joepeggy

On 3/19/2023 at 3:12 PM, travelberlin said:

Please kindly post your review or impressions on this inaugural cruise of the A&K Crystal if you have the time? 
Ivi

I will definitely post a review after sailing.

We are also booked on the Inaugural Cruise on Serenity in late July with our niece and her husband and looking for information on booking shore excursions and dining.  Can't find anywhere on the website to book dining or excursions.  Does anyone have any information on whether you have to contact Crystal directly or go through your travel agent?

We sailed on Crystal Serenity several times before the bankruptcy and are excited to get back on board.

9 hours ago, Traveler2222 said:

The provided boots and jacket are great. Better to have pants on the outside so you are less likely to get water in your boots. (Ask me how I know!) Be SURE your pants are waterproof before you go. I bought some on Amazon that said they were waterproof but were not. When a wave crashes into the zodiac you'll quickly have a soggy bottom if they're not. Luckily, the onboard shop sold Helly Hanson waterproof pants, and had my size.

Some expeditions were colder than others; one day was snowy and choppy seas, but our last day was sunny and the ocean was calm. Better to be prepared. Warm leggings and waterproof pants worked for me, but I wore a lot of layers on top: a tank, a close base layer, a turtleneck and a heated vest. I was absolutely burning up after putting on my expedition parka and life jacket, but felt comfortable once outside on the zodiac or on land. Make sure you have good waterproof gloves, a good hat, and glasses or goggles. Some people had ski goggles that made sense. A warm neck gaiter or similar is also helpful. You need very little clothing for non-expedition hours. Leggings and a top and warm, easy to take off booties were about all I wore. i also had a warm jacket for going out on deck. It can be very windy...

Sorry for the photo - every which way I attach it it turns out upside down!

Thanks again.  Looks cold!!!!!!  No hood on the jacket?  I am definitely going to check to see if my pants are really waterproof.

9 hours ago, Traveler2222 said:

The last day was LONG. After breakfast and disembarkation they drove us to a local hotel up in the mountains. They had rented a large room, with wifi, where everyone camped out. They had shuttle buses running to town, but because we were there on a Sunday, many shops were closed. A group of us went in for lunch and a bit of wandering around. That evening, we had a sort of banquet style meal at the hotel, and some entertainment. Then on to the airport and the long wait there for the flight.

Thanks for responding.  Atlas told me we were going on a tour after disembarking.

Thanks for that piece of information.  Any idea how wide the top of the boots are?  I just ordered pants and I'm not sure if they will fit over the boots.  I am going to send a note to Atlas and see if they respond.  I sent a note to the head of communications last month and never received a response.

On 12/19/2021 at 3:39 PM, Traveler2222 said:

Hello fellow travelers,

I know we’ve all been interested to learn details of the new Atlas Ocean Voyages experience, so I’ll share what I can from my perspective. I was on the 3rd Antarctic sailing, scheduled to depart Ushuaia on December 10. 

 

Please note that this is a long post and that I’ve likely provided more information than anyone wants or needs about what happened before we boarded the ship, but I was writing in real time, so it is what it is. 

 

And please, please read through to the end, because although it may not sound like a good endorsement at first, it was really one of the best cruises/ expedition trips I’ve ever been on, and I’ve been fortunate to travel a lot. 

 

My friend and I flew into Orlando a day early and over-nighted at the Hyatt Regency at the airport, the same location where we were to meet the group around 1 pm. Check in was very smooth if all paperwork was done. (See my previous post about filling in the Argentina Sworn Health Document.) There were issues for people who purchased the AOV recommended COVID specific insurance, because no 1 page PDF “certificate of insurance”was provided, but there were plenty of Atlas staff to assist and get everyone squared away.

 

They took our bags, and we were free to roam around for a bit. At approximately 2 pm, they started calling people by stateroom number to go down to the National Airlines desk to have our documents re-checked, handle luggage, check in with the airline and receive boarding passes.

 

Antigen testing in the hotel ballroom was efficient and results were quick. After receiving negative results, guests were moved into the adjacent ballroom where there were sandwiches, fruit, Kind bars, cookies etc. as well as drinks including beer & wine. Atlas hired entertainment to make the long wait to board (about 5 hours after my antigen test) more tolerable. A personable magician went around the room performing sleight of hand tricks, an incredible electric violin player performed every song we requested, and Flamenco Tropicale featured a guitar player/singer and a dancer. It was fun. 

