New Crystal - the Good, the Bad and the Indifferent

[Keith1010]

39 minutes ago, braxx20 said:

No, it is my Original  (old)Crystal Cruises loyalty number - don't remember the proper nomenclature for that

Understood.

 

I haven't ask our TA about this yet. I remember reading someone had their TA get the CS number added to their invoice and I thought they said it was a new number but I could be mistaken or maybe confused.  I did get the society discount so haven't done anything more on this.

 

Not sure when we'll be able to access the booking to do the kinds of things you do ahead of time such as providing all sorts of information including passport info, etc.

 

Keith

[braxx20]

MY TA DOES have my CC loyalty number one BUT, while she was on vacation and before Crystal opened up, I used another agent to book my SB cruise - a delicate situation.

 

ON another topic:

I got a "cold call" from a Crystal salesman tonight, hoping to solicit a booking. That is rather surprising, to say the least! I hope they are not having trouble filling the ships!

 

 

[Psoque]

46 minutes ago, braxx20 said:

MY TA DOES have my CC loyalty number one BUT, while she was on vacation and before Crystal opened up, I used another agent to book my SB cruise - a delicate situation.

 

ON another topic:

I got a "cold call" from a Crystal salesman tonight, hoping to solicit a booking. That is rather surprising, to say the least! I hope they are not having trouble filling the ships!

 

 

What does “CC” stand for???  I believe the number you are referring is your “Crystal Society” number.  CC is a common abbreviation for Credit Card.

Edited February 22, 2023 by Psoque
added more

[Keith1010]

6 hours ago, Psoque said:

What does “CC” stand for???  I believe the number you are referring is your “Crystal Society” number.  CC is a common abbreviation for Credit Card.

I believe CC is Crystal Cruises as loyalty program is mentioned so I just interpreted this as the Crystal Society number but instead of saying that or CS the poster abbreviated it as CC.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

7 hours ago, braxx20 said:

MY TA DOES have my CC loyalty number one BUT, while she was on vacation and before Crystal opened up, I used another agent to book my SB cruise - a delicate situation.

 

ON another topic:

I got a "cold call" from a Crystal salesman tonight, hoping to solicit a booking. That is rather surprising, to say the least! I hope they are not having trouble filling the ships!

 

 

I don't believe it's a reflection on how things are selling since they have been contacting people since they began to open sales based on posts I saw on another platform. A few weeks ago we also got a call but didn't answer the phone.  

 

Keith

[braxx20]

I'm sorry already!!! MY CS number ok?

[Ice Bear]

On 2/21/2023 at 6:24 PM, braxx20 said:

MY TA DOES have my CC loyalty number one BUT, while she was on vacation and before Crystal opened up, I used another agent to book my SB cruise - a delicate situation.

 

ON another topic:

I got a "cold call" from a Crystal salesman tonight, hoping to solicit a booking. That is rather surprising, to say the least! I hope they are not having trouble filling the ships!

 

 

 

Did you request the New travel agent to telephone Crystal? The agent may have an A&K Crystal Contact. The New travel agent has likely navigated this dilemma when booking Crystal passengers on Seabourn cruises during 2022. It’s unfortunate you have not located even a Deposit stating your Crystal Society number and verification of the number of completed cruises. 

 

 

[AtA]

On 2/21/2023 at 6:03 AM, bitob said:

And we found the staff on our 2 regent cruises to be as good or better than crystal or silversea 

Not better than Crystal but definitely much better than SS.

Seabourn also had excellent staff.

[bitob]

11 minutes ago, AtA said:

Not better than Crystal but definitely much better than SS.

Seabourn also had excellent staff.

Every cruise is different. Our 2 regent cruises had superb staff

[Roland4]

17 minutes ago, bitob said:

Every cruise is different. Our 2 regent cruises had superb staff

We are on Silver Moon at the moment, and the staff are great, Unfortunately, the dress code is archaic, six sea days this segment and every one of them is Formal or Informal, and they are militant about enforcing it. The other issue is the very relaxed smoking policy, starting with "Smoking on the balcony is discouraged." Say what??

