Rare Sthrngary Posted April 8, 2021 #1 Share Posted April 8, 2021 I have written a cruise guests Journey of sorts to creating a "Luxury VIP All-Inclusive Cruise Vacation". It was way to long for me to simply post. The document attached tells a story with examples of how I personally craft my cruises from start to finish. When I have share some of the crazy stuff that I do, my friends and family make fun of me. They tell me that I put way to much time into the details and preparations. They say, "You should just go with the flow when you go on a cruise vacation"! What they miss is that I have gone with the flow. I learned along the way things that would make the next experience better. I have now been on 23 cruises with 24 and 25 booked set to go. This sequence continued to my upcoming cruises. I don't ever expect anyone to go through the hoops I do. Instead, maybe something I have done or do will help your next cruise experience achieve the goal of "All-Inclusive". Before you download and open the document attached, know it is very detailed and long. If you have a question on how I do something or where I got the information provided, just reply to this post. If you read something you feel is not accurate, give me your source and I will make an adjustment to my document. Remember, this was designed to help those that wanted to create their own "All-Inclusive" cruise experience. I hope you like it and the work it took to write it. Thank you Journey_To_All_Inclusive_Cruise.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted April 9, 2021 #2 Share Posted April 9, 2021 I truly hope for you the Crystal cruise will become an excellent experience the choice of all inclusive drinks in the bars is maybe the biggest on any cruise company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #3 Share Posted April 9, 2021 2 hours ago, vistaman said: I truly hope for you the Crystal cruise will become an excellent experience the choice of all inclusive drinks in the bars is maybe the biggest on any cruise company I think Crystal will do well. It is not the All Inclusive Drinks that I am looking forward too. It is the personalized service. In the same year, I will be cruising on Crystal and also in the NCL Haven on the Joy. The Crystal is just my wife and I and the NCL Haven is my entire family of five. My hope is my wife will clearly see the difference and we both will enjoy the smaller ship. Thank you for commenting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mj_holiday Posted April 9, 2021 #4 Share Posted April 9, 2021 For your spreadsheet, you seem to know what shows are what nights and when the lectures are scheduled before you get on the cruise. How do you find that information? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #5 Share Posted April 9, 2021 4 hours ago, vistaman said: I truly hope for you the Crystal cruise will become an excellent experience the choice of all inclusive drinks in the bars is maybe the biggest on any cruise company It is not totally all inclusive Have a look at the bar menus Basic drinks are included some wines are included Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #6 Share Posted April 9, 2021 I think you are going to be in for a shock with your WANTS list you may get #7, 9 & 12 if you do not visit the spa /gift shop/or take ship's tours I would lower your expectations & you may get some of what you are looking for BTW unless things have changed Crystal has self serve buffet people picking over stuff they want trying to get a dressing from the back row they dribble into the dishes in front of them do you want this for tea time or I know I prefer to choose what I want Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #7 Share Posted April 9, 2021 20 minutes ago, LHT28 said: It is not totally all inclusive Have a look at the bar menus Basic drinks are included some wines are included Thank you LHT28. I kind of knew that or at least assumed it. When you go on let us say, NCL. The Perk drink package only goes up to $15.00 a drink. My wife and I always upgrade the drink package to what is called the Premium Plus Drink Package. Even though, the amount per drink is gone and my wife can get a full bottle of selected wine at meals; many really high level brands and wines are still not included. Totally understandable and impossible price if I was a cruise brand. The key to me from my article was the personalized service and the items I am more then willing to handle pre-cruise to make it as All Inclusive as it can be. Thank you as always for responding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #8 Share Posted April 9, 2021 3 minutes ago, LHT28 said: I think you are going to be in for a shock with your WANTS list you may get #7, 9 & 12 if you do not visit the spa /gift shop/or take ship's tours I would lower your expectations & you may get some of what you are looking for BTW unless things have changed Crystal has self serve buffet people picking over stuff they want trying to get a dressing from the back row they dribble into the dishes in front of them do you want this for tea time or I know I prefer to choose what I want Hum, it seems like from your experience, the same old stuff happens on Crystal, that happens on Mainstream Cruise lines. That is the take I get from your response. Covid might handle the food issue, we will see. Since I have no