New Crystal - the Good, the Bad and the Indifferent

[Keith1010]

23 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

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....

I really don't think this is the case.

 

I had issues with SS but when we sailed them inside was one location which was their equivalent of the connoisseur club. I was surprised by Larry's post because when we sailed them smoking was not allowed on the verandahs and their website says the same thing so confused why that is happening.

 

Outside it was a pain because there were not many places to walk and on the two ships we sailed which are not the new ones it made things difficult.

 

I don't think Crystal will have more smoking outside than before.

 

In terms of the management I would not be concerned that you have a lot of SS management who came over because I have not seen that to date.

I'll let you know what I hear back.

 

Keith

[Cruise-y]

The entire port side of the pool deck used to be smoking. Because shade is very limited by the pool, and that smoking section is in the shade, it really cuts back on availability. 

[BWIVince]

It's hard to have less than a side as a smoking section.  😞  It doesn't really work to have a quarter of the pool area with smoking.  At least there was just as much covered for smoking vs. nonsmoking, it's just unfortunate the covered area was as limited (at least on Symphony).

 

Vince

[KenzSailing]

 

To anyone who even remotely believes that Crystal will expand the designated smoking areas, please explain the business logic behind such a decision.  And "they worked for Silversea" doesn't cut it.  They came over from a cruise line, not RJ Reynolds(Altria these days.)   

[Roland4]

1 hour ago, BWIVince said:

It's hard to have less than a side as a smoking section.  😞  It doesn't really work to have a quarter of the pool area with smoking.  At least there was just as much covered for smoking vs. nonsmoking, it's just unfortunate the covered area was as limited (at least on Symphony).

 

Vince

Regent came up with a good solution on the Explorer Class ships. The smoking section is a room about 15 feet square in the front/starboard corner of the pool deck. It has a sealed door, the room is sealed and vented directly "over the side". Walking past in virtually any weather you could not smell smoke. Other than the equivalent of the CC, I think this was the only smoking section on the ship.

[hypercafe]

All these questions will be answered after fokes come back from the first trips. Then people can make informed decisions if N Crystal is a fit for them, until then it's all just speculation.

[History&Wine]

1 hour ago, KenzSailing said:

 

To anyone who even remotely believes that Crystal will expand the designated smoking areas, please explain the business logic behind such a decision.  And "they worked for Silversea" doesn't cut it.  They came over from a cruise line, not RJ Reynolds(Altria these days.)   

One would hope..but I want to be sure.  And the quote of "smoking areas throughout the ship"  from management suggests a change from prior policy.  Quick note:  RJ Reynolds is owned by British American Tobacco, not Altria.

Edited February 24, 2023 by History&Wine

[History&Wine]

7 minutes ago, hypercafe said:

All these questions will be answered after fokes come back from the first trips. Then people can make informed decisions if N Crystal is a fit for them, until then it's all just speculation.

How about those of us who have final payments due before folks come back from the first trips?  informed decision...maybe...but VERY costly as we would then be whacked for a significant penalty upon cancellation. 

[KenzSailing]

9 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

 Quick note:  RJ Reynolds is owned by British American Tobacco, not Altria.

 

I must update my "Evil Corporate Overlords" org chart.

[AtA]

1 hour ago, Roland4 said:

Regent came up with a good solution on the Explorer Class ships. The smoking section is a room about 15 feet square in the front/starboard corner of the pool deck. It has a sealed door, the room is sealed and vented directly "over the side". Walking past in virtually any weather you could not smell smoke. Other than the equivalent of the CC, I think this was the only smoking section on the ship.

You are correct and it worked very well.

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, hypercafe said:

All these questions will be answered after fokes come back from the first trips. Then people can make informed decisions if N Crystal is a fit for them, until then it's all just speculation.

If Crystal designates on their website the smoking rule it will be answered well before the cruise.

That is true for many items that are fact and not subjective.

 

 

[hypercafe]

2 hours ago, History&Wine said:

How about those of us who have final payments due before folks come back from the first trips?  informed decision...maybe...but VERY costly as we would then be whacked for a significant penalty upon cancellation. 

A position I wouldn't want to be in. 

[Texas Tillie]

2 hours ago, hypercafe said:

All these questions will be answered after fokes come back from the first trips. Then people can make informed decisions if N Crystal is a fit for them, until then it's all just speculation.

 

You don't think it will be announced sometime between now and the first sailing? If it's the same as the old Crystal then everyone will already know if they like it or not. 

 

Since Silversea was mentioned, I had many issues with Silversea but smoking was not one of them. Didn't smell smoke once in 18 days on the ship.

