loriva

Thanks! Have a fabulous cruise!

Thanks again. A question about the port call in Boston. Did Crystal run a shuttle from the Flynn cruise port? if so, where did it drop guests? We are bringing guests on board during our time in Boston and trying to figure out if it might be easiest for us to take the shuttle into town, meet up with our guests, and then we ride with them back to the port. (We have the security approval for them in hand.) Many thanks,

Presuming if you are in a cabin that includes butler service, you could give your butler a list of additional reservations to book?

So, you can open the app on your laptop? Or get the menus, etc. it by logging into the ship's intranet? (And then save the file and subsequently upload it. I get the latter part--just trying to determine the easiest way to get the file from the ship's system to my device.)

As we enter the glidepath to our first cruise on Crystal Ocean in two weeks, I'd like to ask those with experience for the most-efficient way to upload Reflections and menus to CC.com. Does Crystal have an app you can use with your smartphone that has the documents? Or do you need to use their tablet and then send them to yourselves as email attachments? Or is there a method I'm missing completely? Many thanks,

Looking forward to our own boarding in NYC in two weeks! If posting Reflections or menus is too much, we would love your comments on any enrichment or entertainment you have experienced and any dishes you find particularly fabulous. We're particularly interested in the semi-sea days when putting into Halifax and Quebec late (as well as departing Halifax at 1500 hours.) Also, has Waterside been open on any port days given the higher passenger count? Many thanks,

With Serenity starting its Canada and Northeast cruises, those of us with cruises in the upcoming weeks would love to hear of your experiences. With the ships reportedly sailing at near capacity, I hope that someone on board can chime in! (Bonus points for Reflections or menus!)

Wonderful news! We love having a grill option on Viking and Oceania. (Albeit theirs is in the buffet area, which Regent is already using for Sette Mari.) I wonder if it will offer different options than during the day? (Although DH would be happy with the ahi tuna sandwich for dinner every night..) Didn't they already convert pax launderettes into crew cabins during the start-up after COVID? I think there is only one left per deck after that. Would that leave some decks with passenger cabins without a launderette? Regent feeling this is okay as it now offers "free" laundry to all?

Hoping someone will step up to the challenge of keeping the live posts from Serenity alive! (I'll plan to post "live-ish" when we sailaway from NYC in 17 days.)

Maybe someone could make a suggestion to the art instructor on board? 😉

Another vote for The Bicycle Thief! It also had a very nice list of wines by the glass and local craft beers. Depending on what day you are in port, you may wish to consider making a reservation. We did not have one so could not get a table. We were able to eat at the bar after a short wait, however, and it was fine. (Actually, we had a lovely conversation with the bartender, so it was very fine.)

Adding to the thanks for your posts. We learned a lot about our upcoming experience on Serenity and had a great time doing it--love your humor and good cheer! Kudos for all the beautiful photos and for the work in posting the menus and Reflections. We hope our paths will cross one day. Many thanks,

Thanks. Looking at the Ruby deck plan, the steam and sauna areas in the men's and women's changing room still appear. There is a shared ADA restroom at the front of the spa area on the port side. Comparing to the CB deck plan, this is where the Rasul room is located. Not sure how popular the Rasul offering was, so maybe Princess is changing those out to make the ADA restroom?

Are they converting the ones in the women's locker room to be co-ed so that men still have a steam and sauna option?

So, I wondered about this when I heard Chris Carter announce this morning on "Breakfast with the Beatles" that "National Weiner Schnitzel Day" as among the holidays one could observe today. (https://nationaltoday.com/national-wiener-schnitzel-day/) And, look, there is it on the Waterside menu for tonight! But so sorry the sake pairing lunch was cancelled--that sounded wonderful.

On your first question, one person can download the app and apply for more than one traveler. You just need to have them physically with you when it comes time for the photograph needed of the applicant--hand them your phone for the selfie. On the second, I have no idea. Always do my visas (or in this case, an electronic travel authorization) myself. (But have never done a Grand Voyage, so lucky you!)

Looking forward to your Bordeaux Vintage Room luncheon report. We're hoping there will be at least one nice Vintage Room event during our sailing next month. And thanks again for posting the Reflections and menus. What a nice way to get excited for our turn on board.

All three at one time or another. It's at 34 Montagu Square. It has a blue plaque commemorating John's residence there.

Not sure if they have identified the gene or not, but it's the same phenomenon as with cilantro. Genetic, but not always shared--I love cilantro and am one of those for whom beets/beetroots taste like dirt. My sister loves beets and cannot abide cilantro. And now will let the thread go back to @ryndamand the Serenity!

To some, beets taste like mold or dirt. It is just like how some people taste metal or soap when eating cilantro. Some sort of difference in how our taste buds are put together.

Have a wonderful cruise yourself!

Welcome to the "right coast"! Getting closer, physically and timewise, to our time to board in NYC next month!!

Interesting. What would happen to the eight cruises shown for Navigator for Jan-May 2027? Also, no expert, but isn't Navigator one of the former R-class ship? And there are a few of those still sailing for other lines (I think Oceania has one as well.) So, the Blue World could be one of those?

According to a Fodor's article (https://www.fodors.com/news/news/new-zealand-is-tripling-the-tourist-tax) New Zealand will be increasing its tax on international visitors (IVL) by NZ$65 (U.S.$40) -- going from the current NZ$35 to NZ$100 (U.S.$22 per person to $62)--as of 01 October. The tax is paid when a visitor applies for a NZ visa or Electronic Travel Authorization. The latter is what U.S., Canadian, U.K., and other citizens need to obtain to visit. The NZeTA is good for two years. Since we are traveling to NZ next February, I started a NZeTA application (via the mobile app, which is also less expensive than online) to see if it would charge me the current IVL rate or the one in effect as of our visit. It charged the current NZ$35. If you are not planning on visiting NZ within the next two years except for an upcoming cruise, you might want to apply before the end of September before the tax increase. Here's the website (or just search for NZeTA): https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/your-journey-to-new-zealand/before-you-travel-to-new-zealand/details-page/visa/nzeta Quick warning--if you search for the NZeTA app, the first one that comes up (at least at the Apple app store) is for a commercial visa service. Scroll down to ensure you are loading the official NZ Government app.

@goodvino808 If you are on the sailing departing 02 October from NYC (Brooklyn), please feel free to come join our roll call here: DH and I will also be first-time Crystal Ocean cruisers (we sailed Crystal River in October 2021 before its demise) and looking forward to the experience.