CruiserTed Posted September 27, 2007 #1 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I recently posted a somewhat critical review of my June, 2007 Norway cruise on the QM2. Having tried Crystal, I retract any harshness in my QM2 review. Matthew: you were right. To anyone who loves Cunard and is considering trying something putatively "better" I offer my experiences on Crystal 7322 (Venice-Athens 12 day): What is the city but the people?" William Shakespeare, Coriolanus, 3.1.199 Summary Review My wife and I have just returned from Serenity's # 7322 (Venice-Athens 12 day). This was our first voyage on a cruise ship (after 12 voyages – for me – on Cunard liners). Though we enjoyed some aspects of the experience, we were not, perhaps, a great match for the ship, its crew, and its passengers. In brief, we were not, as many on this board are fond of saying, "Crystalized." Some aspects were excellent: we found the specialty restaurants very fine, the computer center lectures excellent, the ship spotless, and the shore excursions exceptionally good. Unfortunately, service was consistently lacking, our fellow passengers were not kindred souls, and the ship, though spacious, was alternately desolate (the dance floor) or clamorous (the dining facilities). Ceilings were also terribly low nearly throughout the ship and the less said about the décor, the better as it was an unfortunate pastiche (the work of Swedish, Italian, Japanese, British, and Canadian firms). Too many cooks spoil the pot. In this case, the mismatched interiors resembled a shopping mall which allowed its tenants too much leeway in choosing their own styles. For those interested in substantiating detail for my above impressions, here is the LONG version of the review: Full Review: Embarkation: Shoreside, embarkation was prompt and polite. The pier was nearly empty. We were greeted onboard by a crewmember who offered that, as our cabin would not be available for another hour (3:00p.m.), we might take lunch at the Lido deck buffet. First meal: Making our way to deck 12, we were taken aback by the offerings: entirely inedible burgers (beef, vegetable, chicken) which had been precooked and were served after reheating in an oven and a once-over on a griddle onto which some grease had been ladled. The buns were also of poor quality, the French fries wan. The tables, though large and well-spaced, and with room for all, were bare and the area clamorous with amplified musak, plates and cutlery clanking and loud chatter. The views from the floor-to-ceiling windows were lovely, however, and the bar service polite and efficient. We tried to chalk up the poor food and hospital cafeteria ambiance to turnover day stresses. By no definition, however, was this an introduction to "six star" luxury. We boarded after a stay at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice and so had an easy, immediate comparison between an experience of astonishing luxury and something much less so. Cabin: As expected, our "Deluxe Verandah Stateroom" was a cruise industry standard cabin with more space than usual allocated to the bathroom which was nicely fitted-out with dual under-mounted sinks, granite counter and backsplash, small tub/shower, ample storage above the sink, etc. The balance of the cabin featured a busy, somewhat worn and dated amalgam of fabrics, treatments, colors, and textures which were not enhanced by the down-market touch of fluorescent light from some of the fixtures. Halogen is now industry-standard and casts a much more flattering broad-spectrum light. The balcony was well-sized and comfortable. The fridge contained sodas and bottled water which a sign on the interior of the fridge door promised would be replenished daily. Our Stewardess arrived to introduce herself and to proffer a complimentary fruit basket which, the attached card stated, would be replenished daily to our specifications. The obsolete CRT television was bulky and of poor quality. Stewardess Service: As we travel with voluminous luggage, we are accustomed to asking our steward to store it for us until the day before disembarkation. It does not fit easily under the bed and, further, we like to use that area for easy access to various items we store in under-bed storage containers. Our Stewardess averred, in what was to become a repeated refrain: "Yes, it will be my pleasure…" trailing off into a vague refusal – the "never say no to a 'guest'" training at its most irritating. In this case, she claimed she would be pleased to take our bags but she could not because she had no place to put them but would "try." I asked her kindly to discuss this with the Baggage Master but there is, apparently, no such post aboard. That evening, the bags untouched, I happened upon the Chief Concierge in the alleyway outside our cabin. He was gruff, dismissing me with "talk to your Stewardess!" After explaining that I had done so, he stated "of COURSE she [the Stewardess] has room for them [the bags]! I will make sure she takes care of it." Neither he nor our Stewardess did anything through the next day and so we gave up, making do with a less-than-comfortable arrangement of the bags wherever we managed to fit them. Main Dining Room: Upon our arrival for our late seating at a table for eight (rear, starboard), I was astonished first by