 

I wish Atlas had been communicative with the group as to the time we were supposed to board. Someone was told 7:15, so we started getting antsy at that point, but didn’t actually board until around 8 pm. (The charter leaves from the regular passenger terminal so note that you must go through security before going to the gate.)

 

The airplane is an Airbus A330 and there was lots of room to spread out. Although the ship’s capacity is just under 200 passengers, our group is far less. I’ve heard all sorts of different numbers, but we are definitely less than 100.

 

The captain announced that the flight time to Ushuaia is 11 hours, which is significantly better than the 14 hours Google told me it would take!

 

I watched a movie and since dinner still hadn’t been served I chose to skip it and try to get some sleep. I call this part of the trip “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The plane is a 2-4-2 arrangement and I was unlucky enough to be on the side with 2 seats. The good news was that because of the small number of passengers, my friend and I were able to spread out: she moved back a row. The bad news was that we were on the side with 2 seats. People who had been seated in the middle also spread out so it looked like almost everyone had a row to themselves. Of course that means the folks in the middle section had 4 seats to stretch out on, while I unfortunately had only 2. And these seats barely recline and the armrests aren’t even padded. The center armrest, when raised, sticks out into the seat about 3 inches. I highly suggest arm wrestling a fellow passenger for a center row of seats or at least bringing a neck pillow, because it is impossible to be at all comfortable in these seats on a long flight, and I’m a small adult.

 

Upon descent into Ushuaia, the mountain and lake views (from either side of the plane) are stunning, even with overcast skies.

 

Our group of 100 or less were boarded onto 3 buses for some sightseeing around Ushuaia, and later a lunch at a local tourist place. Very basic. After that, more sightseeing, and sometime during the afternoon our local guide mentioned that we would be taking a catamaran trip. What??? People had been traveling since at least early Thursday, had little or no sleep, and we all just wanted to board the ship, unpack, and unwind. But we boarded the catamaran and were served dinner and drinks. 

 

Eventually an Atlas rep told us that a crew member (or 2?) had been tested positive and that they were making every effort to comply with Argentinian requirements to get us safe to travel. An update would be provided at 8, and then at 9. We asked questions but received less than forthcoming answers. It was a really frustrating experience, to say the least. At least there was plenty of food and drinks, because we weren’t allowed off the catamaran.

 

LONG story short: we were finally told we’d be taken to local hotels to spend the night. I think we got in our hotel room around 1 am, and were told there would be an Atlas rep there to give us an update at 9 am. So we set the alarm, got up and showered, and were ready for - nothing. No word. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel and had NO idea whether we would be able to sail or not. We were taking go/no-go bets. 

 

Finally the announcement came that we would board at 9 pm!! Our trip was a go!

 

Despite beginning the journey a full 24 hours later than scheduled, the Drake Passage was very kind to us and so we had all of the time in Antarctica that we were due, and it was FANTASTIC. 

 

Aside from the extremely poor communication and the rough start, I can only compliment the line, the crew, the ship, and the expedition team.  And the positive effect of what we’d been through was that all of us passengers bonded and made true friendships before setting foot on the ship. 

 

Importantly, around the third day of the cruise, Atlas gave everyone what I believe to be very generous compensation for the bad start. 

 

It is true that there aren’t 6 dining venues, but we never wanted for anything. We all felt the food was good to very good to excellent. Breakfast and lunch are buffets, but the quality and freshness of the food was great. Cocktails were wonderful! My favorites were the Smoky Margarita and the BBC (Baileys & Banana Colada). Wine was plentiful and while not the finest I’ve ever had, I was happy with the choices. 

 

The crew could not have been nicer or more helpful - I have nothing but top marks for them. 

 

The real stars of the Atlas Ocean Voyages trip to Antarctica, however, are the expedition team, led by Henry Wolff. Other team members were a Marine Biologist, an Ornithologist, a Historian, a Logistics Coordinator and various paddle and sea kayak guides. These people worked 16 hour days and had unending enthusiasm to show us Antarctica.

 

That’s all I can share now - we’re flying back to Orlando tonight. 