 

As much as we like the ship, this will likely be a "one and done" with Silversea for us.

[braxx20]

1 hour ago, Roland4 said:

We are on Silver Moon at the moment, and the staff are great, Unfortunately, the dress code is archaic, six sea days this segment and every one of them is Formal or Informal, and they are militant about enforcing it. The other issue is the very relaxed smoking policy, starting with "Smoking on the balcony is discouraged." Say what??

 

As much as we like the ship, this will likely be a "one and done" with Silversea for us.

I thought ALL lines had eliminated smoking in the cabins, even some of them in the casinos and that there only were small outdoors smoking sections. I have read recent reviews of Celebrity  and there are complaints of smoking in cabins, etc. Since SS is now part of RCCL, maybe the Company has relaxed smoking standards on all ships.

[History&Wine]

1 hour ago, Roland4 said:

We are on Silver Moon at the moment, and the staff are great, Unfortunately, the dress code is archaic, six sea days this segment and every one of them is Formal or Informal, and they are militant about enforcing it. The other issue is the very relaxed smoking policy, starting with "Smoking on the balcony is discouraged." Say what??

 

As much as we like the ship, this will likely be a "one and done" with Silversea for us.

This is one of the things new Crystal needs to clarify.  I'm fine with the Crystal smoking policy in 2015 and onward.  When I cruised with Crystal in 2012, the smoking policy was more lax....I swore I would never cruise with them again with that policy.   I am NOT fine with the Silversea policy.  As I read it, on Silversea allows smoking in some lounges.  Definitely a no go for me. 

[bitob]

2 hours ago, Roland4 said:

We are on Silver Moon at the moment, and the staff are great, Unfortunately, the dress code is archaic, six sea days this segment and every one of them is Formal or Informal, and they are militant about enforcing it. The other issue is the very relaxed smoking policy, starting with "Smoking on the balcony is discouraged." Say what??

 

As much as we like the ship, this will likely be a "one and done" with Silversea for us.

Surprised. I don’t recall that smoking policy. Yes ss a little more formal 

[Keith1010]

24 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

This is one of the things new Crystal needs to clarify.  I'm fine with the Crystal smoking policy in 2015 and onward.  When I cruised with Crystal in 2012, the smoking policy was more lax....I swore I would never cruise with them again with that policy.   I am NOT fine with the Silversea policy.  As I read it, on Silversea allows smoking in some lounges.  Definitely a no go for me. 

I asked about this one and it will be as it was the past few years with Crystal.

 

They understand this is one of several items they need to document so everyone knows. 
 

Keith

[Mr Luxury]

On 2/19/2023 at 4:02 PM, bitob said:

Even if the new Crystal exceeds expectations there are still 2 issues that many prioritize when booking a cruise.

 

1.  old ships with small cabins -- despite the fact that many regulars love the ships and do not care about cabin size because "they are never in the cabin with so much to do," that is not true of most cruisers.  They like newer ships with larger cabins and all those extra dining venues.

 

2. only 2 ships -- limited itineraries to choose from -- you want to cruise in March 2024 for 2 weeks -- you have probably 4 itineraries at most.  For well travelled cruisers (other than Crystal diehards) that can be an issue.  Also, many cruisers find it boring to be on the same ship over and over -- not Crystal diehards i understand -- but trying something new is often fun and exciting.

 

Even when we sailed Crystal and it was our cruise line of choice we could never sail Crystal exclusively because with only 2 ships there was not much itinerary choice.

 

with SS, Regent and Seabourn together we have lots of itinerary choice.  We might add Explora after we hear honest reports.

 

The only way for the new Crystal to overcome those obstacles is to build new ships.  That will likely make prices rise even higher.

 

 

Well said,I totally agree.

