Keith1010

Not sure you port. I just shared what I found on this. Didn't give an opinion. Next.

I am not promoting the restaurant. It is something new so I created a separate thread as I have done in the past for things that are new at the time including Tastes, Silk, Silk Road now Umi Uma, Supper Club and even the Modern Menu when it rolled out. Promoting no. Explaining my experience absolutely. I thought I was clear that some people like it, some don't and some are so so. Not sure why you think that is promoting the restaurant. Yes I will continue to do stand along threads for new things as I have always done such as about entertainment, inclusive, open seating and the redesign of ships. And by doing this as a separate thread it actually elicits a greater range of opinions based on each persons experience and it has already done just that. Keith

Although Saudi women are expected to wear the traditional black, long gown called the abaya while in public, foreigners are exempted from this rule. The hijab and niqab are optional for both Saudi and tourist women. Women must dress modestly at all times, covering their knees and shoulders. Although the abayais optional, you will need to wear it while entering mosques, in respect of the Muslim culture. In a few places, you might have to wear a headscarf, particularly in Riyadh. Sleeveless shirts, short dresses, loose tops, short bottoms, crop tops and miniskirts are strictly not allowed. Night clothes, under garments or anything that is inappropriate to be worn in public must be avoided. Bikinis, which are common among westerners, are taboo in Saudi Arabia, even on the beaches. You can wear the shoes of your choice – trainers, sandals, heels or open toed footwear. There are no restrictions on this. However, you will have to remove your footwear when entering religious institutions. Make sure the fabric of your clothes is not see through and not super tight. In case you are wearing jewellery that is represents any other religion than Islam, you need to tuck it into your clothes. Make sure it isn’t visible. Lastly, modest make up is preferable to bright colours on the face. DRESS CODE FOR FOREIGNERS – MEN The following dress requirements are to be followed by male tourists entering the kingdom. Foreign men are not required to wear the thobe or thwab, the traditional Arabic dress. Men are required to wear clothes covering their shoulders and legs at all times. Make sure to avoid skinny jeans, sleeveless shirts and shorts in public. If you are at a workplace, a shirt, tie and a dark business suit are appropriate. Apart from a wristwatch or a wedding ring, any other jewellery, including bracelets, necklaces, etc., particularly in gold, is considered inappropriate. You must not be shirtless under any circumstances. Both men and women should be careful not to wear a top or shirt with indecent or loud graphics and quotes on it. However, you can wear whatever you like within western compounds or areas where expats reside. Bikinis are still not allowed, and you need to stick to one-piece swimsuits. Whatever you wear, make sure it is modest and respectful of the tenets of Islam.

Same for us and that is all that has been sent. It showed two claims consolidated and what the max is. Keith

One thing for sure is food is subjective.What one person loves another one would hate. A food that comes to mind is liver.One of the few items I detest but some love it. I know some people who never likes dining at the Crystal Dining Room later renamed Waterside. Food not hot enough for them. Too many people. Too noisy. On the other hand I know lots of people who enjoy Waterside. Do you remember Silk and all the comments? Some said it was frozen food. Some said it's not authentic.Some loved it. How about Churrascaria. Some loved it. Some said too much food. Some said I am paying for a luxury cruise and I want full service and not such basic food. Umi Uma. When it rolled out many guests were hesitant to go there.It was far different than many people had up until then. They want their food cooked. LOL. Prego. Some said the food was so so. Other loved it. I have to say my first time on each ship it didn't work for me. Maybe I ordered the wrong items. Who knows. But I eventually figured it out and learned what I enjoyed. Oseria d'Ovidio has had mixed reactions. Some love it. Others it's OK and some do not like it at all. We ate there twice and had the food to our room one other time. Each time we tried new items we hadn't had so we could taste as many as we could. I guess because Anne Marie is half Italian and learned to cook many dishes from her 100% Italian Grandmother who lived with her Anne Marie has made many of the dishes that I think of from Prego plus more. So for me, Osteria d'Ovidio was the opportunity to sample a range of dishes that we normally didn't have and the portions were of a modest size that I could sample a variety of them including on the first visit two starters. I enjoyed it and viewed it as more upscale than Prego. This is not a knock on Prego because I enjoyed it once I figured out what to order but just to say I found the new restaurant to serve more unique cuisine. My own view is to keep an open mind, try it alll, go back a few times and then see what you think. If I would have given up on Prego after the first time on each of the three ships then I would have said I didn't care for it and would not have learned what I was missing out on . And I do believe that as restaurants do both on land and at sea that they will make adjustments. Buon appetito. Keith

