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Ibis

By Ibis,
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BWIVince

BWIVince

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Noggins said:

There will be a lot of loyal Crystal-lites who will be going 😬 or 🤦‍♂️ or 🤷‍♂️ as they see themselves potentially priced out. Of course, it is inevitable - you can't be in this sector and still have 'ocean view' rooms on a brand new ship. But it will be a shame if we lose too many true Crystal folks simply because their budget can't stretch.

(I like to think of myself as a problem solver but I'm strugging here other than some wild thoughts around the need to cruise as soon as the new casinos get up and running...)

 

Spot-on...  I'm pretty sure I'm one of those people who will be squeezed out once the new ships roll-out.  Most of Crystal's current fares are a stretch for me -- and that's not a complaint, just a point of fact.  I think the cruises are competitively priced and an appropriate value, things are just expensive in the new world.

 

I think it's very important that Crystal's minimum staterooms meet market demand.  In the luxury segment, it's hard to make an argument for anything less than balcony staterooms anymore, as much as many of us would live to buy a cheaper stateroom without a balcony...  It's just hard to charge the kind of per diems needed to support the rest of the product with staterooms like that.

 

I've watched this transition many times already, both as the market evolved, and as Crystal transitioned from its originally planned premium product to a true luxury product.  Harmony had inside staterooms that were no longer appropriate when Symphony was designed.  Symphony's minimum staterooms were lifeboat-obstructed, which became a tougher sell in the segment over time.   Serenity's minimum staterooms are windowed, and now that's given the stink eye from most luxury travelers.

 

I'll be happy if Crystal does what's best for Crystal...  It's on me if it's out of my reach.  Just my $.02.

 

Vince

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Noggins "Live from...." Rare

Noggins

Posted
Posted (edited)
48 minutes ago, BWIVince said:

 

Spot-on...  I'm pretty sure I'm one of those people who will be squeezed out once the new ships roll-out.  Most of Crystal's current fares are a stretch for me -- and that's not a complaint, just a point of fact.  I think the cruises are competitively priced and an appropriate value, things are just expensive in the new world.

 

I think it's very important that Crystal's minimum staterooms meet market demand.  In the luxury segment, it's hard to make an argument for anything less than balcony staterooms anymore, as much as many of us would live to buy a cheaper stateroom without a balcony...  It's just hard to charge the kind of per diems needed to support the rest of the product with staterooms like that.

 

I've watched this transition many times already, both as the market evolved, and as Crystal transitioned from its originally planned premium product to a true luxury product.  Harmony had inside staterooms that were no longer appropriate when Symphony was designed.  Symphony's minimum staterooms were lifeboat-obstructed, which became a tougher sell in the segment over time.   Serenity's minimum staterooms are windowed, and now that's given the stink eye from most luxury travelers.

 

I'll be happy if Crystal does what's best for Crystal...  It's on me if it's out of my reach.  Just my $.02.

 

Vince

I want to respond further on the general topic / to Vince but it feels like we've managed to take this thread way off course.

And as I have been looking forward to travelling along on a journey I wistfully thought about joining it feels inappropriate to continue the hijack. 

Lots of news from the crossing please - and I'm interested to hear about @out2sea's new material!

Adrian 

 

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May B Great Review Rare

May B

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, BWIVince said:

 

Spot-on...  I'm pretty sure I'm one of those people who will be squeezed out once the new ships roll-out.  Most of Crystal's current fares are a stretch for me -- and that's not a complaint, just a point of fact.  I think the cruises are competitively priced and an appropriate value, things are just expensive in the new world.

 

I think it's very important that Crystal's minimum staterooms meet market demand.  In the luxury segment, it's hard to make an argument for anything less than balcony staterooms anymore, as much as many of us would live to buy a cheaper stateroom without a balcony...  It's just hard to charge the kind of per diems needed to support the rest of the product with staterooms like that.

 

I've watched this transition many times already, both as the market evolved, and as Crystal transitioned from its originally planned premium product to a true luxury product.  Harmony had inside staterooms that were no longer appropriate when Symphony was designed.  Symphony's minimum staterooms were lifeboat-obstructed, which became a tougher sell in the segment over time.   Serenity's minimum staterooms are windowed, and now that's given the stink eye from most luxury travelers.

