ak1004

Yes, but do you believe they will be successful with less than 30% load that current sailings have? Even inaugural sailing with all the excitement was only 60% full. When Oceania debuted with the Vista, most of the inaugural season sailings were sold out months in advance. And they have 6 more ships. Apparently this is not happening with Crystal, with only 2 ships. Most people don't care that Crystal has to make money. They look what's best for them, not what's best for Crystal.

There are a lot of examples of C loyalists mentioning that Crystal is “far superior” to other luxury lines. Here is one recent example from a random search.

This might be an average across all destinations and categories, definitely not the average on categories and destinations I looked at. To me it is very clear: entry level cabins on 10-12 nights European sailings went from $500-510 to $600-670. This is actually more than 20%.

Well, everyone is told that wine is good, so they feel they must like it, but me and my wife don't touch. I feel the same about sushi. So what? But at least we respect other people's choices and don't call it raw rice with raw tuna.. To me, caviar is a real delicacy because I like it not because it's considered a luxury product. I don't like many things that considered luxury products.

Of course they are. But apparently not too many agree with you, based on the current load of 20% on the current Serenity sailing..

To me, it wasn't negative. It was balanced and objective, definitely more positive than negative. Maybe his conclusion that "It was good, but not exceptional, and in our opinion no better than the other luxury lines." seemed not positive enough to Crystal loyalists who consider Crystal far superior to other luxury lines..

Well, I'm not sure why you are putting words in my mouth, but let me clarify this one more time. I never implied that any kind of perks is happening or not happening on Crystal or any other line. I just pointed out that whatever the reviewer mentioned about "lack of engagement by management and officers with guests who are not known" was our feeling as well, and we did not have a similar feeling on other lines. This feeling or lack of it might be subjective, and does not imply that regulars on Crystal or any other line get any special treatment. They might or they might not. Someone also mentioned recently on another board that they have sailed OC and was definitely not made to feel ‘one of the family’. This was our impression as well. Beyond this we enjoyed OC very much and would definitely return if their pricing was more in line with other luxury lines. Based on the number of guests on the current Serenity sailing, looks like many other people share the same sentiment.

I never said it's actually happening on Crystal or any other line, I just provided a few examples of how special treatment might look like. As @Keith1010 mentioned (and I agree 100%), I really don't know if it is happening. So maybe it's not. Or maybe it does. Or maybe it doesn't on other lines. Or maybe it does.

I searched CC - https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?cl=34&startDate=2023-12&length=6-9 But SB Canadian site

You are right. I don't really care. Some people do. What special treatment? How about getting your favorite timeslot in specialty restaurant? Or getting a better table in the restaurant (not that I care much, but again, some people do). Getting a space in a sold out excursions? Or sold out class? I don't know if this is actually happening, but there are a lot of ways to favor a guest. To us, it was not obvious on SS who are the first timers, but very obvious on Crystal. Again, I couldn't care less - we sail to see the world, not to become friends with the staff. But this is something you cannot ignore.

To some degree yes.. but it's much more extreme on Crystal than on other lines.

Personally I couldn't care less if staff members call me by name or not. But as you mentioned, some guests are more sensitive, so this is something to be aware of. Also, many mentioned that the staff remembers your preferences after 2-3 days, regardless if you are new or returning member. Never happened to us on Crystal (but to be fair, never happened on SS as well - the only cruise we experienced this was Uniworld). But I think the most important sentence in the whole review is this: It was good, but not exceptional, and in our opinion no better than the other luxury lines. Yes, just one opinion from just one guest. But to me it speaks volume and matches exactly our experience.

Personally I haven't experienced this on any line, except Crystal. On our first SS sailing we didn't see any difference and you couldn't really tell who is regular and who is not. On Crystal is was very obvious. Same on our recent Uniworld cruise. We met people who sailed with Uniworld 15-20 times. They got exactly the same treatment as us. On our Crystal sailing, the cruise director was very friendly and approachable to the regulars. To us, not so much. We were invisible to him. So no, I don't think this is normal, and I don't think it's the same in the local restaurant.

Not sure what's the excitement.. SB has 7 nights Caribbean cruises starting around $2,100 USD..

I checked a typical Mediterranean sailing of 10 nights. Prices started at $500/night in 2023-2024 and jumped to $600+ in 2025.

Well, I definitely don't see the increases on other lines..SS, SB and Regent 2025 prices are very similar to 2024.

A review of the new Crystal from a paying customer (not paid influencer) - https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=704902 Key points: Generally a lack of engagement by management and officers with guests who are not known Apparent two tier service levels with regular known guests receiving warmer service and more indulged Overall this was a very enjoyable quality cruise experience on a 20 year old ship, which is partially refurbished. This surprised us as it doesn’t quite match what the launch publicity and “influencers” would have you believe. It was good, but not exceptional, and in our opinion no better than the other luxury lines. And eye opener for all new potential Crystal customers.

Nobody is concerned that 2025 prices are higher by 20% compared to 2024 already high prices?

Congratulations! Black caviar that has been considered one of the most luxury and delicious foods for centuries, has been just downgraded to "salty slime". We feel the same. And I actually have to thank Crystal for raising their already crazy 2024 prices by another 20%, it probably sealed the decision not to sail on Crystal.

Yes, but we had a similar feeling when sailing on the Old Crystal back in 2019. Seeing the cruise director so friendly and social with so many guests while completely ignoring us was a bit wired. We still had a great time, and would gladly return if they had reasonable prices, but this is something to be aware of. We haven't experienced this on any other line.

Yes, kind of.. They have a small lounge where they display a few items, and if you are interested in one of them, you inform the front desk and they get it for you.

So far there is one review of the new Crystal - https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=704902 Key points: Generally a lack of engagement by management and officers with guests who are not known Apparent two tier service levels with regular known guests receiving warmer service and more indulged Overall this was a very enjoyable quality cruise experience on a 20 year old ship, which is partially refurbished. This surprised us as it doesn’t quite match what the launch publicity and “influencers” would have you believe. It was good, but not exceptional, and in our opinion no better than the other luxury lines. This review summarizes it very well. We felt the two tier service levels too - apparently, to feel "like family", you need to sail with them at least 5-10 times. Thank you, but no thank you..

Even on SS board, there are many people who sail on different lines. For every person who finds Crystal superior, you will find equal number of people who prefer SS,SB etc. I agree with you about entertainment and enrichment. However, we found the service and food comparable. And for port intensive itineraries, entertainment and enrichment are less important.

Those prices are not opinions, they are facts. And the simple fact is that before Covid Crystal prices were significantly lower than SS/SB, for a good reason. Now they are significantly higher. And Crystal 2025 prices are 20% higher than 2024 prices. I wanted to try the new Crystal, but there are so many equally good options around at significantly lower prices.

Crystal just released 2025 itineraries. European sailings of 10-12 nights start at $600 USD per night for OV 215 cabin, and $900/night for 323 sqft veranda. Those guys live in a fantasy world. But with only 2 ships and so many hardcore fans, they might be able to fill the ships, who knows.