Crystal New Builds: What are the Essentials?

[KenzSailing]

I've been wondering, in terms of the new builds, Crystal management is going to sit down and work on the question "what makes Crystal Crystal?" To put it another way, what features must the new builds absolutely have to remain "Crystal" ships?  I'm talking here strictly about physical features(because overall, the answer of course is the crew.)  Note, this is not about "what do I want see on the new builds," that's related but a different question.  This is a matter of what must be retained to still be recognized as Crystal.  My two cents:

 

A broad wrap around promenade(I will confess I thought these were dead in the future.  I've changed my mind.  Also, this is a good illustration of how this question is different from what we want to see.  I'm not so wedded to the promenade, but I think it's essential to the Crystal DNA.)

 

The Bistro: the beating heart of the ship, it has to maintain its central location in terms of the layout(ie, everybody goes to Rick's.)

 

Some flavor of a Nobu joint:  its so very popular that it's become essential to the Crystal brand.

 

An expansive dance floor: the hardware component of the Ambassador Hosts program.

 

Thoughts?  

[RD64]

Promenade deck for sure.

[crickette]

Perhaps you may wish to cross reference to previous posts on this subject.  This would include previous worthwhile contributions.

[Cruise-y]

Assuming all else is the same (cuisine, enrichment, entertainment, itinerary and staff):

 

Promenade deck without a doubt. It's unique and a draw.

Nabu. 

The cozy Avenue Saloon of Symphony.

 

[claudiaYVR]

Avenue Salon that retains the intimacy but has a bit more capacity

 

Promenade deck

 

[Keith1010]

3 hours ago, crickette said:

Perhaps you may wish to cross reference to previous posts on this subject.  This would include previous worthwhile contributions.

Agreed.  We've had at least two threads on this subject. And before anyone says why note have a third (we can and even more) but there is a lot of good information already posted as Crickette noted.

 

And it is Crystal Clear that the vast majority of guests prefer a promenade deck but in the end Crystal will decide.  With that said, they did ask what people think on that because at the time they were working through the design of the new vessel.

 

Keith

 

 

[TER777]

Symphony’s Starlite for dancing. 

[oakridger]

Same size ship or slightly smaller would be okay too.  Not larger!

 

~Nancy

[Roland4]

Keep the guest count at +/- 650 to 700 people. We just returned from Oceania Vista with 1200 of our "new best friends", and yes, it was a full ship. Even though it is virtually the same size as Serenity, it always felt crowded. 

[ctjon]

Why build new ships if they are going to keep "everything" the same?

I'd like to see different food type restaurants - maybe "local" cuisine depending upon where you are sailing.  I'd also like to see a location specifically setup for cooking classes.

[Cruise-y]

22 minutes ago, ctjon said:

I'd like to see different food type restaurants - maybe "local" cuisine depending upon where you are sailing.  I'd also like to see a location specifically setup for cooking classes.

Agree. Good call. Cooking classes, regional cuisine and French cuisine would all be super. Just keep the promenade and Nobu. And while we’re expounding, cycle in some new speakers. It would be good to have some new educational experiences.

[Texas Tillie]

35 minutes ago, ctjon said:

Why build new ships if they are going to keep "everything" the same?

I'd like to see different food type restaurants - maybe "local" cuisine depending upon where you are sailing.  I'd also like to see a location specifically setup for cooking classes.

 

My understanding with this question was what needs to stay the same, not that new elements shouldn't be introduced. No where is it everything must remain the same, it's which things need to be the same.

 

Patty

[Roland4]

5 hours ago, Cruise-y said:

Agree. Good call. Cooking classes, regional cuisine ..........

One of the things we liked on Silver Moon back in February/March was the SALT Lab/SALT Kitchen/SALT Bar. The Lab had the cooking classes, the Kitchen was the restaurant, where the menu changed as the ship moved to different regions. As a bonus, the dress code was always casual. And for those who have not been there, SeaAirLandTaste. It would be great if Crystal could replicate this on a new ship.

[LoveBora]

My vote for essentials on the new builds would be Umi Uma, full promenade deck, and an open Starlite lounge. 

[fisherboe]

We just disembarked a spectacular week on Serenity, and were wondering about the new builds too. The most important thing is the crew, other passengers and the wonderfully kind and caring service. That's priority 1,2 and 3. On the physical structure, our ideas are: 

 - A retractable roof on the pool, that would be great for days when it was too cold or in bad weather. So much of the ship vibe is with the amazing crew on the Lido.  And having the Trident and a bar at the pool would be a nice upgrade as well. 

