them.

I was impressed to learn that iPads would be distributed. However, "tablets" are a much different matter and are hardly all synonmous with "iPads." As for expense: Many tablets can be had for less than $100 -- some for around $50 (without bulk discount). This is a fraction of the cost of an entry level iPad.

Are these Apple iPads or some generic tablet device masquerading as iPads? The photo does not seem to represent any iPad or iPad Pro or iPad mini I have had.

Sadly, in my experience this is not the case. Let's say that one decides to cancel at 3 PM. The restaurants are closed. The butler is on his/her (well deserved!) break. And reception is clueless. The last time I called reception to cancel the dinner reservation, the reception agent apparently canceled all of my reservations for the rest of that long booking. AFAIK only LaDame assesses a penalty for no-shows or late cancellations. One should be able to do this online during the cruise.

And they still fit? If so, congratulations!

I think/hope you are correct. It would be good if SS would expand and thus clarify this announcement.

I think this pricing decision was a poor one. At least for me. I travel solo, and I require a verandah. I had many (150?) nights on Crystal with old pricing structure. I would love to return. But not with current pricing.

I look forward to clarifications. For example, will LaTerrazza still be one step below other outlets. I think this is a very constructive step and brings SS in line with other luxury lines. I hope it is rolled out to the rest of the fleet shortly.