vistaman

On 8/31/2024 at 2:21 PM, Midtowngal said:

We have missed Mark!  Is he now back?  

i saw him last year on de Silver Dawn 

On 8/20/2024 at 4:54 PM, nancygp said:

I was so sad to read the news about Slavkos untimely passing.  We first met him in 2006 when he was our head waiter in the MDR, now known as Waterside.  We watched his career blossom over the years.  He was such a great asset to Crystal employees and guests and a kind man.  May his memory always be a blessing and my deepest condolences for his wife and kids.

 

Nancy

very sorry to hear that sad news  - the first time I met Slavko he was headwaiter in the speciality restaurants  - unfortuntely the last time was a few months ago on the Symphony 

On 8/23/2024 at 5:12 PM, krb1000 said:

Oh my goodness! Keep us posted.

it was very windy in belgium and the netherlands as well 

feeling sorry that you are docked in Ijmuiden   - if a cruise ships will dock in Amsterdam and not a regular , they are unkind ... 

sorry to hear that 

due to a very serious medical  condition  I had to cancel my upcoming cruise on her dep  19th

September  2024 - ship is sold out - immediately my cabin could be sold to somebody on waiting list 

even after + 40 cruises : the full cancellation procedure 

so 80% is covered by the complimentary insurance ( for Europeans ) and 20%  by my own insurance  - lots of paperwork in German -  for my doctor and myself  

i do have another cancellation on ms Europa as well - same procedure 

and sorry to say it :  rather long waiting times for refunds by HL 

HLC backoffice  does not know flexibillity  and the compensations for the cruises cancelled by

covid were " meagre"  -  I got a compensation however because I proved its regulation of only taking pax from Germany , Switserland and Austria  starting up post covid    was illegal ( confirmed by offices of the European Union in written)

as a non German citizen  it is very difficult to go to the law as well 

said all this : i got my cancellation  by BA , the confirmation and the money in 5 days 

also  on those "impossible" cruises  reposition  - only sea days  HLC is imposing silly single supp. 

well the next 6 months no cruises for me at all and then it is wait and see 

the cruise fares on Ponant did increase so heavily  that those are not appropriate anymore for the product 

definitely Regent for me   !

the Regent Grandeur is a beautiful ship !!!  

I had 3 great cruises on the Silver Dawn , the 4 th was rather bad   - SS is going down : quality of food was not ok   - service was poor  upmarket Champagnes and wines destroyed by poor wine service 

My first cruise after the bankrupcy  on new Crystal was not a success in full , mostly caused by the unpleasant single room. 

No SB for me anymore since 2016 - and Explora was a disaster  wines were very poor 

The choice of drinks is more elaborated on Crystal and maybe the team of bartenders are also somewhat better but the wine list on Crystal is extremely expensive

On Regent you do have more choices for lunch if the ship is in port  on Crystal only buffet and hamburgers 

I have have to chose between the basic room on regent Grandeur or the Crystal sisters , I ' ll go for Regent 

The Regent Grandeur is one year old , the Symphony 29 .... the choice is yours !

Both lines do have "acceptable" complimentary wines - but choice is better on Regent. 

all prices in EUR   -   Smith haut Lafitte  2011   158       Batailley 2017    270   Pontet Canet  216

cocktails : 7,90 

Glenmorangie  10  :  8,6  Glenfiddich  8,6    JW red  6,30   JW Black  8,7 Grouse 12 years  10,4

Wild Turkey  5,9   Jim Beam  5,9   Jack n 7  8,6

carafes wine  : 25 cl  

Weisburgunder  16  sauvignon Blanc  17,5  Riesling  14  Cote du Rhone 12,5  italian Merlot 12,5

Champagne Jacquart  15 cl glass   9,9   rosé  11

Ruinart Rosé  109  Veuve C  76

Beer 20cl   2,9 30cl       3,9     half liter 5,8   

DomPérignon 2013     210   Krug 395   Ruinart Bl de Blancs  120     Rosé Veuve C   2015    100   Grande Année Bollinger 2014   245

austrian riesling Singerriedel  126   imho very special 

i hope the above is helpful for eventual  passengers   ...

On 7/16/2024 at 7:44 PM, The Hudson Co. Landlubber said:

@vistaman I have a few friends interested in joining us on this cruise, one of whom is single.  May I politely enquire what the normal single supplement is on HL?  Is it the full 100%? The googles are failing me today.  Thanks!

sorry for the delay - i was in hospital 

as a single you must book very well in advance on Europa  2  - a few suites are reserved for singles at 50% however those cabins are in various degrees ...

so also a grand suite  and a PH are in that system not all lower degrees 

sometimes they are opening more suites  when bookings are weak 

a grand suite is the same size as a PH on a lower floor without the butler service 

try to book a double and pay double is maybe the cheapest 

i think a single on your cruise is 32,000€ not for my wallet...

i am afraid i had to cancel my cruise in September caused by my condition. but maybe i will visit her in my hometown next week. 

i will have a look to the wine list ...and pass some €€€

5 hours ago, tiggis said:

