KenzSailing

That is a slender thread for choosing another cruise line.

Sarah Vanilla Bean(but not Tahitian, mind you) McPecan Sandies ice cream. It has its own theme song:

Crystal Cruisers calmly discussing the on board laundry facilities:

Did not know that about La Verandah. Thanks for the tip.

So the Washington Post taste tested eight or ten of the most popular brands of vanilla ice cream: Ben and Jerry's came out on top. The Costco store brand (Kirkland) came in second. Blue Bell tied for seventh with Walmart's brand. News you can use!

I sympathize, but I can unify your point with the original direction of this thread: I mean, who hasn't heard of Jockey Shorts?

Hi all, taking our first Regent cruise on Grandeur, Dec 21, Mia-LA. We have two sea days that occur on Sundays. From what I've read, this means a grand buffet featuring caviar(asking for the spouse.) However I've also read that this only happens once a cruise. So can we expect one included caviar feast or two? Guidance appreciated. (The Sundays fall on Dec 24 and Jan 31, so I'm guessing, if it's one, that'll be NYE.) Correct my logic if I'm wrong. Also, appreciate guidance on booking the specialties. Specifically, I'm thinking of booking P7 the first night, as I suspect CR will get very busy(although I'm sure they handle the crush just fine.) We tend to dine later when cruising, around 8:30. Hoping that dining time also works for Sette Mari on other evenings. And if you want to tell me I'm over thinking this, why, yes, I am. That's part of the fun for us.

I'm not sure toothpicks will take off, but I've got a dead bang certain fire starter for you: paper straws. 😁

I see Regent's included laundry service has suddenly become a major selling point to some on this board. I've spent a lot of time on the Regent board while Crystal was on "hiatus." Here's a little context: Regent only extended that perk to all cruisers within the last year or two(previously it was dependent on your nights aboard Regent status.) And some Regent cruisers complained that that perk extension diminished the value of their cherished status! Some cruisers, man, if they stop complaining, check for a pulse.

Ah, you're right of course. I'm mired in the past! Anyway, that leads me an even better idea for both ships: A Fifth of Crystal Penthouse!

Well, I've thought a lot about this important topic, and this has occurred to me: since, on Symphony, there are two CPs, they should have named it Crystal Penthouse the Third. Very classy.

Oh my gosh, cannot imagine circulating around, much less having dinner, on a Crystal cruise after being prominently outed as a Doctor-Doctor. It would be like seven days(or more) in one of Dante's Circles of Hell.

Serious question: does anyone know the status of our own @BWIVince? Initially I figured he was buried by work, but it's been forever and a day since he's dropped by this silly little neighborhood. I miss the insights and sanity of the Voice of Reason.

Well, that certainly explains what happened after I made a quick lunch of the five day old Wiener Schnitzel I had saved on my last cruise.

Oh boy oh boy oh boy, another great squashed chicken meal tonight. Winner winner chicken dinner! Think I'll go roll some coal...

Beav, you have cracked the code at the Chez, I'm in back keeping the orders moving, OloPP is FOH keeping our clients happy. I get the high heat scars, she gets the kisses. Such is life in the industry. Oh simmering this weekend is a protein backup caused by the fires(we were Marroon yesterday.) Anyway it the sacred steak night Saturday followed by Burger Night in America Sunday(not our typical) Sunday, but we're going for it. Then there will be a spatchcock chicken and some sausages. I have back ribs in the freezer, just need to find the courage

Ooops...

I agree completely with your first sentence. It's just that I've taken a number of OC cruises when NYK owned Crystal, and I never encountered an atmosphere in the casino that seemed in any way undesirable. Then that other company(I won't use their name) took the reins, and we got a high rollers room and, IIRC, some of the high rollers from their other properties (all basically casinos) started getting comped with Crystal cruises. I'm suggesting it's that crowd NC wants to lose. Pure speculation on my part, however.

OK, it was a clear plastic baggie full of all those cords that connect all the electronic devices that increasingly rule our lives. You were sitting one row over from us, but facing our row. I happened to glance in that direction as I saw you put the baggie on the floor directly under your seat so you could use both hands to adjust things in your carry-on. You then moved seats to one that was right on the main thru-way of the seating area, leaving the baggie behind. I retrieved the bag and returned it to you. I thought that person was you based on meeting you at the M&G (I introduced myself by asking if you were Texas Tillie, you replied "I sure am.") If I'm the one who's confused, my apologies. Anyway, maybe you remember OLoPP from the M&G. Short brunette, never met a stranger, slightly tart tongue.

Well, just got off the agency webinar on NC that a lot of you were on. Asked about the casinos. The answer is, yep, they're gone for good(I had that one wrong.) Explanation was interesting, from the head of hotel ops for the line(this is a paraphrase, but close:) "management felt that the positioning of the product was not congruent with certain of the clientele attracted to the casino amenity." I read that as translating to "prior ownership's focus on gaming and comps from other parts of their empire was a relationship we wanted to clearly and completely sever."

Well, that's understandable, it was a while ago. Although I am a little disappointed that my obvious charm and suave manners did not leave even the trace of an impression. OTOH, maybe I saved the cord bag of another extremely distinguished looking(in a Texas royalty sort of way) solo traveler and I'm confused. Don't think so, though.

Huh? No insult, she was sitting nearby and I happened to notice a cord baggie left behind on the floor when, for whatever reason, she moved seats in the terminal. Sheesh, a guy does his one small kindness per decade and he gets accused of a hygiene issue. Let's forget I mentioned it.

Yep, the semi-famous(or infamous) 8218. That was a great cruise! BTW, I'm the guy who retrieved your gizmo connection bag after you moved seats in the cruise terminal.

I remember a few years ago we flew into SFO to get on a Crystal cruise. We were delayed a couple of hours by flow control caused by wildfire smoke.

Yeah, today is a Code Purple day. I didn't know there was a Code Purple. Turns out, that's not even the worst rating. That's Code Maroon. I do not want to find out about code Maroon.