Frequently Asked Questions

[Keith1010]

Last Friday  Crystal added frequently a section to their website (found at the bottom of the site with frequently asked questions. I recommend continuing to visit the site as more information is added.

 

https://www.crystalcruises.com/faq

 

[History&Wine]

OK, I find I must comment on the smoking policy again, as this is the first "official" statement:

 

"What is the smoking policy?

At Crystal, we recognize that some of our guests smoke and others do not. While most areas of the ship are non-smoking, there will be designated smoking areas throughout. Please note that pipe and cigar smoking is only allowed in the Connoisseurs Club and all suites/guest rooms are non-smoking, including on the verandas."

 

Old Crystal unequivocally stated where smoking was allowed.  That was the Connoisseurs Club and two open deck areas.  This IS a policy change as I read it..."designated smoking areas throughout."  I read that to include smoking in the bars and perhaps other indoor venues. 

 

Will not be sailing with New Crystal if this is true. 

[Keith1010]

25 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

OK, I find I must comment on the smoking policy again, as this is the first "official" statement:

 

"What is the smoking policy?

At Crystal, we recognize that some of our guests smoke and others do not. While most areas of the ship are non-smoking, there will be designated smoking areas throughout. Please note that pipe and cigar smoking is only allowed in the Connoisseurs Club and all suites/guest rooms are non-smoking, including on the verandas."

 

Old Crystal unequivocally stated where smoking was allowed.  That was the Connoisseurs Club and two open deck areas.  This IS a policy change as I read it..."designated smoking areas throughout."  I read that to include smoking in the bars and perhaps other indoor venues. 

 

Will not be sailing with New Crystal if this is true. 

I think they need to reword this so it is clear smoking is only allowed inside the ship in one area.

 

 

In terms of outside, smoking was permitted on the back of all the passenger decks, on one side of the outdoor pool and on the top deck. Can't remember about the promenade deck but they removed the ashtrays.

 

I did ask about this earlier today and they are still working through the designated areas but I can't think of anymore areas than they had before.

 

Keith

 

[TER777]

They need to unequivocally state that the only indoor smoking area is the Connoisseurs Club. Or if it is not, expect a lot of cancellations. 

[History&Wine]

1 hour ago, TER777 said:

They need to unequivocally state that the only indoor smoking area is the Connoisseurs Club. Or if it is not, expect a lot of cancellations. 

Absolutely!!!!!

 

Old Crystal explicitly stated where smoking was allowed.  Old Crystal explicitly stated there was only indoor smoking in the Connoisseurs Club. 

 

So new Crystal is still working on designated ares??  OK, why not state smoking is only allowed on designated outdoor areas?  I would be fine with language that stated "Smoking is allowed throughout designated outdoor areas of the ship, but prohibited in indoor areas other than the Connoisseurs Club."  Seriously...how hard is that?

 

Sir, don't worry about what the contract says.  We'll take care of it.  Just sign here.

Later:  Sir, didn't you read the contract?  Is this your signature? 

[Mr Luxury]

No cash will be accepted to pay whole or part of your on board spend.

 

[happy cruising]

Keith, one of the FAQs may be confusing. The question asks: "Can I withdraw cash on board? What is the fee?"   The answer is:  "ATMs will not be available on board and therefore no cash can be withdrawn."

 

On the old Crystal, a passenger could "cash a check" at the front desk and receive cash currency (I believe US dollars).  I seem to remember that there was some sort of limit ($2000 ?).  I'm wondering if passengers on new Crystal will still have this ability and, if so, perhaps Crystal should reword the answer to this FAQ.

 

 

The ol

[Mr Luxury]

1 hour ago, CryptOkicker5 said:

I think maybe this was asked before, which makes it very thoughtful that they would include it in the FAQS!

But what do they mean by "nearly one staff member per guest"?

 

Is it 2 to 1 (guest to staff) ? Is it 1.5 to 1? Or maybe 1.25 to 1, such as Explora Journeys? Or maybe it is in fact nearly 1 to 1 - not even close to any of the preceding. I hope that last thought is the case because that would truly be exceptional for ships of this size. In any event, I find it odd that they would use such evasive language.

These figures are just stuff on a website.

The important thing is how it all works with service on the ships.

[Mr Luxury]

1 minute ago, CryptOkicker5 said:

 

Your reply is just stuff on a website.

 

The important thing is ... well none of of our posts are important in the end. On the other hand, no one wants to buy a pig in a poke ... not most people, and definitely not me ... again! 

Agree,me neither.

[Mr Luxury]

9 minutes ago, CryptOkicker5 said:

I was going to edit to add this from Wikipedia ...

