Open Booking Deposit Program

[Ice Bear]

At long last, an A&K Crystal Communication.

 

Before the Early Deposit deadline, it’s critical to understand the value A&K places upon legacy Crystal passengers and our Crystal Milestone status.

 

I seek ongoing A&K comprehensive Communications that clearly define whether I will receive benefits as a legacy Crystal passenger. 
 

The time to tell is now.

 

 

[Benthayer Gonbak]

On 1/11/2023 at 1:40 PM, H2O Polo Willie said:

Patience is what we need  to practice here. 

 

And I want it right NOW!😂

[Stickman1990]

11 minutes ago, Ice Bear said:

Before the Early Deposit deadline, it’s critical to understand the value A&K places upon legacy Crystal passengers and our Crystal Milestone status.

 

Why is it “critical”

 

The deposit is 100% refundable so what’s the issue? If you don’t like the policies that Crystal announce (including recognition of Crystal Society status and benefits) then just don’t book them (you have 90 days to do so to get the OBC benefit)

 

Don’t sweat the small stuff - would you really not book on new Crystal because they didn’t recognise old Crystal Society status?

[Benthayer Gonbak]

6 hours ago, Coral said:

I think the best way is AMEX cards directly, not 3rd party AMEX cards (if that is a real term).

 

I whole heartedly agree.   Back when I had a gold Amex I made a business reservation for i flight I took.  Later there was a charge back as they said it wasn’t a night flight!  When I called AMEx they knew what a plane was, what a night flight was, and that some airports have curfews for flights.  They immediately put in a dispute and took the charge off my bill.  No hassle, and very little time to explain what happened.  I didn’t even have to proved which flight I actually was on, nor that the flight they claimed didn’t really exist!  Never would I think that the branded cards would do anything close to that, but they are still probably better than the nonsense I’ve gotten out of Visa in the past.  Business traveling teaches you a lot about who is customer oriented! 

[Benthayer Gonbak]

2 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

I agree 100%.

 

When I worked we would travel one day before but since I retired we travel in two or more days before the cruise and make adjustments to add more days if flying to places like Europe.

 

I believe in Murphy's Law.

 

Keith

 

Murphy was an optimist! 

[juicyjuju]

Does the deposit have an expiration date? Never mind, I just read upstream, you have to book cruises within ninety days to get the obc. 

Edited January 16, 2023 by juicyjuju

[Stickman1990]

2 minutes ago, juicyjuju said:

Does the deposit have an expiration date?

To quote directly from Crystal - https://crystalcruises.com/open-deposit?

 

No Expiration Date

As You Wish shipboard credit is not applicable if Open Deposit is redeemed beyond the 90 days from the inaugural itinerary launch, the value of the Open Deposit will always remain.

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

 

Murphy was an optimist! 

The key take-away is:

 

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

 

I believe in that.  Always have backup plans and assume things won't go right at least for certain things which involve planes, trains and automobiles and even once in a while a cruise ship.

 

Keith

[ctjon]

Off topic but - hopefully the new Crystal will do a better job on stuff on web site.  A friend let me know today that on the Crystalcruises web site if the message about cruise coming back under the pictures of the ships it says they will begin cruising again next year  - my friend said  I thought they were going to resume this year.  From what we've all heard and read it is this year so they need to fix their web site text.   The old Crystal wasn't good on keeping their web site accurate etc. 

[wearesiamese]

I just received an.email from Crystal reminding us that the deadline for the open booking deposit is this Sunday

.

 

[FlyerTalker]

4 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

Don’t sweat the small stuff - would you really not book on new Crystal because they didn’t recognise old Crystal Society status?

 

Seems the audience here breaks into two distinct groups.

 

One, that looks for any reason to book with "New Crystal"

 

The other, that looks for any reason not to book with "New Crystal".

 

But I do have to admit that failure to get milestone credits seems a bit of stretch.

[Benthayer Gonbak]

5 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

The key take-away is:

 

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

 

I believe in that.  Always have backup plans and assume things won't go right at least for certain things which involve planes, trains and automobiles and even once in a while a cruise ship.

 

Keith

I believe Murphy was an optimist was a corollary!  It a bit too pessimistic most of the time.  
 

our last flight home on a Dreamliner we were told that only 8-11 bags had actually made it on the plane!  We got 1 of 3 which put us ahead of most!  Then we watch for about a week as our luggage made multiple round trips between two airports, they were not traveling together, not that any attempt might be made to do that!  