Thanks for your update.  We are on the 2 February sailing and I'm wondering about the jacket and the boots.  Do you have any pictures you can share?  Will we be able to tuck our pants into the boots?  How cold was it?  Any suggestions on what to pack.  Also, what did you do on the last day after getting off the ship until your flight home.  Thanks for any and all info and pictures. 

Peggy

On 12/19/2021 at 3:39 PM, Traveler2222 said:

Hello fellow travelers,

I know we’ve all been interested to learn details of the new Atlas Ocean Voyages experience, so I’ll share what I can from my perspective. I was on the 3rd Antarctic sailing, scheduled to depart Ushuaia on December 10. 

 

Please note that this is a long post and that I’ve likely provided more information than anyone wants or needs about what happened before we boarded the ship, but I was writing in real time, so it is what it is. 

 

And please, please read through to the end, because although it may not sound like a good endorsement at first, it was really one of the best cruises/ expedition trips I’ve ever been on, and I’ve been fortunate to travel a lot. 

 

My friend and I flew into Orlando a day early and over-nighted at the Hyatt Regency at the airport, the same location where we were to meet the group around 1 pm. Check in was very smooth if all paperwork was done. (See my previous post about filling in the Argentina Sworn Health Document.) There were issues for people who purchased the AOV recommended COVID specific insurance, because no 1 page PDF “certificate of insurance”was provided, but there were plenty of Atlas staff to assist and get everyone squared away.

 

They took our bags, and we were free to roam around for a bit. At approximately 2 pm, they started calling people by stateroom number to go down to the National Airlines desk to have our documents re-checked, handle luggage, check in with the airline and receive boarding passes.

 

Antigen testing in the hotel ballroom was efficient and results were quick. After receiving negative results, guests were moved into the adjacent ballroom where there were sandwiches, fruit, Kind bars, cookies etc. as well as drinks including beer & wine. Atlas hired entertainment to make the long wait to board (about 5 hours after my antigen test) more tolerable. A personable magician went around the room performing sleight of hand tricks, an incredible electric violin player performed every song we requested, and Flamenco Tropicale featured a guitar player/singer and a dancer. It was fun. 

 

I wish Atlas had been communicative with the group as to the time we were supposed to board. Someone was told 7:15, so we started getting antsy at that point, but didn’t actually board until around 8 pm. (The charter leaves from the regular passenger terminal so note that you must go through security before going to the gate.)

 

The airplane is an Airbus A330 and there was lots of room to spread out. Although the ship’s capacity is just under 200 passengers, our group is far less. I’ve heard all sorts of different numbers, but we are definitely less than 100.

 

The captain announced that the flight time to Ushuaia is 11 hours, which is significantly better than the 14 hours Google told me it would take!

 

I watched a movie and since dinner still hadn’t been served I chose to skip it and try to get some sleep. I call this part of the trip “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The plane is a 2-4-2 arrangement and I was unlucky enough to be on the side with 2 seats. The good news was that because of the small number of passengers, my friend and I were able to spread out: she moved back a row. The bad news was that we were on the side with 2 seats. People who had been seated in the middle also spread out so it looked like almost everyone had a row to themselves. Of course that means the folks in the middle section had 4 seats to stretch out on, while I unfortunately had only 2. And these seats barely recline and the armrests aren’t even padded. The center armrest, when raised, sticks out into the seat about 3 inches. I highly suggest arm wrestling a fellow passenger for a center row of seats or at least bringing a neck pillow, because it is impossible to be at all comfortable in these seats on a long flight, and I’m a small adult.

 

Upon descent into Ushuaia, the mountain and lake views (from either side of the plane) are stunning, even with overcast skies.

 

Our group of 100 or less were boarded onto 3 buses for some sightseeing around Ushuaia, and later a lunch at a local tourist place. Very basic. After that, more sightseeing, and sometime during the afternoon our local guide mentioned that we would be taking a catamaran trip. What??? People had been traveling since at least early Thursday, had little or no sleep, and we all just wanted to board the ship, unpack, and unwind. But we boarded the catamaran and were served dinner and drinks. 

 

Eventually an Atlas rep told us that a crew member (or 2?) had been tested positive and that they were making every effort to comply with Argentinian requirements to get us safe to travel. An update would be provided at 8, and then at 9. We asked questions but received less than forthcoming answers. It was a really frustrating experience, to say the least. At least there was plenty of food and drinks, because we weren’t allowed off the catamaran.

