Emdee

Thank you so very much for your kind wishes.

I am adding a third R to the rest and relaxation the Serenity always provides….recuperation. I decided that the best place to recuperate after knee surgery was on Crystal Serenity with the Crystal love. I have finished my intense physio and need to up my walking and what better place to walk than the lovely promenade. Crystal trekking poles are always available for us. Don’t know if they have leg weights…but may take my own. On board guest services has promised to provide the accoutrements to make this cruise possible. Not only that I am happy to note they already have my profile ready with my allergies etc. That is something I loved about old Crystal …the fact that your profile already showed your likes, dislikes and needs. Regent too has a similar file on passengers ..not Silversea, though. For me the bottles of Evian lined up in my suite make me feel welcomed. By day 2 every restaurant knows my preferred water. I don’t drink alcohol or virtually anything else so it is hugely welcomed by me. The new Crystal water isn’t bad but I found in varies day to day in taste. You can tell I am a water person! We leave Friday for an overnight in Miami before boarding our b2b so packing is in full earnest. Happy to say no formal nights so no suit needed for DH. I found the ship extremely cold in September so will be packing warmer clothing for inside. Hope to visit a couple of beaches at least but it will depend on my mobility. If there are any others on these cruises feel free to join this thread I may or may not post on a day to day basis so other comments and experiences are welcome.

Serenity in serene Newfoundland.

She has a real following on Silversea. Was also on Seabourn. Will she get crystallized is the question.

Our Serenity TA description mentioned transiting Prinz Christian Sund but this wasn’t in our itinerary. I think the people who wrote the description and those who compiled the itinerary were different. I was sad not to see the sound again but it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. It could have been for someone else. I think they need better proof readers.

Some have smaller and less obvious grab bars. They were not so evident on the Cloud but everywhere on Endeavour. It could be I need the bars now so notice them more. the crystal bars were well placed and of a good size.

When walking by I saw a room being cleaned. It had a single bed so I guess they are for staff.

Paula Jean is a sweetheart. So very pleasant to deal with.

Are you talking about the tablet they provide or your iPad?

The trick is to book using AMEX so you get the brekkie included in that lovely stained glass covered cupola designed by Gustave Eiffel plus a food and beverage credit.

I noticed that the washrooms on Serenity both in the cabin and in public areas have bars by the toilets. I don’t remember them having these before so I think they may have been included post recent refurb. It could just be that I never noticed them before! Explorer had a long line of motor scooters outside Compass Rose.

When we took the Helicopter to Monte Carlo the taxi to the hotel was included in the cost. We have stayed at the Port Palace and at the Hermitage.

But we had quite a few sea days and no brunch. Not that we minded. I love the marketplace lunch.

We didn’t have one on the TA. But the ship was relatively empty.

Have a wonderful cruise.

Me too!

So true. Last cruise my DH stubbed his toe and wore his walking sandals for the last night of the cruise. Not a formal night, though. Once on the Symphony going down to dinner for formal night a gentleman complimented me on my very ornate gold embroidered Indian top. I returned the compliment as he was wearing dark socks in his black walking sandals. He had forgotten his dress shoes so the dining room manager…I think it was Slavko told him to wear black socks so his lack of dress shoes would be less visible. Crystal always finds a solution at a pinch.

Most of us have budgets and money is always part of the equation. Both of us worked and kept money aside for our retirement travels. We very seldom go in large suites as it has no value for us. We choose what we consider to be the value proposition. This value is very personal and money is only part of the equation. So we often stay in very nice hotels and resorts, Belmond, Aman, Fairmont for example however I stay in a 60 year old house and don’t need anything fancier or larger. We stay with certain brands because we feel comfortable with them. Loyalty we feel to staff not the brand. Money is the value you ascribe to it…otherwise it is paper. Yup my two cents which after last two weeks beating in the market is just 1.5 cent!

I too have friends who disliked Oceania ….so there are a few of us out there. However some friends like you love it. Between the two my choice is Regent as I feel more comfortable with the Regent passengers in general. Now that Regent has expanded their itineraries and excursions it meets our needs. Crystal for us is pure luxury knowing we will have exceptional service and exceptional food. As someone on this board regularly says : choice is good. I don’t dis anyone else’s choice because it suits them.

Absolutely. We are lucky to be in the sweet spot of a foot on itinerary driven trips and a foot on purely relaxing trips like our Serenity TA with a visit to Newfoundland. I would highly recommend the expedition cruises if you are itinerary driven they have very unique and special itineraries.

I went on the rejuvenated Crystal Serenity and noticed that they had grab bars in the washrooms, showers and even in the public washrooms. Seats are available for those who need a shower seat. These are definitely in recognition of the aging population. I noticed a lot of grab bars in the toilets, showers etc on the SSea endeavour but thought that was due to it’s expedition ship status. Some of the ports are wonderful providing WC assistance while others just do not.

Unlike you we tried Oceania in 2008 and hated it. It was a far cry from Regent. So stuck to Regent and tried Azamara until we booked Crystal. During the pandemic and after the demise of old Crystal we tried SSea, SB and Regent. Regent is the only one who performed consistently and delivered what they promised. SSea Expeditions have amazing itineraries and that lovely Crystal ship. Unfortunately given one thing and another we have land trips and more Regent trips booked for next year but really enjoyed our return to Crystal Serenity in September so much so that two weeks post knee surgery am hoping to do part of my recuperation on the Serenity.in December. The dr has given the Ok now I must just feel able to walk a straight line and up the gangplank with a cane. What better place to recuperate than on a Crystal ship where we feel the love of the staff and enjoy the fine dining. My DH thinks it is a win win incentive for me to work hard at my physio. I can even continue my recovery on board with the personal trainer.

The reserve wine on SSea is definitely cheaper. They had some very good years as well.

We too had a similar trajectory Regent until 2014 then Crystal. After the demise of OC tried the other lines. Regent was the only consistent product. We managed to squeeze in the TA Serenity sailing in September and wallowed in Crystal TLC and luxury. Now recovering from knee surgery but given myself a recovery goal of two Crystal cruises in December…something to work towards. Regent itineraries have improved over the years so we will be on their ships next year. SSea has good itineraries but lacks food quality, execution and service. We do enjoy the Silversea expedition product especially the Endeavour. Cannot wait for the Crystal Expedition ships to be built.

You will love Paul Gauguin…old ship but the location is fabulous and great service. Crystal has it all…two elegant ladies , exceptional cuisine and outstanding service. Crystal has music in several locations each evening, great lectures, a movie theatre and a Nobu restaurant. Waterside serves exceptional meals every day with wonderful service and staff with a warm and friendly manner. I only requested white asparagus instead of green and white in my meal but for the state of aesthetics they gave me both plus a serving of white asparagus. I requested an early morning breakfast when we were leaving and though not on the menu the staff went out of their way to make it special. My three SSea cruises did improve on each other. The first included the waitress’s fingers touching my lettuce leaves, the second had hockey pucks for bagels and donuts and the third had a friendly staff and a wonderful ship which was incidentally built by Crystal. If you are itinerary driven then I have to say SSea has some amazing itineraries especially on their expedition ships.