[Benthayer Gonbak]

2 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Seems the audience here breaks into two distinct groups.

 

One, that looks for any reason to book with "New Crystal"

 

The other, that looks for any reason not to book with "New Crystal".

 

But I do have to admit that failure to get milestone credits seems a bit of stretch.

 

Don't those credits get you fare discounts?  

[Stickman1990]

9 minutes ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

Don't those credits get you fare discounts?  

No they don’t - at least not that has been announced at this stage but who knows what the future holds? 

[Keith1010]

3 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

 

Don't those credits get you fare discounts?  

This is from the Crystal Website about the credits:

 

he as you wish credits are $250.00 per person up to $500.00 per suite for Crystal Society Guests and $125.00 per person up to $250.00 per suite for new to Crystal guests.

 

As you wish credits are not refundable and not exchangeable for case.

 

As you wish credits can be used in all ships venues except for Casino play.

 

Keith

 

[9stilton]

On 11/16/2022 at 5:13 AM, Keith1010 said:

I did verify this.  Using USA money the open booking deposit is $500.00 per suite, not per person so yes $500.00 is the amount regardless of the number of people in the suite.

 

Keith

Pardon me for coming into this discussion late but has anyone actually taken out an open booking deposit??

Having quickly scanned the last few pages of this discussion I have just taken out a couple & was astounded to read on the confirmation pdf:-

"The 400BPS open deposit (the “Deposit”) is being booked by and paid to Crystal Cruises USA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Consequently, the Deposit is not subject to any financial protection requirements and will not be covered by any means of financial security

 

Furthermore I did pay for the deposits by Amex but my agent rang back to tell me they only accepted Visa or Mastercard.

Having earlier been through the debacle of trying to recover monies from the old Crystal Inc (US Company why on earth would I want to repeat the situation.    Unless anyone can tell me I am missing something I am likely to be cancelling immediately & seeking a refund

 

Regards

[Keith1010]

7 minutes ago, 9stilton said:

Pardon me for coming into this discussion late but has anyone actually taken out an open booking deposit??

Having quickly scanned the last few pages of this discussion I have just taken out a couple & was astounded to read on the confirmation pdf:-

"The 400BPS open deposit (the “Deposit”) is being booked by and paid to Crystal Cruises USA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Consequently, the Deposit is not subject to any financial protection requirements and will not be covered by any means of financial security

 

Furthermore I did pay for the deposits by Amex but my agent rang back to tell me they only accepted Visa or Mastercard.

Having earlier been through the debacle of trying to recover monies from the old Crystal Inc (US Company why on earth would I want to repeat the situation.    Unless anyone can tell me I am missing something I am likely to be cancelling immediately & seeking a refund

 

Regards

Yes I have made multiple open bookings. Many of our friends have done the same.

 

Your agent is wrong.  American Express could have been used.

 

However, initially for those booking American Express asked for the card holder to confirm this was a legitimate purchase since this was a new company for them.  Your agent could have contacted you so you could approve it with Amex as they were processing your deposit.  By the way, this has happened with at least one other new cruise company (even though their parent company is not new) with American Express.

 

Decision as to whether or not to do open booking(s) and ultimately convert them to a real booking.  I wouldn't tell anyone what to do.  Then again I wouldn't tell anyone what they should do when spending money.

 

Keith

[Txcotn]

37 minutes ago, 9stilton said:

 

 

Furthermore I did pay for the deposits by Amex but my agent rang back to tell me they only accepted Visa or Mastercard.

Having earlier been through the debacle of trying to recover monies from the old Crystal Inc (US Company why on earth would I want to repeat the situation.    Unless anyone can tell me I am missing something I am likely to be cancelling immediately & seeking a refund

 

Regards

We took a couple and paid with Amex Platinum. No issues at all.

[9stilton]

22 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Yes I have made multiple open bookings. Many of our friends have done the same.

 

Your agent is wrong.  American Express could have been used.

 

However, initially for those booking American Express asked for the card holder to confirm this was a legitimate purchase since this was a new company for them.  Your agent could have contacted you so you could approve it with Amex as they were processing your deposit.  By the way, this has happened with at least one other new cruise company (even though their parent company is not new) with American Express.

 

Decision as to whether or not to do open booking(s) and ultimately convert them to a real booking.  I wouldn't tell anyone what to do.  Then again I wouldn't tell anyone what they should do when spending money.

