It’s A Crystal Family Affair – Return To Crystal & Crystal Serenity

[925cruiser]

Keith, 

Even though I read CC avidly, I rarely post comments on the thread. I did though, want to thank you so very much for all the time you are taking to inform us all on the new Crystal.

It goes without saying, that during the Covid shut down , the return of old Crystal and the loss of old Crystal with Genting,  you have never given up on Crystal and have continued with all the various threads over the years . We so appreciate and value the time you take ! 
Thank you again and continue enjoying every moment on the Serenity with Anne Marie ! Smooth seas ! 
Ellen 

[Dolcevita Diva]

3 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Yes, there is an charge for these wine.

 

Thank you so much for you very nice comments.

 

Keith

Yes, of course (don't we wish these wines were included🙂!)

Would you be open to sharing the charge for the Far Niente? Just trying to get a sense for the markup range for premium wines now. 

[Keith1010]

4 hours ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

Yes, of course (don't we wish these wines were included🙂!)

Would you be open to sharing the charge for the Far Niente? Just trying to get a sense for the markup range for premium wines now. 

This one is $95.00

 

Keith

[Host Jazzbeau]

52 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

This one is $95.00

 

Keith

Slightly more than US retail for FN Chardonnay, but very good for restaurant pricing and amazing for a cruise ship!

[Keith1010]

34 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Slightly more than US retail for FN Chardonnay, but very good for restaurant pricing and amazing for a cruise ship!

Yes indeed.

 

For some of the wines I have found pricing to be what I could pay at the store and some of the wine I've been enjoying I couldn't even get these days very easily.

 

Keith

[goldengatecruisers]

From memory I always found connoisseur wines on Old Crystal, and Silversea for that matter, to be very reasonably priced when compared to land restaurants or other cruise lines.  Generally speaking, depending on the price point, the mark up from retail varied between 10-25%.  The higher percentage for the lesser priced wines.  Not sure if that is still the pricing policy for their connoisseur wine list but I will find out in a few months!  To Keith's earlier point on 'the points guy review' thread, we have always benefitted from and appreciated the knowledge the qualified sommeliers bring to the dining experience on board a Crystal ship. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by goldengatecruisers

[Keith1010]

First I wanted to give a shout-out to the Fitness Director who was here for the 2020 World Cruise and to Antonio. For years Antonio who is the brother of Benjamin has worked in the Fitness, Salon and Spa area wiping down equipment, putting out towels & water, and making sure there is a sufficient amount of sanitizer wipes available for use by the guests. He is an example of the finest about the Crystal crew as is his brother.

 

The sun came out after posting yesterday so I was able to play Paddle Tennis for quite a while with guests he has played with on prior cruise and some he first met on this cruise.

 

Dinner was back at Waterside.

 

We were taken excellent care of by Senior Waiter Ayhan who we have also known for many years.  Ayhan is from Turkey, married with a young boy.  Our waiter is Stephen and Sommelier Mariglen.  Our sommelier studied and was certified as a Sommelier at home while waiting for the return of Crystal. He knows his wine very well. All three are on top of everything and are very warm and caring.  We also enjoy some great laughs with them. Waterside and all the restaurants are led by Leo who is Restaurant Manager whom we have known for close to to twenty years and is a consummate professional. Our Head Waiter who is also the Senior Head Waiter for Waterside is Jaques and is very professional, caring, and thoughtful and also a consummate professional.

 

Photo DJ Emotion who played 1960's and 1970's music in the Cove before we ate.

I’ve included photos of some of the items from the Continental Breakfast which is available at Marketplace.

 

With an arrival of 11:30 AM we enjoyed the morning and began with a nice walk on the outdoor promenade deck. When we first sailed Serenity in 2005 we really enjoyed this deck just as we did on Symphony. The difference is the location of the lifeboats as they are tucked away on Serenity. The deck is nice and wide.  We have enjoyed arrivals and sail-aways from this location.

 

Afterwards, it was Paddle Tennis for me with new friends and friends I have known for years.

 

Lots of fun and always some good laughs.

 

This port is known for its resorts and in the daytime for its beautiful beaches and at night for one big party island. 

 

I've included Reflections

 

The shuttle is about a 30 minute ride and we will make the afternoon a sea day.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Emdee]

Looking at the Marketplace pics made me go all mushy! Just felt so welcoming.

[USCAdventurer]

Keith, 

wonderful pictures as alwsys and i'll take the chocolate cake off your hands right now!  thanks for all your expert comments.

[Dolcevita Diva]

14 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

This one is $95.00

 

Keith

 

13 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Yes indeed.

 

For some of the wines I have found pricing to be what I could pay at the store and some of the wine I've been enjoying I couldn't even get these days very easily.

 

Keith

Thanks so much for sharing these insights - great to see new Crystal maintaining this approach to premium wine pricing. 

[Keith1010]

Yesterday afternoon after we posted we had a great time on Serenity. I ended up playing three hours of Paddle Tennis with many people he very much enjoys playing with. Anne Marie walked and enjoyed the ship.

