Emdee

We were wondering that too but one thing we learnt is not to book three years in advance. So will wait for future itineraries and meanwhile the two crystal cruises we are going on.

I have reviewed the itineraries and given that we are pretty well traveled have found only two of interest. One booked and waiting for 1 to be quoted. While we enjoy some sea days it seems that itineraries we are interested in have too many of them. Still perusing the itineraries as something else may catch our eye. Have booked two Regent itineraries instead. Strangely enough, we moved from Regent to Crystal because of new itineraries but now with more ships they have expanded their offerings. It is good to have choice and looking forward to trying the new Crystal.

I asked this question. Third berth is available in the Sapphire rooms. I think the pricing was equivalent to a single cabin….but not sure there.

I don’t care for most of the itineraries. Still a bit itinerary driven as a family. Otherwise the proof of the pudding will be in the sailing. Booking two so far not rushing to cancel my already booked Seabourn and Regent.

But not using AMEX as far as I know. After the last debacle AMEX is the card that came through for me.

I don’t have a beef with the prices. Just paid a lot for a night at a Belmond. Itineraries I find disappointing….but I will get over it!

It’s good they are bringing back crew earlier to better inculcate the Crystal spirit of family.

For me it is a win win! Love both the stately ladies. We were looking at some of the older cabins with their elegant wood fixtures and found it such a contrast to the cheap granite fixtures in SS. Hopefully they will have received plenty of spit and polish. You may well be right as the staff member who said that he was joining April for a June start up was ex Serenity and the person who said he was joining for a September start up was ex Symphony. But as I said…a win win for me.

I so agree with you. Felt the same with both the SS cruises we did the last two years. SS itineraries are excellent though. We are still itinerary driven for everything except the Caribbean. So hoping for some new and interesting itineraries along with favourite ones in the days to come. We were recently looking over some of my Serenity dining pics with a former Crystal chef and were amazed at the huge wow factor of those dishes compared to the pedestrian offerings we have received on other luxury lines. I can do a lamb shank on a pile of potato mash as well as anybody and Jon Ashton’s short rib recipe is a sure winner.

Very true but having sailed on the other three contenders since 2020 with just OK experiences we are eager to acquaint/ reacquaint ourselves with what the Crystal offering is.

From what I heard from past and future employees they were given two dates…June and September. If it is June I know I cannot make it…if it is September there is a chance I will be able to. Pure armchair speculation….don’t have much else to do… but I think it likely that Symphony due to its cabin design configurations may be easier to bring back earlier with Serenity getting more larger suites to follow in September. Just saying….

I doubt I will make the inaugural cruise due to health reasons but I will enjoy booking a few cruises I hope to go on. With time running out we haven’t waited for Crystal to come back and have been on all the other luxury lines which was a real wake up call to what we loved about Crystal. Crystal was the real McCoy for us. Happy days are here again…

Not only packed but locked!

My daughter tried to convince me to try a window on Serenity and I agreed to do it. But one week was enough. For the second week of the b2b I was fortunate to get a balcony cabin. I don’t need a lot of space in the cabin but I like to feel the fresh sea breeze on my face…one of my greatest joys. I too am eager to see the types of cabins available as my daughter usually stays in a window cabin.

Any crew we met said they were counting the days to return to Crystal. Some have already signed on. Of course they had to take other positions in the meantime. Even if only some of the crew return if they can infuse the Crystal spirit in the others it would be wonderful. We have been on all three competitors in these last three years and yearn for Crystal’s return. And, if the new Crystal is not up to our expectations and hopes the Regents of the world will still be around.

If ever I need to fly in the day of the cruise…almost never these days…I always make my contingency plan. How far is the next port of call for example and how will I get there.

Both start with a C? Are they reimagining a Costa cruise ship?

Although we put in our deposits weeks ago I suddenly freaked out that we had received nothing from Crystal. My fear was the itineraries would drop and I would be on the outside. Anyway we called and they were sent tout suite when we said we wanted to keep them ready to book. Now why were they tarrying and are they still fixin them?

We called since I am in a wheelchair and they have to make arrangements to take me in. they put our whole group at the earliest boarding time. I found the gangway steps way too many and too steep on Encore.

Glad to know as I have an early boarding time but my DD who will be with us in a separate cabin is 4 pm. She intends calling in advance to let them know we are travelling together.

I am sure you can get a pint there…less chance of Veuve or Caymus.

Likely the bread served on the ferry is also better than on SS. On the Cloud the donuts were like hockey pucks and even the executive chef agreed that the bagels were no better. Fortunately, the itinerary included some lovely French ports so just brought my choice of brioche on board. Unfortunately they wouldn’t allow me to eat it in the dining room.

This is one of the reasons we are not fans. FYI the SS expedition ships are more relaxed and we enjoyed the Cloud and will look at the Endeavour. We do like SS itineraries though.

How perfect is that for a relaxed meal on any cruise line…..with slacks or elegant jeans as per preference.

What does manners have to do with wearing jeans? Firced? Yes I do speak for myself.