Stickman1990

Are you kidding? You’ve never had port changes in the past?

I assume you mean the response to the missles fired from Yemen a few hours ago? Folks on board Symphony report all is well and they’re cruising with armed guards onboard

Based on our recent cruise with Explora when I believe we had around 500 onboard I think you’re over estimating the number of TAs and influencers - there certainly weren’t 350 of them on our cruise Having TAs and Influencers on cruise ships especially those launching a new brand/ship or relaunching a brand as Crystal did with its initial sailings is not at all unusual. In my mind the debate is how you value their opinions - for me I trust my TA to give a fair assessment based on their wide knowledge and their knowledge of what we like from cruising - so that’s 100% valid But do I trust the views of a young person on their first ever luxury cruise who likes to dress up and pose (I’m going to get in trouble now matter how I choose to describe their traits but I’m sure you get the picture) or an ”influencer”who only ever cruises that line - no I don't Easiest way is to judge for oneself - then you can make your own decision based on facets versus here-say

That’s a very long time to wait I can’t imagine Crystal being keen on not attracting new or returning guests until new ships are sailing Easier just to fix issues and make them attractive now for guests to return - or try Crystal as new guests

and they can get rid of the smoking area on the left of the front deck in the front of the Explora Lounge (won’t happen but I can hope for it)

So taken from another forum but some feedback on changes being made onboard - some we already know about Personally the tea blend didn’t bother me, our room attendant was excellent and introduced himself within minutes of us arriving on our suite, the laundry worked fine for me and there was always plenty of selection with the included wines - as always it’s interesting what some find as issues when on board Perhaps we should make a list if further changes we consider appropriate? “Explora Journeys responds to feedback given to them by guests and the travel advisor community and takes action in positive ways to enhance your journey. ● Settees at lift landings: Operationally, you noted that these are hard to move around, so we are going from two settees there to one, and considering a single round sofa for EXPLORA II ● Guest launderette: You also noted that North Americans aren’t used to the evaporative dryer technology in the launderette, so we are creating clear instructions to make these machines easy for everyone to use. ● Daily programme and in-Suite TV: These both need improvements, and we are making them: more descriptive details in the programme, as well as a standard print version being delivered, and a navigational map being implemented soon for the ITV system. ● Suite Hosts: You also noted that Suite Hosts were delayed in connecting with guests (if at all), and we realised that coming from land-based hotels, that was the guest expectation – so we are adding layers of training to change this. ● Cigar Lounge: We have now empowered its extraction ventilation to full capacity, and guests are enjoying cigars (no cigarettes) there (and, sales of Davidoff cigars are increasing). ● Sundries: For those who could not find sundries, which are at The Journey, we have added a blurb to the daily programme, set up a small display of available items, and added staff training. ● English Breakfast tea: We heard from you that the tea is weak when milk is added, and that British palates will notice this – so we have developed a stronger blend appealing to British tastes with our tea supplier, to be delivered in the incoming batch. ● Wine suggestions: You noticed only one white and one red wine suggestion with menus in the restaurants, so our sommeliers have now selected three of each to pair perfectly with each menu, from our list of 20 complimentary wines by the glass (which guests can also order). ● Lunch options: The limited lunch options after 2pm caught your attention, so the grill line at Emporium MarketPlace offering burgers and salads will now be open, on port days, until 3-3:30 pm”

They have both USB A and C sockets and for power if you have European style plugs/adapters you’ll have plenty of options - plus wireless QI charging on the bedside table for your phone if it supports it

What else do you expect from a sales leader? - he’s trying to beat up demand and represent a successful brand - his comments are certainly no surprise to me. What else would he say? “Loadings are poor and forward bookings low so we’re going to lower prices to meet the market” - now that would be a headline…. They will be governed by competitors pricing and overall economic conditions - and they will want improved occupancy Right now I don’t see prices rising to any great degree - they have to get the occupancy up and they have those limited Med itineraries on the schedule for 2024 that are hardly going to attract those looking for innovative and exciting itineraries with longer time on board (and higher fares) I just hope standards don’t slip to match the budget - I don’t think that will happen but it’s a risk