[History&Wine]

This is from Melissa Nightingale, Crystal's Regional Sales director replying to a TA:

 

"Wanted to get back to you regarding smoking.

 

We will have designated areas throughout the ship for guests who wish to smoke. There is no smoking in rooms or on the verandas and only cigar and pipe in the connoisseur club!"

 

Designated areas throughout the ship???   To me, this sounds as if Crystal is trying to have it both ways.  i want a definitive answer that there will be no smoking in any indoor environment besides the connoisseur club. 

 

 

[crickette]

33 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

This is from Melissa Nightingale, Crystal's Regional Sales director replying to a TA:

 

"Wanted to get back to you regarding smoking.

 

We will have designated areas throughout the ship for guests who wish to smoke. There is no smoking in rooms or on the verandas and only cigar and pipe in the connoisseur club!"

 

Designated areas throughout the ship???   To me, this sounds as if Crystal is trying to have it both ways.  i want a definitive answer that there will be no smoking in any indoor environment besides the connoisseur club. 

 

 

Old Crystal allowed smoking in the Connoisseur Club, on port side of the pool, and on the aft of Promenade deck on deck 7.  My guess is they will do the same.

[Roland4]

5 hours ago, bitob said:

Surprised. I don’t recall that smoking policy. Yes ss a little more formal 

"A little more formal" is like being a "little bit pregnant". When Seabourn and Regent have eliminated Formal/Informal, SS is completely out of step. They have even decreed an Informal night on the last night before disembarkation, and no line that I am aware of, even Cunard, does that!!

 

The "smoking is discouraged" came from Raf, the CD, on day one. The smoking section is all of the port side of the pool deck, the starboard side of Deck 9, where the smoking lounge is, and is not sealed off, and apparently where anyone wishes to light up on the aft decks. They do say smoking is not permitted anywhere in the lounges or casino, so other than the odd "bozo" who thinks vaping is not smoking, there have been no issues. 

[bitob]

34 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

"A little more formal" is like being a "little bit pregnant". When Seabourn and Regent have eliminated Formal/Informal, SS is completely out of step. They have even decreed an Informal night on the last night before disembarkation, and no line that I am aware of, even Cunard, does that!!

 

The "smoking is discouraged" came from Raf, the CD, on day one. The smoking section is all of the port side of the pool deck, the starboard side of Deck 9, where the smoking lounge is, and is not sealed off, and apparently where anyone wishes to light up on the aft decks. They do say smoking is not permitted anywhere in the lounges or casino, so other than the odd "bozo" who thinks vaping is not smoking, there have been no issues. 

Not sealed off  I recall

regent totally sealed off

 

i know my husband did not bring a tie on ss and it was not an issue. If tie needed in Atlantide we ate in hot rocks or spana…….

 

 

we like room service on ss because of dinearound menu and caviar. Somehow we managed to avoid anything more than jacket occasionally

Edited February 24, 2023 by bitob

[Keith1010]

3 hours ago, crickette said:

Old Crystal allowed smoking in the Connoisseur Club, on port side of the pool, and on the aft of Promenade deck on deck 7.  My guess is they will do the same.

 

4 hours ago, History&Wine said:

This is from Melissa Nightingale, Crystal's Regional Sales director replying to a TA:

 

"Wanted to get back to you regarding smoking.

 

We will have designated areas throughout the ship for guests who wish to smoke. There is no smoking in rooms or on the verandas and only cigar and pipe in the connoisseur club!"

 

Designated areas throughout the ship???   To me, this sounds as if Crystal is trying to have it both ways.  i want a definitive answer that there will be no smoking in any indoor environment besides the connoisseur club. 

 

 

I am trying to confirm what "throughout" is.

 

When I posted the other day that was the same word I had heard but I interpreted it as it was in the past similar to what Crickette said although the reality on the promenade is the ashtrays don't exist but in addition to what was posted they always allows smoking on the back of the guest decks where they have the lounge chairs and round tables and I believe on the open deck on 12 Symphony and 13 Serenity although it was not often you would see that.

