Inaugural Sailing Observations

[nancygp]

10 hours ago, happy cruising said:

Thanks Keith , great news about Bill Miller! Any word on whether Dr Jay Wolff will be returning? Thanks again !

He is currently lecturing on another lux line

 

Nancy

[Out2See]

11 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

I believe someone asked if Bill Miller who speaks about the history of cruise ships and cruising will be still lecturing with Crystal. I just wanted to say he is still part of the program and understand he'll be lecturing sometime soon.

 

Keith

Thanks, Keith, for all You do above and beyond the Call of Duty, I am so happy that other people appreciate bill Miller. I think he's one of the greatest speakers, Crystal or any other cruise lines. Bill is also one of my closest friends and I'm happy to report that he and I leave on the same plane for Reykjavik to join the Serenity on September 8th. We will both be doing back-to-back cruises. The first to Quebec City and the second to my hometown of New York. I always appreciate it when Crystal can drive us home.  I prepared four brand new lectures for the brand new Crystal and cannot wait to get on board, see a lot of old friends and deliver them. They are called "Hooray for Hollywood." But it's more about Hooray for Crystal.

Jim

[Roland4]

57 minutes ago, Out2See said:

Thanks, Keith, for all You do above and beyond the Call of Duty, I am so happy that other people appreciate bill Miller. I think he's one of the greatest speakers, Crystal or any other cruise lines. Bill is also one of my closest friends and I'm happy to report that he and I leave on the same plane for Reykjavik to join the Serenity on September 8th. We will both be doing back-to-back cruises. The first to Quebec City and the second to my hometown of New York. I always appreciate it when Crystal can drive us home.  I prepared four brand new lectures for the brand new Crystal and cannot wait to get on board, see a lot of old friends and deliver them. They are called "Hooray for Hollywood." But it's more about Hooray for Crystal.

Jim

If you are going to deliver the four new lectures on the four sea days to start the cruise, we better get rested up!! 😁 Looking forward to seeing you!

[Out2See]

8 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

If you are going to deliver the four new lectures on the four sea days to start the cruise, we better get rested up!! 😁 Looking forward to seeing you!

I hope that includes a dinner with you and Monica. 

[Roland4]

1 hour ago, Out2See said:

I hope that includes a dinner with you and Monica. 

Absolutely!! Name the day and we'll be there!

[Keith1010]

Someone asked me about this somewhere else so I thought I would comment on it and it is the cancellation policy for tours.

 

If your tour is on the 22nd you need to cancel by 7:00 PM on the 20th.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

New bath products arrived yesterday. Same company but now in hand pumps and in the Aquamarine, Sapphire, Junior CP and CP Suites.  

 

It wouldn't really be practical for the double and solo rooms as it would be too large for the shower.

 

Keith

[StoryMag]

4 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

New bath products arrived yesterday. Same company but now in hand pumps and in the Aquamarine, Sapphire, Junior CP and CP Suites.  

 

It wouldn't really be practical for the double and solo rooms as it would be too large for the shower.

 

Keith

Hi! Yes, we do have them in the double as well. They appeared last night and are on the rack over toilet. Sue

[Keith1010]

42 minutes ago, StoryMag said:

Hi! Yes, we do have them in the double as well. They appeared last night and are on the rack over toilet. Sue

Sue thanks for letting me know. We were told that it was for the suites. Now we know.

Keith

[rafinmd]

A qiestion, Keith.  With rooms opening mid-afternoon what arrangements, if any, are there for dealing with carryon luggage until the rooms and suites are ready?

 

Roy

[TER777]

1 hour ago, StoryMag said:

Hi! Yes, we do have them in the double as well. They appeared last night and are on the rack over toilet. Sue

Can you reach them without getting out of the shower?

[StoryMag]

5 minutes ago, TER777 said:

Can you reach them without getting out of the shower?

no

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, StoryMag said:

Hi! Yes, we do have them in the double as well. They appeared last night and are on the rack over toilet. Sue

I was totally wrong. Every room gets the new bath products.  
 

Sirry about the confusion 

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

35 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

A qiestion, Keith.  With rooms opening mid-afternoon what arrangements, if any, are there for dealing with carryon luggage until the rooms and suites are ready?

 

Roy

Roy I’m not sure. Hopefully someone can verify whether they hold them as they did before. 
 

Keith

[Keith1010]

I did verify that the suites only get the binoculars.  
 

Keith

 

 

[USCAdventurer]

sad to hear about the binoculars.  maybe i can get the butler to get them for me.  fingers crossed.

[StoryMag]

BTW, I did put the little pumps into the little shower of the double room and they fit just fine

[TER777]

35 minutes ago, StoryMag said:

BTW, I did put the little pumps into the little shower of the double room and they fit just fine

That’s a big relief. Was worried about all the slipping and sliding all that in/out with wet feet etc might cause. 

[Keith1010]

Vintage Room is exactly what it was. An amazing experience.

 

Keith

 

[Keith1010]

Hosted a reserved vintage room last evening and it is as good as ever.

 

Lovely evening with very special wine and champagne and eduction along with great food, conversation and great laughs.

 

And you don't have to drive home or take a Uber.

 

Keith

[SusieQft]

Do you know if Hector Olivera's organ is still on board, and if so will they bring him back to play it?