As mentioned if you book five cruises in the time frames we've discussed your fare would be reduced $800.00 per cruise. While we don't know the payout we do know the maximum appears to be $2,225.00 per person whether they were owed $2250.00 or something much higher than that. Keith

Ivi you are very wise to check all of this out so there are no surprises. Changes can occur. For example, I know this is long in the making but USA citizens are supposed to meet the ETIAS to visit Europe sometime next year. And I remember precisely what you said about Yellow Fever Vaccine. I believe Barbados is one of those places that require a Yellow Fever Vaccine if coming from certain countries as a true example of what you are talking about. Keith

Ivi, you are fine. No visa requited from several countries including German Passport Holders. https://immigration.gov.ag/visa-services/countries-exempt-from-visa/ Keith

I am reposting this since I had a critical error in my earlier post. Thank you Tracie. In our case we were fortunate that Crystal expanded the program to include bookings beyond the Ocean vessels. This allowed us to get a second voucher from money we had down on Endeavor (two cruises) and Mozart (two cruses with a full payment made). We have used the two vouchers and the associated ten sub credits on cruises we would have booked through CYE 2025. There is other money beyond this we won't see but there were lessons learned for me. This was truly not expected. For those who have a voucher but have not used it yet, remember you must use one sub-credit on or before October 1, 2023 or the voucher is no longer valid. You can apply a voucher retroactively for cruises already booked and do remember that the vouchers are good on Crystal Symphony and Serenity cruises departing on or befrore 12/31/25. As to Moecker, I never expected money back so whatever we get is what it is. Hopefully, we will no something in October so many of us can close the book on the former parent company for good. Keith

Oops. Good catch. Meant on or before not after. OMG. 🤪

We enjoyed a very nice arrival to Bordeaux in August. Keith

In our case we were fortunate that Crystal expanded the program to include bookings beyond the Ocean vessels. This allowed us to get a second voucher from money we had down on Endeavor (two cruises) and Mozart (two cruses with a full payment made). We have used the two vouchers and the associated ten sub credits on cruises we would have booked through CYE 2025. There is other money beyond this we won't see but there were lessons learned for me. This was truly not expected. For those who have a voucher but have not used it yet, remember you must use one sub-credit on or before October 1, 2023 or the voucher is no longer valid. You can apply a voucher retroactively for cruises already booked and do remember that the vouchers are good on Crystal Symphony and Serenity cruises departing on our after 12/31/25. As to Moecker, I never expected money back so whatever we get is what it is. Hopefully, we will no something in October so many of us can close the book on the former parent company for good. Keith

