Keith1010

I am thinking you really are asking is inclusive wine, beer and spirits included in the cruise fare and it is. Keith

This is indeed how it works. In recent years it worked this way for Standard rooms but now it works this way for all suites with exception of CP and Junior CP with the few rooms in each of these categories priced the same way. Keith

A change has already been made. Those in the Aquamarine suites will be able to send up to five items per day to have pressed. For those of you who plan to sail Serenity or Symphony be sure to ask why did the crew members return. Let me just say if you think that money is the reason you are wrong. Now there are always exceptions but overall you will find out the main reasons easily. Just ask. It is very telling. Keith

The solo rooms and the double occupancy rooms are all new. Keith

I want to add that the solo cabins like all rooms have a refrigerator and there is a small desk that has multiple purposes. Keith

Interesting that the same person who immediately pushed back on me just because Ii've sailed SS twice but doesn't believe that counts in anyway for me to comment and his sidekick who immediately liked that post isn't chiming him here. Am I correct that you have not sailed Crystal yet? By the way I do agree those on board set the atmosphere both crew and guests. This is one of several reasons I won't be sailing SS again. I'll throw in one other tidbit. Our longest sailing on Crystal was five months. In that five month we watched two movies in our room. On our last SS cruise of less than two weeks we watched somewhere around 7 movies in our room. Why people ask? Bored. Very little to do. I always say the only opinion that matters is our own. So it goes.

I haven't asked but have seen no copies. I am pretty certain they will have something on the iPad. I'll try to ask when I am down there. Other things that will be on the iPad will be restaurant menus, connoisseur wines, reflections to name a few. Keith

You are correct. In the classic Aquamarine the television is above the couch and directly across from the foot of the bed. In the Aquamarine the TV can be pulled out and swiveled. Keith

The don't. The challenge has been they planned iPads for each guest room and they are not here. We are getting hard copy reflections. Keith

Food is amazing from start to finish. They charge $185.00 for Tiagnello. Keith

Actually I had a long conversation today with someone who knows entertainment very well and was on several Silversea ships over the past several months and said these three a some of the major differences between the lines. And yes that was consistent with my views from my sailings. Their emphasis and where they spend a lot of their money is excursions. Each line is different. So you figure out which things are important to you. And as long as we are talking about differences the other difference is the crew. Keith

This morning. Doors wouldn't open beyond this. Keith IMG_2542.mov

Entertainment, Enrichment, Food are examples of the different league. Keith

Absolutely. Keith

We dined last night at Osteria d”Ovidio where we had dined the first night. We had the same waiter Corrado who is from Italy. He took a lot of time to explain each course on the menu. Each time he brought a course to the table he explained each ingredient. The restaurant has cuisine from Northern and Southern Italy and Corrado explained the difference between each region. The food is delicious. The wine we had was also fantastic and the Head Sommelier and two other Sommelier’s agreed. I picked out the wine. Corrado also explained the tasting menus. There are two tasting menus representing Northern and Southern Italy. They include the same items which are on the ala carte menu. There is no charge for the tasting menu but it can be enhanced by pairing each course with wine for $68.00 per person. We both ordered items we didn't on July 31. Ordered the Battuta di Fassona Picmontese which is beef tartare with Mustard Sauce, Truffle, Oregano Cracker and it was amazing. Afterwards, we attended the Captain’s Welcome and Crystal Society Party. One guest was honored for her 100th cruise and two other guests were recognized for 137 cruises. The Entertainment included a 10:00 pm showing of Rock, Pop & Mania featuring the Crystal Ensemble of Singers and Dancers and the Crystal Showband under the direction of Raphael Derkson. This was followed by dancing with the Showband, vocalist Karin Kovacova and DJ Emotion. Later in the night we knew we were back at sea with the fairly strong sea swells. We were swaying but as she always does Serenity does very well in these situations. At 8:00 AM Captain Birger gave us an update from the bridge noting that the forecast for last evening called for winds of 35 knots but the actual winds were double this level and at time 20 feet high seas. He said we should have relatively calm seas in three to four hours. Great news! Our room is fairly mid-ship. In Captain Birger's noon talk from the bridge, he updated those who were not awake this morning and said weather conditions would continue to improve. We will arrive to the port entrance around 5:30 PM and wait for an MSC and believe a couple of Celebrity ships to leave and then make our way to the port. We should be docked and gangway out by 7:00 PM. Originally, we were to depart tomorrow at 5:00 PM but that has been extended to 6:00 pm to allow more time for guests to enjoy Barcelona. Not arriving until 5:00 PM the day featured many activities of a typical Crystal day at sea Three lecture topics covering the news business as an anchorman by World Cruise lecturer Stephen Cole and a talk on Barcelona given by Destination Lecturer Dr. George Munno. and a talk given by Celebrity Speaker Bruce McGill who we have seen speak on Crystal several times. Bruce has appeared in hundreds of movies and in a television series. We won't go through all the activities but there was enough to keep one busy for several days. This included a range of activities including fitness and health, movies, team trivia, bridge, a talk on gemstones by the very knowledgeable Huber Gesser, Computer Class with Tim Grey, and Odyssey at Sea by the owner who we know very well Linda Perlmutter. It was too windy to play Paddle Tennis, so we walked inside the ship in the afternoon and spoke with fellow guests and members of the extraordinary Crystal Serenity crew. Cheers Keith

