Texas Tillie

I'll have to disagree with Stickman (😮) as to the food on Silversea. I was on the Muse about 18 months ago and on the new Nova 2 weeks ago. The food I experienced was in no way on par with Crystal, especially the new Crystal that has upped their food game from the old Crystal. In general service is not at Crystal's level, although that varies by crew member, and that seems to be if they are new (and there are many of those) and those just aren't well trained. Entertainment and enrichment isn't close to what you get on Crystal. The Nova is lovely, however. Patty

Just don't expect Crystal quality food on Silversea.

Just off the Silver Nova and unlike mass market lines, I didn't see one lanyard on Silversea. Not saying you can't wear one, just saying it's not common.

Wondering what you would consider a great hotel option as Galveston is a tourist area and there's a little of everything.

So true. I have a travel clock with temperature so I know the actual temperatre and even cranking the thermostat in the room down as low as it will go, it's rather warm in the cabin.😮 Patty

Of course, the worst offenders never see that it applies to them! 😮😁😏

Just noticed on Reflections that the Bistro is open again from 8:30 to 10:30 PM. Has this been going on for recent segments of the World Cruise and does anyone know if they plan to continue it after the World Cruise? Patty

Pommery currently available on Nova if you ask nicely!

It’s called cost cutting. Now that Royal Caribbean is in charge, it will be happening more and more.

When push comes to shove, and you may be lucky and never have any difficulty, but if the worst happens, do you want to be dealing with someone whose loyalty is to you or someone whose loyalty is to their employer?

I read it "somewhere" - 2 ocean ships and 2 expedition ships. Patty

With 2770 passengers, I'd say Virgin wouldn't be an option for the Crystal demographic, for sure not THIS Crystal demographic. 🤪Patty

Isn't that a line aimed at a much younger, party crowd, very different from the usual Crystal demographic? Patty

There's always a white party but you won't know until you board which night, except it will be on a casual night . Only a portion of the guests actually participate in wearing white,

Bingo!! What is the average per diem for a Silversea cruise these days? It's a lot more than $400/person, I'd guess. At what point should you expect "more" than what is currently being offered?

I have been on Crystal cruises with 0 to 100 "children". The 100 was a 7 day, Thanksgiving week, round trip Los Angeles, and the majority of the 100 were 10 - 17 and this was 16 years ago. And I had no issues with the children on that cruise or any others. With the reduced capacity on the ships and the increased fares, I certainly don't see that happening again. For anyone having a problem, I think the answer is any line that doesn't allow children. Other than Viking, are there any? Patty

Have a friend who lives south of Atlanta and she says they are deafening.

Nothing about Ms. Muckermann on Crystal, at least, not yet. 😏

I've not been on that potion of the railroad in Alaska, have just been between Talkeetna and Denali, but I'd think you might get more "car sick" on the train as it rocks a lot. Also, I was assigned to a bench that faces the back of the train, which makes it worse.

Many world cruisers do it every year and they are getting most of those this year, as a surprise! All things considered, changing itinerary before the cruise starts seems like the better "route". Patty

I think you should have typed Celebrity, rather than Crystal!!🤪☺️🙃

Could be, but I doubt that they would already be asking passengers about alternative itineraries if it wasn't a distinct possibility. They've already been stung with Middle Eastern problems. Doubt that they want to go through that again. Time will tell.

Crystal's World Cruise is always on the Serenity. It's highly unlikely your cruise will happen as booked.

I'm on the May 16 Nova Alaska southbound. I've done the coach with other cruise lines twice. Have been on the Alaska Railroad before but not on the Anchorage to Seward route. My travel agent asked if I wanted to pay extra for the train and I said no. Part of the time the train tracks and the road are parallel to each other. I couldn't see doing the train for extra money as I don't think the scenery is all that different. Just my opinion.

The important take away from your post was that it took you 75 minutes to get from the port to IAH early SUNDAY morning. Everyone considering flight times from IAH on week days, don't book a too early flight.