Texas Tillie

I have been on Silversea as recently as Dec., 2022, and I vote with Keith. Patty

Thanks! One ticket so it should be easy peasy. Actually, it's an almost 4 hour connection and I'm in business class, so a stop at the club is in order before the gate.

I will be arriving at London Heathrow terminal 2 on a United from Houston. Will transfer to a TAP Portugal (United code share) also at terminal 2 to Lisbon. Will I have to go through passport control, claim my luggage, check my luggage and go through security there or will my luggage be checked through to Lisbon and I'll just stay in a secure area at LHR and only do immigration at Lisbon? Thanks.

Yes, as to Umi Uma, OO (the new Italian, I'm working on learning the name!) and Tastes, but 2 different times each night, 6 and 7:30, at Waterside. The specialties, I think you do sign up in advance, but Waterside, you just show up. I'll be on a week from Saturday and will know for sure then.

Keith, You do realize you haven’t answered the most important Bistro question, are there Portuguese tarts?!?!?! Patty

You are aware that many of the "balcony cabins" on Crystal have been enlarged?? I've never done an accounting, but I'd guess it's over 50% have been eliminated and converted to 50% larger suites. Patty

Many solos are booked in other than the solo cabins. I have 2 future cruises booked as a solo, neither in a solo cabin. According to Reflections posted, there are solo tables once in each of the specialty restaurants and a solo table every evening at either 6 or 7:30 at Waterside.

He will be on the Symphony as always. Patty

Wasn't that just one afternoon tea, the Mozart Tea, on each cruise? It was individual service with a "Tower of Treats" on every other day. How long has it been since you were on Crystal??

Do tell, what is your definition of 21st century tea service??

I'll be there too, also booking it independently. I have stayed there before, but back in 2010. It was nice then and all the photos show it has been updated since then. Not sure if Crystal is using it. Patty

The one set of Aquamarine photos above were of the Classic (original) with both a tub and a shower. The 2018 and 2023 iterations do not have a tub but a much larger shower.

See my comments to you on the thread where you suggested mass transportation from Houston to Galveston. How much are you planning to kick in? I do believe you do believe that money grows on trees.

Do you expect this mass transportation to be paid for by bus fairy (the tooth fairy's first cousin)? How much to plan on contributing with your increased taxes? You'd think money grows on trees!

All I can say is that is not my experience. The only "butler" I've had on Silversea was a young woman who had obviously just been promoted to the job. She was very nice but obviously in over her head. On Crystal I've had butlers who knew what they were doing and knew how to interact with the passengers. No need to respond, we totally disagree on anything to do with Crystal. Enjoy your cruising everywhere but Crystal.

I think I have it figured out. The old "standard" cabins, both with and without balconies, have had the bathroom remodeled and there's a shower only. What they are calling Aquamarine and Sapphire classics have tubs and showers. The remodels of those from 2018 and 2023 have showers only. The junior Crystal penthouses and the Crystal penthouses have tubs and showers. I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm "confused"!! Patty

Just made a discovery, if you go to the Crystal website and bring up the deck plans and hover over a specific cabin, it gives all the information including whether it's classic, the 2018 remodel or the 2023 remodel! Patty

I'm sure there will be photos/videos come Monday when the paying customers board!! Patty

It's interesting how people see the same thing through totally different lenses. I had already commented to someone that I was so pleased to see certain "little" things unchanged, including Reflections, the menu layout at Waterside, the same uniforms on the deck crew, etc. Patty

In the "old" Crystal there was a bottle of it in all the suites, not the steerage cabins, on embarkation, but that wasn't what was served throughout the ship as the included champagne. Expect the same with the "new" Crystal. So, the included champagne is still to be revealed! Patty

I understand that this isn't a bankruptcy exactly, but the procedure is similar. Most bankruptcies on a company of any size take years to resolve, so it's not surprising this one is taking however long it is taking. Patty

Make fun of me all you want, I can’t tell you how much I don’t care. Have heard of the others but what is “Pink”? The last pink I knew was the color of the walls of my bedroom growing up!! Patty

Yes, they need to understand that Galveston is still a long way from Dallas, the 300 miles mentioned above sounds about right. If flying, Dallas Love Field to Houston Hobby Airport on Southwest Airline is the best option. The cruise lines have shuttles from Hobby to Galveston.

Where on earth did you find that write up? The "old" Crystal had not had a 3 tier dress code in a number of years before bankruptcy. The dress code before bankruptcy had been a "country club casual" most nights and a formal optional for a few nights, never on 7 night cruises. There is controversy on the Crystal board about what the new dress code will actually be, but all will be revealed July 31.

We can eat together as you’ve just described as good as it gets from me. 😜😎😀 Patty