It’s finally live!!

[Stickman1990]

3 minutes ago, Herman The Cat said:

But they did email former Crystal Society members with different dates so they must have some data.

 

They were able to do that as people registered for the Open Deposit or for further info declared whether they were or weren't Crystal Society members - I'm not sure how much validation of that status occurred

 

I'm not so sure they bought the customer database from Crystal

[happy cruising]

We called Crystal directly yesterday to see if they had our crystal society numbers. They asked for our phone number

amd then were able to identify us as crystal

Society people - they even had the correct number of past cruises .  We were given a new crystal society number (not 5 digits) that will correlate to our new bookings. 

[Herman The Cat]

9 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

 

They were able to do that as people registered for the Open Deposit or for further info declared whether they were or weren't Crystal Society members - I'm not sure how much validation of that status occurred

 

I'm not so sure they bought the customer database from Crystal

My TA was told directly by Crystal that they bought the customer database. 

I guess we’ll eventually see what that means/implies. 

[hypercafe]

Nice web site, the ships look very nice and the pricing and on board experience is what I expected. Next step is to read reviews as people return from some trips. I expect they will be like the others, some will like it and some will not. I will let the dust settle before I book a trip 

[Txcotn]

27 minutes ago, happy cruising said:

We called Crystal directly yesterday to see if they had our crystal society numbers. They asked for our phone number

amd then were able to identify us as crystal

Society people - they even had the correct number of past cruises .  We were given a new crystal society number (not 5 digits) that will correlate to our new bookings. 

They have me as 2 different people.🙄

[Mr Luxury]

31 minutes ago, suzeluvscruz said:

They have me as 2 different people.🙄

That's a schizophrenic for you. 

[Roland4]

1 hour ago, Stickman1990 said:

 

They were able to do that as people registered for the Open Deposit or for further info declared whether they were or weren't Crystal Society members - I'm not sure how much validation of that status occurred

 

I'm not so sure they bought the customer database from Crystal

They must have the information. We didn't do an open booking, or anything else. The Boss got the Feb 13 CS e-mail at her home e-mail, and I got it (for me as a client) on my office e-mail.

[bitob]

3 hours ago, Roland4 said:

They must have the information. We didn't do an open booking, or anything else. The Boss got the Feb 13 CS e-mail at her home e-mail, and I got it (for me as a client) on my office e-mail.

I didn’t sign up either

getting emails

[SnoBirdCruiser]

14 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

I was just going to post the same comment about the gym 😂😂😂 - rip it out and put in a culinary arts teaching kitchen 😉

The casino has a lot of floor space, perhaps one kitchen for two intimate dining restaurants with a hall space to access the Galaxy theater.

I was thinking perhaps a French Bistro Type with Crepes?

Then, during the evening dinner time up in the Market Place for a Steak and Seafood restaurant

Or Vise versa...then again the Culinary Arts teaching kitchen would bring in money.

[ctjon]

If I remember correctly is access from cooking locations to food supplies, food trash areas, etc that are on the lower/ non passenger areas of the ship  When dining rooms and kitchens are they have that access without having to transport the stuff in passenger areas putting cooking/ eating in other areas would require disturbing passengers by moving stuff in their areas.

[Keith1010]

This is such a great day and so many people are booking.

 

I haven't seen this much excitement in a very long time.

 

Crystal is back.

 

Crystal is open for business.

 

Keith

[StoryMag]

Zeroing in on Lisbon/Southampton on Serenity.Thinking we have 90 days to book using our open booking if I remember correctly. Still many questions to be answered, but there is time. So pleased to finally get this ball rolling!

[Keith1010]

25 minutes ago, StoryMag said:

Zeroing in on Lisbon/Southampton on Serenity.Thinking we have 90 days to book using our open booking if I remember correctly. Still many questions to be answered, but there is time. So pleased to finally get this ball rolling!

I wouldn't' take too long because I keep hearing those first two voyages jus like Symphony have many bookings.  The one you are looking at is a lovely itinerary.  Love all the Bordeaux too on that itinerary.

 

Keith

[Mr Luxury]

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

This is such a great day and so many people are booking.

 

I haven't seen this much excitement in a very long time.

 

Crystal is back.

 

Crystal is open for business.

 

Keith

Have you seen the prices Keith?

I know you'll pay whatever they ask just to get on but there will be a lot of folks that you know who will not be able to pay these prices.