the impossible din in the low-ceilinged, crowded room. Immediately thereafter, I was appalled when my wife was taken from my arm by the waiter while I was left to trail behind the pair to our table. It later became apparent that this bizarre affectation (at dinner only – not breakfast or lunch) is meant in some way to convey "luxury," though in what era and in what civilization I am unaware. A pair of helium-filled party balloons rose from the center of our table (an error later corrected after some interrogation of our party by the waitstaff – the balloons were for someone else). Our waiters introduced themselves and apparently recited some specials. Their voices were, unfortunately, impossible to make out in the surrounding noise and the assistant waiter did not speak sufficient English to perform his job. I asked the Sommelier for the wine list. He never presented himself again and never produced the list. We introduced ourselves to our tablemates and learned that one reason for the noise might be the presence of large groups aboard (three hundred from some West Coast Florida high rise condominium community, hundreds more from a wine group, etc.) Our tablemates shared membership in some civic association. While educated and superficially polite, they were not well-versed in polite conversation, as they were prone to speak of themselves excessively and out-of-turn, interjecting unprompted political commentary (pro-war, by the way), tales of hunting, golf, flat-panel television purchases, all in the first half-hour. Asked our occupation – we are attorneys – one shouted "waiter! I want to change my table." Asked where we live – New York City – we were given horrified glances and told "hey, it's O.K. – whatever you're into." At this point, to add to the din, a strolling trio of Philipino tuxedo-clad violinists made its way to our table – an especially odd juxtaposition as we were all casually dressed for embarkation. They played, loudly, a portion of some American Standard before, thankfully, moving on. The food was fine – classic French Escoffier-based cuisine - though impossible to enjoy under the circumstances. I decided I could not suffer another dinner in that room and we did not do so. Indeed, passing the main restaurant at dinner on other evenings confirmed the impossible level of noise. On another occasion, the "Grand Gala Buffet" luncheon consisted of filling the main lobby with the smell of sterno from the chaffing dishes set up there. No matter, the passengers attacked the towers of shrimp and lobster tails as if famine were fast approaching. A waiter rushing to refill the groaning boards banged into my wife without apology. The noise was enormous. When we realized that we were meant to "pile on" our own plates and then navigate through the crowd of passengers and crew to a table in the main restaurant to eat, we gave up and ordered from the then-abbreviated dining room menu. Finishing the food service for the day were the turndown chocolates on our pillows: marked "Astor Chocolate Corp, Lakewood, New Jersey." They, like the Lido buffet food earlier that day, were entirely inedible. We did not try the food at "Tastes," the Lido restaurant, as the offerings, such as a sandwich on brioche (already rich with egg), battered and deep-fried (a nauseating idea) did not appeal. Overall, my wife found the selections of light cuisine sorely-lacking when compared to the Canyon Ranch menus on QM2. Certainly, on the Serenity, one can eat healthfully, but bouillon and steamed vegetables are not what she was looking for. She expected inventive lighter fare (fat-free carrot-ginger soup, buttermilk marinated chicken breast, low–fat baklava, etc) and was disappointed. Dinners in the restaurants from that point on consisted of meals at Prego (the Italian-themed restaurant) or Silk Road (the Nobu fish restaurant). Securing reservations was a continuing effort, however, requiring repeated personal appearances at the times designated for an audience with the Specialty Restaurant Maitre D'. These meals were excellent – Silk Road surpasses Nobu in TriBeCa in New York City by a great margin. Prego, though heavy on salt, served expertly-prepared classic Italian cuisine. Chef at Prego relies too heavily on artificial truffle oil in too many dishes. Preferably, he should shave a few slices of true white truffle (with its inimitable complex fragrance) on occasion rather than fumigating the plates with the one-note wallop of the artificial version. Service, especially Specialty Restaurant Maitre D', Bruno Marques, and the sommeliers and waitstaff, was top notch. Bravo. Shore Excursions: To the one, Crystal chose the local vendors carefully and executed the excursions with precision. From sea kayaking to mountain biking to the evening concert at Ephesus, each exceeded our expectations. The extended calls in port allowed for these events. Bravo, again. Formal Nights/The Ship: It was on formal nights at sea that we most sorely missed the Cunard liners. Aboard Serenity, we suffered a depressing sense, in our tuxedo and gown, of "all dressed-up and nowhere to go." Fully a fifth of the men did not rise to the occasion and don formal wear – similar numbers of the ladies could not be bothered, either. Large ships are, as Cunard used to advertise of the QE2, [cities] at sea." This