 

I short, on the outside I've asked will it be as it was or less.  Can't see it being anymore.

 

Keith

[Mr Luxury]

2 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

 

I am trying to confirm what "throughout" is.

 

When I posted the other day that was the same word I had heard but I interpreted it as it was in the past similar to what Crickette said although the reality on the promenade is the ashtrays don't exist but in addition to what was posted they always allows smoking on the back of the guest decks where they have the lounge chairs and round tables and I believe on the open deck on 12 Symphony and 13 Serenity although it was not often you would see that.

 

I short, on the outside I've asked will it be as it was or less.  Can't see it being anymore.

 

Keith

Keith, it would be good for everyone to have this set in stone.

Another thing that is so important that we do not know.

[Psoque]

6 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Keith, it would be good for everyone to have this set in stone.

Another thing that is so important that we do not know.

Here’s my only way of interpreting this:

 

Either new Crystal has not decided exactly on this matter.  Or people who are communicating with the public regarding this matter do not know exactly where the smoking areas will be, or not allowed to divulge it now.

 

I would think that new Crystal might want to experiment with the smoking areas on the first few months to find out how it all plays out.  However, it is odd that this person said “throughout the ships” which could be interpreted as “all over this ship.”. I really think the new management (manned by the same management..LOL) is trying to have it both ways.  They want any warm body to occupy their ships, whether they smoke or not.

[History&Wine]

6 minutes ago, Psoque said:

Here’s my only way of interpreting this:

 

Either new Crystal has not decided exactly on this matter.  Or people who are communicating with the public regarding this matter do not know exactly where the smoking areas will be, or not allowed to divulge it now.

 

I would think that new Crystal might want to experiment with the smoking areas on the first few months to find out how it all plays out.  However, it is odd that this person said “throughout the ships” which could be interpreted as “all over this ship.”. I really think the new management (manned by the same management..LOL) is trying to have it both ways.  They want any warm body to occupy their ships, whether they smoke or not.

My take exactly!  Crystal wants to show numbers (bookings) at most any cost.  I am concerned that so much of management came from Silversea where smoking policies are lax.  This is very important to me.  I will be cancelling if there is smoking inside other than the connoisseur club.

 

Having a  smoking section inside is like having a  pee section in a pool....

[BWIVince]

I think we're making a mountain out of a mole hill regarding the answer...  I understand the importance of the question and feel the same interest, but IME the answer was a result of the channel.  The agency sales peoples role is to facilitate sales and eliminate blockers for the agencies they represent.  If you ask them a specific question, you'll get a specific answer -- if you ask them a general question, you'll get a general answer.  

 

Just respond back asking if smoking is allowed anywhere indoors besides the CC, and you should get the answer you seek.  IMHO, I'm sure they just thought they were answering the question they thought you were asking, even thought it wasn't the question you thought you asked.

 

Vince

Edited February 24, 2023 by BWIVince

[Keith1010]

32 minutes ago, Psoque said:

Here’s my only way of interpreting this:

 

Either new Crystal has not decided exactly on this matter.  Or people who are communicating with the public regarding this matter do not know exactly where the smoking areas will be, or not allowed to divulge it now.

 

I would think that new Crystal might want to experiment with the smoking areas on the first few months to find out how it all plays out.  However, it is odd that this person said “throughout the ships” which could be interpreted as “all over this ship.”. I really think the new management (manned by the same management..LOL) is trying to have it both ways.  They want any warm body to occupy their ships, whether they smoke or not.

Inside it is only the Connoisseur Club.

 

I suspect outside it will be like it was which was in several places and that is what they said so they didn't have to list them all out. With that said, I have asked for specificity.  

 

There are definitely some items which were a work in progress and that is why they were not communicated but I don't expect it is this one.

 

Keith