 

Patty

[Keith1010]

Speaking of Silversea a friend of mine who very much enjoys SS said a flaw on the ships was where smoking is relative to the fitness center.  He said the smoke came in on the new ships.  I realize for those of you who either smoke or do not visit the fitness  enter it is a non issue,  it for some it is an issue. 
 

Keith 

[Texas Tillie]

38 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Speaking of Silversea a friend of mine who very much enjoys SS said a flaw on the ships was where smoking is relative to the fitness center.  He said the smoke came in on the new ships.  I realize for those of you who either smoke or do not visit the fitness  enter it is a non issue,  it for some it is an issue. 
 

Keith 

 

Well, Keith, that must explain why I never smelled any smoke. I have no idea where the fitness center was located on the Silver Muse!! 🤪

 

Patty

[hypercafe]

54 minutes ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

You don't think it will be announced sometime between now and the first sailing? If it's the same as the old Crystal then everyone will already know if they like it or not. 

 

Since Silversea was mentioned, I had many issues with Silversea but smoking was not one of them. Didn't smell smoke once in 18 days on the ship.

 

Patty

I don't know what the N Crystal is going to do, as for SS smoking was never a problem for me on their ships. For me I have nothing against new or old Crystal but I would not invest tens of thousands of dollars on a unknown line. It's just me, if reviews are positive, price point is OK and I like the trip I would sail with them. At this point I am in Waite and see mode.

[Txcotn]

5 hours ago, Roland4 said:

Regent came up with a good solution on the Explorer Class ships. The smoking section is a room about 15 feet square in the front/starboard corner of the pool deck. It has a sealed door, the room is sealed and vented directly "over the side". Walking past in virtually any weather you could not smell smoke. Other than the equivalent of the CC, I think this was the only smoking section on the ship.

I like this, it's a bit like the smoking rooms in the Atlanta airport. You can get your smoke plus everyone else'. 😱

[Txcotn]

7 hours ago, Psoque said:

 

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. 

And stink up those areas with smoke smell for ever as it NEVER comes out. Check out the Irish pubs that have banned smoking, they still stink to high heaven.

[Mr Luxury]

1 hour ago, hypercafe said:

I don't know what the N Crystal is going to do, as for SS smoking was never a problem for me on their ships. For me I have nothing against new or old Crystal but I would not invest tens of thousands of dollars on a unknown line. It's just me, if reviews are positive, price point is OK and I like the trip I would sail with them. At this point I am in Waite and see mode.

Me too.

[Txcotn]

Interesting how often throughout this thread the words "I would hope", "I guess", "Surely they would/wouldn't", "I'm pretty sure", etc appear. Would be SO professional of Crystal to just publish what is included so we can KNOW  - drinks, tips, excursions, etc, etc, what is smoking policy, and all those areas where people have concerns.......and on smoking - aren't there many many hotels and restaurants that are totally NON smoking these days? Certainly where we eat and travel, even most bars in hotels and restaurants are non smoking.

[Mr Luxury]

27 minutes ago, suzeluvscruz said:

Interesting how often throughout this thread the words "I would hope", "I guess", "Surely they would/wouldn't", "I'm pretty sure", etc appear. Would be SO professional of Crystal to just publish what is included so we can KNOW  - drinks, tips, excursions, etc, etc, what is smoking policy, and all those areas where people have concerns.......and on smoking - aren't there many many hotels and restaurants that are totally NON smoking these days? Certainly where we eat and travel, even most bars in hotels and restaurants are non smoking.

Cruise lines do not like to alieanate guests and will take money from anyone that is willing to give it.

[Txcotn]

17 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

Cruise lines do not like to alieanate guests and will take money from anyone that is willing to give it.

Hotels and restaurants and bars do it all the time.

[Mr Luxury]

3 minutes ago, suzeluvscruz said:

Hotels and restaurants and bars do it all the time.

That's the hospitality business for you.

No loyalty to anyone.

[Jimmycruiser]

4 hours ago, suzeluvscruz said:

Interesting how often throughout this thread the words "I would hope", "I guess", "Surely they would/wouldn't", "I'm pretty sure", etc appear. Would be SO professional of Crystal to just publish what is included so we can KNOW  - drinks, tips, excursions, etc, etc, what is smoking policy, and all those areas where people have concerns.......and on smoking - aren't there many many hotels and restaurants that are totally NON smoking these days? Certainly where we eat and travel, even most bars in hotels and restaurants are non smoking.

Except you do not have to walk very far to be able to find a place to smoke. On a ship not so much and a no smoking policy would lose more customers than having no casino IMHO. I find it hard to believe NC would expand the smoking areas compared to old Crystal. Why alienate the majority who do not smoke to appease the minority that do?

[AtA]

5 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Me too.

I find this amusing considering you said you haven't cruised on Crystal in over 10 years.