is the heart of our mismatch with Crystal: we are city-dwellers and, we like to think, urbane. A great part of the fun of a formal day at sea is the sense of shared event, of shared experience, of conviviality. This we found sorely lacking. A city is, indeed, made by its inhabitants and this city at sea was filled with a kind of suburbanite who is out of his element in such surroundings. One man thought it funny on our bike ride in Corfu on the day of the Greek elections to shout out to the voters at the polling places "No Hillary!" Another man shouted at our brilliant, sophisticated, cultured Turkish guide in Istanbul "So which are you, Sunni or Shiite?!" The guide politely explained to the bellicose, philistine American that the distinction is, in Turkey, a spurious one, and further a largely manufactured one in Iraq. He reminded the tour that Turks are not Arabs. Crystal oddly endorses a type of cultural distancing from the ports of call by blasting through the public address system Louis Armstrong's version of "What a Wonderful World" upon every sailaway. This is undignified and insensitive. Though the ports may differ, Crystal appears to be indicating, what's important is that those aboard ship remain unaffected by the visit to shore, that we retain our insularity. What's more, the repetition of the song day after day is just a terrible aesthetic decision. The Captain, a Norwegian, justly proud of his ascent from lowest deck hand to his present rank, did not, however, in his daily announcements, provide the thrilling atmosphere we so enjoy aboard QM2 when the Eton-accented British Commodore Warner speaks in regal and articulate tones. It is fine to be told, as we were on the Serenity that "I [the Captain] hope that you vill enyoy yerself in da port and ull the nice things you vill see out dare" but it just does not have the same panache. More flavor: a passenger, after we were given directions to the toilets by our guide in Ephesus, exclaimed to her companion, loudly "whenever they say you CAN go, I GOTTA go." Rather than seeking to learn or attempt to rise to the manners and moirés of Cosmopolitan behavior, these doyens of suburban country clubs stuck to "their own," erupting into loud (and louder) conversations as the evenings wore on. Backslapping, self-congratulatory sentiments and guffaws were the order of the day. Shrinking from the unfamiliar, and therefore threatening, we were told on MANY occasions that our fellow passengers were "sorry for [us]" that we live in New York City and that "you don't SOUND like you're from New York City" and that "[our] parents must have spent a lot of money to get rid of the accent." Naturally, everyone is entitled to their opinion; however, it is extremely rude to express such opinions in polite company. Without recognizing it, most passengers, especially those in the large groups aboard, had made of the ship a self-selected ghetto, along with the ghetto mentality which goes along with such a place. Crystal did nothing to quell this sentiment but rather supported it by closing off the Palm Court (on the first and last evening, at the least) for "private" group events. This is a grave error – not because I had any pressing need to get into the Palm Court when it was closed but because of the corrosive effect such exclusivity has on the social life of the ship. Often, our cheerful greetings to fellow passengers in the alleyways, even some we had met previously, were met by distant murmurs, or stares into the half-distance, or dismissive glances. Aboard QM2, as one makes one's way down the grand, high-ceilinged, axial corridors, toward (or from) dinner or the well-attended ballroom, the fantasy is a shared one, the pleasures are mutual. I believe the social trouble aboard Serenity was amplified by the fact that groups, by their nature, are insular and, because groups made up such a large number of the passenger complement, they killed-off the spirit of the passengers as travelers together. Further, the ubiquitous American Businessman aboard contrasted unfavorably with the teachers, writers, journalists, and general iconoclasts we always find on the QM2. The dance floor on Deck 12 (Palm Court) was, sadly, nearly deserted every evening. My wife and I, along with the four charming gentlemen hosts and two other ladies, made up nearly the only attendees on each night. While this made for plenty of room on the dance floor, it was also certainly not a celebratory atmosphere. Unlike most of the passengers, the gentlemen hosts were gracious, were accomplished at polite conversation (no religion or politics, no dominating the conversation to the exclusion of everyone else) and were the most interesting, friendly, and accomplished people we conversed happily with on the entire cruise. Spa Services: My massages were very good – nice deep pressure without additional cost. However, I was, in a sense, slapped awake after one massage when presented with the bill at the spa desk: my masseur had made the obligatory Steiner hard-sell of some absurd tube of cream which he told me cost $ 42. I politely declined but he kept pressing the sale. I declined again. Nonetheless the printed bill contained a $ 52, yes $ 52, charge for the cream which I had to ask to have removed. That was very poor form and NEVER happens at the