Amber14

29 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

I have run early in the downtown area and across the bridge into the port area.  

 

If you are going up Brickell you do have to contend with cross walks/lights.  Or you could start further down by the Intercontinental and run from there to the port and back.  

If you don't start early downtown then you will have to contend with people walking on the side walk although with patience you can get around them. 

 

When you get across the bridge you have to run across a couple of streets but they are part of the port so not highways to deal with.

 

Unlike Port Everglades there is no security check point to deal with. 

 

I hope this helps.  

 

Another place to run is if you go across the bridge to to the island where the Mandarin Oriental i located there is a nice wide path that goes around that area and I like to walk and run it with nice views of the Bay and some of the cruise ships.

 

And finally you can head in the other direction from Miami where you go through Coconut Grove and then over to Key Biscayne if you want a long run (you have to get back too) to change things up.

 

Keith

Thanks, this is most helpful. I was wondering about the security check at the port since we are used to Fort Lauderdale. We have never stayed in this area of Miami. Last year was our first trip to Miami for a cruise and we stayed in South Beach. Looking to stay in a different place this year. When you talk about Key Biscayne, are you talking about the bridge which is labeled 15th St? Can you run/walk all the way across to Miami Beach?

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

 

 

I like to walk so often we would walk from the Four Season, up Brickell, across the bridge and into the port of Miami.  GO to get those steps in.  

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

Keith, I run each morning and would like to know if this is a runner friendly area. Like are there sidewalks through Brickell and Biscayne areas? Can you actually run/walk through the port area?

Thanks to all of you who shared your Crystal cruise with us. I really enjoyed looking over the daily programs, seeing the food and reading the comments. 

I am looking forward to eating at Waterside. On other cruiselines they will try and sit you in the same place with the same wait staff if possible each night. Do they do that on Serenity automatically or do you have to ask? And if you have to ask would you suggest we do or is it better to experience as many of the wonderful staff as we can? Thanks!

Yes. I am sure she will be sending me the news tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up. There was an excursion we wanted to do last year but it was sold out so I will be checking everyday.

2 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

January 5th. Crystal is working on excursions for St. Barts. In the original itinerary it was St Barts, but it was changed to Marigot. Now it is St. Barts again. My TA received the communication.

Ah, that is the same cruise I am on. I have been wondering why the excursions for Marigot disappeared a couple of days ago. I had an excursion booked for Marigot. I have not heard anything yet. We went to St. Barts last year with Oceania and just walked around. It is a beautiful place!

5 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

I have received the good news that St. Barts is back on the itinerary of my next cruise replacing Marigot. Well done for Crystal to be able to get again permission for that lovely island.

 

Ivi

 

Which cruise is this?

27 minutes ago, ryndam said:

Todays program.

 

 

Thanks for all the Daily programs. They are very helpful in anticipating what to expect on our first Crystal in Jan. It is interesting to me that there are 2 shows many nights at 6 and 9:30. They seem to be encouraging most to eat dinner around 7 in between the two shows. I wonder if that will be a problem with crowds and wait time on our cruise which seems to be almost sold out.

Here is a great article that breaks down the exact percentages for each category.

https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/crystal-serenity-cruise-ship/

Thanks for answering my question! Glad to hear you wear the white to dinner...one less outfit I have to pack. Love that they have laundry though. It will be the first time we will be using this and it will really help. No more sweaty running clothes to have to hide in our cabin and then pack to come home.

On 11/6/2023 at 6:07 AM, May B said:

I’m onboard now and the white party was last night. Amazing how many dressed in white, with the ridiculous to the sublime. Perhaps 80%, maybe more. Most attractive outfit was not white at all.

 

The party was in the Crystal Cove and was at the regular show time. There was no other show.

Do people wear their white clothes to dinner also or just to the party/show? We are looking forward to this special night!

Thanks to both May B and Ibis for sharing some of your cruise with us. I can't wait to read more. I hope both of you continue to enjoy the beautiful ship and islands. We will be on Serenity in the Caribbean soon, too!

14 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

At this point you can't tell which nights are formal. Hopefully, this will be added to the website in-time. You could see if your TA can followup with on board guest services to see if they can obtain the information on formal nights.

 

As to the formal nights you will likely have two on your cruise.  First one either January 6 (probably) or January 8. These are sea days.

 

Second one I think will be January 16 also a sea day.

 

On that first formal night I like Waterside as it has a great menu. I found every night at Waterside the menus are even better than before but on the formal night it's a step up. Waterside is the equivalent of the main dining room. Used to be called Crystal Dining Room before renamed Waterside.

 

As to white party I would not worry about when it will be held. If you want to get into the spirit of it plan to dress in something white but whatever night it is shouldn't matter where you dine.  The party will be later in the evening.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Keith

Wow, that helps so much! Thanks Keith. I have learned so much from you. Your comments and posts always make me even more excited for my first Crystal cruise!

I know I have read about this but can't find it anywhere. We will be on Serenity for 13 nights in Jan. Is there anywhere we can find out which nights are formal and which night is the White Night party now? I can now book excursions and dining so it would help if I knew. Also, does it really matter? On other ships the menu in the main dining room on formal nights was better than the others. Is it like that on Crystal? Thanks!