I suppose it was inevitable that they wouldn't give the suites away but rather recoup their investment sooner rather than later.

Edited February 1, 2023 by Mr Luxury

[Keith1010]

18 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Have you seen the prices Keith?

I know you'll pay whatever they ask just to get on but there will be a lot of folks that you know who will not be able to pay these prices.

I suppose it was inevitable that they wouldn't give the suites away but rather recoup their investment sooner rather than later.

Yes I've seen the prices.

 

Your second sentence is completely wrong.

 

And I know value when I see value.

 

I'll put my money booking Crystal.

 

I would rather go on less cruises but make each one special.

 

Do you know the meaning of quality versus quantity?

 

I do and I know many others who feel the same way.

 

If you don't care for the pricing or even for Crystal I get it but you should know many do not feel the same way you do.

 

Keith

 

I do.

 

[ak1004]

2 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

 

Do you know the meaning of quality versus quantity?

 

I do.

 

 

Sorry, but I don't see how SS or SB are less quality, on a newer ships, larger cabins, more dining options, comparable service and food and 15-20% cheaper..

[bitob]

Nonsense

 

i have recently been on 2 ss cruises and 2 regent cruises. Every bit as good and in some aspects better than the old crystal.  New crystal??  Who knows 

 

everyone I travelled with on those cruises felt the same way. 

[Keith1010]

25 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

Sorry, but I don't see how SS or SB are less quality, on a newer ships, larger cabins, more dining options, comparable service and food and 15-20% cheaper..

Sorry, but where in my post did you see where I mentioned any other cruise line.

In the end we each determine what quality is and when we find quality and something we like we make the decision how often we use the product.

 

So yes I prefer quality over quantity.  I will determine what products provide quality to me.  I expect others to do the same for them.

 

Just in case you do not follow this.  If a restaurant is IMHO high quality I might go less often and the same goes for other items where I place quality over quantity.

 

For me this approach works great.

 

 

[Stickman1990]

Do the fares include port charges and taxes? 

I have asked Crystal about Taxes/Port Fees, and they said that these are included in the price you see on the website, unlike Old Crystal - but just check when making your booking that is the case. But useful for comparison shopping 

[BWIVince]

19 hours ago, Roland4 said:

Having had a chance to take a good look at the revised deck plans, given the major changes on Serenity's Decks 8 and 9, is a July 31 launch realistic?? Be interesting to see Vince's take on this.

 

Sorry I haven't posted more this week...  I've had my hands full onsite.  I've dug into Symphony a bit this week, and it's pretty much what I expected in the time frame I expected it (with some specific delights and specific disappointments).  Serenity's timeline I do have some questions about, but it might make more sense when I get a chance to see what exactly they are doing.  

 

2 hours ago, ctjon said:

If I remember correctly is access from cooking locations to food supplies, food trash areas, etc that are on the lower/ non passenger areas of the ship  When dining rooms and kitchens are they have that access without having to transport the stuff in passenger areas putting cooking/ eating in other areas would require disturbing passengers by moving stuff in their areas.

 

This is spot on...  I think a culinary arts center is probably feasible -- it wouldn't require a much heavier lift, transport-wise, than the Bistros do, which have a service pantry and no galley access.  I think it's less likely that we'll see a restaurant galley that isn't on the existing galley complex service stack though, the way Waterside, the deck 6 (Symphony)/7 (Serentity) venues, Serenity's Stardust, Marketplace and Trident/Tastes are.  Not impossible, but definitely challenging, costly, awkward, and not preferable to not have direct access for supplies and prepped food like that.

 

Vince

[ak1004]

1 hour ago, Mr Luxury said:

 

I suppose it was inevitable that they wouldn't give the suites away but rather recoup their investment sooner rather than later.

 

It reminds me someone who buys a stock at $100, and after the stock goes to $10, they keep holding and hope for recover. The problem is that the market doesn't care who much you paid for the stock. In the same way, potential cruisers don't care how much they spent to buy the ships and refurbish them.

 

For some people, Crystal is the "one and only" and they will pay almost any price o sail on it. For others, it's just another luxury line, and they will base their decision on itineraries and pricing.

 

We should respect each others choices even if sometimes not all of them are rationale. Like my wife keeps telling me, "you don't like it - don't buy it".