Before dinner we enjoyed some canapés and wine in our suite. Each afternoon the butlers offer a selection of canapés which changes day-to-day to those in the suites. This is the first time we had this since boarding. Including a photo so you can see it.  

We dined at Tastes for the first time of this cruise with a friend and her daughter We had a great time.

Aa most of you know, Tastes has an array of tapas representing different regions of the world. We ordered tapas while our friend and daughter 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ordered tapas for themselves so we could share ours and they could share what they ordered.

The menu is subdivided reflecting what they consider to be appetizers on the left side of the menu and the right side includes items they consider to be entrees. For example, salad on the left side of the menu and steak on the right side. The menu is now two-sided and on a card stock versus paper which was rolled up.

Typically people share three-to-four appetizers and four-to-six of the entrees.


Last evening's entertainment included a comedy performance by comedian Martin Beaumont in the Galaxy Lounge and a 10:30 pm performance of Sweet Soul Music in the Stardust Lounge.

This morning Serenity arrived to Cartagena, Spain. We’ve been to Cartagena several times but that was in Colombia. LOL. We believe this is our first time to Cartagena, Spain.

The city has a rich history of Roman ruins. Originally, we had a private tour featuring the ruins but we decided to cancel the tour.

I went off to explore the local area while Anne Marie visited the salon and was pampered with a manicure/pedicure.

I walked for quite a while with a map from Shore Excursions in hand. The part of the city I saw features beautiful architecture on the facades of its buildings and blends new with old. Everywhere I went they were cleaning the street. Many streets have separate pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes. People were friendly.

Cheers

[Keith1010]

Yesterday we enjoyed a great Afternoon and evening on Serenity.

 

I played paddle tennis for several hours and Anne Marie took a long walk on the Promenade Deck. It was hot, hot, hot on the court and I came back as if he took a shower.

 

We enjoyed a quiet dinner in our room with a special guest.

 

Last night featured entertainment started with vocalist Bruce Hammond at 9:00 PM in the Palm Court. The venue was perfect for him as he was accompanied by Stephen Roberts on Piano. This performance also allows guests dining early who don’t want to stay up for a very late show to consider going for the 9:00 PM show.

 

At 9:45 PM in the Galaxy Lounge the very talented entertainment team performed Icons In Concert.

 

The seas were very calm this morning. We felt like we were sailing in a lake and have experienced this on occasion when at sea. We both had our hair done in the new salon. The salon and spa are exquisite and contemporary.  Service terrific with a great staff. Very friendly and professional. Loved the music and some of the songs on their playlist I would use to teach indoor cycling classes at home when he used to teach fitness classes. Another attribute that is so very Crystal is teamwork and that is evident at all times including on the Paddle Tennis courts this morning. The team was drying the court and also adding netting above on the side near the pool and they will do likewise in the coming days in the area where we sit waiting to play.  It takes a team and Team Crystal is amazing.

 

I ended up playing Paddle Tennis with friends for about 2 hours and Anne Marie walked on the Promenade Deck.

 

We have been to Malaga several times starting on World Cruise 2007.  We arrived ahead of the 12:00 Noon scheduled arrival time.

 

I ended up not taking the shuttle and walking to the city center. It was humid and I thought maybe I should have taken the shuttle. Anne Marie walked the shady side of the Promenade Deck.

 

Malaga is located in Southern Spain and has a population of 600,000.  It is the sixth largest city of Spain. Highlights include: Museo Picasso Malaga a museum which opened in 2003 and has 285 works donated by the Picasso family.   Gibralfaro; the castle was built in 929 CE by And-al-Rahman III.   Alcazaba Fortress which was build by the Hammundid dynasty in the early 11th century. Catedral de la Encarnacion which is a Roman Catholic Church built in Renaissance Architecture.  It was constructed over a long period between 1528  and 1782. Centro de Ar

 

More tomorrow.

 

Cheers

 

 

[lovet2travel]

Is it true that the staterooms on Deck 10 and 11 have not been refurbished?

 

[tryber]

55 minutes ago, lovet2travel said:

Is it true that the staterooms on Deck 10 and 11 have not been refurbished?

 

 

I think that's basically true (for Serenity).  Looking at the website, the regular veranda rooms were refurbished.  But the others are either "classic" design or were redesigned in 2018, which was previously called Seabreeze.  If you go to the deck plan, it will tell you the status if you mouse over the particular room.  Most on deck 10 were refurbished in 2018, but most on deck 11 are the classic design.

[Keith1010]

2 hours ago, lovet2travel said:

Is it true that the staterooms on Deck 10 and 11 have not been refurbished?

 

New rooms were not created on Deck 10 or 11.

 

New bed linen and bed spread for all rooms.

 

The suite category I am in received new carpeting, painted and detailed.

 

New TV's in all rooms.

 

New telephones in all room.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

Early morning I workout at the Fitness Center when it's just me and the equipment and knowing that some of you (Claudia) are interested in the equipment I took photos of all the equipment. The vast majority of it is the same as before.

