Casino Details Announced

[BWIVince]

On 7/1/2024 at 2:21 PM, allinthesameboat said:

Crystal no longer resembles what it used to be when passengers got a great bang for their buck. Now the prices have skyrocketed and their attempt to satisfy the call for the return of the casino by engaging a Monaco outfit is pretentious. I agree with you, FlyerTalker, about Monaco casinos.

I was devoted to Crystal before it was sold, mismanaged, and went into the river cruise market where it did not belong!

So, farewell, Crystal.

I’m on Serenity right now, and this post seems about as far away from reality as one can possibly get.  As an “original” Crystal passenger who has sailed them on and off through every management team and ownership group that has passed through, the current product offered, like at most points through history, has evolved slightly to market realities, but is SHOCKINGLY true Crystal’s original vision — including many crew members and leaders onboard that have been with the company for decades.

 

I haven’t seen anything onboard any more pretentious than I’ve seen for the past 30-something years, and even more casual and approachable than ever in reality.

 

Vince

[May B]

On 6/26/2024 at 2:32 PM, Keith1010 said:

Hot off the press. Update from Crystal.

 

Keith

 

 

*Casino Update*

Greetings Crystal Society Members,

After listening to your feedback regarding the casino since our announcement yesterday, we have a few updates to share:

· The Library will remain where it is on both ships and not be changed.

· Bridge will be played in the Lounge on both ships during designated Bridge Hours. For tournaments, we will ensure that there is no flow of passengers through the Lounge to guarantee no interruptions during play. Additionally, Bridge play equipment will be provided in The Lounge during this time.

While we appreciate everyone’s feedback, no further modifications will be made, and this is the final configuration.

We hope you are as excited as we are about bringing back the casinos to Crystal.

I do hope the “powers that be” realize that having a bridge tournament onboard is IN ADDITION TO having Crystal’s daily bridge program onboard.

 

Last week on Serenity, the tournament was in the bridge room, and the Crystal daily bridge was held in the lounge. 
 

First I will tell you there was no distraction from cruisers walking through the lounge, nor from the one table of mah jongg players. In fact, at least one bridge player in the lounge was happy to see his wife show up near the end, in the lounge, to sit and read her book until he finished. There are some comfortable chairs in there. Also, potential bridge players could work on a jigsaw puzzle or play Scrabble, waiting for the game to start, or if there was a sit-out.

 

On a prior cruise I took on Serenity, the Crystal bridge program kept the bridge room in the daytime and the bridge tournament used the Stardust Club in the daytime. In the evening, the bridge tournament used the bridge room.

 

 

[May B]

On 7/3/2024 at 7:55 AM, BWIVince said:

I’m on Serenity right now, and this post seems about as far away from reality as one can possibly get.  As an “original” Crystal passenger who has sailed them on and off through every management team and ownership group that has passed through, the current product offered, like at most points through history, has evolved slightly to market realities, but is SHOCKINGLY true Crystal’s original vision — including many crew members and leaders onboard that have been with the company for decades.

 

I haven’t seen anything onboard any more pretentious than I’ve seen for the past 30-something years, and even more casual and approachable than ever in reality.

 

Vince

You were perfectly positioned to answer the naysayer. Thank you! 🤩😘🌝🥳🥂

[Keith1010]

3 minutes ago, May B said:

I do hope the “powers that be” realize that having a bridge tournament onboard is IN ADDITION TO having Crystal’s daily bridge program onboard.

 

Last week on Serenity, the tournament was in the bridge room, and the Crystal daily bridge was held in the lounge. 
 

First I will tell you there was no distraction from cruisers walking through the lounge, nor from the one table of mah jongg players. In fact, at least one bridge player in the lounge was happy to see his wife show up near the end, in the lounge, to sit and read her book until he finished. There are some comfortable chairs in there. Also, potential bridge players could work on a jigsaw puzzle or play Scrabble, waiting for the game to start, or if there was a sit-out.

 

On a prior cruise I took on Serenity, the Crystal bridge program kept the bridge room in the daytime and the bridge tournament used the Stardust Club in the daytime. In the evening, the bridge tournament used the bridge room.

 

 

Muriel, they do and as you note there is Stardust.

 

So they can make this work.

 

Keith