 

Also, I am curious if they still have the piano keyboards, and if so will they bring back the piano lessons on the World Cruise?

[Keith1010]

Three observations for today:

 

Like in the past as much as any cruise line, hotel, restaurant tries the experience can vary.  For example, embarking a cruise line is not always the same based on many factors including debarking the previous cruise, rules and regulations of the port, port authority, and even the company providing the support at the port.  

 

With Crystal returning over the coming weeks and months guests will continue to see changes around each ship and new added touches.  For example, the crew is working outside on different projects such as putting coverings up on the Paddle Tennis courts, or putting in place umbrella stands in the back of the ship and new trash cans have been added.  As discussed, the new bath products have arrived in pumps.  Wine is still coming such as the Nobu wine has not yet arrived and other wine is coming for both inclusive and for purchase.

 

Many info all of the systems used around the ship are new and there is a learning curve, some need to be tweaked and some not yet working.   As I mentioned the tablets will be deployed. They have added three to the computer university so people can try them out. I am sure they will be modified over the coming months based on feedback.

 

Finally change.  Everywhere I've been in life people don't like change.  This includes work, pleasure, etc., etc., and this is evident to me.  I use this example often but when inclusive rolled out I would say easily 95% of the Crystal Society guests didn't want the change. A year later not a peep.  When this ship rolled out in 2003 many over those first several years didn't want to go to Umi Uma which back then was called Silk Road. I remember some asked us if they could dine with us so we could help guide them along the way. I see this with the new Italian Restaurant with several wanting their Prego.  As in the past, I am sure that Crystal will modify the new menu but here is my take.  A specialty restaurant is supposed to be special. I know some who feel they should go there almost every night.  If you have the same thing every night how is that special I ask.  The key is that Waterside continues to up its game as I've seen on the first two cruises and hopefully the specialty restaurants are viewed as being special. When I first sailed with Crystal in those first years on a typical cruise people went to each specialty restaurant one time each.  Anyway, all of this does reaffirm my view about change.  

 

Bottom line to all of this is with the start up there are still things to go so as people board over the coming months some of the items you hear about will evolve and feedback will be good too.

 

They already made one change which was in the suites related to pressing and then there was the change on the casino. Can they make every change some want? I've never seen a business that could or would do that but clearly the new ownership listens, considers and evaluates.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

Somethings for sure:

 

Remember when a couple of people kept pushing back when I said the majority of the crew would return.  Aside from being wrong they show they do not understand the crew or why people choose to work where they do.  I never had a doubt the majority would return but one of the reasons is hearing from so many of them. 

 

Remember when some said those of us who really enjoy the Crystal product will be disappointed because the new Crystal product will not be anywhere's like the olds one.  One person went on to say the new owner would make it SS. I remember saying if that was true why make the new product Crystal?  I expected changes and welcomed changes and reminded people that since I first sailed Crystal in 2002 it never stopped evolving and that is what Crystal of today has done.

 

Remember, when some on this board said the ship(s) will not be ready.  They said they wouldn't be able to get dry dock space, contractors, supplies, etc.  I remember saying that no inaugural cruise I am aware of has ever been flawless and this one wasn't either but that they would not set a date and miss it and they didn't. And being on the inaugural of Serenity and those on it for Symphony (would be there too if not for meetings at home) will be very special and this one truly was and Symphony will be as well.  Were there glitches?  Yes. But given the choice of staying home or for me sailing on another line there is no comparison.

 

New ownership and leadership.  Some said they would not listen to Crystal guests and do it their way and some of us said they would not have bought the name if they were not going to listen to Crystal guests. They have done IMHO an excellent job of bringing in those from the outside former Crystal and bringing back former Crystal land personnel and trying to get back as many of the crew members as possible.

 

Anyway, I am just glad that so much has worked out so that Crystal continues to sail into the future.

 

My bags are packed for our next set of Crystal Cruises. Since we've been on-board we've added more plus open bookings.

 

Bags are packed. Ready to go. Can't wait.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

I forgot to say the naysayers said we would see contractors everywhere.

 

Well there are contractors on-board both sailings but not obvious at all and most people would not know unless someone told you they were here.

 

Keith

[vml]

In my opinion, Crystal is BACK, better than EVER!   Everyone has different priorities on a cruise.   Mine are food, service, and entertainment.   All were OUTSTANDING.   It didn't seem possible but Waterside and Umi Uma were even better then before.    Mixed reviews on the Italian restaurant.   They may need wider offerings to appeal to most.   It definitely is not Prego.  The ice cream was to die for (hopefully not literally).  Bruce McGill's lectures were fabulous, Bruce Hammond's crooning in multiple venues was fantastic, John Joseph was more hilarious than ever, and the production shows had even more talent and energy than before.  The Showband under Raphael's direction is absolutely brilliant. The duo and Carlos at the guitar and Cove pianist Scott and Joel Spire in the Avenue-  all great.     I asked newcomers their opinion and everyone loved it.   This was my 63rd Crystal cruise and I have many more booked.   No need for me to try the other lines anymore.    The wonderful crew makes Crystal the most heartfelt, welcoming luxurious experience at sea beyond all expectations.  Can't wait for Symphony inaugural.   Hope to see you on board.