 

Keith

 

[Keith1010]

 

We had a glass of wine in our room before dinner and Butler Rao brought some appetizers. These are prepared for each suite and are alternated each day. They include a variety of items including fruit, desserts in this case shrimp and biscuit and humus.

 

Before dinner we listened to Carlos Rayan play guitar and sing in the Crystal Cove. We have seen Carlos perform with Crystal starting in 2019.

 

We returned to Waterside for dinner and will be dining there over the next three days.  We always enjoy the food, service, and ambience of the dining venue. While there are specialty restaurants, Waterside is also very special to us where we have enjoyed so many memorable meals at dinner and when we first started cruising Crystal, we would eat breakfast there and for the first several cruises enjoy lunch as well.

 

At 9:00 pm the theme of the show was Come Dance With Me which featured Bruce Hammond along with the four Ambassador Hosts where guests could dance to various Frank Sinatra Classics.

 

Last night was white night so we wore some white clothing. Most guests have sailed Crystal before so many wore something white or even all white clothing. At 10:00 pm they had the Crystal White Dress Party at the Crystal Plaza.

 

Today is our first and only sea day of the cruise, although with arrivals around noon in a couple of ports we had morning sea days.

 

The morning and afternoon program featured 35 different activities.  As in the past, there were three lectures.  World Events Lecturer, Stephen Cole, spoke about Putin who he met twice.  Celebrity Bruce McGill was on at 11:00 AM and the afternoon included a talk given by Destination Lecturer George Munro on Lisbon.

 

Other activities included indoor cycling, golf class, beginners bridge, computer class, a class on how to take selfies, dancing, duplicate and social bridge, and watercolors just to name a few.

For those wondering if the Mozart Tea would return the answer is yes. This evening is a formal night.

In addition to this combined we walked, played Paddle Tennis, spoke with fellow guests and members of the crew. Somehow, we ate. LOL.  

 

I went for a massage, and we are enjoying an amazing day on-board Crystal Serenity.

 

Cheers

[ctjon]

Is Bruce McGill ever not on a Crystal ship?  Have run into him on several cruises.  Not that he hasn't done other good roles but Crystal and his character on Animal House don't match up well. 

Another great from the Crystal of the past.

[seasack]

Hi Keith I don’t know if this is a good place to ask and I put this out on the appropriate roll call for the W/C about a week ago didn’t hear back from anyone yet I’m hoping when you talk about things with the powers to be while on the ship could you ask about whether or not the W/C will have a dedicated yoga instructor and/or tai chi instructors as in the past and will they be having anything like in the past as far as world cruise / Olympic Games?

 

Thanks again in advance for taking precious time out of your vacation to help all of us out. I really do appreciate it.

[wearesiamese]

3 hours ago, ctjon said:

Is Bruce McGill ever not on a Crystal ship?  Have run into him on several cruises.  Not that he hasn't done other good roles but Crystal and his character on Animal House don't match up well. 

Another great from the Crystal of the past.

I remember him as Jack Dalton on the original MacGyver .He was great 🙂

[May B]

Whenever I see consommé double’ on the menu, I think of Roy.

 

Not sure Roy would enjoy the truffled egg royale and fava beans. 

[Keith1010]

2 hours ago, seasack said:

Hi Keith I don’t know if this is a good place to ask and I put this out on the appropriate roll call for the W/C about a week ago didn’t hear back from anyone yet I’m hoping when you talk about things with the powers to be while on the ship could you ask about whether or not the W/C will have a dedicated yoga instructor and/or tai chi instructors as in the past and will they be having anything like in the past as far as world cruise / Olympic Games?

 

Thanks again in advance for taking precious time out of your vacation to help all of us out. I really do appreciate it.

We will know a lot more late next month.  

 

If you start a new thread then it will be a reminder and I can ask for you.

 

Keith

[claudiaYVR]

15 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

Early morning I workout at the Fitness Center when it's just me and the equipment and knowing that some of you (Claudia) are interested in the equipment I took photos of all the equipment. The vast majority of it is the same as before.

 

Keith

 

Much appreciated Keith. 

 

[Keith1010]

Through travel each of us has had the opportunity to visit many places around the world and to get to know the people who live there. We last visited Lahaina in 2018 and 2019 and have visited there many times on Symphony and Serenity.

 

It is hard to comprehend the loss of life and the devastation to Lahaina and to Maui. We have seen other devastation to place we visited just days after our visit including Christchurch, portions of Florida, portions of Japan and even Istanbul.

 

Thinking of all the lives impacted by this tragedy both those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones and all of the businesses and people who have lost everything. It puts so much into perspective.

 

Please say a prayer for each person impacted and I am sure that many people from around the world will help out in some way in the rebuilding of Lahaina and the surrounding area.

 

Keith

 

 

[Stickman1990]

52 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Through travel each of us has had the opportunity to visit many places around the world and to get to know the people who live there. We last visited Lahaina in 2018 and 2019 and have visited there many times on Symphony and Serenity.

There’s an existing thread dedicated to the Lahaina tragedy -