Yankeeclipper1

Sounds like misery - we had that happen to us several times throughout Europe. Unseasonal hot weather A/C turned off - explanation always "system turned on for winter, we can't turn it back to summer for a couple of days" - fact or fiction? - we'll never know, - all I know is each time it was misery to sleep.

Joanie, Enjoyed your review of Marina - you confirmed what I have (IMO) been experiencing - a notch down across the entire cruise industry - with lots of excuses and only higher fares. Oceania was one of our favorites (6 times) and your descriptions (which I trust since we think alike) are not what we previously experienced. I love the comments about the onion soup and the balance of onion caramelization and bouillon. Sounds exactly like something I would have said. 😄 FWIW - Crystal cancelled/changed our Panama cruise - replaced it with something not even remotely the same BUT did refund our full fare and offered people future credits or longer cruise for same price - all fair IMO. PS - I sent you guys an email 10/26 - let me know if you got it - I still use wonky Hotmail that does strange things. Ray

Update - A full refund will be provided. Evidently since this was their first major glitch, communications to the sales staff was not complete (they are continuing to train). It was management's intent to provide refunds - if requested - along with the other options - that was not communicated down the line. The sales staff should have had that information but did not. My TA sorted this out at the management levels - while I was talking with reservations/sales personal - which BWIVince pointed out is futile if something is off the script. With that explanation provided and resolution, I have booked a future cruise that fits our schedule.

As of today - Crystal Reservations Supervisor - "Crystal not giving refunds." This is unsatisfactory for the reasons I previously mentioned - a total switch out of the cruise not reflecting anything of the original - this is being elevated to Senior Crystal Management. Not a good way to build new customers and keep old ones.

Keith, What I was sent so far show two cruises turned into 3. Extra days (from what I understand) come into play if you choose future Panama Canal cruises that are all 16 - 18 days. You can get those for the same price as you already paid - does not work for me. All I would like - since the new cruises are not in anyway reflective at all of what I bought is a refund that will allow me to choose when and where I will book - so far that full refund (without a penalty) is elusive.

My agent is very savvy and has worked miracles before. I just want my money back since this is not even close to the original (at all) and I want to pick when and where on my own time frame - without constraints. Their offers do not work for me.

I am getting a bad vibe about this. First - Crystal did not prepare its own 800 call center for this. They (call center) did not know nor did they have any answers. My TA had to elevate it to a Sr. Supervisor who admitted they were not prepared and he wasn't armed with any solutions today. Later TA receives the communications about "offers". Saw the "offers" - not satisfactory. And before Crystal defenders start in - I get the out of Crystal control etc. I have no problem with the events causing this. But - NO REFUND - and the offers (so far) absolutely do not work for me. We don't do cruises over 14 days, Panama Canal was the purpose of the trip, no refund is offered and only 10% on future cruise is not anything I am interested in with the limited time you have to use the credit - and the future PC trips DO NOT work for me - even at the same price with a couple extra sea days. The current cruise - with changed itinerary to those Caribbean ports? - been their a million times - no thanks. I am getting really pissed off when I hear that a straight refund is not offered. This is not dropping a port this is a total change of the cruise - 11 nights to 7 nights on a totally different 100% different itinerary. Crystal is treating it as a dropped port or two. AND - They are not using the word CANCELLATION which some people are using - there is a reason Crystal will not say cancellation. Not calling this a cancellation is a manipulation to serve the purpose of not providing refunds if requested - if the other offers don't work for the customer. If I am roped in to a limited set of options with my money tied up - I may take that cruise I am limited to but I swear there will never be another Crystal cruise for us. I would prefer to have the freedom to have my money back and choose exactly what I want. And yes - this has all been told to Crystal.

Canal is open - but slowed down due to lake water levels. Canal operations are chargeing outrageous sums to guarantee front of the line access (Disney and Universal must be involved 😆). Commercial cargo backing up big time - the fee for guaranteed slot makes a cruise financially not worth it - ships can still get through but cruise ships on strict schedules are considering other options.