 

I'll be happy if Crystal does what's best for Crystal...  It's on me if it's out of my reach.  Just my $.02.

 

Vince


Vince, hopefully we’ll still have our picture-window staterooms to enjoy on Serenity and even Symphony, for years to come! I’m one who doesn’t even need them to “fix” the closet, for me to enjoy.

 

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Ibis

Ibis

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Posted

Bistro question.. yesterday asked a server in the Bistro about after dinner hours and he said that currently the evening hours were only planned to continue to Miami but would let me know if or when there is an update. Will check back in a day or so. 
 

Too many good things to do here today! Very pleased there will be an “easy  Italian” class this afternoon😍 

 

Neil Diamond Tribute show last night was good!

 

Love that Crystal keeps the library going! 
 

Dinner in Osteria was super with great service 😋🥂

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TRIPACIAN

TRIPACIAN

Posted
Posted (edited)

This has been a great cruise with almost perfect seas and weather.  Entertainment, lectures, food and service have been over the top.  

Edited by TRIPACIAN
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ivyleaguegent

ivyleaguegent

Posted
Posted
On 5/30/2024 at 2:50 AM, seasack said:

May 30 - Reflections and dinner menu. 

D4126C72-B861-4794-A808-29F65B65F37B.pdf 848.35 kB · 42 downloads 6F6CC8ED-7D9F-4C84-A81D-888BA7CC07B7.pdf 68.22 kB · 41 downloads

In reviewing the Reflections, kindly posted by Seasack, it appears that all of the ballroom dancing is in the Palm Court, and not in the Stardust lounge as in Crystal’s prior incarnation. In addition, it appears that ballroom  dancing is only available before dinner. In its prior incarnation, Crystal provided ballroom dancing before dinner and after the show, and in the Stardust lounge. The dance floor in the Palm Court is inadequate for ballroom dancing, and it is not possible to do a waltz, foxtrot, or tango on such a small floor. One of the primary reasons we have chosen Crystal as our go-to cruise  line in this segment is the ballroom dancing and the Palm Court is a woefully inadequate venue for that endeavor.

I truly hope that I am missing something in my reading of the reflections or that Crystal administration reads this post and brings ballroom dancing back to the Stardust lounge before dinner and after the show.

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ryndam

ryndam

Posted
Posted
14 minutes ago, ivyleaguegent said:

In reviewing the Reflections, kindly posted by Seasack, it appears that all of the ballroom dancing is in the Palm Court, and not in the Stardust lounge as in Crystal’s prior incarnation.

 

We were onboard Serenity for 30+ days earlier this year. Ballroom dancing was scheduled both pre-dinner and post-show in the Palm Court, except when weather conditions necessitated a safety move to a more stable, lower deck location (either Stardust or Atrium/Cove). We would often frequent the Palm Court after the show to listen to the duo playing there. With very rare exceptions, there were generally more dance hosts, servers and staff in the Palm Court post-show than ballroom dancers. This dynamic may change, depending on the demographics and interests of the pax on any particular sailing.

 

Rob

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Keith1010 "Live from...." Rare

Keith1010

Posted
Posted
29 minutes ago, ivyleaguegent said:

In reviewing the Reflections, kindly posted by Seasack, it appears that all of the ballroom dancing is in the Palm Court, and not in the Stardust lounge as in Crystal’s prior incarnation. In addition, it appears that ballroom  dancing is only available before dinner. In its prior incarnation, Crystal provided ballroom dancing before dinner and after the show, and in the Stardust lounge. The dance floor in the Palm Court is inadequate for ballroom dancing, and it is not possible to do a waltz, foxtrot, or tango on such a small floor. One of the primary reasons we have chosen Crystal as our go-to cruise  line in this segment is the ballroom dancing and the Palm Court is a woefully inadequate venue for that endeavor.

I truly hope that I am missing something in my reading of the reflections or that Crystal administration reads this post and brings ballroom dancing back to the Stardust lounge before dinner and after the show.

I might be wrong, (won't be the first time) but in terms of location ballroom dancing on Serenity from what I remember has always been in the Palm Court other than when the seas were very rough so they had it in Stardust.