Edited February 1, 2023 by ak1004

[Keith1010]

57 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Do the fares include port charges and taxes? 

I have asked Crystal about Taxes/Port Fees, and they said that these are included in the price you see on the website, unlike Old Crystal - but just check when making your booking that is the case. But useful for comparison shopping 

They are included. 

[AtA]

6 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

Sorry, but I don't see how SS or SB are less quality, on a newer ships, larger cabins, more dining options, comparable service and food and 15-20% cheaper..

I've been on both recently. Service was not at all comparable. In fact we wrote reviews on both.

Food was ok on SS and just so-so on SB. More dining options didn't equate to better food.

 

And SS lacked any evening entertainment on the cruise I was on. Oh they had their singers who were good but I've seen better shows in my kid's high school performances. Plus there was a single destination lecturer on. Additionally because of Hurricane Fiona we wound up having more sea days than designated. (of course that's no one's fault,) On SS during that time what did they do for activities, classes, etc? CRICKETS. Good thing I brought my own book and needlework. Not even them suggesting a handiwork get-together. Now compare that to Crystal where if there's an unexpected sea day, they wind up with more classes, more lectures, etc. 

 

As for SB? Great CD on the cruise we were on. Horrible SB square place to get a snack as nothing like the Bistro. Only dried out pre-made sandwiches, cookies and cakes. Coffee was excellent though. Fun sail aways and they definitely made it a fun time but if you're doing a cold weather cruise on SB good luck because to get everyone together to "party" (like in Crystal Cove, it had better be warm because it's all outdoors. Indoor facilities are too small for everyone.

[ak1004]

16 minutes ago, AtA said:

I've been on both recently. Service was not at all comparable. In fact we wrote reviews on both.

Food was ok on SS and just so-so on SB. More dining options didn't equate to better food.

 

And SS lacked any evening entertainment on the cruise I was on. Oh they had their singers who were good but I've seen better shows in my kid's high school performances. Plus there was a single destination lecturer on. Additionally because of Hurricane Fiona we wound up having more sea days than designated. (of course that's no one's fault,) On SS during that time what did they do for activities, classes, etc? CRICKETS. Good thing I brought my own book and needlework. Not even them suggesting a handiwork get-together. Now compare that to Crystal where if there's an unexpected sea day, they wind up with more classes, more lectures, etc. 

 

As for SB? Great CD on the cruise we were on. Horrible SB square place to get a snack as nothing like the Bistro. Only dried out pre-made sandwiches, cookies and cakes. Coffee was excellent though. Fun sail aways and they definitely made it a fun time but if you're doing a cold weather cruise on SB good luck because to get everyone together to "party" (like in Crystal Cove, it had better be warm because it's all outdoors. Indoor facilities are too small for everyone.

 

It was comparable to me.. and honestly, if Crystal was so much better than other luxury lines, everyone would be sailing on Crystal only, especially when their prices were significantly lower than SS and SB. Many people that I know sailed on all luxury lines and found them very similar in terms of the overall package.

 

Yes, we liked the Bistro, but Arts Cafe on SS was a lot of fun too. We also appreciated the unlimited caviar. This alone worth at least $100/day.

 

I do agree about entertainment and enrichment program, Crystal was the best. But on port intensive itineraries it's less critical.

[SusieQft]

On 1/31/2023 at 7:12 PM, claudiaYVR said:

I'm sad no bathtubs below Jr. CP 😞

I would have thought at least Aquamarine and Sapphire suites would have them.

The suite information is clearly not accurate.  For both ships the Sapphire floor plan is the old original Penthouse Suite, minus the bathtub, so you are probably right that there is no bathtub in the Sapphire Suites.  However, the Aquamarine floor plan shown for both ships is the old Seabreeze Penthouse Suite floor plan, clearly larger than the Sapphire Suite.  The Aquamarine photos look more accurate for the size of the room, and seem to be a mix of the classic and Seabreeze Penthouse from old Crystal.  The Serenity Aquamarine photos include one of the old Crystal Penthouse bathroom with the jetted tub.

 

I am thinking it is likely that there will still be two different room styles for the PH/Aquamarine and PHS/Sapphire cabins, the original and the Seabreeze styles.  They may not all have had their bathrooms remodeled, especially the original style Crystal PH on Serenity (per its photos), so some of them might still have bathtubs.  New Crystal really should clarify the room differences within their new categories.