Port of Manhattan. Keith

I have to correct myself as on deck 8 and 9 are the new sapphire suites not Aquamarine. I do want to add on Serenity I prefer Classic Aquamarine over the ones created in 2018. The classics are larger, have two desks and a coffee table which can be raised. Keith.

If a bathtub is important then you'll want a classic. If it is not may I suggest one of the newer ones on Deck 9 or 8. versus what used to be known as Seabreeze found on Deck 10. Keith

This morning local time on Serenity. Keith IMG_2542.mov

Enhanced signage on the ship.' Special details. Light fixtures in The Bistro in the shape of birds. Keith

Karen, My understanding is it is the same as you have said. Just like any illness one won't be required to leave the ship unless their symptoms warranted it. There are no longer any special policies for Covid as there are none for the Flu. Keith

I think back to comments from just a few people about how new Crystal would be so different than the old. and the pushback on comments such as the majority of the crew will be back, and to things like service would be as good as before, and so many other areas that we have come to love about Crystal. Oh, and I remember one saying "you don't know the new owner" and he won't keep the Crystal experience but make it the SS experience. All of that pushback and negativity is completely wrong. 100% wrong. Each day what I and others see is the Crystal we have come to love. And enhanced. Then some of the same people warned against sailing on the inaugural. They said prepare for a cancellation. They said lots will be wrong. Well what was wrong was they were wrong. Is everything perfect? No. But what is. The major areas needing work are mainly IT related. This includes telephones in some rooms, more stability of televisions but better yesterday than earlier with less freezing of the sets, the rollout of the iPads as they assumed very little paper. Some items that were to be delivered to the ship got hung up related to food and beverage although that can happen anytime. And yes, closet space in the new doubles/solos will be challenging but the latter is not inaugural sailing specific. I guess I have always taken the view that the sky is not falling. I also don't get caught up in all the negativity. In fact, when I see a lot of negativity often from people it makes me more positive. Anyway, my key observation is Crystal is back and if you loved old Crystal you will love the new product. In fact, other than Crystal rather than Crystal Cruises I will do my best not to say new and/or old because this product Crystal is Crystal Cruises enhanced. For Anne Marie and myself it was worth the wait. Keith

We don't arrive until 5:00 P.M so the day is a sea day. The activities that we would see on a sea day are part of today's program including there lectures and so many other things to do. Keith

The Crystal Captains party was back and alive and well. It included the recognition of a woman we know who achieved her 100th milestone. We haven't been to one of these since 2019 as they weren't doing them in 2021. Keith

Have everyone book the same venue for the same date and time. Provide the names of everyone and their booking numbers to on board guest services with the date/time you booked (they will verify that) and ask that you all be seated. Do this sooner rather than later after you can make reservations. Keith