 

My apologies if I am wrong about this but just don't remember it in Stardust. And I just went back to look at Reflections from 2018 thru 2020 and I it showed Palm Court.

 

I do realize that some people are not happy that there are not happy that only a duo plays but when they old Crystal redid Palm Court in 2018 that they made the dance floor smaller.  I am pretty sure if  I go back to other years I will see Palm Court as well with very few exceptions.

 

Keith

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ivyleaguegent

ivyleaguegent

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, ryndam said:

 

We were onboard Serenity for 30+ days earlier this year. Ballroom dancing was scheduled both pre-dinner and post-show in the Palm Court, except when weather conditions necessitated a safety move to a more stable, lower deck location (either Stardust or Atrium/Cove). We would often frequent the Palm Court after the show to listen to the duo playing there. With very rare exceptions, there were generally more dance hosts, servers and staff in the Palm Court post-show than ballroom dancers. This dynamic may change, depending on the demographics and interests of the pax on any particular sailing.

 

Rob

Thanks, Rob. To those currently on board the Serenity who is the cruise Director? Thank you.

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ryndam

ryndam

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, ivyleaguegent said:

Thanks, Rob. To those currently on board the Serenity who is the cruise Director? Thank you.

Rafael Derksen is currently onboard as cruise director.

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ivyleaguegent

ivyleaguegent

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

I might be wrong, (won't be the first time) but in terms of location ballroom dancing on Serenity from what I remember has always been in the Palm Court other than when the seas were very rough so they had it in Stardust.

 

My apologies if I am wrong about this but just don't remember it in Stardust. And I just went back to look at Reflections from 2018 thru 2020 and I it showed Palm Court.

 

I do realize that some people are not happy that there are not happy that only a duo plays but when they old Crystal redid Palm Court in 2018 that they made the dance floor smaller.

 

Keith

Keith,

 

Perhaps it was prior to 2018, but my (now) wife and I,who were not together at that time, both had taken several Crystal cruises and specifically remember dancing in the Stardust lounge.  In any event, I will certainly, and politely, use my best efforts to convince the cruise director to move the ballroom dancing to the Stardust lounge, which is the least Crystal can do since it eliminated the quartet in favor of a duo.

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TRIPACIAN

TRIPACIAN

Posted
Posted

I think there may be some confusion.  The Starlight lounge on the Symphony is often used for dancing but the Stardust lounge on the Serenity is rarely used for dancing before or after dinner.

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ivyleaguegent

ivyleaguegent

Posted
Posted
10 minutes ago, TRIPACIAN said:

I think there may be some confusion.  The Starlight lounge on the Symphony is often used for dancing but the Stardust lounge on the Serenity is rarely used for dancing before or after dinner.

I’m an old guy and and my memory is not what it what it used to be. I could have been on the Symphony and not the Serenity. Does the Symphony currently have ballroom dancing in the Starlight Lounge? 

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TRIPACIAN

TRIPACIAN

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, ivyleaguegent said:

I’m an old guy and and my memory is not what it what it used to be. I could have been on the Symphony and not the Serenity. Does the Symphony currently have ballroom dancing in the Starlight Lounge? 

Yes, we were on the Symphony in January and there was dancing sometimes in the Palm Court and often in the Starlight lounge.

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TER777

TER777

Posted
Posted (edited)
12 minutes ago, ivyleaguegent said:

I’m an old guy and and my memory is not what it what it used to be. I could have been on the Symphony and not the Serenity. Does the Symphony currently have ballroom dancing in the Starlight Lounge? 

When I was on in May, the before dinner dance set was (unfortunately) in the Palm Court. Most of the other sets were in the Starlite which is a far superior dance venue. It was a port intensive cruise so they wanted live music in the Palm Court at sail away. 

Edited by TER777
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Keith1010 "Live from...." Rare

Keith1010

Posted
Posted
21 minutes ago, ivyleaguegent said:

I’m an old guy and and my memory is not what it what it used to be. I could have been on the Symphony and not the Serenity. Does the Symphony currently have ballroom dancing in the Starlight Lounge? 

Yes, sounds like Symphony for sure.  Makes sense.

 

I think all of our memories are not what they used to be.

 

Keith

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