Muriel, then we will agree to disagree. I think two things are key; Getting the word out at the time the change is made (in out case the changes was on the web site for quite awhile and getting the word out to the TA's and guests recognizing that some TA's have lots of clients on some sailings so it is one less items that they have to get out to their clients. And if possible providing more detail. In my case, when we booked the cruise Phillipsburg, when we booked. Maybe your was not because of the time yo booked your cruise. While the explanation was the same as it was for most other itinerary changes "operational reasons", to me the letter is easy to understand. I suspect most people can understand the following and if they can't then they can simply ask their TA. This way everyone hear's at the same time, is one less step that the TA has to do, and ensure everyone does get notification in case the TA fails to get it out to their clients. I say this because there are times when I read that someone says they didn't know about this. Anyway, we don't disagree too often but we do on this. Keith ============================================================================= Thank you for choosing Crystal for your client’s upcoming voyage. Due to operational reasons, we have made the difficult decision to change our deployment, with Marigot, Saint Martin replacing Philipsburg, St Marteen, and Gustavia, St Barthelemy, which will impact some voyages, including your client’s. Marigot is a charming town on the French side of the dual-nation island of St. Martin. You will find the revised itinerary and shore experiences in “My Account” on the Crystal Website. While we understand the adjustment may not align with your client’s original vision, rest assured we have orchestrated alternatives to ensure their voyage remains exceptional. Please note any excursions that have been reserved and prepaid will be refunded. We sincerely hope that your client will find our solution to their liking. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming your clients aboard soon. Sincerely, Crystal Guest Relations ============================================================================

There is a saying folks it is time to move on. We have covered this in as many ways as one can. I suspect most other people reading this thread understand what happens with your unused vouchers if you have received a refund back from Moecker. When it was explained to me the first time, I got it and shared it here and I suspect most got it and should anyone have forgotten they now know. Keith

In terms of terminoloy one voucher and five sub credits. Sone people got more than one voucher. I did when the included river cruises and expedition ship. Keith

You are not following what I have said One final time. if you have used all your credits by applying all of them to booked cruises they will NOT be reduced if you get money back from Moecker. If you have any sub credits Not Used and get money back from Moecker Crystal will verify with them how much you got back and refuse the UNUSED credits by that amount. I have said this several times. It is Crystal clear to me and most people get it. What are you not understanding?

it is you who is wrong. Not me. I say it for one simple reason. This is how it works. I verified this a couple of months ago with the head of Crystal when a lot of people had questions about how the program works. I clarified all aspects of the program as lots of people had questions. And I don’t make up things. in fact one of the earlier questions was would the use of the Vouchers impact your refund from Moecker and the answer is no. But once the payouts occur then unused vouchers will be adjusted. Crystal didn’t have to do any of this. But they did and many of us are appreciative of it.

That's correct. And when the payout comes then the unused vouchers will be adjusted based on the payout. Keith

Yes getting back on track is great. I looked at the site before responding the other day as to whether payouts have been made and it shows no payout as of yet to those guests who are owed money. I was always thinking October so we shall see. Keith

And back in 2010 we had to take their tour and the women had to go through a special line to return to the ship and were frisked. But I am the first to say discovery is key to travel so always best for each person to see it through their own eyes and make their own judgements. Keith

Nice to read everyone's comments. I found on our two cruises that some liked Oseteria, some were so so about it and some didn't care for it. No question that several people said they missed Prego. As Vince said restaurants evolve so let's see what happens. Just two more comments. World Cruises are a separate beast.Even Prego they would add a few items each segment and remove others. And my view of Specialty Restaurants. They are supposed to be special. In other words on a typical sailing they are meant for someone two visit once or twice per voyage for say a 12 day cruise. In its inception it was really one visit back in the early days. Great comments by those on board because in the end it is your opinion that matters. Keith

I remember several years ago on one of the world cruise one or maybe it was two guys wore that type of hat all the time. I don't lose any sleep about it. After all, I live in a state with a population of all cowboys and cowgirls and everyone owns a horse and if you believe that I will sell you the Brooklyn Bridge. In all seriousness I believe only baseball caps are not permitted but I could be wrong. Keith

Kudos to the Crystal Serenity Team. Keith https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/crew-crewing/sailors-society-cashes-crystal-serenity-crew-donation

I agree with you. I did provide feedback recently about the importance of getting the word out on any change as soon as it is made. They have done one part of this but I will go back and recommend that the notification goes out to both the TA's and the person(s) on the booking at the same time or at least on the same day. This will ensure everyone who needs to know is notified is on the same page. Keith

WIth the discussion of White Party we wore this on one of the two voyages we were on in August of this year. Keith