Cancun01

Have the rules to the Exceptional Initiative changed. I am not sure if I was asleep at the switch or if I received today’s email in error. We applied 1 of the 5 sub-credits on/before October 1, 2023 and sailed in December 2023. We received the max $2225 from the administrator in early November 2023 for the impacted voyage. I didn’t book anything else using one of the remaining 4 sub-credits because it was my understanding that once monies were received from the administrator that the remaining unused sub-credits were considered to be null/void. A short while ago, I received an email from Crystal that stated as a “friendly reminder” we needed to use our remaining exceptional initiative sub-credits for a voyage that takes place before Dec 31, 2025. I looked on the website and it doesn’t appear that the rules have changed but I thought I would double check with the “experts” on this board!

I think there is more to this story. Was the passenger certain that the carry-on didn’t make the gate change? It seems very, very odd to me that the ground or gate crew did not ensure that any gate-checked carry-ons were not moved to the new gate. When the gate crew ask for volunteers to check their carry-ons as they often do because the flight is full, the bag is tagged and becomes the responsibility of the airline. Under normal processes the passenger doesn’t collect their carry-on if there is a gate change once it is handed to the gate agent who in turn hands the bags to the ground crew. It was reasonable for the passenger to expect to next see her bag on the jet bridge in Amsterdam as she disembarked.

I have sailed across the transatlantic several times on different lines. A lot of your packing will be determined by the month in which you are traveling and whether your route is North Atlantic or further south. If you are traveling from NYC to Southampton on the QM2 in mid-December your requirements will be very different than if you are traveling from Miami to Lisbon in July. Are you stopping in the Azores or Bermuda? If you would provide more info it would be helpful.

Yes we received this survey yesterday. Looks to me like a decision has not been made.

Further to my previous post, I use Sun Bum face and body when a location such as Hawaii calls for “reef friendly” sun screen. It is indeed a good product but I prefer LaRoche otherwise.

It is not always a question of affordability but rather “willingness to pay”. I support the above comments regarding principle, the expectations of a luxury line which generally already charges an expensive per diem and the already existing cross-subsidization of (as mentioned/implied) fitness equipment, alcohol ( by those who don’t drink), Umi Uma (non-sushi eaters) etc. etc. In order to meet “Crystal’s superlative standards” as described in a brochure I recently received onboard, charging an up -charge for a premium internet package is not reasonable IMO. Is this the beginning of a slippery slope of up-charges?

I also use La Roche-Posay spf 60 anti-shine both alone and under my make-up. The tube says dry-touch gel-crèam for sensitive skin. I buy make-up with SPF. I also use La-Roche Posay spf 60 face and body lotion all-in-one. It depends what is in stock and the best price or if there is a bonus but I always buy La Roche. Once on I do not feel it on my face.

Agree! Not very appetizing and insulting for a 5* line. One of our few complaints was the poor quality and poor selection of the afternoon canapés. The tray in the post was one of the better ones and certainly not like the OC. I eventually told the butler to skip it. It was one of my very few negative comments on the post-cruise survey.

We disembarked the Serenity on Dec. 23. The Bistro did not have self-service during that cruise which pleased us. After seeing some passengers’ habits at the portion of the Trident Grill that is self-serve I was disappointed to read that the Bistro was self-serve on the Holiday Cruise. The good news is with self-serve no will know that I take 2 Portuguese tarts!

Sorry to hear that you encountered slow service in Waterside last week. We found that the service was exemplary in every venue including Waterside all week. Maybe it was timing because we found the service in Waterside to be better than it had ever been. We were there at approximately 7:30 pm except 2 nights

The “pre-owned” hawking was one of 2/3 negative comments that I have from our cruise last week. Last week they were also hawking pre-owned handbags which I found offensive as did several other passengers. If a person wants a “difficult to obtain” used handbag (which most of those showcased last week weren’t), the better known auction/estate houses or even Poshmark offer them (authenticated) at much better value!

We disembark tomorrow. We have absolutely all positive things to say. The new lounge area would not be our first choice but we can live without our nightly $20 casino deposit!!! We were last on board in Dec 2021 and found everything better than ever. Happy holidays and safe travels to you and Anne Marie.

Just back from Dubai/AbuDhabi….enjoy your sandals without socks if you go there. I read a lot of misinformation before I went and I bought long sleeved items and didn’t wear them. Wished I had taken more capris/short sleeved blouses. Bring long sleeves, long pants, socks, head scarf if you visit places of worship.

Thank you for this article Terry. You are always so well-informed. Have you seen anything about Dubai/Abu Dhabi cancellations/bookings?

I called MM this morning. Those in Canada will also receive cheques.