Keith1010

Ivi, this is all speculative but.............. If they make this the focus of the evening then it would attract a lot of people for a buffet dinner. Where they would have it would be anyone's guess but not the pool deck IMHO. Too many issues including weather. So probably Marketplace and if a lot of people attended Tastes too. The staffing would likely need to come from the specialty restaurants and Tastes. With all this when we were on the Holiday Cruise we had a special New Years buffet but it was not the Grand Gala Buffet but rather it utilized Market Place and had some items from the buffet. Many on board remarked that they preferred it this way; as they find buffets a big waste of food and a spreader of germs, etc. So I just don't see this happening anyway. White night is just a mixer. Also just as there are some things that work well on Serenity and Symphony and might not work well on smaller ships there are things that work well on smaller ships that might not work well on Crystal size ships. It's good we all have our opinions but in the end Crystal will decide. In this day and age of post covid and not wasting food I don't see it happening in addition to other factors such as staffing and weather. JMO. Keith

Rob posted it on the live thread and another friend sent it to me a few hours ago as it is on the Crystal App. I though a good idea to post this as a separate thread so that if someone does a search they can easily find the updated menu. Keith

Crystal Symphony from 2018. Keith

I think of the White Night as a mixer and that's what it is. Provides an opportunity for guests who want to participate to do so including dancing, listening to music, watching others dance, and just having fun together. It's not for everyone but nothing is. It was introduced in February of 2018 when Serenity and Sydney were in Sydney as part of the world cruise on each ship. That night there was a white gala fro all of the world cruisers off the ship and when they returned it was the start of White Night on board each ship for everyone. We happened to be visiting Serenity that day while with family in Sydney. If they would go the Azamara route it would mean the closure of all restaurants so one less night at the specialty ones and we know on short cruises or even ones which include two visits to each one the challenges of accommodating everyone. And then there are those who don't like buffets. Anyway, as they say it is what it is and that is a night where those who want to attend can enjoy the party and those who don't can still dress in white or not. Keith

As others have said no one should worry about whether or not they wear white. I do see more people in white with each passing month and year. For me, we don't make it to the events but we do wear something white. Just changes things up. My wife always brought white pants with her or tops that have white in them. I made the change to white by getting white pants but sometimes I wear them to Tastes as well. I don't do the all white look nor does Anne Marie but I see many doing that. I was thinking I should do the all black look and maybe they will cast me in Men In Black but I suspect if they do it will be to play the part of the alien. Just saying. 🤗 Keith

For those cruise that were last year and the ones upcoming soon most of the booking happened way before October 7 so again I believe there are many other factors at play. In terms of new bookings sure. Now if we all had a Crystal Ball we would no where to book where war, terrorism and even mother nature would not strike. Keith

We do recognize that pricing is based on many factors including supply and demand. What Crystal has done at least with the current program is to offer the chance to upgrade while keeping the integrity of pricing. But in short they have dropped the price because one can book x room and get an upgrade to as an Aquamarine at the lower rate. But anyone who already booked can take advantage of the offer as many have done. At the same time they seem to use dynamic pricing. I have never heard from Crystal that they vowed not to adjust rates and that includes under NYK, G and new Crystal. But then again I've never read that most companies have made statements (I am sure some did) about never lowering rates. When I do book a hotel, I book early and then check rates.If they stay the same and or go up I do nothing and if they go down I get the better rate.I've done this for other things such as when I used to rent cars. Back to Symphony. Their challenge over that of Serenity was where they are sailing. Many of the Crystal Society members have chosen to cruise closer to home or say those in North America going to Europe but maybe not to the Middle East Australia, etc. I think between the promotion which is seems to sell very well, Symphony sailing in Europe this year and people who didn't have commitments in the second half of 2024 and for 2025 demand should increase for Symphony and continue to increase for Serenity. It all takes time though. Keith

You can make the first move if you would like. Keith

You will see a mix for the gents and the ladies. Some were all white and some a combo so what you said will be fine. I do wear white pants but a colored shirt. Anne Marie usually wears something contrasting as well and not always white pants. All good. Keith

