KenzSailing

Crystal has already updated the website and even the deck plans. They wanted this DONE.

I'll bet it's that alternating day of the week which-side-of-the-street you can park on thing. Which makes me wonder: how big a roll of quarters would you need to feed the meter for a parked cruise ship?

Has anyone ever told you you're cute when you're mad?

Wait a minute, you're advocating we wait for the actual product to roll out, and then express our opinions on what it actually is/isn't? Rather than the fever dreams this board has been flooded with as to what NC is/isn't? Well, that's rather refreshing. Won't happen, but it is refreshing.

This is why I remain stubbornly skeptical about the demise of the casinos. As I've already said, the only other use I can see for these spaces is as an interactive space promoting/selling A&K land excursions, both tied to cruising and independent of it. But as just a sit and read/chat space? I cannot see the business sense in that.

OK, I read the FAQ. I'm not ready to let go of my hunch that casinos are in Crystal's future. Their statement sounds a lot like my prediction that they'll throw a little furniture into the space until franchise/operator deals are worked out The other reasonable possibility, from a business POV, is they'll make it an interactive showcase for expensive A&K land excursions, both tied to cruises and independent of them. But as a place to read, relax, hang out? That's it? With all that real estate in Palm Court under utilized the majority of the time? From the corporate POV that would be fiscally irresponsible. I'll still put my money on black(47.4% chance of success.)

Well, I lost that bet.

These dress guidelines(that's what they are) smack of a cut and paste job by an intern. I'm not going to get too exercised by this. One thing: before 6PM guys can get by with "shorts" while ladies are restricted to "elegant shorts." This is our big chance to slob it up fellas, let those cargo shorts fly!

We do not know this as fact. All that is known is that Crystal has not announced a casino on either ship. Keep hopes up and remember, always split aces and eights.

I've cruised long enough I remember when our cruise line left an ash tray in every cabin because smoking was permitted in every cabin. Let's see, what cruise line was that? Oh yeah, Crystal Cruises(back in the two-words-in-the-name days.) I find the current accommodation, which has been around for quite a few years, reasonable. And to save others the effort I'll add: they need to address smoke leakage from the Connie Club on Symphony.

Spring? We're coming off the third warmest "winter" in the DC area. Daffodils are open, lots of trees are budding. Officially so far we've received 0.5in of snow. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.

About the crag legs, this has been well covered: https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/02/06/crab-crisis-in-bering-sea-a-sign-of-borealization-and-big-changes-in-the-future-scientists-warn/

Roy, As you are well aware pneumonia is nothing to trifle with. Get your rest(although I don't think it's giving you much of a choice.)

My two chips: Crystal wants casinos on their ships as they are 1)revenue producing and 2)there is a segment of the established clientele that more than slightly desires this amenity. I think the hold-up on an announcement comes down to working out a deal with a franchisee/operator that works for both parties and that may be a little more complicated than I initially thought. From Crystal's POV however, they don't have to have this nailed down in time for the inaugurals. Those spaces on the ships are just sitting empty now. Throw a little furniture in there in the meantime and roll the slots and tables in when the deal gets inked(no, not the easiest way to do it, but just another on a long list of items new management is working thru.)

Yeah, but I think this is the Catch 22 most of, if not all, the lux lines are caught in. I've been watching a lot of video of the other lines in this bracket, and I've been struck by the similarity and datedness of their main stage entertainment offerings. I feel for any entertainment director reviewing the customer satisfaction surveys after debuting a main stage show that's something other than the "Rat Pack 2023 Revue." And don't get me started on the Four Lads shows.....I mean, enough already.

Oh my gosh, this exactly. Anyone who thinks casino employees running a table game could also double dip as, say, a server in a dining room has never come within 10 feet of a table at a casino. Once word got out every sharp in the world would be cruising Crystal and making a very handsome rate of return.

Saturday night is steak night at the Chez. So yesterday I got around to expanding my repertoire with that steak house standard, creamed spinach. Turned out quite nicely:

More fun with numbers: I got to thinking about how a truism about OC was "yeah, you give ups sqft in the standard cabins, but the tradeoff is a lot more public space." Well, the ships are still the same size, now with fewer pax, that must mean a lotta lotta public space/pp. How much? I did a quick comparo, again using the other ship I compared to in my first post, RSSC Grandeur(no one complains that these new RSSC ships are cramped, so I thought that would be reasonable.) Crystal Serenity: 740 pax(I pulled all these numbers off the internet, should be very close if not on the nose) 68,870 gross tons 93 gross tons/pp RSSC Grandeur: 750 pax 55,254 gross tons 73.6 gross tons/pp Now I'm not saying anyone chooses a cruise based on gross tonnage per passenger, but the size of that delta did surprise me. It's quite possible Crystal could claim to be "the most spacious ships at sea." I'd market that hard.

Oh, so you wanna dance? Over here, we've got those local boys 5 Guys and up the northeast that little behemoth called Shake Shack started. And any moment now Patty will be along to throw Whataburger into the mix, now expanding to Kansas City at the request of that Texas boy and two time Super Bowl winning quarterback, Patrick Mahomes(OLoPP insists I mention that part.) So there.

Had to search on that one, but I see your point. Also, I think you're on to something. The answer of course is: Ray Kroc!

Drat, so close! A name on the SoCal dining scene in the 80s who isn't Puck or Selvaggio..... Man, that's mighty slim pickings. (Sorry Bryan.) All the names that come to mind, and there are more than a few, are Bay area chefs. Ken Hom maybe?

I must update my "Evil Corporate Overlords" org chart.

Well, it's not Gordon Ramsey(seriously, can you believe his new DC place is booked solid 90 days out? Talk about selling the sizzle.) Anyway, my shot in the dark is Andre Soltner.

To anyone who even remotely believes that Crystal will expand the designated smoking areas, please explain the business logic behind such a decision. And "they worked for Silversea" doesn't cut it. They came over from a cruise line, not RJ Reynolds(Altria these days.)

I'll stick to the kitchen and leave that to FOH.