experience on this, what cruise brand would you recommend that would better achieve my objective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #9 Share Posted April 9, 2021 52 minutes ago, mj_holiday said: For your spreadsheet, you seem to know what shows are what nights and when the lectures are scheduled before you get on the cruise. How do you find that information? First thank you for asking about my spreadsheet. I am kind of proud of it. It must be clear, when you go on Mainstream Cruise Lines like NCL, you reserve your show. On Oceania, you can pre-book your lectures and or things like cooking programs. In most cases, on all cruises you can pre-book your excursions. Finally, more times then not, the spa will offer you a discount if you book a certain number of spa treatments ahead of time. When I do the spa thing (I don't do that any more) I establish the time and day. All this information goes on the spread sheet. If your question has to do directly with Crystal Cruises, I can not answer it. I will after my cruise at the end of July. What I do know is I can't reserve the specialty restaurants or excursions until I pay in full. That is a bit different from other brands but will work ok since full payment is due 60 days in advance. I hope that answers your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Tillie Posted April 9, 2021 #10 Share Posted April 9, 2021 42 minutes ago, LHT28 said: It is not totally all inclusive Have a look at the bar menus Basic drinks are included some wines are included Please be aware that this poster will post negative stuff about Crystal whenever there is a chance. I certainly don't think Grey Goose and the like is "basic". No, you're not going to get $75/bottle wine included, but their selection is quite acceptable to most. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #11 Share Posted April 9, 2021 5 hours ago, vistaman said: I truly hope for you the Crystal cruise will become an excellent experience the choice of all inclusive drinks in the bars is maybe the biggest on any cruise company As is normal. When every a person really drills down on any brand. There are those that Love, are indifferent and hate the brand. Because making a mistake on a Luxury Cruise can be an expensive preposition. I have a kind of guide. When looking at comments and reviews. Don't look at either the top of bottom 10%. Focus on the middle 80%. My most recent choice of Crystal was not an easy one. It took some time and the Crystal Cruise Critics group was very helpful. You have to remember, where the NCL Haven is very nice, the service is different when you leave the Haven area. On Luxury brands like Crystal, Regent, the future Ritz and other, personalized service is much more refined. That is the real key to me. Thank you for your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #12 Share Posted April 9, 2021 6 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said: Please be aware that this poster will post negative stuff about Crystal whenever there is a chance. I certainly don't think Grey Goose and the like is "basic". No, you're not going to get $75/bottle wine included, but their selection is quite acceptable to most. Texas Tillie, as my previous response says and I wrote in my document. It is important to remember to focus on the majority of reviews and comments. I thought my comment to the previous poster hit that issue with my example. Brand Loyalty cuts both ways and we all have to make that decision by our personal experiences. My goal in my document was to increase my odds of success by doing my due diligence. The way I phased it in the document was to, "Know the rules to the game." Even on the highest investment luxury cruise, Dom P and 100 year old scotch is a premium. Just makes sense and completely fair. I fully understood why you commented and appreciate your thoughts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted April 9, 2021 #13 Share Posted April 9, 2021 I do not think Grey Goose, Ketel One , Chivas 12, Glenfiddich and Remy Martin or Courvoisier VSOP are basic drinks ... basic to me are Smirnoff , Gordon's , 3star cognac and similar I simply do not know a cruise line with a better choice , maybe a better French Champagne but that is a matter of personal taste ... If you want higher end brands XO , 21 years old I think one must deviate to an Asian or Arabic airline in First ... to find those on complimentary base 😄 Several of the above qualified as non basic are on payable base on a rather expensive yacht style "all in " company operating 2 older ships ( one can fill in the name -) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #14 Share Posted April 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Sthrngary said: Hum, it seems like from your experience, the same old stuff happens on Crystal, that happens on Mainstream Cruise lines. That is the take I get from your response. Covid might handle the food issue, we will see. Since I have no experience on this, what cruise brand would you recommend that would better achieve my objective. I have not been on many cruises where the waiter will stand by for your first bite most serve the table then are off to the next table Most premium/luxury line will have waitstaff around the pool area no need to stand at the bar for your drinks Chair hogs are everywhere but it depends on how the deck