Canyon Ranch Spa on QM2. What a way to end a massage! A putative lecture on health was actually a sales pitch for a "Body Composition Analysis" and "detoxification" potions. My wife took the $ 50 computerized test, administered by the head of the gym staff, which failed to take even basic measurements. Not impressive. Computer Center Lectures: I took two classes on Photoshop. The lecturer was superb and the availability and performance of the computers for hands-on work was excellent. Service difficulties: To use Sam Donaldson's phrase, an "aura of incompetence" or at least sloppiness pervaded shipboard services (with the exception of cleanliness – the ship is spotless). To wit: For the first four days, our telephone did not allow us to call our stewardess. Each time we had to call the operator (and wait on hold) in order for her to place a call for the stewardess to return. We received promises up and down the chain of command that it would be "fixed immediately." Our stewardess did not replenish our bottled water (though we explained that it is all we drink). Neither did she replenish our fruit plate nor all of the bath products, nor the drinking glasses. A burnt-out lightbulb in the bathroom went unrepaired, nor did she provide the dinner menus to us so we could order from the main dining room during dinner hours as we were entitled to do. Knowing that these complaints could be addressed during the cruise (but not wanting to cause her the grief of a reprimand in case there was a language problem, training problem, etc) we considered writing the concierge. Informally, my wife wrote a list of the service issues and left it among our other belongings on the desk in our cabin. The stewardess obviously read the list because she immediately corrected all the service deficiencies except for providing the dinner menus. We took up the issue of the dinner menus with the assistant concierge who said that obtaining them "all depends on who you know" and suggested that we ask our dining room waiter. At that point, we gave up. Obviously, non-penthouse cabin passengers are dissuaded in every way possible from ordering room service from the main restaurant. This would not be so bad had we not been promised the service or if the standard room service menu was passable. It was not. Canned spaghetti sauce on plain noodles or the aforementioned inedible burgers do not constitute "six star" dining. If that were not enough, not one room service food order was filled with complete accuracy. It became a game of saving items in our fridge for the times when they did not appear with the room service orders (milk for the morning cereal, etc). One room service dinner (of the two we attempted) I suffered without my entrée because, after 40 minutes' wait, the stewardess insisted that a bowl of vegetarian pasta sauce was, in fact, my grilled fish. She said "do you want me to taste it?" We gave up. Steamed vegetables appeared as potato chips, tea orders were chronically incorrect; though raisins were available onboard, cherries were always delivered instead, etc. Someone else's dry-cleaning was left hanging on the handle of our cabin door though it was clearly marked, twice, with the correct cabin. We did our fellow passenger the favor of bringing it to her. I requested a wake-up call for the second morning. I received it, albeit 35 minutes late. When our phone was repaired and we could finally page our stewardess, she would, indeed, promptly return our call but sometimes said "I will call you back." We waited and waited and after 25 minutes, we called again, extending a call for some cheese and crackers into a one hour wait that was hardly worth the trouble. My personal training sessions, pre-booked months in advance, were rescheduled according to the printed report delivered upon embarkation. Unfortunately, the hand-written calendar on which the spa staff keeps its records did not conform to the printed material provided to me. Six star? Though Crystal does not charge for caviar when it is offered on the menu, the first night both servings were of inedible quality – salty, unpleasantly oily, muddy-tasting. The second time, the caviar was described as "Petrossian." I have eaten at Petrossian's in New York City many times and have enjoyed their caviar at home so I can state with certainty that Petrossian's would never sell caviar of the poor quality/condition of that which bore their name aboard Serenity. It was barely edible, though better than the first offer. At breakfast at the main dining room, juices were fresh-squeezed and of good quality. Breakfast in the room brought glasses of canned juice. Gratings of "Parmesan" cheese at Prego (which should properly have been of Parmagiano Reggiano) were actually the much less expensive (and much less flavorful) Grana Padano – and a young one at that. Only a long-aged Padano might be a passable substitute for a Parmagiano Reggiano. My wife, who favors a low-fat diet asked at lunch in the main dining room if the "sliced chicken" on a salad was fried. She was told that it was not. What appeared on the salad was a mound of chunks of dark meat chicken battered in corn starch and deep fried (Kung Pao chicken). Regarding Crystal's tipping policy: Though Crystal's printed guide entitled "Gratuities Billed to Shipboard Account" states that ". . .we understand tipping is a very personal and private matter. . ." it goes on to describe that, five days before disembarkation, if you have elected to have your shipboard account charged for gratuities "the staff members you choose to tip will be notified of all pre-paid gratuities." So much for the matter being personal and private. As we chose not to participate in the pre-paid gratuities program, sure enough, after our stewardess did not receive notice of pre-paid gratuities on our account, she stopped delivering fruit and bottled water. Again, is this a "six star" experience? Neither did we suffer horrors aboard, nor did the experience meet our expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachmad Posted September 27, 2007 #2 Share Posted September 27, 2007 :eek: That was a bad review in the best way if you see what I mean, or is it a good review in the worst way. What you need is a Cunard trip and quick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserTed Posted September 27, 2007 Author #3 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Thanks, will do! It's "Three Queens in NYC" on Jan. 13 (QM2 Caribbean). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel-to-go Posted September 27, 2007 #4 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Wow! I would be interested to hear of others' recent experiences, to know if it was particular to this voyage, though somethings are endemic. Wow! Sorry! Welcome back to Cunard, where things aren't always perfect, but certainly not like that!! Karie, who thinks she probably won't try out Crystal any time soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnhmrk Posted September 27, 2007 #5 Share Posted September 27, 2007 One, two or even three of those faults could have been either imagined or grossly overstated by you but not all of them (I am not criticising you). I suspect that you hit the nail on the head when you suggested that a lot of the problem was the people onboard. Your review has definitely helped me in deciding which line to try once the QE2 has gone. Thank you:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highcbob Posted September 27, 2007 #6 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Gosh, now I'm depressed after reading that - how sad for you. To think that Crystal fares are, in most cases, higher than Cunard - especially the penthouses compared to the Cunard grills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgsmuzzy Posted September 27, 2007 #7 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Let that be a lesson to you Ted. Don't do it again! In all seriousness, it sounds like you had an awful time. Do you think it would improve if the large groups were not on board? I'll see you on the QM2 in January. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
534 Posted September 27, 2007 #8 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Ted, I'm sorry that your last sailing wasn't very good at least you have Jan. to look forward to :D There's a roll call Lexxity started for us if you'ed like to join in. We look forward to meeting you and your wife. Betsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindlychap Posted September 27, 2007 #9 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I'm sorry that you've had such a dreadful trip. Equally, I'm glad that you'll be back in liner land very soon. There is something about a transatlantic liner that makes a trip special. Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qe2 Posted September 28, 2007 #10 Share Posted September 28, 2007 While each cruise is a unique mix of the line and the guests aboard, I have sailed on both Cunard and Crystal and found Crystal superior. As in many reviews that I have read here and elsewhere, if something goes wrong, everything seems to go wrong. I sailed on the Serenity last December and had a completely different and wonderful experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qe2 Posted September 28, 2007 #11 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I just read the review again. Did you give gratuities to the staff after rejecting the pre-paid grats? I hope so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalon1025 Posted September 28, 2007 #12 Share Posted September 28, 2007 We sailed Crystal, once. Crystal Symphony in the Baltic about three years ago. It was a nice cruise, but did not feel as luxury as the other truly lux lines (Seabourn and Silversea), Crystal felt like a mainstream cruise line, a few years ago when the Celebrities and HAL's had better food and more service oriented crew. The cabins were nothing to write home about, and the no open seating nor all inclusive drinks didn't help. Also the was very full at almost 1100 passengers, so it really felt like a really good HAL cruise on a Statendam class ship. So a great cruise, at HAL pricing, disappointing at Crystal prices. We have found our sweet spot with QM2 for crossings and Seabourn, Silversea and Regent for port intensive cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayayeff Posted September 28, 2007 #13 Share Posted September 28, 2007 While each cruise is a unique mix of the line and the guests aboard, I have sailed on both Cunard and Crystal and found Crystal superior. As in many reviews that I have read here and elsewhere, if something goes wrong, everything seems to go wrong. I sailed on the Serenity last December and had a completely different and wonderful experience. Having been on both of the ships referred to in this review within the past 9 months I would have to agree with qe2. With regard to things going wrong, in my case is was with Cunard and whilst I won't say never again, it is highly unlikely I will return to the QM2 however, I shall be returning to Crystal in December....I'm pleased I did the transatlantic crossing by the 'traditional' route but Cunard and the QM2 would not be my choice for a port intensive cruise.