ryndam

The new Crystal branding appears to be graphically consistent with Abercrombie & Kent's new, minimalistic logo (a big ampersand).

Our certificate is for the full amount that we claimed with Moecker.

Same here. But if one does not make the first reservation and activate the certificate on or before 7/1/23, it's a moot issue anyway and the certificate becomes invalid.

I couldn't resist. Sorry... Rob

Ours too. Credit on my Visa card 1 week after disembarking. Way more efficient than other suppliers or cruise lines.

I wanted to provide an update. We returned from a 14-day b2b on Star Pride last month, r/t San Juan. We were so glad to be back onboard, in a warmer climate, where we could take advantage of everything the yacht offers in better weather. Swim platform- yes! Star Bar & Grille - yes! Pools and whirlpools - yes! Deck barbeque - yes! Beach picnics on private beaches/islands - yes! yes! Outdoor dining on the Verandah/Candles aft terrace - yes! Late night visits to the bridge - yes! Although we were last onboard in July 2022, so many of the officers and crew from last July were onboard last month. And we were greeted, high-fived, hugged, and welcomed back, even on the pier as we were checking in. Hotel manager Andreas was at the gangway and hauled our carry-ons himself up the gangway! So many staff, servers, housekeepers, the chef, maitre'd JP and others remembered us as soon as we were onboard. It really was returning "home" to an extended family. There were 210+/- pax onboard the first week. 30 pax, including us, stayed for week two. It was almost a full ship with 290+/- pax the second week. We opted for the all-inclusive package again. We really enjoy not having to sign any bar chits. The internet service has been changed to Starlink. Wow! What a difference. The satellite connection was faster and more reliable than our 5G connections ashore. And since it was a b2b Star Collection voyage, laundry was included, too. A most enjoyable, restful and thoroughly stress-free journey! Rob

I agree. We learned an expensive lesson the past few years about credit card charges. Going forward, I'm not advancing payments to any supplier, vendor or enterprise that requires significant deposits longer than the credit cards' allowable chargeback protocols will cover. Rob

Just submitted mine. Takes less than a minute. Need: 1. Crystal Society #; 2. Booking # (or bookings #'s) for cruises that were canceled; 3. Amount still owed/unreimbursed/claimed. The saga/journey continues... Rob

It's an interesting marketing gesture. My simple, non-actuary/mathematic-type brain did a quickie not-so-hypothetical calculation. It's a 20% discount off of A&K Cruises/Crystal's higher per diem rates. So one needs to spend $150K to "recover" $30K in lost/unreimbursed/bankrupt advance deposits with Genting/Crystal. This appears to be a generous initiative, especially for those booked on future, multi-segment WC's or Grand Journeys. For others, maybe not so much. There doesn't appear to be any downside to register for the credits by 6/1/23. Rob

Starlink was the provider on a recent Windstar Caribbean cruise. The service exceeded our expectations. The connection was faster than land-based 5G connections. Rob

We were onboard for two weeks in February. No a/c issues.

If multiple dining opportunities are important to one’s vacation experience, there are many other opportunities other than the controlled dining environments of a cruise ship. Multiple dining choices are important to some and irrelevant to others. Over the years, we’ve had our most memorable dining experiences off ship and ashore than onboard any cruise ship.

We’ve done private and group escorted land tours with A&K in Japan, Southeast Asia, African safaris and India/Nepal. Absolute luxury class. Seamless arrangements. This type of service does come with a price tag, but with A&K, the value (for us) has consistently exceeded expectations. Rob

I didn't quite know what thread to post this observation, so I chose this one (didn't want to start a new thread). A&K must have acquired quite a set of contact lists of former Crystal guests. There appears to have been another mass emailing recently. Three good friends of ours forwarded their copy of the stock email marketing message signed by Jack Anderson. The interesting commonality was that all three friends have not sailed Crystal for at least 17-20 years. And the email messages were sent to their deceased spouses (apparently the last email address on file). None had sailed Crystal in years, have had no marketing materials sent to them in over a decade, had no knowledge of the liquidation, didn't know of the acquisition by A&K, nor who Jack Anderson is/was. All were a bit disturbed that their deceased partners' email address was still hanging around in some outdated marketing database. None of the three indicated any interest in entertaining any offers from A&K Cruises, aka Crystal. Rob

208 this week (2/18) 280 next week (2/25)

Great to hear. We had an incredible voyage last summer on Star Pride and we are returning next week for 2 weeks' b2b island hopping in the Caribbean. Glad to hear JP is onboard; he is an awesome restaurant manager!

On Star Pride last summer, as others have mentioned, we calculated the "break-even" at about 5 beverages/day. The all-inclusive package also includes anything in the cabin mini-bar; our mini-bar was meticulously restocked every day. For us, a glass of wine/beer at lunch, an occasional indulgence from the mini-bar, a pre-dinner cocktail, 2 glasses/wine at dinner, and 2 (or 3) libations after dinner more than paid for the all-inclusive package. The staff knows who is "on the package"; we never signed for any drinks, our wine glasses always remained filled, and the servers were all very attentive. Based on our casual/un-scientific observation of other guests, I would guesstimate that half the guests opted for the all-inclusive package and the other half of the guests did not.

Crystal Symphony-Deck 8 - November 2009 (It's a compulsive disorder....lol) Rob

Crystal Symphony - Deck 8 - October 2014 Rob

And the last of the series - Crystal Serenity November 2006 - Decks 9, 10 & 11. Rob

And a couple of really oldies-but-goodies - Crystal Harmony Deck 8 - October 2004. Rob

Crystal Symphony September 2005 - Decks 8, 9 & 10. Rob

Crystal Symphony Deck 10 - July 1997. For anyone that may find this of historical interest. Rob

After the Genting take-over, the onboard casino operations were run/staffed by Resorts World, a Genting owned/affiliated company.

Disney Cruise Line does very well without onboard casinos. Windstar Cruises also do not have onboard casinos.