ChatKat in Ca.

Can we take this thread back to Crystal 2025 Itineraries? I am not interested in the other lines or I'd be looking on those forums.

When I was cruising another line, my travel agent got a perk for her clients to dine with officers. It was usually a table for 8 and hard to converse with many of the other passengers. We had little in common with several of them. Sometimes we were invited twice to dine with officers. We declined those offers after a few. We've not been invited to dine with an officer on Crystal and doubt that we will. We may even decline if we are. It's not why we cruise!

I learned a long time ago, that there is a difference in friendliness in service between the European style of hospitality and the American style. The crew will often take their cue from the passengers in terms of how to engage. We loved the servers on the first Crystal Cruise and we asked to sit with the waiter/assistant and sommelier. If they were on board, out next cruise, we did the same. We knew about their families. Our most recent cruise was on Regent and post covid. We did not have the same kind of service and no one got to know us and we them. The service was professional but not as friendly and more aloof. We did not find it lacking - it was a different experience.

Regent closed their MDR at lunch on Port Days a long time ago. These are things that keep costs for Crystal in check and keep fares reasonable. This way they don't waste food

We've stayed several times at the Pan Pacific. The Fairmont is quite nice too. And I agree Joe Fortes is wonderful.

This happened to us last year. The excursions that we did take were so bad 9no microphone for the guide on the bus, too much shopping stops) we canceled the others we booked. I stopped sailing R when they included excursions and this confirmed my reason for not booking again.

I think your TA did not book you as waitlisted. Prices change based on booking and that category cabin has staggered prices based on location. I know because that’s the category I book and waitlist for. The closer to mid ship makes a difference.

I've been working on a project requiring hotel overnights. Sanitizers by the elevators and front desk Clorox wipes you can take to your room. Room service delivered with plastic silverware in a paperbag. Room attendant on request. Stayed 6 times in June/July and August

Now for the best bargain in Hot Dogs...Costco. Copied the Hebrew National All Beef/Kosher Recipe. $1.50 with a soft drink. We stayed at the Hotel Borg post cruise. Lovely hotel and excellent service. I was given a virus with a fever onboard Serenity (not covid - before Covid) and sadly - they do not have room service so my husband had to go and order food to go for 3 days. The hotel had a very Scandinavian/minimalist feel but the room was well appointed. I would stay again

We sailed in 780...

One of the best suites we ever had was a Seven Sea Aft on 7 - in the corner. I will never forget sailing into Venice on the Grand Canal from the veranda with a 75 degree day.

Yay! We’re on two. See you at Canada Place.

I sailed on Regent - and specifically the Navigator - a few times in the past. The casino had very small tables - like 2 blackjack and one poker table, a half crap table and maybe a roulette wheel with a small number of slots. Room was smaller that the Bridge Room. There are a couple of small rooms that could be equally used on Crystal. The casino needs no windows..

We sailed Oceania for quite a few cruises. The service on Crystal bumps it up a lot. I love walking into the Bistro to find they already made my coffee for me exactly as I like. Or sitting at the bar in the Cove before dinner and trying a new drink. The waiters in Waterside automatically bring your favorite salt sticks with out asking and the Sommelier knows which wine to pour at dinner. Miso Cod is on the menu some times (maybe Umi Uma) but you can ask the head waiter to have it made for you the next day. Onboard, there are so many activities to enjoy you will have to pick among your favorites. Or you can find many quiet places to enjoy the scenery and just relax.

I have been a guest several times of the Pan Pacific. I was less than thrilled to see that they left guest luggage right at the curb with one bellman to observe. He would leave the luggage to attend other guests. The last time they did put some plastic mesh over the group of bags. I've also seen bags left unsecured along a wall by an entrance. I would not be comfortable doing this again.

I use mailing labels and do the info on the computer. Peel and stick. I do that with info for baggage tags and other labels I might need for airlines too. Once and done.

Thank you for including us in your cruise.

Hi Allison! Hilary didn't damage my spirits or the house. I'm already your long time VLA follower. If you want to talk luxury cruising we can have a bite. We've met in person in PS at a pet rescue event. So many good restaurants in PS and Nobu at The Tennis Gardens

For those of us from the Los Angeles area, Prego was based on the restaurant Valentino with the menu designed by Piero Selveggio. His food was legendary and his place at the top of the local Itallian food chain. I am open to new experiences, but, Valentino will be missed by us Angelenos. We loved Prego.

On our 2019 British Isles itinerary, we booked directly with the guide. We had full day tours in a van for about $100 pp

We had some amazing private tours over the years through our roll call threads. On one cruise the same 10 people through the Baltic did all our tours together and the same group of people still books sailings together (except us - we were Crystalized). On a Med Itinerary, we had a similar group and on our 2019 Crystal British Isles, we had a tour guide in Scotland that will be quite memorable in 3 ports. We like to mix it up for variety. @Leejnd4 We did a private tour in Casablanca and to the Hassan Mosque. We could not wait to get back to the ship. It was fine in Agadir - we had a different guide.

There was seating. There was no entertainer/pianist. There was no lounge music anywhere on the ship. Our stateroom was 923. It was very tired and needed an update.

We were on the Mariner in October. I love the layout of the ship. We were on Mariner a number of times and on the inaugural sailing in 2001. Food was good but service in the Dining room uneven. Excursions were terrible. We cancelled them after our bus had no microphone and the guide walked to the front and back to talk to pax. Our first one was a shopping stop and our 2nd was also a shopping trip with a broken bus. Our PH suite had a stained sofa. It was threadbare. The took the covers off the cushions and dry cleaned them but they really should have replaced the sofa. There were also a few times we went to the Mariner Lounge and there was no where to have a drink and listen to music. It was our first cruise post Covid. We didn't expect perfection but we paid for excursions that were worthless and sorely disappointed in the state of the cabin.

True, they're not related. But there were many charges for things - like beverages and additional tips. It's okay for you to have a difference of opinion. I won't be on an Oceania (or Regent) Cruise in the near future.