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindlychap Posted September 28, 2007 #14 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I just read the review again. Did you give gratuities to the staff after rejecting the pre-paid grats? I hope so! I haven't re-read the review since my initial view, but from what I recall they didn't deserve them. Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserTed Posted September 28, 2007 Author #15 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Yes, I tipped the staff. Contrary to the impression many on the Crystal board have gotten from my review, I am a generous tipper. I tipped cash for waiter service of water (on the theory that it takes as much effort to serve water as anything else), tipped the maitre d' for making reservations at the specialty restaurants, the specialty restaurant staff at 150% of the recommended amount; I tipped anyone providing room service; I tipped our stewardess at the end. Further, as a passenger, I treat each employee exactly as I would like to be treated were they vacationing and were I serving them. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexxity Posted September 28, 2007 #16 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Thanks, will do! It's "Three Queens in NYC" on Jan. 13 (QM2 Caribbean). Looking forward to meeting you in January! I won't be nasty to you about being from New York City. In fact I am more likely to drive you mad asking you about the place! Love, love, love New York! I honestly can't believe how rude people were to you! Fancy being like that!?:confused: One thing I love about Cunard is the amazing mix of social demographic, from the multi-millionaire to the care home assistant who has saved so hard to enjoy their trip, everyone is treated so well and everyone enjoys meeting others and learning a little more about the world together, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimsgirl Posted September 28, 2007 #17 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I did 9 cruises on Crystal, but my 10th was very miserable, I put the blame on the fact it was the last segment of the World cruise. I was made very much aware of being the equivalent of "steerage". In Crystal cove bar I was asked "not to sit at this table" by the staff as "it was where passengers on the World cruise like to sit" I was the ONLY person in the bar at that time. Sitting at the future cruise consultant desk, she left me in the middle of a sentence, because a World Cruise couple wanted to speak with her "NOW". She sat at a table with them, finally I left her desk, I doubt she saw me go.she was so totally interested only in her World Cruisers. There was in fact only 100 of these VIP's on board, only 300 passengers in all. On a special limited "Dinner at a mansion" event I had trouble getting a seat at a table, as I was the only "segment" passenger (travelling alone at that)and "World cruisers prefer to sit only with World cruisers"!!! Their conversation was concerned only with their portfolios, their inability to get "decent staff" the number of cars they had and the makes therof. Recently I thought to try Crystal again, but almost had a heart attack on being told that Crystal was only offering ONE hotel in London (pre cruise) and that for one night , as a single passenger I would have to pay almost $2000 just for a regular room no meals. I decided Crystal was no longer an option for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirwinston Posted September 28, 2007 #18 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Wow I am so not jealous..... Cruiser Ted God Bless you for being a generous tipper :D. While I really like Cunard QM2 and QE2 I cannot see paying premium prices for other lines... Thanks for confirming this for me... jury is out for the QV until friends cruise on her... I did encounter Crystal passengers on a recent port call (st Peter Port QE2 cruise), They were nice enough but the Cunard mix did seem more interesting and fun... Tom in Long Beach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindlychap Posted September 28, 2007 #19 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Recently I thought to try Crystal again, but almost had a heart attack on being told that Crystal was only offering ONE hotel in London (pre cruise) and that for one night , as a single passenger I would have to pay almost $2000 just for a regular room no meals. I decided Crystal was no longer an option for me. I can see what you mean. Whilst London hotels are silly expensive, for that sort of money you should be able to get a suite at the Savoy, dinner in the hotel or at the Savoy Grill and a breakfast to die for in your suite. And something tells me that isn't what was on offer! Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazerboy Posted September 28, 2007 #20 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Having perused both threads, and the review of the QM2 that gave the OP his opening salvo, it reaffirms that taste is individual, that expectations and standards vary widely, and that cruising with fellow passengers who "aren't your cup of tea" can be miserable. For that I am sorry. This was obviously not a good match. But, in fairness to all involved, it sounds like the return to Cunard is a win/win for both Crystal passengers and the OP. It remains to be seen whether that's true for Cunard...the OP will have to give a long review of his next cruise...as I'm sure he will.:) It also seems as though, for some, complaints themselves can sometimes be the goal of the experience, rather than the by-product. People often mistake extensive criticism for having high standards. Graciousness can be proferred in most any and all situations, rather than haughty sniffing about the minutiea of fellow passengers, service and food. I've sailed on both lines, and many others starting in the mid '60's. I remember when fellow passengers on some of the great liners of the 50's and 60's sniffed about the tacky new entry to the field, the QE2. Sadly, that caused me to miss many years of opportunity to enjoy her, based on the uninformed comments of others. I've had less-than-stellar cruises and crossings on a variety of ships, but none that would earn or deserve this. Perhaps I should consider myself fortunate that I was not on this cruise. And I do. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted September 29, 2007 #21 Share Posted September 29, 2007 One thing I love about Cunard is the amazing mix of social demographic, from the multi-millionaire to the care home assistant who has saved so hard to enjoy their trip, everyone is treated so well and everyone enjoys meeting others and learning a little more about the world together, Well said! It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't been on Cunard, but you've described the Cunard crowd perfectly. I've been on segments of the WC, and had very pleasant conversations with people who were taking the entire WC. I had no idea that this is a breach of protocol on other lines. :eek: My TA has suggested Crystal as a line to try when QE2 is gone. Not so sure now... Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindlychap Posted September 29, 2007 #22 Share Posted September 29, 2007 Well said! It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't been on Cunard, but you've described the Cunard crowd perfectly. I've been on segments of the WC, and had very pleasant conversations with people who were taking the entire WC. I had no idea that this is a breach of protocol on other lines. :eek: My TA has suggested Crystal as a line to try when QE2 is gone. Not so sure now... Kathy Kathy, As you know, I'm firmly in the QE2 camp. She is the one for me. But do try QM2 on a crossing (westbound, obviously) before deciding to ditch Cunard. She's not QE2, and never will be. But she is different. In some ways better, and in other ways less so. I'm confident I'll be crossing for years. Not completely clear about cruising post QE2, but I'll certainly try Victoria. Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted September 29, 2007 #23 Share Posted September 29, 2007 Kathy, As you know, I'm firmly in the QE2 camp. She is the one for me. But do try QM2 on a crossing (westbound, obviously) before deciding to ditch Cunard. She's not QE2, and never will be. But she is different. In some ways better, and in other ways less so. I'm confident I'll be crossing for years. Not completely clear about cruising post QE2, but I'll certainly try Victoria. Matthew We have done a crossing on QM2 (westbound, of course), and I would do that again. I'm thinking about a line to try for cruises. The choice of cruises on QM2 (out of NYC) is so limited. She does just one Canada cruise each year, and lots of Caribbeans. We've done a number of Caribs on a number of lines over the years (including QM2 in her first season), and so it isn't high on my list as a destination. If I loved QM2 as much as I do QE2, the destination wouldn't matter. We will try Victoria--we often cruise with friends, and she's already got her eye on something on Victoria, but not until after our QE2 Med next May. For now, the cruisng budget is assigned completely to QE2. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindlychap Posted September 29, 2007 #24 Share Posted September 29, 2007 For now, the cruisng budget is assigned completely to QE2.Kathy Goes without saying. Our maiden voyage on the Queen Victoria (the real one, not the second or third trips) went to feed the QE2 fund. I see what you mean though - and those Canada trips miss out Newfoundland which is a lovely destination. Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgans Posted September 29, 2007 #25 Share Posted September 29, 2007 Welcome to Cunard Ted...... we are a friendly bunch! Hope our paths will cross one day and look forward to exchanging information all about life in New York/London! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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