Here you go - the new steak menu 800gm Porterhouse and yes Walter my wife loved the Sakura New Zealand Lamb chops - in fact she liked all of the lamb chops around the ship except the French ones at Marble which needed a little more cooking to render the fat off (which they didn’t do when she had them) - but they weren’t as tender as the others Can’t beat the presentation of those Sakura chops IMG_3553.mov

I am told they’re Prime - I’ll get a copy of the new menu later today

No I think it’s a gross overstatement actually - the vast majority of the many people I’ve spoken with who have actually sailed on Explora have been very impressed and that includes many with substantial experience on Crystal Certainly we found it excellent and the group we were travelling with did also. Friends onboard at the moment are providing similar positive feedback As we see on these forums every day there are those who find things to complain about everywhere Try it - you might like it - particularly if dining is important to you

I hear from friends onboard at the moment that USDA certified steaks are being served in Marble now (as opposed to European sourced) - it seems they’ve relented and made the change given she’ll be in or near the US for the next few months They're dining there tonight so it will be interesting how they find the steak and just what has changed on the menu

Explora 1 and the next one will be Explora 2 etc etc - up to Explora 6 Guess if makes it easy to remember the names…

Have a great cruise - enjoy all they have to offer We look forward to hearing how many fellow guests are on board. Some friends who boarded today dined at Sakura this evening - it’s nice hearing how others feel about their experience

Thanks T - looks like you experienced a lower level of entertainment as a an early pioneer on the line Just trying to recall the the way it went over the 16 nights - certainly more use of the standard singers who did an intro show then a few others - and on ours there was a new Entertainment head, Tanya Roberts who was a trained soprano so she supplemented resident artists Layke and Lydia. Then they also did themed shows like a Post Modern Jukebox style shows well as a Broadway themed show - then we had guest artists Indigo May (a duo) who did two shows, Rachel York did one show, the duo from Astern Lounge did one show. Brett Cave (guest artist) did a couple of shows - one of which was a Billy Joel tribute show - I think I’ve remembered them all (apologies for any omissions) We didn’t see any people talking during shows - certainly not at an annoying level and the waiters circulated regularly taking orders and bringing drinks around - I liked the style of the theatre and felt I had a great view and experience with no pillars in the room so no obstructed views I should say the shows were generally not well attended - certainly well below capacity of the space - they were at 9.30pm which worked well for us after dinner

We found the range and quality of the included wines fine for us - probably less range than some lines offer but more than enough for us to choose from We don’t drink Cognac so can’t comment on that but our friends who do seemed happy enough with the choice they had We do drink Gin though and there was a good range of included gins This isn’t all of them on offer but shows some of the included ones