 - Full promenade 

 - Need to keep paddle tennis / pickleball courts. That's a wonderful differentiator. 

 - Avenue Saloon. It's good on Symphony, and OK on Serenity. Keep the vibe, but expand it a little, just as long as it stays intimate and cozy. 

 - Would love much more shaded outdoor dining for Marketplace.  

 - Would also like some aft locations - maybe a casual restaurant or a smaller pool and bar.  Aft views are always lovely.  

 

I'm sure whatever they do will be incredible, and those just my thoughts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PaulMCO]

Promenades are dead.  They are dead for the simple reason that they take much needed space.   How many People

on a ship use a promenade ???   Less than 10 percent.  Do the Math. 

[seasack]

Viking cruises has built 9 ships since 2019 that all have 360deg Promenades, I also believe all of Cunard’s ships have 360deg promenades so maybe not dead yet?

 

I’m personally a big fan of promenades!

[ctjon]

I would think more that 10% but I'm sure there are other things on the ship that aren't used by a large percent.  I can't imagine traveling on a ship without the Promenades. 

[BWIVince]

YMMV, but on the Crystal cruises I've been on, FAR more than 10% utilize the promenade deck.  I know it's a generational thing, and Crystal's design team has always had to balance future trends with 1987-1990 brand standards, but at least among Crystal passengers there is strong demand for the promenade.

 

Lets put it into perspective...  On my last 3 cruises (to get a range of occupancy), more people used the promenade collectively through the day than many other amenities on the ship, including the gym, the cinema, the casino, the golf and paddle tennis amenities, the bridge lounge, the Connoisseur Club and the studio.  More people probably used the promenade deck than any 3 of those combined.

 

The general issue is that it takes up "space", but the specific issue is that no matter how you slice it, it causes design trade-offs on other spaces.  We've seen many lines balance this, but it absolutely is tricky, and the smaller the ship the less opportunity you have to offset those downsides.

 

I'm sure Crystal will continue to study this, and I hope they survey interest and demand to see how to successfully implement a promenade that impacts the other spaces as little as possible.  There's a creative solution out there, we've seen many ideas from other designers.

 

Vince

 

[skybluewaters]

11 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Promenades are dead.  They are dead for the simple reason that they take much needed space.   How many People

on a ship use a promenade ???   Less than 10 percent.  Do the Math. 

 

Upon your recommendation I did the math and it turns out that 63% of passengers on Serenity and 68% of passengers on Symphony used the promenade during calendar years 2016 - 2019

[Keith1010]

By now the decision has likely been made about a promenade deck.  

 

Like most things there is a tradeoff. In this case having one means it is possible of the need to  have guest rooms on the same deck without verandahs (yes I know it's possible todo this on a deck without suites) and the added cost (cost for wood, maintenance, etc.) versus the enjoyment of it.

 

Personally I enjoy the promenade.  In our case it was one of the selling points for us to book a World Cruise. We viewed it as a place to enjoy exercise, long walks together and with friends, a location to enjoy sail-aways and arrivals, and a place to get away from large crowds.  And for those who can't take the sun or some of the other elements being outside it can provide shade versus walking on the top deck.

 

But like most things we are fine with whatever Crystal decides.  

 

I remind myself that there was a point in time when we didn't know if Crystal would return and a point where some thought NC would be totally different than OC.

 

As to promenades being dead, I think not.  My first reaction to that comment was Vince's.  I can point to many things and say not everyone utilizes the amenity. With that said, as someone who enjoys the promenade deck there are many people who utilize it.

 

Keith

[FrankForce5]

Buoyancy. 99.4% of the passengers use it.

[Emdee]

Personally I cannot wait for the new expedition ship. I hope it is something like the Endeavour. Unfortunately we didn’t go on the Endeavor when it was under Crystal but totally in love with the hard product, The first thing my DD asked the butler was where are the under counter lights. He didn’t know how to access them whereupon she said to him that Crystal built this ship so it has to have under counter lights. 

[History&Wine]

I remember when the new ownership was announced in 2015.  There was also the announcement of a new ocean ship at that time.  Never happened.

 

The primary essential for new builds is that there be new builds. 

[rafinmd]

I expect the new builds will be larger than the existing ships.  I would like to see the increased size be in the form of a greater length or beam rather than more decks so the ships could still get under the bridges that at least Serenity can navigate.

 

Roy