I was in a Penthouse a few years ago and I recall that about the first thing the butler asked, after she had introduced herself, was whether she could book speciality restaurants for us. We are on Europa 2 this autumn (from Bali, possibly the cruise following the OP’s) so I am following this thread with interest. We are in a standard veranda stateroom this time. 

i am always in a standard ocean stateroom    being single🤑

on board Europa 2 in September , I will report back  - aware there is a small group of Belgians 

in a PH   - i think - you do receive a full bottle of Moet and luxus canapes and 5 half liters of different drinks 

I think the wodka is Absolut  -    you better play safe and take a Grey Goose from duty free airport 

if you like the caviar "plain"  the best serving is in the Yacht Club with free wodka

there is also a daily free apero for dinner in the Yacht Club  - main entrance

probably Hapag Lloyd will do something for the Philippine crew  on the ship as well 

in the morning the butler will bring you a plate of sliced tropical fruits, ( if you want more just ask) something sweet after lunch and some taster before dinner 

the best German Rieslings are from area Rheingau and Rheinhessen  ,  a good producer is Weill, Schneider is not so bad  - Baden and Franken are easy to drink wines

however announced as "dry"  "trocken"   the Mosel area is the sweetest 

but  the Austrians are superb Wachau and Kamptal area   -  the best is a wine "Singerrieder" 

in Germany better wines are "grossen Gewachs " in Austria "Smaragd " 

if the Austrian sommelier ( Manfred ? )  is still on board he would be delighted to give information

if you are mentionning " a Belgian repeater "  both the general manager ( 4 stripes ) as the hotel director 3,5  stripes will know me 😄

if Lisa is there as international hostess , she will take good care of you !

Congratulations ! and I hope you will like her 

I was invited on board her sister ( the old Europa )  in my hometown 10 days ago and I had a brief look to the bar and wine lists. A cocktail is now 7,8€   and house Champagne 12 €

A bottle of Dom Pérignon was 220 ( and not 500 dollar as on crystal😝) - the US wines are not the cheapest  ( so no Far Niente for me on Hapag ) 

If you want your mineral water "cold" order ice  with it  they bring you a tall glass with ice and a spoon aside 

make the reservations for the speciality restaurants asap -  especially for the French Tarragon and Italian Serenissima 

for lunch you do not need table reservations  - in the Tarragon the famous steak tartare is prepared tableside during dinner ( there are some other carvings done as well )  , for lunch it is  prepared in the galley 

the gin tasting is free, the wine or champagne tasting is worth the extra money 

the girls ( there are men as well ) doing your suite will like you as English speaking guests😄 - most are from Philippines  - i do give extra something in the beginning of the cruise as well 

despite the buffet breakfast is extrememly elaborated ( egg dishes must be ordered at the table ), on the menu of the MDR Weltmeere there are specialities ranging from a small steak tartare to goose liver wit orange sauce  and go for a late breakfast in Sansibar once ... 

If you are a wodka drinker : that is not a speciality by Hapag Lloyd !

wodka cocktails are made  with Moskowskaia  , and there is Absolut and Grey Goose , however they do charge 11,5 € for a shot of Grey Goose . 

I suggest you bring   a bottle  on board - duty free?  or a Ketel 1   - martini's are not the speciality by HL , imho with 4 cl you cannot make a decent martini  ...one of the differences with other more US ships .  I never drink a martini on Hapag. 

If there is a problem go to see the hotel director . 

I am on Europa 2 in september : Rome Dubrovnik : full house . sold out 

1 hour ago, crickette said:

Where do you propose they take the room from, in order to enlarge these cabins?

i am not an architect 

same size as basic suites on  Regent , SS and Hapag 

and separate restrooms as done by Ponant and Hapag 

43 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

I meant Explorer...  Agree on the wine.  The non included Champagnes were $$$ (about 2X what they should be)

a few days after my arrival  I was invited on the ms Europa  ( the old one ) as past pax in my hometown 

Dom P  220€   ,  Pol Roger  Bl de Blancs 145 and Churchill some 230 €

Baron de L   by Ladoucette  a superb Pouilly Fumé  : 120€  

I really cannot decide what to drink on Hapag Lloyd .... 🙃

2 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Just off Regent Encore in April and Crystal Serenity this week.  Have several more Regents booked.   Second many of the pro's and cons.  They are both good cruise lines.  Think the service was great on both.  Food comparable.  Waterside vs. Compass Rose - probably a tie.  Buffet much better on Regent, Specialties a slight advantage to Crystal.  Enrichment -- much better on Crystal.

 

The biggest advantage to Regent is the size of its fleet and more varied itineraries. Two ships of Crystal means limited choice.

I am a wine snob  -  so Regent has a far friendlier choice -  

I never eat Asian so Nobu is adding no single value for me on Crystal. 

I also was disappointed  about the buffet on Symphony .

IMHO  the Encore is a SB ship...

3 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Crystal  used to give things often and that included gifts. It must have cost them a fortune.When they changed that around 2005 people were very upset. I am not sure which brought out the most anger; changing that or when they announced inclusive. 