I haven’t sailed new Crystal (NC) yet but will in 2024 but I have sailed Explora and Silversea recently so want to give my comments on entertainment and enrichment (and a few other areas) based on my experience with old Crystal which I believe NC mirrors in many areas (with enhanced accomodation in many cases) I’d hard for someone to be under the impression there is a dearth of entertainment and enrichment on Explora as that would simply be incorrect First Explora has some of the exact same acts and enrichment professionals as Crystal eg the McDonald Brothers and one of the great iphone and android social media/photography tutor who has lectured on Crystal. Sure they don’t have the same large production cast and number of band members - but those they do have are of equal skill and professionalism and certainly pleasant and entertaining to listen to. How many times does one need to see the same production shows? eg Broadway and Icons on Crystal (and I used to love Icons but it was first introduced back in 2018 I think or possibly even earlier so I’ve seen it sufficient times now) - they’re long over due for a change. I loved that the artists performed songs from recent artists including Adele, Taylor Swift and Amy Whinehouse as well as the standard styles with a classically trained soprano Oh they also had Broadway star Rachel York onboard as one of the headline guest artists - another regular on Crystal I heard several speakers on Explora who were very knowledgeable and entertaining on their topics - and they were fresh and not giving the same old lectures. We enjoyed hearing from the Danish pilots who guided us around Greenland for example - not professional speakers but they delivered an enthralling lecture (particularly topical given an expedition ship had been beached in Greenland the week beforehand), then there was Canadian Astro Physicist who did destination and astrology lectures The theatre on Explora is a great approach and well equipped with audio and visual techonology. The open cabaret style format works well for us with a couple of sets and bar service throughout the performance. Guests are free to come and go and I was even surprised that I didn’t find those videoing of taking photos annoying (which they are on the darkened theatre and sight lines on Crystal and other lines) - and it was nice to have the dance floor there for those who felt inclined to dance along to the acts No doubt Crystal has more enrichment topics eg Art at Sea and Ambassador Hosts for those who love dancing but how much enrichment does one actually need? I couldn’t get to everything I wanted to attend on Explora and some I didn’t want to bother with eg the Fitness Centre - for me and my wife there were more than enough on offer They had Trivia on sea days - and the format, with 3 rounds of 10 questions, was fun - and challenging I’m already on the record complementing Explora on their dining options and in many areas they excel - our group of experienced Crystal cruisers felt that Sakura offered a better quality and variety than Umi Uma - now that takes some doing. With Marble steakhouse, Fil Rouge and Med Yacht Club not to mention Emporium and it’s relatively unique concept with many interesting twists such as fresh French Oysters on offer throughout the cruise as well as Foie Gras and Filet steak regularly on offer at the grill station they have an excellent offering. I look forward to sampling Crystal’s updated menus and dining options next year I haven’t had as much experience on Silversea but we did enjoy our cruise with them earlier this year on Silver Muse - and will return for a month with them in 2024 - we found several dining options there that we really enjoyed eg Indochine and Spaccanapoli pizza and they are now among our favourites at sea. They had the old style entertainment with the outsourced ensemble, which we enjoyed, at that stage but we look forward to hearing the enhanced offering that Scott Douglas (ex Crystal entertainment team) is putting together for Silversea. Again I heard some acts onboard Silversea who were regulars on Crystal eg Steve Steven’s the comedian I’m not sure there too many of the guest entertainers who are exclusive to any one line - it’s the nature of their business that they are booked and appear on multiple lines So I hope these comments help balance out some of the claims about what’s on offer on Explora versus other lines - we were certainly pleasantly surprised by what we experienced on Explora. I don’t think it’s a case of a binary winners and losers judgement - there are differences and some you’ll like and some you won’t - the nice thing is that it’s done to a guests choice which they experience doing their cruise I guess everyone will make their choices on which lines they frequent based on what’s important to them - for us we’re now very comfortable with several lines and will choose more and more based on the itineraries given we know we’re going to have a great time on the multiple lines we’ve chosen. I don’t think I’ll ever limit myself to one line now - why would I when there is so much choice out there and even more coming on stream in the next few years

Crystal’s reduction in guests capacity came form to them needing to increase the number of larger cabins/suites to be competitive - Explora doesn’t have that issue Explora is designed for up to 900 - although given that’s max double occupancy one had to wonder if it will ever sail with that many onboard The public areas and lounges on both Explora and Crystal is ample for the capacity and let’s face it when Crystal had the larger capacity no one was complaining about the space in public areas - of course they very rarely sailed at max capacity as well Re comparison to smaller ships like the Seabourn one - I think they lack the critical mass for the range of restaurants, entertainment and public spaces that Explora can justify and fund with their larger capacity I don’t doubt the ability to provide a luxury experience to up to 900 guests - but as I’ve said how often will it be 900 guests? Then of course the debate can rage as to just what that “luxury experience” should be

No idea as we’re not US citizens - but either way NYC was our first and only US port on our cruise

Let’s keep things in perspective - that is exactly 100% conjecture and opinion - I’m not sure what basis there is for it

Sailaways are often very busy in the Palm Court along with Trivia on Serenity and afternoon tea time - but I can’t recall the last time I saw it busy in the evenings although there is often great entertainers up there

We disembarked around 9.30am (our designated disembarkation time) on the 25th and it couldn’t have been easier - walked off without any delay, found our bags, had a very short chat to the border official, called an Uber and met them across the road from the pier Contrast that with entering any US airport as a foreigner, waiting for luggage to be off loaded and the long lines to be processed at immigration - no comparison It was raining - but I don’t hold Explora responsible for that 😉

Correct - if views are your thing then just go to the Observation lounge which provides forward views I’d say Dolce Vita is more like the Cove or Starlite Club lounge as opposed to Palm Court Every ship has its strengths and weaknesses - and they’ll vary from guest to guest and their preferences. We do like Palm Court as we also like Dolce Vita - for different reasons

Silversea have 13 ships and thousands of crew and you’re judging an entire company on a response from a single crew member?