Stickman1990

9 March Waterside Lunch Waterside Lunch 9 March.pdf Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 9 March.pdf Reflections Reflections 9 March 2024.pdf

For those keeping a lookout for their emails from Crystal to confirm they’re on “the list” one more came out today headed “JOIN A VIP VOYAGE AROUND THE JEWELS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN”

8 March Waterside Lunch Waterside Lunch 8 March.pdf Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 8 March.pdf Reflections Reflections 8 March 2024.pdf

7 March Waterside Lunch Waterside Lunch 7 March.pdf Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 7 March.pdf Reflections Reflections 7 March 2024.pdf

and in another view of the situation that is different than yours we are taking 6 Crystal friends and a couple of others new to luxury cruising with us when we sail Explora next - we are still beaming ear to ear recounting our cruise last September. We certainly don’t see them having any major issues that need resolving and I just hope they maintain the current standards and offerings I just don’t see it being a case of one over another. For example we're happy on both Crystal and Explora - with different aspects resonating with us on each line - in the case of the next Explora cruise it’s partly driven by the itinerary and timing

6 March Waterside closed for lunch in Noumea Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 6 March.pdf Reflections Reflections 6 March 2024.pdf

This is the Alaska mail from Crystal - I just received it 10 minutes ago so it’s coming out progressively If you think you’re on the mailing list and haven’t received it then write to guestrelations@crystalcruises.com with your name and email that you want subscribed letting them know you’re still not getting them

5 March Waterside closed for lunch in Noumea Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 5 March.pdf Reflections Reflections 5 March 2024.pdf

No apology required - we’re in the same club and think it’s just silly to try to introduce a new language for the standard terminology. Hopefully they tire of it and revert back to the Kings English

Wouldn’t this apply ESTA - Does it affect my departure if my ESTA expired after arriving in the United States? “If your ESTA expires while in the United States it will not affect your departure. If your ESTA has expired, you must reapply by submitting a new application at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Existing authorizations cannot be extended.” https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1220?language=en_US#:~:text=If your ESTA expires while,Existing authorizations cannot be extended.

Michael Ungerer is leaving his role as CEO of Explora Journeys, with Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division at MSC Group taking over his responsibilities for the time being. Ungerer is leaving for undisclosed "personal reasons." He will remain as an advisor for the brand through the end of August. https://www.travelmarketreport.com/Cruise/articles/Explora-Journeys-CEO-Michael-Ungerer-to-Leave I wonder what, if any, changes follow this change at the top?

4 March Waterside Lunch Waterside Lunch 4 March.pdf

4 March Waterside Lunch - to come Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 4 March.pdf Reflections Reflections 4 March 2024.pdf

We booked a B2B with Explora last November and received a B2B discount Not sure what percentage it was but it was clearly noted as a B2B saving

Excursions can be booked once you have paid your deposit - we had access to ours 18 months out from paying the deposit. If you do book early check back regularly as they can add additional tours over time @gnome12 makes a good point about being grandfathered for what were included excursions versus when they may be charged to chargeable ones - that’s certainly happened to us

Bon Voyage So glad that you’re going to give it a try - we loved our time on Explora and look forward to returning Can’t wait for your commentary on the experience No formal nights on Explora but will you be sporting your kilt some evenings? Now remember to use the Explora speak/terms for everything - that alone will confuse and amuse many of your friends and readers for a while -

Sounds like a recurring theme - anywhere from $30-$50 seemed to be the asking price offered for a tour to a beach, in the shuttle into the town centre (they weren’t pushy about it at all though) They would have done better to allow local operators to setup a tent ship side like they did in Fiji although we heard those who took them promptly got charged admission fees in addition to the tour fee at most of the attractions they visited The ships tour options today were the Chocolate Factory and River Kayaking I think many of us needed other things like a boat tour, fishing or snorkelling to experience Vanuatu Fair to say being Sunday options for shopping in town were very limited - maybe we should have gone to Mystery Island instead and made our own party (I know they can’t take food and beverage on there anymore but it was a lot of fun back in 2016) - the swimming off the beach there was great

3 March Reflections Reflections 3 March 2024.pdf

Day 14 - Cruising to Port Vila, Vanuatu Another great day at sea, the seas have been so calm as we cross the Pacific - fingers crossed they stay the same We followed our normal sea day routine which is basically eating and drinking with a few activities like knitting and playing games with friends thrown in - trust me we are never bored when at sea The morning show featured a very special guest, familiar to many of you - Benjamin who shared some stories about his background and 22+ year career with Crystal - lovely to see the crew being profiled by Rick on the show I went to a lecture on Nuclear Submarines and life aboard - I’ll stick to cruising above the water thanks We like to hang out in the bistro and we got to meet the Executive Pastry Chef who was overseeing his tempting treats being put out late morning - he and his team of pastry chefs do a great job and I even had a cannoli as a treat to sample their wares Trivia was somewhat forgettable with 10 out of 15 In the evening I went to drinks in the Captains Quarters with Captain Vincent Taillard - nice to have this opportunity and chat with fellow guests. I also got the opportunity to meet Franco, who is the son of a very popular Crystal crew member, Kiko - his family and late father would be very proud of him and we wish him well in his career at Crystal We dined at Osteria d Ovidio and tried some different dishes that our last visit - I like the lighter style of the menu but I’m yet to find dishes that draw me back. The ambience of the restaurant including the very attentive serving staff is very nice My wife got some great photos of the night sky including one of the Southern Cross Tomorrow were in Port Vila - our first visit there

Day 13 - Lautoka, Fiji Bula! The greeting we heard so many times as we walked around Lautoka - such friendly and relaxed locals It was another hot hot hot day and we took the shuttle into town where we walked to the local markets and enjoyed seeing all the different fruits and vegetables on offer - including the Kava roots which are made into a drink and used in ceremonies It started to rain for sail away but that also bought on some rainbows which my wife captured in some great shots We dined in Waterside and had a variety of dishes and this time almost everyone joined me in having a Niçoise salad while one at our table opted for prime rib Lead vocalist Sarah Coombs performed a solo show featuring many females vocalists - it was very popular and Sarah did a great job across a range of artists We sailed into the night and my wife decided to try for some night shots which came out really well Sea day tomorrow for us route to Port Vila and the occasional photo that manages to load (note this is not an issue with the ships internet - it’s CC not allowing uploading reliably)

3 March Waterside closed for lunch - we’re in Port Vila Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 3 March.pdf

2 March Reflections Reflections 2 March 2024.pdf

2 March Waterside Lunch Waterside Lunch 2 March.pdf Waterside Dinner Waterside Dinner 2 March.pdf Reflections still to be loaded to the intranet

I didn’t have to twist her arm to be the model for the shoot 😂😂😂😉

While they would have to reposition down under there’s some conjecture in the Australian press they’re chasing a better revenue return from US$ denominated cruises in the Caribbean next season - so it may not be quite as dependent on the canal transit as it being portrayed