An alternative to walking to and from the ship in the water. Keith

Rob this was my observation too. The promotion has been very positive on bookings just based on what we saw while on the Holiday sailing. Keith

Lisbon bridge from 2015. Keith

While we were on Serenity we saw a nice article in USA Today about cruise lines with special promotions.They highlighted four or five cruise lines and the first one they mentioned was the Crystal one. Here it is. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2023/12/25/cruise-wave-season-explainer/71987088007/ Keith

Rob that's correct. The app can only be set up on the ship and once you leave it doesn't work since it uses the intranet site. I added the app to my phone and also bookmarked it on my web-browsers on my computer. The samplers were interesting. They were in our room and I just assumed someone had left them from the previous cruise until I asked about a week into the cruise. 🤣 I never consumed any so that other could enjoy. 🤣 My focus was on the wine and the sashimi. 😄 Keith

Julia, it could be that the website is wrong just as it was for the missing 7 day NYC sailings. If you have a TA I would have them call Crystal and, if not, you could call to ask. Keith

Things like the bathrooms are more accessible. I went back to see if I had taken photos but I didn't. Keith

Always enjoy these views when cruising. Keith

I have been inside on a tour. They are new. They are what we used to say are handicap rooms but now called accessible so areas to get around. They are also the first set of rooms. Keith

Keeping with theme of large and small vessels. Keith

You can book these in the same manner as the other cruises on the web site; through a TA or though Crystal directly. I would use a TA but that is each persons decision. Keith

Yes in the end your TA was told right. And I wanted to post but couldn't find the thread. Here is the story. While on the Holiday Cruise there was a printout of 2025 sailings on board Serenity and Symphony. I saw the two NYC ones listed. I checked the web site and still not there. I spoke with one of the two on board consultants to see what their reservation system showed. It showed the two sailings and I asked does it look bookable and yes it was. I contacted my TA and they followed up with Crystal on this, found out what caused the problem, and Crystal said they would get it in the system. I also contacted Crystal as well. Thanks for reposting this and for your due diligence. Keith

Large and small. Keith

Not sure your tastes in music. What I can say is that over the last few years under old Crystal and new Crystal that the music has changed. For example, before dinner used to be a pianist in the lounge near the main restaurant doing several sets at three or more times. Now you might find a pianist doing one time, a guitarist and vocalist at another time and then an electric type of violinist with keyboard. There is a DJ who plays each night but sometimes is playing where the pianist used to play. At the same time as mentioned you have a Bill Joel show on Serenity and Elton John show on Symphony. And yes you will have traditional music too some of which is to dance too. You won't have all current music if that is what you are looking for. By the way I like current music (used it teaching classes at the fitness center) but yes demographics do play a role in all of this. What I can definitely say is under the direction of the VP of Entertainment the entertainment including mix of music continues to evolve. People on land and at sea don't alway like change as we know so well so I think his approach has been wise to evolve it overtime and not at once. Full disclosure I do still like The Beatles music. While most of it is from the 1960's they did have a new hit song from just a few months ago. 🤣 Keith

Whether or not there is a line will depend on each cruise including demographics, itinerary, day of cruise and time. I've now been on three in 2023. Each one was different. On the Holiday cruise busier at 6:00 AM when doors opened (long line on a few nights) and then less so on others and then more people arrived later for another wave. On the first two cruises of New Crystal no line when it opened, and then it came in waves starting at 7:00 PM until around 8:00 PM. Even if there are lines early on things settle down a few days into the cruise. I've been on other lines with long lines including when the doors open and that included for open and fixed (assigned seating) dining. Keith

If you remember they said they planned on two expedition and two ocean vessels. They also Logic tells me the first two are one each. JMO. As to the cost, I believe the actual cost was closer to $400 Million. No idea what a duplicate would cost as certain things I don't believe would be duplicated such as that outrageously large casino. Anyway, my opinion. Time will tell including what the design is and what the cost to build is. Like I said, I don't bet but if I did I would be betting on new Crystal including new ships. Keith