crew handle them helping lay towels all over the sofas is not my idea of good staff members We did have the farce of the photographers on Crystal but not as bad as HAL I will probably be bashed by the Crystalites as above Oceania is our preferred line while it is not a "Luxury" line it meets our needs/wants We are not big drinkers but those that like to drink they do have a drink package $60 PP PD no charge for non alcoholic beverages no photographers the only photo is the one for the room card at check in limited smoking areas 2 to be exact one inside one on the pool deck just a small corner not the whole side of the deck as on Crystal If you are sailing during the Covid restriction maybe the buffet will be staff served only (I hope) Enjoy your cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #15 Share Posted April 9, 2021 8 minutes ago, vistaman said: I do not think Grey Goose, Ketel One , Chivas 12, Glenfiddich and Remy Martin or Courvoisier VSOP are basic drinks ... basic to me are Smirnoff , Gordon's , 3star cognac and similar I simply do not know a cruise line with a better choice , maybe a better French Champagne but that is a matter of personal taste ... If you want higher end brands XO , 21 years old I think one must deviate to an Asian or Arabic airline in First ... to find those on complimentary base 😄 Several of the above qualified as non basic are on payable base on a rather expensive yacht style "all in " company operating 2 older ships ( one can fill in the name -) Vistaman, yep. Agreed. In our world, we all set expectations. The issue is, those expectations need to be realistic based on sound business logic. In addition, some folks want to find an issue with everything then neglect to come up with a solution. My concept of "Knowing the rules to the game" allows for realistic expectations. Knowing that many brand marketing teams are paid huge money to make the product look better then it is. That makes the guest simply ask the right questions so they set the right expectations. No one in their right mind would or could expect XO buy the bottle. When someone complains they have to pay for it. That just means they did not do their due diligent. The brand you outlined are excellent and just fine for me. Thanks for your response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #16 Share Posted April 9, 2021 3 minutes ago, LHT28 said: I have not been on many cruises where the waiter will stand by for your first bite most serve the table then are off to the next table Most premium/luxury line will have waitstaff around the pool area no need to stand at the bar for your drinks Chair hogs are everywhere but it depends on how the deck crew handle them helping lay towels all over the sofas is not my idea of good staff members We did have the farce of the photographers on Crystal but not as bad as HAL I will probably be bashed by the Crystalites Oceania is our preferred line while it is not a "Luxury" line it meets our needs/wants We are not big drinkers but those that like to drink they do have a drink package $60 PP PD no charge for non alcoholic beverages no photographers the only photo is the one for the room card at check in limited smoking areas 2 to be exact one inside one on the pool deck just a small corner not the whole side of the deck as on Crystal If you are sailing during the Covid restriction maybe the buffet will be staff served only (I hope) Enjoy your cruise You have every right to have your opinion. You obviously read my sections on social media. I totally get what you said. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #17 Share Posted April 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Texas Tillie said: Please be aware that this poster will post negative stuff about Crystal whenever there is a chance. I certainly don't think Grey Goose and the like is "basic". No, you're not going to get $75/bottle wine included, but their selection is quite acceptable to most. I posted our experience After 2 sailing with Crystal well it was a B2B after the first few days we knew we made a mistake but tried to enjoy the cruise It was cheaper than our usual cruise line Oceania but we wanted to try a Luxury line we did Everyone should choose what works best for them Maybe the OP will love Crystal as you do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #18 Share Posted April 9, 2021 15 minutes ago, Sthrngary said: You have every right to have your opinion. You obviously read my sections on social media. I totally get what you said. Thank you. I only read this thread & your PDF file I can see if your wants are important to your enjoyment of the cruise based on our experience with Crystal you might be disappointed Like I said above look at the bar menus to what is included in the all inclusive aspect of Crystal judge for yourself as I am sure you will Would like to see your comments after the cruise We booked an outside so maybe we were not special enough to get the personal service as some do 😉 Just a heads up if you are not a smoker & do not like the stale smell of ciggie smoke make sure you do not sit on the side of the pool deck where smoking is allowed or the aft decks The aft deck is a nice place to sit but we found the stale smoke smell unbearable JMO If you are a smoker then it is a moot point LOL Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #19 Share