Crystal versus Oceania -- Guess who wins??

[Paulchili]

I have been reading a bit on Crystal boards lately as we have one cruise booked with them.

Fair or not, I get a different vibe on that board from Oceania. Granted, I have not cruised on Crystal and CC is not a full reflection of Crystal clientele, but that is just my observation.

FWIW

[Bodogbodog]

I've always thought we wouldn't particularly like Crystal, mostly because of a couple factors. The fixed dining was one, but I'd appreciate people's opinions

 

Some of this subjective but I'll have a go at answering

 

The passengers are normal people - it's not stuffy or formal - like all groups there are a range of human styles and personalities but the vast majority are your average middle class, middle aged to older aged person out to enjoy their vacation

 

Crystal casual dress which is the majority dress code includes khakis and polos as acceptable - on those nights designated Black Tie optional a jacket is required for men

 

There is a ton of space in public areas and lots of lounge options as well as outside relaxation areas including at the rear of each passenger deck - I've sailed on full cruises and never felt crowded. There are no 1260 capacity ships and if you compare public space areas I think you'll find Crystals space allocation is very generous

 

There is no casual buffet in the evening. The Lido provides good quality and a wide range of dishes at breakfast and lunch times

 

All inclusive does not include Shorex - you pay for them (I think you may be getting confused with Regent who bundle in some base tours in their fares). Hard to define what's included but in general most drinks - alcoholic and non alcoholic (anytime) and specialty restaurants are included (after free entitlement is used up at the specialty restaurants you pay $30 per person for additional visits. You pay at the shops, spa and casino

 

I suggest you pop over to the Crystal forums and have a read of some threads to get a feel for the line and what it offers

[bitob]

I have been reading a bit on Crystal boards lately as we have one cruise booked with them.

 

Fair or not, I get a different vibe on that board from Oceania. Granted, I have not cruised on Crystal and CC is not a full reflection of Crystal clientele, but that is just my observation.

 

FWIW

 

 

I felt that same "vibe" from the seabourn cc board but it was not reflective at all of the passengers on my seabourn cruise. Don't let it deter you

 

 

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[Bodogbodog]

I felt that same "vibe" from the seabourn cc board but it was not reflective at all of the passengers on my seabourn cruise. Don't let it deter you

 

Not being telepathic I'm not sure what vibe it is that you're picking up - but remember, at least for Crystal less than around 3% of an average passenger load would participate on CC so drawing conclusions about clientele from CC participants would be misguided

 

But hey I've seen stranger conclusions drawn by some on Cruise Critic based on the views of others

[bitob]

I think for many of us it's a start regardless of the low percentage of cruisers represented on the cc boards

 

 

 

 

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[Paulchili]

Not being telepathic I'm not sure what vibe it is that you're picking up - but remember, at least for Crystal less than around 3% of an average passenger load would participate on CC so drawing conclusions about clientele from CC participants would be misguided

 

But hey I've seen stranger conclusions drawn by some on Cruise Critic based on the views of others

 

I understand all that and I am not canceling my cruise based on what I may read on CC. I will decide for myself after the cruise and will TRY very hard to keep an open mind. There is nothing like first hand experience.

That said, I cannot simply ignore everything I read (and don't like) on these boards - otherwise CC is useless :)

[Bodogbodog]

As you've probably read on the Crystal forums They have a lot going on - and are yet to announce details of the major refurbishments of their two ocean ships - Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

Symphony will undergo the refit in Oct 2017 and then Serenity the following Oct

 

Guests are nervously awaiting details of these refurbishments including implications on the number and type of staterooms - they are due by the end of March

 

There's no doubt there is an air of apprehension on just what the future of the ocean cruising division is as Crystal expand into other areas like river and air - and any new ocean builds are not due to be delivered until 2022

 

If you are referring to guests personalities and culture I don't expect that to change to any great degree

I agree the best option is to give it a try for yourself

[PaulMCO]

If you are referring to guests personalities and culture I don't expect that to change to any great degree

I agree the best option is to give it a try for yourself

 

Agree.. Did not find the passenger mix and culture much different than O.

The only thing that threw me was the CD was always dressed in Whites..:)

[Cruiseswithfamilyornot]

I started a thread on this board a few days ago about my recent Oceania cruise as it was my first one. I was on the Marina. I have been on Crystal as well. Also Silver seas, Regent, and most of the lines though I have not been on Seabourn only because I pushed my parents into cruising and recommended that line to them because I was concerned about the age demographic. They LOVE the line and have become avid cruisers since, only go on Seabourn, and say the average age is 70s and 80s though active people. As I am just in my 50s I have steered clear...for now. I know it's just a matter of time before I try that line though.