Thanks everyone. I just love this way of doing it. Can't wait till Jan. 5!!!

On 10/27/2023 at 9:56 AM, Keith1010 said:

Sixty days before your cruise you can go to "My Account (your account) and you will see the pricing for each shore excursion.

 

Thankfully, Crystal does not include excursions in the cruise fare.  I hope this continues.

 

Keith 

Excursions just opened for my January cruise and I reserved some today. This was the first time I did not have to pay anything to reserve an excursion. Is this normal for Crystal? Do we pay once we board or is it charged after the cruise? Thanks!

2 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

Men are no longer required to wear ties, just a jacket with nice slacks. It is no longer "formal". I've cruised Crystal since 2007 and have never worn a formal gown or a cocktail dress. My last formal gown was the senior prom! 🤪😉😱

 

Patty

Thanks for the correction! I just looked back at Crystal's FAQ's and it does say ties optional. It is a little misleading though as it does state that there is still a formal night (2 for me since we will be 13 nights) and does list gowns, cocktail dresses, suits and tuxes. I was assuming ties since I have never seen my husband wear his suit without a tie! I have several formal gowns and cocktail dresses from other cruises with other cruiselines so I will be wearing two of these on our cruise in Jan. (And my hubby will be wearing his suit with tie) I am not really concerned with what others are wearing. I am sure as someone else said that everyone will look nice. It sounds like Crystal is still trying to figure out what they want (formal or not) or maybe they just want to leave it up to the individual which is nice.

It seems odd to me that women can wear pants, nice tops & summer dresses while men must wear suits or tuxes with ties. I just associate suits & tuxes with women's formal gowns or cocktail dresses.

5 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

I have been looking to my itinerary to see if I would need a visa for any of the port of calls for my cruise. On my Itinerary appears „St. John‘s“. But when I look at the internet „St. John‘s“ is not in the Caribbean. There is „St. John“, which apparently is in one of the US Virgin Islands. Or is there another „St. John‘s“ in the Caribbean?. 

 

Ivi

St. John is part of the Virgin Islands very close to St. Thomas.

St. John's is the capital of Antigua which is also a Caribbean island. This is where my cruise is going in January. No need for VISA in any Caribbean island as far as I know.

I also received the letter from my TA yesterday. Hopefully going forward if any other changes are made we will be notified right away. And hopefully there will be no other changes! 🙂

55 minutes ago, kool kruiser said:

We discovered a Jade Martini on Crystal and it remains my go to in the Avenue Saloon ( Piano Bar ). Crystal has an extensive list of no-upcharge martinis but will essentially concoct your own fave, if at all possible. Incidentally, the current entertainer in the Avenue Saloon is Joel Spire, with whom a great singalong is guaranteed😀

That all sounds perfect. Thanks!

6 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

The aft is one of those places where because they don't have rooms like some ships do (suites with oversized verandahs) that space is available for everyone to enjoy.  But few people go out there so it's like having a ship to yourself.  To me it's like when  they don't build condominiums to block the view of a beautiful beach area so everyone can enjoy the view whereas some places allow tall buildings to be built so the only people who can enjoy the views are the owners of the condominiums. Yes to chairs and lounge chairs and a couple of tables on most decks and many of the loungers were new.

 

Keith 

That is so true! And I think I read somewhere that Serenity even has a waiter walk by every so often to see if you need anything back there. 

2 hours ago, ChatKat in Ca. said:

We sailed Oceania for quite a few cruises.  The service on Crystal bumps it up a lot.  

I love walking into the Bistro to find they already made my coffee for me exactly as I like.

Or sitting at the bar in the Cove before dinner and trying a new drink. 

The waiters in Waterside automatically bring your favorite salt sticks with out asking and the Sommelier knows which wine to pour at dinner.  

Miso Cod is on the menu some times (maybe Umi Uma) but you can ask the head waiter to have it made for you the next day.

Onboard, there are so many activities to enjoy you will have to pick among your favorites. Or you can find many quiet places to enjoy the scenery and just relax.

I have read so much about the wonderful crew. I just can't imagine... Can't wait to meet them and experience it for myself. I love trying new before dinner drinks. I will only drink a martini on a ship and I had some yummy ones on Celebrity and Oceania.

I am excited to sit in the lounge chairs in the very back. Our favorite cabin on a ship is the aft but Serenity doesn't have cabins there. I hope the chairs are still there for anyone to use. 

7 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Incidentally @Amber14 you may find sound only on a PC but the sound and video come through fine on an IPAD.  Not sure what would happen on an android phone.

 

Roy

I was able to see and hear it on my laptop. She sounds amazing. I really hope she is still on Serenity in January!

Thanks everyone! This will be our first cruise with everything included. It will be strange not having to give your card to someone everytime you order a drink. (I assume you don't have to do that.) We are so very excited and your warm welcome makes me feel great about our decision to try Crystal.

12 hours ago, rafinmd said:

 I did not have to be a fit for Crystal, Crystal did whatever it took to be a fit for me.

 

Roy

I love this! Thanks for the reassurance. I was feeling like we may not fit but you have made me feel much better.