femme de mer

Yes! 

Crystal , in my experience, has been responsive to my needs.

Sorry for error- i was on the Debussy from Oct 3- 10

7 hours ago, skybluewaters said:

We have just returned from the Crystal Mahler 16-day cruise which began in Amsterdam 10-3-18 and ended in Amsterdam 10-19-18.  First off, let me say that Crystal did an unbelievably good job in providing a superb itinerary despite the low-water conditions.  Although going to Vienna and Budapest was not possible, the alternative stops along the Rhine and especially the Moselle were outstanding.  Stops included Bernkastel, which is arguably the cutest town on the Moselle (or any other river), Cochem which was also excellent, Koblenz, Dusseldorf, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Ghent, among others.  The excursions were phenomenal:  luxury buses to get there (with no excursion being more than one hour away), top-notch guides, small groups (never more than 15 people, usually less, with extra guides to allow for smaller groups), and superb choices of excursions (ranging from ebike trips in about 50% of the stops, to city walks, to a private evening concert, to visits to museums, etc., to full day trips to interesting cities/sites).  The excursion to Bruges was unbelievably nice, and the visit to Luxembourg also was excellent.  Another day trip was to Trier, a great city and a wonderful excursion.

 

The service on the boat was impeccable, as it always is on Crystal.  Out of a capacity of 106 passengers, there where quite a few cancellations, as there were just 61 passengers on this cruise.  The cabin attendants, waiters, excursion personel, etc. provided over-the-top service. 

 

The food was equal to or better than that of a typical Michelin one-star restaurant.  Creative, beautifully presented, unusual as well as classic items were the norm.  The liquor selection was also outstanding and the bartender would know what your preferences are by the third day.

 

The boat itself is beautiful, luxurious, comfortable and classy.  The rooms are very nice.  The public spaces are also excellent.

 

Crystal notified us 8 or 9 days before the cruise that there would probably be changes to the itinerary, and on day 6 prior to the cruise they sent us the amended itinerary.  We were given the option to cancel or to stay on and receive some compensation.  I believe Crystal truly didn't know for sure what the itinerary would be until that time, and they didn't want to make repeated changes and so notified us only when they were certain.

 

Crystal's primary concern is to maintain the trip as a river cruise and not to bus passengers and not to put us up in hotels.  They did this successfully for our trip.  If your only goal when booking this cruise was to see the original destinations, of course you would be disappointed.  But if you wanted a superb, luxurious vacation, with a caring crew, stimulating excursions, the best food on the rivers, and wanted to visit some outstanding spots along the Rhine and the Moselle, you absolutely could not do any better than this cruise. 

 

If anyone has any specific questions about this cruise, I'd be glad to answer them. 

 

I want to echo skybluewaters! 

I was on Crystal's Debussy from October 1 -10. Our original itineray Basel- Amsterdam was amended to start from Andernach- with ports being: Koblenz, Cochem, Cologne, Arnhem Rotterdam, Amsterdam.

Given the water level situation at that time, Crystal was able to arrange for a boat excursion through the Rhine Gorge-  It was splendid and was greatly appreciated as this was removed from the original itinerary. 

Thank you, notamermaid, for that suggestion. Prior to my trip, I was communicating via both email and phone with guest relations and had made that request.

Finally, back home! After our cruise ended on Oct 10 in Amsterdam, we continued on to Iceland.

First, Crystal provided us with a boat  excursion to see the Rhine Gorge!! It was splendid. 

Crystal had been "listening to my thread' ,as well as, was responsive to my emails about providing that excursion.

As things got upended due to the itinerary changes, for our first stop in Koblenz, the Jewish walking tour had to be cancelled because the guide was unavailable  ( we were originally scheduled to be in Koblenz on a different day with that guide). To make up for the cancelled walking tour, it was arranged for those interested to go to the Koblenz synagogue to meet with the lay leader and to also visit the adjacent cemetery- where we were provided with historical as well as current information. 

According to our original excursion choices, a Jewish walking tour of Cologne was not an option.. Without our knowing, Crystal took the initiative to provide this experience for us while our cruise was in progress. Again, this sensitivity was quite impressive.

As I was disappointed in not starting in Basel but in Andernach, we ultimately enjoyed the amended the itinerary. Cruising on the Moselle was one of the trips many highlights. We had a marvelous time- met wonderful people who we hope to see again. The crew could not have been more friendly and accommodating!!  Our on board hotel director was amazing! 

Given that the water level situation is out of their control. Crystal appears to be trying their best to maintain the river cruising experience as close to expectations.- avoiding  boat swapping and long bus rides to destinations.

My husband and I continue to be loyal to Crystal.

Thank you Tom for the heads up!

Thank you , JP & Chris- for your encouraging thoughts!!!

I leave the US tomorrow. Hopefully, I will return not being disappointed with the amended itinerary-

Looking forward to providing a trip report filled with positive experiences.

Thank you Tom for your response - as well as directing me to your Facebook page.

Equally important for me are the ports/excursions and the cruising experience . So we’ll see- who knows imaybe Crystal will amend excursions if they have been disappointing. If possible - maybe a Rhine gorge excursion will be provided.

We are being optimistic as there is nothing we can do at this point.

Happy2trvl-

Good to hear that you had a positive experience on your cruise.

Was your itinerary on the Rhine amended?

Our trip was extensively changed to the point that as it stands now-- I would not have chosen this trip!

Bigrhode-

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Was Rotterdam a port in your amended itinerary?

notamermaid-

good suggestion- and thank you.

Given -- the lead time- Crystal would hopefully be able to come up with a satisfactory solution by providing a cruising excursion on the Rhine Gorge.

if Crystal's ear is not "listening"to this thread-- I am wondering what would be the most effective channel...

Notamermaid-

Thank you for your reassurances.

You have a strong point on Crystal providing an excursion to see the Rhine Gorge. I hope Crystal is able to be responsive and sensitive to the needs of their clients- given that we are missing out on a highlight of the trip.

BTW--I hope Crystal is monitoring related posts on Cruise Critic.

Capriccio-

Thank you for your kind wishes!

I did look at Notamermaid's last post - within which she wrote:

" Crystal is - it seems deliberately - the odd one out with pro-actively changing the cruise from Basel to Amsterdam into Koblenz - Amsterdam or even Amsterdam round trip."

I am getting very concerned and almost feeling that I booked on the wrong cruise line!!

Hopefully, I will hear from more.

Capriccio-

Thank you -

I did look at those-- but was seeking more recent information about cruise cancellations. I received an email from Crystal yesterday with my amended itinerary.

My Crystal cruise on the Debussy was scheduled to depart from Basel on Wednesday, Oct 3. Now Crystal has changed the departure location to Lahnstein ( a little south of Koblenz). From Koblenz, the ship will head north on the Rhine. Seems like we'll be missing out on the best part of the Rhine!

Curious to know if other cruise lines have been unable to leave from Basel or get to Basel? Is it just Crystal who is have difficulties?