MsCrystalina

Year ago when Downton Abbey was to have the season finale, Crystal arranged it to be shown on the cabin TVs.  I think it started as a passenger from UK had the video and a special request was sent to the UK broadcasters to allow it.

To wcsdkqh- you are so right!    looks like every one of Delta flights- to and from Capetown- even if change Atlanta as origin- go to AMS and use KLM!!   Any out of way 2 nonstops with a layover to get there would be better than that!

I am considering my first Regent cruise and find the included airfare to be a plus for Capetown . However, after reading this thread feel a bit anxious.  Have flown Delta to J-burg nonstop then 

 SA to CPT in past.

Does Regent use KLM to ship one to AMS-and onward- absolutely horrid history with them- bags delayed on both flights in past, on one half of river cruise!   

I don't think Silversea has any reason whatsoever to be concerned about Crystal.  I have sailed with Crystal for about 10 years and 17 cruises.  It took me thru Asia, Africa, South Pacific and the MId-East.  along with less far cruises.   I just loved it- with 25 to 30 percent solo supplements and found it affordable with excellent service.  Other than the solo discount nothing was done for solo travelers - I don't care for dance hosts and don't eat at 6pm to be at a "solo group table".  There were few gatherings for solo cruisers.  They only have 2 ships.

I will be on my second Silversea later this year.  The solo activities, spacious staterooms and variety of dining were outstanding.  It was a bit more expensive than the old Crystal.   

The new Crystal has designated forward, window cabins on deck 7 for solo occupancy.  The bathtubs  have been removed.   Those rooms are reasonably priced in some instances but actually high for the limited space.   I just checked what a balcony room (215 sp ft +) would cost me for a Caribbean holiday and it was a ridiculous $11,999.00.   Also, the itineraries released thus far are not interesting and have very few ports.  

At present Crystal has nothing to entice me to sign on.  There are newer ships with more amenities and great food, service and itineraries to experience!!  That said there are those who cannot wait to get on-which are but a small number in the scheme of things!

Even the more expensive veranda suite ( ? aquamarine) does not even have a walk-in closet.   

PaulMCO-     Yes indeed! I didn't want to spread the news.  My TA told me about it and have been 

studying the Regent options past 2 days!! On SS in Oct/Nov but have found some great itineraries at zero

supplement - air included and large staterooms with or without a veranda before or after Oct!!!

With no response from the Crystal person regarding cost of a solo in a veranda for the holiday Caribbean cruise, I called my TA.  It is 11,999-    unacceptable to me for that itinerary.

She did reassure me that the window cabins on 7 have been renovated.    I think will put that amount toward a more interesting itinerary on a newer larger balcony stateroom on another line. 

Perhaps things such as price and itinerary will improve with time!

I sent a request for a holiday Serenity quote.  Had a phone message left from a personable male 2 days later.    Left a message on his vm as sorry to have missed the call and repeated the questions I wanted answered.    Three days now and no callback nor even an email.    I thought I could save my TA being on hold for hours as is happening to all.      Will recheck their web site when hell freezes over to see if anything meaningful has been added.     

They are about 25- 30 inches in height and are not obstructive unless one is lying on the veranda floor. 

My favorite cabins as veranda deeper and quieter location!  

I am a past solo WC segmenter.   I chose cabins on 7 with a window several times.   Those rooms on the old 7 were solidly sold out and it appeared to me that most were world cruisers- solo and couples.    Historically they were first to fill up on the WC journeys.    On the non-world cruises (such as Caribbean) I was aware of

the star dance couple having cabins on 7.   Same for cabins on 5 on Symphony in pre-covid times.

History & Wine- thanks for the WC info!

The entry level balcony on Silversea was 40 square feet larger than the Aquamarine suite and had same features plus a full tub.  When their single supplement is 25 percent there are several voyages I can get for less than the 7 th floor forward rooms allotted to we misfits!

it is not on the site.

I have had a suite on 5 and I was not aware of any obstructions while on the balcony. I did not spend a whole lot of time on it but was able to sun and take pictures of the sea and ports. Of course, the higher one is the wider and further the view.

Amazing that thousands of people have given sums of money for what is an unknown entity!

No updates as to the progress on the "refurbishment" (has it even started?), size and costs of the staterooms, and long delay in itineraries. 

I was a Crystal cruiser who must see and study a product before throwing money at it.

With thousands wanting to be on the very first sailing, I suppose there will be drawings, a lottery or more costs!   Unbelievable and comical situation to me.    

I received an email regarding the new NOVA yesterday. Very beautiful lounges, dining venues and staterooms. Walls of glass including elevators!

Hope is on schedule as will board in mid -October!

I recently had my first Silversea cruise and wrote a summary for the Crystal site- as a newcomer unaware of past:

• •  144
• July 15, 2014
• North Carolina

I agree- I have and do want to make all my arrangements and have no use for the door-to-door plans!  As a solo can do much better with hotel rates than the cruise lines offer me!

Just off the Spirit and all restaurants open. I ate in most and no staffing issues were present.

I agree with you- more of the "older" did not dress up-     no SS yet for 2 weeks but on Crystal, Cunard

HAL and Princess "younger" more dressed up!

On a recent Uniworld Nile cruise, we had police escort car for the 2 tour buses along with one   behind the buses. A well-dressed security guard was on each bus and with us during the tours.  My transport car to/from the airport in Cairo had a driver and a security guard who met me before baggage claim.

There was one couple who chose to have a private car guide in Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel and included driver plus a guard.   Would expect same from Safaga to Luxor- is at least 3 hour drive  with guard outposts along the road. 

Thanks so much!

No response from SS.  Does anyone know address of the embarkation port in Istanbul?   thanks

In regards to the physically demanding aspects here is a summary:  There were early wake-up calls such as 5 to 6 am so as to get out before the midday sun and heat .

Even with starting early most days went into the afternoon. Walking was strenuous- lots of irregular  steps, very high steep steps combined with very low steps at same venue kept one's eyes on the ground. Surfaces uneven at most sights- stones on sand.  A few higher than comfortable jumps 

into small boats on some of the tours. 

Recommend very good walking shoes, wide-brimmed hats, loose cotton or linen light colored clothing. Make your totes as light as possible. Water was offered freely on the buses and there was a cold water system which was great for refilling bottles. All buses had a toilet. 

This is probably worse example- on last day of trip in Cairo- wake up was at 5:30am for me to embark on the tour of Pyramids and Memphis with return to hotel by 4pm.   I was picked up for drive to airport at 9:15pm for a flight that left at 1:15am.   Due to the traffic and multiple checkpoints at the airport, was left with one hour before boarding.   This was worse timing I was aware of and unfortunately did not sleep on the 4 hour plus flight to Paris!    was it worth it-  ABSOLUTELY YES !

i AM RECOMMENDING THE 12 DAY BE EXTENDED INTO 14-15 so to enjoy the amenities of the Four Seasons and the Sphinx .

I just returned from the Sphinx and had one of my best cruises ever- even including many years of ocean cruising.   I travel solo and enjoy it. In addition to me, there was another female traveling solo also.    I received lots of exceptional service and met many people. The itinerary was demanding physically but was so much fun and very educational.  have now done 3 solo cruises with Uniworld. The other 2 waived the single supplement but do not see that happening with the Sphinx due to the popularity of it.