Keith1010

This one was a few weeks later from 9 years ago. Keith

Agree 100%. I always use shoe trees at home for all my dress shoes for all the reasons you mentioned. When we travel we do put something in each shoe (cardboard like insert) so that they keep their shape and then when back home remove that and insert the shoe tree except in casual shoes such as topsiders. Keith

The things about photos is you can't taste them or smell them. I just encourage people to dine with an open mind and even if it doesn't work for you the first time whether it's on that first cruise or another one return. For me I didn't care for Prego the first time I dined there on Harmony, Symphony (first two times) and on Serenity first two times. Just didn't work for me. But, I didn't give up. Finally figured it out and enjoyed items. I just needed to figure out the ones that worked for me. The first time we dined at Osteria we dined with others familiar with it and one recommendation give to me was to try two starters. I did. They are not very large so that worked out good. Each time we dined there we ordered different items. Keith

Another photos from Monte Carlo nine years ago. Keith

Closed

Don't overthink it. Each time you dine there try something new. That's what we did.

They still provide the slippers. The room stewardess could have provided them. Keith

If you have your e-tickets you are set. They were sending the luggage tags to everyone's home. Someone said recently they didn't send them so just be prepared to fill them out at the pier. Keith

Nice substitution. Istanbul is a terrific place to visit and we have had several overnights there which are special. It's a wise decision to change the itinerary although very sad for Israel. I remember years ago when cruise lines stopped visiting Israel due to the suicide terrorist explosions and in 2007 Crystal sailing there as part of the World Cruise for the first time in many years. It was great that tourism return to Israel. And hopefully it will in the future. Keith

Well this is a first kind of question. In all the years I have been with CC I don't think I've seen this one come up. Yes they provide both. Shoehorns are the long ones. Yep ,I use them every evening while on-board. Their purpose has not changed. Great for dress shoes and they prevent hurting your ankle and ruining the back of shoes. Nice amenity which by the way luxury hotels provided regularly way beyond the early 1900's. Today, most do not for a simple reason. Save money. Do you remember when lots of amenities were provided? Far less today in Hotels. Clothes brushes. On occasion we use them. So rather than befuddled think of it as a couple of nice amenities whether or not you use them. And if you think they are from the dark ages, note that Amazon has tons of shoehorns for sale. These are the long ones. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shoe+horns+with+long+handles&crid=1W9ML440RG0DQ&sprefix=shoe+horns%2Caps%2C105&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_6_10 Same goes for lint brush/roller. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lint+brush&crid=2NSM2D9KABQD0&sprefix=lint+brush%2Caps%2C117&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 You might want to start a thread on why they provide a bathtub. Keith

Monte Carlo from nine years ago. Keith

Great substitution of Istanbul. Wonderful city. Safety is the number one priority. Often it is not only the cruise line involved with this but also the insurance company as I understand has a big say in this for all cruise lines. Keith

Serenity nine and one-half years ago. Time goes fast when you are having fun. Keith

A view of Serenity in 2014 from Bon Bon Island. That was a fun day for sure.

Karen and bayonejoe.... As I suspected, Crystal will change the reservations for those on the full World Cruise so you can make reservations for each specialty restaurant (one for each one including Tastes) 90 days prior to the start of each segment. They have advised it is going to take time to make this change but they will make it. Keith

I had mentioned that towards the top of the Crystal website you can see offers. In addition, if you click o find a cruise a new filter is offers. So you could click on find a cruise, 2024 and filters and find all the cruises with offers or click on find a cruise, 2024, put in a specific month(s) or any other filers you want and also utilize the offers filter to narrow down the cruises to those with offers. Yet another way to find cruises. Keith

A new enhancement added to the Crystal website is offers with a tab towards the top. In fact, it includes offers of 5% discount on selected sailings mentioned in an e-mail from Crystal earlier today. I know. Some of you probably got it and others don't but it is all on the website. Happy Cruising. Keith

Yes, most of the new ones added are Sapphire. Keith

I am not sure why that happened to you. I've done it this way many times over the years. In fact, the good news is you don't come home to any of the junk. The only exception was getting it one time over the course of 130 or so days away and that was because the back up postal worker messed up. By the way this is why I start forwarding the mail two weeks ahead of time so if there are any issues I can speak to our regular carrier. Keith

Another view of Serenity from nine years ago. Keith Keith

Ed you are very welcome. Keith

We have done this several times. We done it one of three different ways. 1. If you are close with a neighbor see if they will take it in for you (we did one time) 2. We forwarded the mail to a family member who lives about 50 minutes for us (a few times) 3. When the family was away for a few years we would forward it to a P.O Box ( a few times) USPS will not hold mail more than 30 days as a rule. Occasionally the local postmaster might make an exception but not where we have lived. I you do forward your mail to another address I would make the effective day two weeks before you go. It is a manual process and sometimes it takes them a few days to get it in place. I just like knowing it's all done before we leave. Also, sign up for informed delivery with the post office. I like that as it gives me a feel for what mail has come my way. You see it regardless of a vacation hold or a forwarding of address. Over the years we eliminated all hard copy bills and started that before our first world cruise so when we get home we would have only one box of mail which that time of year are mainly magazines and tax related forms. Keith

At this time no plans to do this. Keith

Let me add the majority of the excursions are done by Crystal like old Crystal. Added to them are A&K which you will be able to tell as these are very unique with a higher price. Keith