Whipsnade

Just got a report there will only be 165 world cruisers on Serenity. Big drop from OC.

Just announced that we will not be calling at Alotau PNG due to continuing civil unrest. Substituting Darwin. Too bad as Alotau was only new port for us. Certainly no need for us to even take the shuttle to downtown Darwin. Besides, will be blasted hot and humid. Also sounds like we will scoot into Cairns tomorrow ahead of Cyclone Kirrily.

Will look for it. No comment from Symphony Captain at last night party.

They sure are note going to carry them all around Africa with no stops except for fuel and I doubt they will want to risk them through the Red Sea. Maybe we will hear from someone on board Serenity with better info.

We are on Symphony now. Looks like about 100 pax to Bali. Not sure after that. much speculation about whether we will get as far as Mumbai. If you consider time, mileage and speed it looks like Singapore is logical time to kick us off and then deadhead around Africa to get to the lucrative Med season. suspect Serenity will do the same although they are a few weeks behind us.

That is pretty much what I would guess looking at the map.

Theobald 100% correct. I have been on cruises in West Africa which had been marketed two years in advance and only 40% occupancy. Cutting out late winter Indian Ocean cruises and sailing full steam around Africa only having to stop for fuel and getting to the Med in time to make all full and lucrative spring and summer cruises makes a lot of sense. We will be on Singapore to Mumbai on Symphony but I am betting they will kick us off in Singapore and head straight for the Cape. So we will get some $$ back and a nice cruise credit. Sure won’t be the end of the world.

LOL

Betting this won’t happen as ship most likely to reroute around Africa to Med rather than risk traversing Red Sea. Houthis would love nothing better than a juicy cruise ship to target.

Both MSC and Silversea have canceled Red Sea area cruises. Some will dead head around Africa to get ready from Spring in the Med. We will board Symphony on 1/21 for 68 days to Mumbai. I am sure this will be a big topic of fact and scuttlebutt. Will report.

Thanks! That explains it. We are heading to board Sumphony in Sydney for two months. Sure it will be in the mail when we return.

Still nothing inNYC. Have called left message no return call. Will persist.

Not me!! But if I did I would certainly never breathe a word to a soul!! Hint, hint Mr Crystal.

I think we cannot underestimate the effect current troubles in middle east especially in Red Sea have on many cruisers who are not as familiar with geography as regular cruisers are. Right niw even I would not be sailing Red Sea and doubt any ships now in Asia will take this route back to the Med. And the West Africa segments have never sold well anyway.

I hope Tillie is right but I have been doing this for 50 years and I have heard a dozen times from cruise lines and hotels who vowed to never cut prices to fill the Hotel/ship. In the end when the chips are down they all cave.

In the past when cruise companies like old Crystal ran light in that part of the world they would sell cheap in Australia and pick up a lot of pax. Please tell me it won’t be 89 pax Sydney to Bali. Will be like a tomb!

Only 89 Sydney to Bali??!! We will be two of them. Guess I won’t have much trouble getting a lane in the pool. Never been on a ship with so few pax except a river boat. Wonder if all the venues will be open. Hoping this report is an error.

Odyssey Art at Sea will be on all Crystal sailings. They are the best at this. Plenty of variety from watercolor to sculpture. All teachers are well regarded artists and teachers of their specialty.

The Endeavour cost over $300 million to build. A duplicate today would probably be closer to $600 million. By the time NC. Builds a new luxury expedition ship probably be $750 million. $275 million was a bargain for that ship.

If there are any new ships the first will be an expedition ship for sure. Too bad NC/AK did not snap up the already built Crystal Expedition ship before Silversea grabbed it. A magnificent vessel. But any firm announcement needs to be followed with a contract to build. Then it will be wait in line at any major yard. At best, any new Crystal ship is five years away. So can they survive that long in the luxury market with two 30 year old ships? Since OC closed down two years ago we have all been trying Silversea, Regent, Seabourn and now Explora. Many of us have found we like various aspects of them. They already have new ships nearing completion. In the next three years there will be at least a half dozen new luxury ships. Knowing all this, if you were a bank would you lend NC a couple billion to build two or more luxury ships that won’t hit the ocean for another six to eight years??!!

I am betting Crystal new builds will not materialize. NYK and Genting could never make these ships profitable. Niw with the reduced pax capacity and low bookings I cannot see any lender bankrolling new builds that are anything like the Crystals we love. Hoping otherwise but I say enjoy them while they last. We will. Have four booked over next 18 months.

Reservation for steam ir sauna? As a long time Crystal sounds so foreign. Just walk in. I often use the shower there instead of suite. Bigger showers.

When any of these companies talk about “new builds” don’t believe a word until they announce a contract with a builder. I, too hope Crystal will be able to move forward but even with the cash they have they cannot compete with MSC and RCL. And with only 250 pax on board it is going to be tough sledding to get the $$ they need to expand. We board in Sydney on 1/21 for 68 days. Can’t wait.

Still waiting in NYC

I am in NYC. Still waiting. They claimed they did not have my address.