Posted April 9, 2021 pool deck early morning & most of the day on our cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #20 Share Posted April 9, 2021 4 minutes ago, LHT28 said: I only read this thread & your PDF file I can see if your wants are important to your enjoyment of the cruise based on our experience with Crystal you might be disappointed Like I said above look at the bar menus to what is included in the all inclusive aspect of Crystal judge for yourself as I am sure you will Would like to see your comment after the cruise We booked an outside so maybe we were not special enough to get the personal service as some do 😉 Enjoy I get you. I take what you say under consideration as I do everyone whom comments. You also have to understand, in the past, I have taken VIP area's on Mainstream Cruise Brands. My document shows some of the work I do to take every cruise experience up a notch. The only thing I can not seem to control is the personal service given to all guests when they leave their stateroom, regardless of the stateroom they have. Let me give you an example because I can see, you understand that many might get upset that your opinion on Crystal is not like theirs. That is not my point. My point is to take what ever experience I have had in the past and improve it. Back to my example. I will be sailing on the NCL Joy, in the Haven VIP area and in a (H2) Deluxe Owners Suite. The largest suite on this ship. I know the rules. When I leave the Haven, my personalized treatment will not be the same. I also don't expect that. I do expect that in a Luxury Cruise Brand. Even on Oceania, you have to be Penthouse or above, you have access to the special spa area in the front of the ship. You are not provided that when you are in a state room below penthouse. As long as the guest knows that, no issue. The same thing holds true with the Adult Beverage package. Just know the rules and make a business decision based on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 9, 2021 Author #21 Share Posted April 9, 2021 14 minutes ago, LHT28 said: pool deck early morning & most of the day on our cruise Ok, I see your point. The same stuff happens on Luxury Cruise Brands as does on Mainstream. This picture clearly shows one of the items that disturbs me about past cruises. I think you can also see why some that are Crystal Lovers have a hard time with some of your posts. Your experience contradicts with theirs. I did not want to start a issue with my original post. My responses have been thoughtful I hope. You have shared items worthy of consideration and so have others. I will follow up with all of my Cruise Critic friends with a fair review when I return. Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful time in responding to my op-ed. Cruise well everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #22 Share Posted April 9, 2021 57 minutes ago, Sthrngary said: Even on Oceania, you have to be Penthouse or above, you have access to the special spa area in the front of the ship. You are not provided that when you are in a state room below penthouse. As long as the guest knows that, no issue. You are mistaken Anyone in an "A" cat & above have the free access to the spa terrace It is just chairs/loungers & the T pool or hot tub depending on the ship Not a big deal to some Others can buy a day pass or get a free hour with the purchase of a spa treatment Yes I agree on the beverages ..that is why I suggested you check the bar menus for Crystal to be informed You can ask on the main Crystal forum as I did find them there before our cruise If you only drink spirits with or without a mixer it will suit your needs The best Oceania ship for the spa deck area is Riviera although no shade we like the T pool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #23 Share Posted April 9, 2021 1 hour ago, vistaman said: I do not think Grey Goose, Ketel One , Chivas 12, Glenfiddich and Remy Martin or Courvoisier VSOP are basic drinks ... basic to me are Smirnoff , Gordon's , 3star cognac and similar If you are taking a snipe at me I said basic drinks not basic brands there is a difference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #24 Share Posted April 9, 2021 2 hours ago, Sthrngary said: On Oceania, you can pre-book your lectures and or things like cooking programs. In most cases, on all cruises you can pre-book your excursions. not correct You prebook Cooking classes on their larger ships because there is a fee & limited capacity Lectures are free to all no reservations required You pre book Specialty dining but no charge as I believe is the same on Crystal You prebook La Reserve on Oceania's larger ships as it is a fee based wine tasting menu & limited capacity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 9, 2021 #25 Share Posted April 9, 2021 3 hours ago, Texas Tillie said: Please be aware that this poster will post negative stuff about Crystal whenever there is a chance. I certainly don't think Grey Goose and the like is "basic". No, you're not going to get $75/bottle wine included, but their selection is quite acceptable to most. Can you point to where I said you get a bottle of wine included? As you well know there are some drinks on the Crystal beverage menus that have a fee attached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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