Dr. Cocktail

I'm sorry we didn't meet in November! Just got off Friday and still fabulous. There's presently a live thread that has them posted.

NP - I will sit quietly until I don't want to.

Our lecturer got confused and talked about Virgin Gouda. The whole thing was kinda' cheesy and not particularly informative.

WTH????!!!!! There was NONE of that last week! In general, we would actually see people pick up their towels as they left.

Read the titles of the books from left to right, starting at the top and working your way down row by row!!! They tell a story! Those prints run about $10 to 15k at art shows!

Thanks for taking the time to post! I was/am far too lazy to attempt such an endeavour! Happy that you're having a good time.

Well, I DID leave on Friday , just sayin’……

Absolutely! We bonded and got complimenting tattoos .... mine says "Crustal Cruises" and his says "Seabored"! I will report later - an extremely nice gentleman!

Starboard under the funnel !!!!! Deck 12! Azamara 🧢!

Dave: I’m presently in the shade on the starboard side under the funnel - find me!

They’re both 8 night cruises . My error was interchanging the words nights and days. In future, might I suggest a kinder tone (actually, a much kinder tone) and the simple question “are you using the words days and nights interchangeably? My calculations for the stated per couple per diems are correct. Don’t take my word for it - go and report back. A again, you have yet to expend any energy by checking the website. i

I clearly state the price per person per cruise for each ship. I then state theper diem, or per couple per day as the final number. The numbers are totally consistent. Kindly reread the post. Perhaps you could actually go and check yourself and report back.

Looking forward to seeing you on board! We’ll talk!

I'm not being at all sarcastic when I say "please run the numbers again and point out my errors"! You need to explain and show your math. As I said, "just the facts, please" and prove me wrong. I have been known to occasionally get my math wrong! Otherwise you're just making a subjective statement. Use one of the websites that show you the number of cabins and grades and square footages to help you out. I chose extremely similar Caribbean itineraries. You now have a project! ps - I could care less what they think on the Crystal boards!

Me too - I will post my thoughts this second time around!

In all honesty, I’m not the biggest Moët guy….🤷‍♂️. I’ll get flamed but I actually prefer their California version. As long as it’s not Montaudon swill served on Seabourn!

Excellent points raised - I will be curious to the changes on E since my last 🚢 cruise.

It wouldn't be a problem if the the cabins were offered at a lesser price than Seabourn, Regent or Explora who all have larger cabins with verandas!

Continue to have a good time!

THESE are the exact sort of discussions that I wanted to start!!! I haven't been on Crystal but one of the usual suspects here keeps posting and reposting and reposting again about how much he paid so I wanted to address that head on! There have been far too many posts by people who haven't been on Explora who are reviewing it sight unseen and confidently stating "well, I know and I'm entitled to my opinions". I wanted some actual comparisons and you've given them! Stickman: I LOVE your posts and you've brought up some very interesting points on how do you compare and what is "luxury" and what is important to us in higher end cruises. My partner and I are late 50's/just turned 60 and we're both tall guys who need some room! I'd be fine (and have been fine ) for smaller rooms on expedition cruises but I really like a bit of space to spread out in. I could care less about a production show and actually run for cover when they're offered! Dining and service are extremely subjective so that gets dicey. We always choose the itinerary/region we want to go to and then see what's on offer. At this stage of my life, I'm happiest with a large cabin, some good lounge entertainment and food that uses quality ingredients. John: again someone who I take seriously! Of what you've listed, where Explora fails for me is the complimentary wines and general alcohol selection. Itineraries will change as Explora expands to 6 ships. I like the 4 dining venues on E but agree that Med Yacht Club and Fil Rouge should have some rotating items. Again, the rest aren't that important to me.

There’s been a lot of misinformation regarding Explora vs Crystal that has been tossed around on these boards. I thought I’d put my University Statistics Courses to use and clear the air a bit. Crystal Symphony has 295 cabins, of which 71 are Ocean View with no balcony. These cabins are 215 square feet, slightly smaller than what you would find on a newer Carnival ship. There are then 48 Sapphire suites clocking in at 430 square feet, again without a veranda. So a luxurious 40% of the cabins don’t have a veranda. When was the last time that you sailed without a veranda. Do you remember? I certainly don't! An equally luxurious 33% of cabins are 215 square feet in total. No wonder you get a paring knife …. you’ll need it to stab yourself effectively (not possible with a butter knife) after spending any time in these tiny rooms. Not to worry, you can always go into the corridor if you need space to change your mind! Let’s be fair and have a go at Crystal Serenity. There are more verandas so the number of oceanview cabins drops to 16% of the total. But again, a whopping 30% are a luxurious 215 square feet or again, the same size as Carnival. Knives out please…. Let’s mosey onto Explora 1. The majority of cabins are OT’s and GT’s , or Ocean Terraces and Grand Terraces which make up a whopping 80% of the capacity. They are 301 square feet with balconies ranging from 75 to118 square feet. On Crystal, the comparable cabin is an Aquamarine Veranda (and for those harping on Explora’s terminology, last I checked, Aquamarine was a colour and not indicative of anything else….) which is comparable to the OT’s with interior dimensions of up to (extremely suspicious words) 323 square feel and a veranda of 86 square feet. Let’s continue with objective facts and NOT subjective empirical statements and look at comparable per diems. I have chosen a very similar itinerary for December of 2025 - we’ll use Canadian Dollars for both Crystal and Explora. Crystal has an eight night voyage starting at $5500 pp for an oceanview cabin and $5650 for a veranda … about $1375 per couple per day, again in a tiny room. The Aquamarine veranda is $7450 pp for a total of about $1863 per couple per day (as a reminder - about equivalent to an OT) On almost the same days, Explora is also offering an 8 day itinerary … for $9600 or $1200 per couple per night. Ok - Aquamarine $1863 a night vs OT at $1200 a night. Let’s take it up a notch ….a Penthouse on Explora will be $9550 pp or $2400 per couple per night. The same size room on Crystal doesn’t exist … it would be between an Aquamarine or Sapphire (Grande anyone? More “meaningless nomenclature”) Veranda. I split the difference in cost between the two and that would be $17500 or $2187 per couple per night. ABOUT THE SAME AS EXPLORA. Let’s repeat: the VAST MAJORITY of passengers on Explora totalling 80% of capacity are sailing in cabins ridiculously superior to Crystal at a much reduced cost. Sailing on Crystal in the equivalent of an OT would cost 35% more!!! That buys a lot of fruit knives, fish forks and other sundry items. I invite all of you to check my math …. Leave emotional, subjective responses out of your arguments. Just the facts please!!!!

I can be bribed…

Now, now - don’t be like everyone else reviewing before you sailed! TBD in person!

Is your wife on CC?

Keep an eye out for the two guys with the “interesting” t-shirts 👕!