 

I have been on Crystal twice before, neither time was a caribbean cruise(both Asia) and the Oceania cruise was a caribbean so some differences. I really enjoyed both ships and lines. I agree with most of what OP said. The main dining room on Crystal, in particular, had better quality food and better service. But I would say they also wanted to make it a dining experience whereas you could get in and out of Oceania faster. The specialty's were included on Oceania and were just as good, if not better than the ones on Crystal(though they were all great so splitting hairs)..

 

The one place I would tell you I preferred Oceania that was not mentioned, is the ship itself was, in my humble opinion, even nicer on Oceania but just a tad. Less crowds on sea days on crystal by the pool, and not as casual at dinner as Oceania. Since I prefer more casual dress as you like, I definitely prefer Oceania there.

 

IMHO, Oceania is less money overall, and more casual. Yes, you deal with some crowds on sea days(not like the mainstream cruise lines at all to put in perspective but not easy to get multiple lounges together) and a main dining room that has some hit and miss service and food. For me, I would seriously consider both lines based on itinerary, price, etc, and based on what's most important to you. But this is all very subjective and just my opinion of course.

[CLOU]

I know this thread is not about Seabourn, but I wanted to respond to the last post. I have been on 9 Seabourn cruises, and I just turned 60. While there are certainly the fair share of 70+ people on Seabourn, there are also many younger people. I started my cruising on Seabourn when I was about 50 and I did not feel out of place. There are many folks younger than that.

 

As I posted earlier, I am trying my first Oceania cruise in 2 weeks and I am anxious to compare. I am hoping it gives me another line to choose from when making my future cruises choices.

[LHT28]

I know this thread is not about Seabourn, but I wanted to respond to the last post. I have been on 9 Seabourn cruises, and I just turned 60. While there are certainly the fair share of 70+ people on Seabourn, there are also many younger people.

.

People say the same for O cruisers... that they are old

I look in the mirror I do not see an old person so maybe others have the same mirror

we are late 60's :D

 

Enjoy the cruise

[PaulMCO]

People say the same for O cruisers... that they are old

I look in the mirror I do not see an old person so maybe others have the same mirror

we are late 60's :D

 

Enjoy the cruise

 

And some say traveling on O (and Crystal) makes one feel young again. :D

[LHT28]

And some say traveling on O (and Crystal) makes one feel young again. :D

How true

Our last cruise we met a lady in her 80's

her next cruise was on Crystal's NW passage cruise

I can only hope :D

[chrismch]

I've been on Crystal 3 times and on Oceania twice. Each of my Crystal cruises were themed cruises. One was a health and fitness cruise where I heard a lecture by an Olympian Gold medal winner and a Golf Masters winner plus a talk by a member of the House of Commons. Crystal's enrichment talks outshine what "O" offers. The other two cruises were jazz-themed where we had access to all performances except for a few specific ones. As we are big music fans, loved listening to live music 6-7 times each day with over 30 different performers.

 

Crystal also offers art classes, needlepoint and computer lessons, just like "O" except they also have language and piano lessons (on Yamaha keyboards).

 

Though I love Red Ginger, Silk Road is superior in their offerings. As mentioned by the OP their Bistro for late mornings and afternoon snacks was wonderful. However, the Terrace Grill on O tops it in the evenings with their cold seafood, salamis and cheese offerings.

 

Someone posted about a table asking for a special order on Crystal. I'm glad that hasn't changed. I'd heard about it prior to cruising on Crystal, so I purchased their cookbook once I boarded and made requests from it. The requests were honored in each instance on the next day. It was fun having a specialty dessert or entree arrive at our table to the surprise of other diners around us.

 

My first cruise on "O" wowed me, but I was disappointed in my second "O" cruise. We had several minor issues with staff who didn't seem to want to be bothered. On Crystal, staff response is a standard, "That would be my pleasure. On O it was "I'm sorry I don't have any control over that, you'll need to take that up with another department or call back later.

[Emperor Norton]

Thank you.

One additional question.

I understand that Carib cruise demographics are somewhat skewed on all cruise lines. That said, what was the demographic on your cruise?

Any DYKWIA people (my unconfirmed prejudice of Crystal :D).

 

I didn't see those people on Crystal but plenty of them on Oceania and Regent.

[Mura]

How very interesting.

 

Haven't been on Regent or Crystal yet, but I have NEVER met any of those "important" people on Oceania in 15 cruises ...

 

Maybe I'm just unaware.

 

Mura

[Paulchili]

I didn't see those people on Crystal but plenty of them on Oceania and Regent.

 

 

I will see for myself soon enough :D

In my 24 cruises on O I have had the good fortune of not seeing any of those people. Maybe just lucky and you unlucky (or different criteria?). Can't speak for Regent.

I have seen a few people on O not behaving very nicely (mostly to staf) Fortunately this is not all that common.

As is always the case, YMMV.