 

LONG story short: we were finally told we’d be taken to local hotels to spend the night. I think we got in our hotel room around 1 am, and were told there would be an Atlas rep there to give us an update at 9 am. So we set the alarm, got up and showered, and were ready for - nothing. No word. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel and had NO idea whether we would be able to sail or not. We were taking go/no-go bets. 

 

Finally the announcement came that we would board at 9 pm!! Our trip was a go!

 

Despite beginning the journey a full 24 hours later than scheduled, the Drake Passage was very kind to us and so we had all of the time in Antarctica that we were due, and it was FANTASTIC. 

 

Aside from the extremely poor communication and the rough start, I can only compliment the line, the crew, the ship, and the expedition team.  And the positive effect of what we’d been through was that all of us passengers bonded and made true friendships before setting foot on the ship. 

 

Importantly, around the third day of the cruise, Atlas gave everyone what I believe to be very generous compensation for the bad start. 

 

It is true that there aren’t 6 dining venues, but we never wanted for anything. We all felt the food was good to very good to excellent. Breakfast and lunch are buffets, but the quality and freshness of the food was great. Cocktails were wonderful! My favorites were the Smoky Margarita and the BBC (Baileys & Banana Colada). Wine was plentiful and while not the finest I’ve ever had, I was happy with the choices. 

 

The crew could not have been nicer or more helpful - I have nothing but top marks for them. 

 

The real stars of the Atlas Ocean Voyages trip to Antarctica, however, are the expedition team, led by Henry Wolff. Other team members were a Marine Biologist, an Ornithologist, a Historian, a Logistics Coordinator and various paddle and sea kayak guides. These people worked 16 hour days and had unending enthusiasm to show us Antarctica.

 

That’s all I can share now - we’re flying back to Orlando tonight. 

What did you do on your final day after getting off the ship until your flight?  Thanks.

Sorry to be back on here but I forgot to report that we just returned one week ago from a week long cruise on Viking around Iceland.  There were approximately 600 passengers onboard.  All passengers and crew were vaccinated.  We did have to wear masks walking around and only took them off for eating and drinking.  We also had to wear a small disk (either in pocket or around neck) that tracked all contacts within so many feet, have our temperature taken once daily and provide a saliva sample each morning.  We did not have any cases of Covid that I am aware of.  Lots of hand cleaning and they were very concientious about sanitizing tables, chairs, etc.  All in all I feel that Viking did a great job.  Also on Viking we had "free" internet which most of the time worked but while in the fjiords each day from morning till evening service was not available.  Our daily newsletter informed us of the status for the next day.

Also, early July we sailed on the new Silversea Origin in the Galapagos.  Again, Silversea did an excellent job on sanitizing, etc.  There were only 54 passengers on that sailing and when we arrived on the boat we were told that masks were not mandatory and we could decide if we wanted to wear one or not.  When we were in a town going to see the giant tortoises or at the airport we had to wear them.  It was mandatory in Equador.  No one on that sailing with us wore a mask and as far as I know there were no cases of Covid.  Another item I have to bring up is that on the Galapagos sailing we had "free" unlimited internet.  Not the fastest but at least if we wanted to get our email or send any home we could.  Most days we were so busy we didn't have time to mess with it but it was available for free as advertised.

Peggy

Glad to hear Atlas is taking care of things.  We are booked on the Lisbon-Barbados and actually a little nervous.  Also booked on the Antartica sailing in February.  Guess we will take one day at a time going forward with Atlas.

Peggy

P.S.  Great job reporting Joyce!!!!

Anyone arrange their own transfer from the airport to the ship and return to airport?

1 hour ago, Paulchili said:

i.e. - you are free to consume your wine and liquor in your cabin or take the wine to the restaurant and pay the corkage.

Do not take wine or liquor poured in your cabin for consumption in other public spaces.

It's that simple.

Can you bring a bottle of liquor on board, i.e., gin or vodka?  We like to have a drink prior going to dinner while getting dressed and if we can bring a bottle of liquor we will be able to have a gin/vodka and tonic prior to dinner.  We have already purchased the wine and beer for lunch and dinner package.

How are you required to bring this wine onboard the ship?  Can you have it in your luggage or must you carry it on?