Texas Tillie

OK for me just now in the US using Chrome. Patty

I've done one cruise on the new Crystal (for those who aren't aware, is now owned by the former owner of Silversea who took a "boat load" of money from Royal Caribbean for the line) and everything was as good as before and some things better - food, especially, and it was the best before. Entertainment and enrichment was as good as before. I'll be back in mid-January for the first segment of the world cruise. I would never consider a ship within a ship as a solo cruiser. Not interested in being "next door" to 3000 to 6000 of my "nearest and dearest".

I've found that the entertainment and enrichment on Crystal is better than anything I have experienced on mass market ships. YMMV

I was introduced to the Chinois Chicken Salad at the Grill on Symphony years ago. Always enjoyed watching the guys make it in the stainless steel bowl. When I went to Serenity back during the days of Silk, it tasted the same but was about half the size as the one from Symphony. When on the Serenity this past August, I thought the dressing had changed, similar but something was different. It will definitely be on my lunchtime menu in January on the Serenity. Patty

Dry dock, or more likely, wet dock? Patty

Why is there a discussion about NCL on a board that is supposed to be devoted to luxury cruising? I don't see how the whole idea of a ship within a ship on a mass market line can be considered luxury.

The reception in the captain's quarters has always been early enough that people can also do most evening activities. Since dining rooms open at 6:30, this is a good time for people who dine earlier, and that's more Crystal cruisers than not.

Since Aquamarines and Sapphires no longer get in cabin food service from the specialty restaurants and they don't have "penthouse" in their names, I'm guessing they aren't. The Junior and Crystal Penthouses have other perks, too. Patty

Wondering if 250 is the number of paying guests and 285 includes the entertainers, lecturers, Ambassador Hosts, etc. ? Patty

Your watermelon looks suspiciously like pineapple to me! 😱😳😱 Patty

I have not been on any of the lines you have experienced, but from what I've heard from other Crystal cruisers who have experienced one or several of them, Crystal is head and shoulders above most and at least noticeably better than any of them. The food and beverages (all included except very premium labels) is included and the service is top notch. Also, the entertainment and enrichment is much better quality and quantity than you might expect on a ship with as few passengers as you find on Crystal. No evening buffet, but I don't think anyone misses it. Crystal is not as formal as Cunard, but you can dress up on "formal optional" evenings. Minimum standard on those evenings men need to wear a jacket but a tie is optional. You'll see everything on men on those evenings from a blazer with dress slacks and a dress shirt, no tie, to tuxedos. See that you're British, so I know you call those pieces of clothing something else, but guess you know what I mean! 😉 I don't think you would be disappointed with Crystal. Patty

Remembering a lecturer, a retired US 4 star general, no uniform but his cuff links had 4 diamonds indicating his rank. I wouldn't have noticed except we were sitting next to each other on bar stools in the Cove. Patty

For Aquamarine, Sapphire, Junior Crystal Penthouse and Crystal Penthouse.

My understanding with this question was what needs to stay the same, not that new elements shouldn't be introduced. No where is it everything must remain the same, it's which things need to be the same. Patty

The trees look the same. Are the other decorations recycled from old Crystal? I always thought they did a little too much, but I was on Silversea last December and there was hardly anything. Patty

Some people are gamblers and some people aren't. If you feel comfortable rolling the dice and maybe getting what you want and maybe missing out, who are we to say you are wrong.

Good grief! How does anyone afford to sail on Crystal if they pay that much for a pint of ice cream!!! Patty

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This is the OP's second post. Tracie, whom I respect for all things ballroom dancing, says she never saw it in the Galaxy, especially not as recently as 2016. Anywho, I think the best dancers can hope is that on the Symphony the dancing can be relocated from the Palm Court to the Starlite. Patty

OK, so we are at the point that it did happen at one time, but that time was over 20 years ago, is that right?? A lot changed on the old Crystal from 20 years ago until 2022 when old Crystal went kaput! Patty

If Tracie says dancing was never in the Galaxy on old Crystal Symphony but in the Starlite, I am sure that my original thought is accurate. I'm thinking the OP has the name of the venues confused. Tracie, what is going on in the Starlite while they are having dancing in the Palm Court on Symphony? I'd love to go back to the Symphony where I spent the majority of my Crystal time, but I've now reached the time in life where flying half way around the world isn't something I'm able to do. Patty

I go back 16 years, so it had to have been many years ago. 😳 Patty

I never saw ballroom dancing in the Galaxy on the Symphony. It was usually in the Starlite Lounge. There is a nice dance floor and a small stage for the band. Patty

Wondering how many of the "usual suspects" here on the Crystal forum sailed on the Harmony? I didn't, go back to the Symphony in 2007. Patty

There were 4 dance hosts on my Serenity cruise in July. I am not a dancer but one of the hosts had been a table mate (back with fixed seatings) at least 10 years ago.