Shoe just dropped - TA informed me Dec 2 Miami - Puerto Caldera - changed. He is on the phone with them now because their "offer" was outrageously ridiculous - as if it was just a dropped port. New itinerary is Miami - Nassau - St. Martin - St. Kitts - BVI - San Juan. Eleven night cruise just became 7 nights and the title Panama Cruise - eliminated. No thanks - I'll pass. (KenzSailing - you may want to double check that or keep on top of it).

Read on a FB site (private group) that several clients received notification their Dec 13, 2023 Puerta Caldera to Miami was cancelled. Have been reading Panama Canal is having drought problems and traffic is curtailed and backed up. RCCL has cancelled all its Panama Canal cruises as of August 8. Crystal website still shows Dec 13 Panama Canal. I have Dec 3 Miami - PC booked but am waiting for the shoe to drop since that is a R/T cruise (two parts). Anyone else have any info? (Crystal 800) didn't know what I was talking about.

Keith, Thank you for your detailed and reassuring reviews and comments - because of them and reports/comments/pictures from others we have booked December 2, Panama Canal. Looking forward to returning to Crystal. I do have a question - I may have missed it and have tried running a search - but - I do not see many (or any) comments on breakfast and lunch at the Marketplace (except for the glance at the cold bar). I am particularly interested in the buffet quality at lunch since we sometimes just like to pop in there and/or sit outside for lunch. Really no information (that I can find). Thanks, Ray

Keith, I was trying to figure out what are the "classic" Serenity Aquamarine Suites (wife wants a tub). I am going to guess from the new brochure they are the suites with the hallway cutouts - deck 10?? - which does not appear that way on the website. Your thoughts? Ray (PS - have been doing several Regent recently - hit or miss - last two - not very pleased - Looking forward to Crystal's comeback)

Since Regent did not supply an explanation in the email I received they leave it up to me to fill in the blanks. $$$$ My conjecture is this private island property would cost too much to open for a couple hundred passengers. There are no other NCL ships arriving at the island that day. Usually 2-5000 passengers are dropped. Most of the activities on the island that Navigator passengers signed up for are “free”. On all the othe NCL ships they charge $99, $129,$149 pp. add in the fact the island has to be opened up and staffed - I’ll bet staff are paid on a per Island opening per day basis rather than salary. The expense of staffing and operating activities for a couple hundred passengers just doesn’t fit the balance sheet. My supposition - until Regent supplies an explanation.

Here is a final response from Jennefer. I take this as official and indicates what they are "supposed" to be doing onboard. I would suggest anyone having issues with CHOGs (love it) remind a senior crew member of the company policy including the CD making daily announcements. "We have put together text that is supposed to be in Passages daily, and the Cruise Director is also supposed to be making frequent announcements reminding guests of our policies. I am sorry that Navigator failed to implement this, I will follow up with the fleet to ensure everyone is aware. Thanks! Jenn"

Received a quick (5 minutes after sending) response from Jennefer Teegen to my complaint about Regent's lack of consistent chair hog enforcement - reference my recent Navigator cruise. Response from Jennefer Teegen to my original email: "My apologies as I am currently traveling in Asia. I have asked the shoreside team to go back to Navigator and asked them to reinforce our policy. Like on Splendor, items should be removed from unoccupied chairs after an extended period of time. We are doing our best to educate guests about the rules and our crew will do their best to enforce them. I know this is a growing problem and frustration among our guests. Please understand we are trying our best to resolve this. Jennefer" My response: "Thank you for your quick response. What is lacking is consistent reminders of the rule. It is very simple to highlight in the daily paper AND more importantly the CD in their daily PA brief - can remind everyone, every day in about 2 sentences, what is expected of guests - regarding deck chairs. Your TV screens can highlight the simple rule. That relieves the deck crew and the passengers from having to educate people. The crew is then just following the announced rules. I don't know why that is so difficult. With reinforcement daily vs. the inconsistent enforcement that just leads to conflicts - it's quite solvable. Other lines also have other creative ways. NONE of this ever happened on board - even when raised with officers." We shall see if things improve.