 

Keith😄

that was the same on the defunct Royal Viking Line , bought by Cunard in  1994 and Cunard itself was also in trouble 

you started with 2 aquavit glasses ,  then wine glasses, a silver plated beaker, a decanter ...

all sent to your home address with a bill by the customs😄

2 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

Even with old Crystal, when they changed the Crystal Society program, the old program became immediately void. The 25th milestone in the old program was a free 7 day cruise in a balcony (or 7 free days prorated to a longer cruise). The new program was something like $3,000 off any cruise. By that time 7 days in a balcony cost more than $3,000. I know several people who had "banked" that milestone and lost out. Lesson, use any and all milestones as soon as earned.

 

Patty

i started in 2002 on Crystal  , doing one cruise every year  on C   i remember after a fifth there used to be  a small credit for every cruise in those days  - times are changing

I was still doing Cunard and SB ( i did receive a one week free cruise )   in those days before i moved to Hapag in 2007

there was also something as some upgrades -  by booking  a "better" balcony one could reach the cheapest 🤑 PH  on old C  - what i also missed 

I know 21 C cruises is not a lot in the US - in Europe it is something else 

SS is having a poor reward system  -  I got a match on MSC  - diamond  you do receive cheap bottles fruits candies and chocolates and a souvenir ( in Yacht Club )

I was not entirely happy on my first "new" Crystal Symphony cruise 

i am a single  and the single cabins are small  comparing to the entrance level on the new Regent ships

bar service is maybe superior during daytime on Crystal -   and choice of spirits as well

non complimentary wines are very expensive on Crystal  especially the special Champagnes 

daily closure of the MDR for lunch when a ship  is in port ,  on Regent there are other possibilities as a buffet 

the Bistro is of course a plus on Crystal 

on Regent there is a menu "always available classics"  for dinner - so if you are in the mood you can go for a Dover sole every evening 

those "lower" milestones are not the problem ...

but suppose you did finish your 25 th ???  

i did my 20th on the Esprit  in 2019 and that was the highest level during that cruise-  nearly all the other pax were first timers   exception made for a couple in the owner's 

On 6/27/2024 at 6:57 PM, travelberlin said:

Where are the solo rooms going to be? I hope that not again forward on the ships…and how will it work out with the promenade deck?

 

Ivi

i hope the single cabins are somewhat larger - i am not searching for a PH like 

but some more space should be appropriate 

On 6/26/2024 at 9:01 PM, ryndam said:

Well, if we're going down memory lane, and sorta hijacking Ivi's thread, here are some vintage pics of Symphony's original Caesar's casino.

 

Rob

 

I remember it very well - and before all in  some pax were "hanging around" in the casino as the basic drinks were free  -   

i will join the Voyager in my hometown  Antwerp on 12 th July .

I am said to be a very strict guy concerning F&B operations :  so far my 3 Splendor and my one and only Grandeur were very good. 

it is off the tread however last week 2 youngsters  climbed  up to the 123 meter high tower of the Cathedral and even were hanging on the top cross 

just go to youtube : antwerp cathedral   - the police is looking for those 2

I liked the martini's in that place....🙃

you easily can do that on your own : 

take the circumvesuviana  train : calling both at herculaneum and pompei 

but mind the heat !!!

2 hours ago, English Voyager said:

Cruising does create some great memories.

 

Our very first luxury cruise was on the unique Radisson Diamond catamaran which departed from Greenwich.

 

 

This spoilt us for small ships, as we then moved onto Seabourn's 'three sisters' which departed from Tower Bridge.

On one occasion the Pride was moored alongside the warship HMS Belfast, and we had to walk across it's deck to board the Pride.

On that cruise, in St. Petersburg, Seabourn had been given permission to cruise up the Neva river and dock opposite the Hermitage Museum, and what should be in front of us...the Europa.

 

Enjoy your upcoming cruises.

i also have greaat memories on the 3 seabourn triplets 

and then the Odyssey came together with the cutbacks 

that Radisson Diamond was once in Antwerp - everybody found it "weird" 

11 hours ago, English Voyager said:

@Catlover54  Thank you for your kind words.

 

Unfortunately due to various factors I have not been able to travel abroad since Covid, but I do enjoy greatly reading threads on Luxury Cruise Lines in general, and HL cruises specifically.

 

Enjoy the remainder of your current cruise.

 

 

sorry to hear you were enable to cruise 

in 2021 I was diagnosed with a medical condition and I prefer to do 7 days cruises and unfortunately  some HL  cruises are too long or in the full summer  - i can stand + 30° C at all 

I got 5 vouchers " special initiative" for Crystal after the bankrupcy  - I did execute one  - my experience onboard the Symphony was of such a kind i simply cannot do all the other 4 next year. 2 will be enough 

I did 4 cruises on the Silver Dawn , 3 were very good the last one was a disaster and last year I was on new Explora  - one of my greatest cruise disillusionment ever.

Concerning  new Crystalcruises :the history does repeat itself :  the slightest critic you are making here you are countered  ...