Texas Tillie

I've sailed on the new Crystal and the service is as good as ever and the food is even better, if you can imagine. To the OP, Viking, Oceania and Azamara are not the true luxury lines, people often refer to them as luxury light. The true luxury lines are Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea and Regent. There's a new line, Explora, owned by the European line MSC. I have heard mixed reports on them.

I generally agree but think there are times when it should be obvious to the cruiser - the Middle East these days, for example. Having to adjust there might affect numerous cruises afterward. With the low water in the Panama Canal, I would guess some cruisers knew about the situation before changes and others didn't. Changing an embarkation, disembarkation port from Miami to Fort Lauderdale is no big deal as the distance from the Fort Lauderdale port to the Miami airport is closer than many ports to airports around the world. It is good that Crystal is now going to notify guests and travel agents. Patty

You can scroll to the right, but it does need to be fixed. Basically it says the Nova isn't up to prior Silversea standards, the Royal Caribbean bean counters are in control.

Check where the OP posts. I see Regent and Crystal.

It's my understanding there are a number of women who send their husbands to the spa to use the showers there so the women can get ready in the evening alone. The showers have all the shampoo, soap, etc., and even provide disposable razors. Things like this separate Crystal from the mass market cruise lines.

I've been known to order a double portion of an appetizer as my main. If it's already on the menu it's "my pleasure"! Patty

It's Julius Meinl, an Austrian brand. Old Crystal started using that brand on their river boats and then on the ocean ships. Just an FYI, the only really good coffee has always been in the Bistro and I found it to be the same this past August. Patty

Another case where the English doesn't translate to the American. Since Silversea operates on the US dollar, I guess they use the American definition! 😁

It was pointed out on another site that this cruise starts in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan. Anyone else see there might be any number of issues with that? Patty

Landry's is part of a huge national chain where all the food is pretty much the same at all the restaurants around all the country. Gaido's is a local institution. Which would you prefer?

I was on that segment from Tokyo to San Francisco. I'd booked a flight later than I might from a US port and was so glad. Was supposed to be on a Crystal transfer that went to a hotel first but they had to take us directly to the airport. This was the longshoremen trying to show the port authority who was boss.😵 Patty

Do I remember a sign at the bridge into the port that lists the ships that day by terminal? I also remember being able to see the ship and say to the taxi driver, it's that one over there! 😉 Patty

Sometimes the devil is in the details, like what would the single supplement be if you use this offer? Patty

OK for me just now in the US using Chrome. Patty

I've done one cruise on the new Crystal (for those who aren't aware, is now owned by the former owner of Silversea who took a "boat load" of money from Royal Caribbean for the line) and everything was as good as before and some things better - food, especially, and it was the best before. Entertainment and enrichment was as good as before. I'll be back in mid-January for the first segment of the world cruise. I would never consider a ship within a ship as a solo cruiser. Not interested in being "next door" to 3000 to 6000 of my "nearest and dearest".

I've found that the entertainment and enrichment on Crystal is better than anything I have experienced on mass market ships. YMMV

I was introduced to the Chinois Chicken Salad at the Grill on Symphony years ago. Always enjoyed watching the guys make it in the stainless steel bowl. When I went to Serenity back during the days of Silk, it tasted the same but was about half the size as the one from Symphony. When on the Serenity this past August, I thought the dressing had changed, similar but something was different. It will definitely be on my lunchtime menu in January on the Serenity. Patty

Dry dock, or more likely, wet dock? Patty

Why is there a discussion about NCL on a board that is supposed to be devoted to luxury cruising? I don't see how the whole idea of a ship within a ship on a mass market line can be considered luxury.

The reception in the captain's quarters has always been early enough that people can also do most evening activities. Since dining rooms open at 6:30, this is a good time for people who dine earlier, and that's more Crystal cruisers than not.

Since Aquamarines and Sapphires no longer get in cabin food service from the specialty restaurants and they don't have "penthouse" in their names, I'm guessing they aren't. The Junior and Crystal Penthouses have other perks, too. Patty

Wondering if 250 is the number of paying guests and 285 includes the entertainers, lecturers, Ambassador Hosts, etc. ? Patty

Your watermelon looks suspiciously like pineapple to me! 😱😳😱 Patty

I have not been on any of the lines you have experienced, but from what I've heard from other Crystal cruisers who have experienced one or several of them, Crystal is head and shoulders above most and at least noticeably better than any of them. The food and beverages (all included except very premium labels) is included and the service is top notch. Also, the entertainment and enrichment is much better quality and quantity than you might expect on a ship with as few passengers as you find on Crystal. No evening buffet, but I don't think anyone misses it. Crystal is not as formal as Cunard, but you can dress up on "formal optional" evenings. Minimum standard on those evenings men need to wear a jacket but a tie is optional. You'll see everything on men on those evenings from a blazer with dress slacks and a dress shirt, no tie, to tuxedos. See that you're British, so I know you call those pieces of clothing something else, but guess you know what I mean! 😉 I don't think you would be disappointed with Crystal. Patty

Remembering a lecturer, a retired US 4 star general, no uniform but his cuff links had 4 diamonds indicating his rank. I wouldn't have noticed except we were sitting next to each other on bar stools in the Cove. Patty