 

Keith

Keith

 

Many thanks for the prompt reply.   I suppose my point was that we who have made open bookings are now taking a BIG chance that this venture will come off all as planned -- but with absolutely no guarantees or fallbacks at all.   

Given the issues from the previous debacle it seems a bit rich for A&K to ask previous guests to stump up the funds to support the venture & then openly state that there is no protection for past passengers who have allready lost a lot with 'old Crystal'!  

I certainly thought I was putting into a new British venture but am really surprised to find all funds being transferred to their US company where individuals could compound losses still further.

 

Regards

 

Regards

[Stickman1990]

47 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Your agent is wrong.  American Express could have been used

Just how sure are you of that?
 

The poster is in the UK not the US - the business practices might well be different there. I can confirm for sure that Crystal currently do not accept Amex as payment for these deposits in Australia for payments in A$ - for credit cards it’s either Visa or MasterCard 

 

As you will understand that makes some a little nervous given the past performance of those card issuers when it comes to disputes after a delay between booking and lodging a dispute 

Edited January 17, 2023 by Stickman1990

[Keith1010]

14 minutes ago, 9stilton said:

Keith

 

Many thanks for the prompt reply.   I suppose my point was that we who have made open bookings are now taking a BIG chance that this venture will come off all as planned -- but with absolutely no guarantees or fallbacks at all.   

Given the issues from the previous debacle it seems a bit rich for A&K to ask previous guests to stump up the funds to support the venture & then openly state that there is no protection for past passengers who have allready lost a lot with 'old Crystal'!  

I certainly thought I was putting into a new British venture but am really surprised to find all funds being transferred to their US company where individuals could compound losses still further.

 

Regards

 

Regards

You are very welcome.

 

I didn't realize you were in the UK when I responded.  Otherwise I wouldn't have said Amex is accepted.  I only assumed you were from the USA when you mentioned Amex as I and some other people I know initially had to figure out that Amex wanted each of us to verify this was a legitimate transaction.

 

I hadn't seen the information until your earlier post about the no protection.  May I ask where you found that. 

 

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Speaking for myself, we are looking forward to the itineraries, and additional details including cruise fare and deposit information and booking some of the cruises.  Again, this is a personal decision and I expect people to book, while others might book closer to startup or wait till people who are on the earlier voyages share their experience or decide not to book.

 

Keith

 

 

[Stickman1990]

4 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

I hadn't seen the information until your earlier post about the no protection.  May I ask where you found that. 

The agent would be referring to the mandated consumer protection normally afforded those booking cruises in the UK with UK companies - it’s apparently very good however they do end up paying more for cruises than those in other countries to help fund it

 

It seems in this case as Crystal LLC is taking the payment directly the protection is not required by law and therefore not provided 

[Benthayer Gonbak]

9 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

No they don’t - at least not that has been announced at this stage but who knows what the future holds? 

Interesting I thought I remembered a 1.5% or 2.5%  reduction in fare previously.  Certainly a new company can change that but I’d have considered that as a perk of being recognized as a Society Member. 

[9stilton]

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

You are very welcome.

 

I didn't realize you were in the UK when I responded.  Otherwise I wouldn't have said Amex is accepted.  I only assumed you were from the USA when you mentioned Amex as I and some other people I know initially had to figure out that Amex wanted each of us to verify this was a legitimate transaction.

 

I hadn't seen the information until your earlier post about the no protection.  May I ask where you found that. 

 

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Speaking for myself, we are looking forward to the itineraries, and additional details including cruise fare and deposit information and booking some of the cruises.  Again, this is a personal decision and I expect people to book, while others might book closer to startup or wait till people who are on the earlier voyages share their experience or decide not to book.

 

Keith

 

 

Hi Keith

 

The information about no financial protection is from Crystals own pdf confirmation sheet on page 2 - as attached.   From what you imply it does not seem to be the same deposit conditions in the States or they may be hidden in the small print.    Either way there is certainly an implied risk for UK past passengers

 

Regards

[Keith1010]

23 minutes ago, 9stilton said:

Hi Keith

 

The information about no financial protection is from Crystals own pdf confirmation sheet on page 2 - as attached.   From what you imply it does not seem to be the same deposit conditions in the States or they may be hidden in the small print.    Either way there is certainly an implied risk for UK past passengers

 

Regards

Thank you again for sharing this.

 

Best to you.

 

Keith