 

A pig in a poke is a thing that is bought without first being inspected, and thus of unknown authenticity or quality. The idiom is attested in 1555:

I wyll neuer bye the pyg in the poke
Thers many a foule pyg in a feyre cloke

Never a truer word spoken.

[PaulMCO]

Any clue as to how OBC will be handled.  In past you had to spend all OBC, even if came from your travel agent..

[heather feathers]

Is there a cruise fax that says which is better Crystal or Silversea? 🙄

[Keith1010]

5 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Any clue as to how OBC will be handled.  In past you had to spend all OBC, even if came from your travel agent..

Since the OBC is not cash, I am 99% sure (maybe even 100%) you spend it or you lose it.

 

In other words, spend, spend, spend.

 

Keith

[bitob]

Ask your ta for rebate instead. That’s what we did. They can rebate any refundable obc. Policy was unique to Crystal but easy workaround 

[hypercafe]

The same as many here are speculating about a shipboard experience no one has experienced Crystal is making rules and guidance that nobody has tried. I am sure things will change after Crystal gets feedback and people take trip. I have found the only way for me to get 100% of what I want is to charter a yacht.

[bitob]

2 hours ago, hypercafe said:

The same as many here are speculating about a shipboard experience no one has experienced Crystal is making rules and guidance that nobody has tried. I am sure things will change after Crystal gets feedback and people take trip. I have found the only way for me to get 100% of what I want is to charter a yacht.

No dance hosts

enrichment?

production shows?

 

lol

[Rally]

On 3/6/2023 at 12:33 PM, Keith1010 said:

Very helpful, Keith.  Thank you.

 

 

[BEAV]

5 hours ago, Rally said:

 

 

Good to see you around these parts, @Rally 😉

[trlagt]

The answer about bridge is basically a non answer.  Old Crystal had directors and organized games on every cruise. Now they are saying some cruises will have organized bridge and we won’t know which until it is announced later.  We don’t really want to book without knowing.  Casual bridge can be played just by having 4people and a deck of cards.  That is not a bridge program!

[hypercafe]

19 hours ago, bitob said:

No dance hosts

enrichment?

production shows?

 

 

That's my point, those things are not important to me so I can spend my money on what I really enjoy.

[bitob]

9 minutes ago, hypercafe said:

That's my point, those things are not important to me so I can spend my money on what I really enjoy.

Good thinking.  

[May B]

8 hours ago, trlagt said:

The answer about bridge is basically a non answer.  Old Crystal had directors and organized games on every cruise. Now they are saying some cruises will have organized bridge and we won’t know which until it is announced later.  We don’t really want to book without knowing.  Casual bridge can be played just by having 4people and a deck of cards.  That is not a bridge program!

I will cruise Crystal either way, but on the voyages with no organized bridge, it certainly isn’t a bridge program, you are so right!

 

The ONLY live bridge I’ve played since the pandemic was two hours on Symphony in Nov. of 2021. There were two tables, but we didn’t mingle between tables. One table was experienced players, one wasn’t. There was a director/teacher and his helper. They helped the less experienced table, and the other four of us just had an enjoyable time, shuffle, deal, play. With some chit chat thrown in for good measure! That’s probably what we can find in the ex-casino space, but without sorting out who has lots of duplicate experience. For that, we’ll be on our own. I can handle it.
 

I’m guessing New Crystal doesn’t want to give up a stateroom on every single voyage for the two who run the daily bridge.

[bitob]

2 hours ago, May B said:

I will cruise Crystal either way, but on the voyages with no organized bridge, it certainly isn’t a bridge program, you are so right!

 

The ONLY live bridge I’ve played since the pandemic was two hours on Symphony in Nov. of 2021. There were two tables, but we didn’t mingle between tables. One table was experienced players, one wasn’t. There was a director/teacher and his helper. They helped the less experienced table, and the other four of us just had an enjoyable time, shuffle, deal, play. With some chit chat thrown in for good measure! That’s probably what we can find in the ex-casino space, but without sorting out who has lots of duplicate experience. For that, we’ll be on our own. I can handle it.
 

I’m guessing New Crystal doesn’t want to give up a stateroom on every single voyage for the two who run the daily bridge.

“Some cruises” seems consistent with past practices. Only cruises with a substantial number of sea days offered acbl sanctioned bridge. Same on all lines. How is this any different?

[trlagt]

all cruises in the past had directors and organized bridge.  Now they are saying some.  More rooms are used for dance hosts.  Bridge usually requires only one stateroom.

[bitob]

32 minutes ago, trlagt said:

all cruises in the past had directors and organized bridge.  Now they are saying some.  More rooms are used for dance hosts.  Bridge usually requires only one stateroom.

Not port intensive cruises.