Focused1

1 hour ago, tinaincc said:

Sorry to hear that illness derailed your trip.  When you say quarantine do you mean self-quarantine or were you under ship mandated quarantine? Just curious.

I was under ship mandated quarantine and not allowed to leave my cabin until disembarkation.

Just a few comments on this recent cruise as it was disrupted on the third day having acquired COVID and quarantined to my cabin for the remainder of the cruise. Therefore, my comments are limited to the experience I had the first two days including my visit on the third day to the medical clinic. This was our first Crystal cruise having sailed many times with Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn. We anxiously looked forward to the trip to celebrate a milestone anniversary and booked a Sapphire Suite on Deck 9.
 

We were pleased with the eagerness to serve attitude of the crew members. It was obvious that they were trying very hard to provide the best service possible.  The ship, in general, is beautiful, tastefully renovated and well maintained.  With 1/2 capacity (around 325 passengers), nothing was crowded, providing a very comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. 

We were mostly pleased with the Sapphire suite except for the very small closet and the opaque glass door off the entry foyer that opened into the bathroom. (If one was using the facility, anyone entering the suite could actually see their silhouette.) What were the designers thinking?  Our butler, Prince, was an old Crystal employee who returned, and was excellent and attentive. Our cabin stewards were also outstanding. 
 

We dined in the Italian restaurant and Waterside the first and second nights, respectively. Both were very good.

However, experience with the Spa was substandard at best. That is, none of the pre booked appointments appeared in their system plus their published prices were higher by $10 or more than what was posted on the Crystal website. Reception Spa staff seemed confused and unable to resolve the simplest of problems including the scheduling of appointments. The one service I did receive was incomplete. ( All things considered, it didn’t matter because my subsequent illness precluded me from attending the remainder of my appointments. )

Also, experience with the medical clinic was an issue. On the third day of the cruise, I visited the clinic feeling unwell.  I thought it might be COVID but the ship doctor insisted that there was NO COVID on the ship. He prescribed antibiotics and said I would feel better the next day. However, my condition worsened two days later and I was finally tested positive for COVID and quarantined for the remainder of the cruise. It was too late to begin any antiviral treatment. Needless to say, this was an unfortunate event and I was quite ill for the remainder of the cruise but well taken care of by our butler and cabin stewards (for which I am deeply grateful). 

3 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

As Alexander Pope put it so nicely:

 

I have many years magnify’d in my own mind, and repeated to you a ninth Beatitude, added to the eight in the Scripture: Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

 

 

And Sylvia Plath said pretty much the same thing and we know what happened to her. I prefer Somerset Maugham’s outlook:

“It's a funny thing about life: if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.” – W. Somerset Maugham

38 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

I missed what you first said.  Can you enlighten me?

Was just referring to the fact that one can check their booking on the Crystal website to accurately determine how many days until sailing. But, then realized the poster was referring to the second leg of the trip so my comment wasn’t relevant to the question (assuming only the first departure date shows on the website). 

Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.

Deleted

Just read an interview article about avid Crystal fan, Keith and his family,  on the Crystal website.  Beautiful family, Keith!

We are booked on the Serenity August 30 to September 8, 2023 Reykjavik to Reykjavik cruise. It is our first Crystal Cruise having previously sailed with Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking, Uniworld, and a number of the other larger lines. 

20 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

This looks to be more official to me since it is the Iceland Port Schedule and Serenity is listed so I would feel good about that.

 

https://www.faxafloahafnir.is/cruiseships/

 

Keith

Thank you, Keith. You are always so helpful to posters. I was not aware of this website. 
 

We just booked the Serenity for the Reykjavík to Reykjavik cruise on August 30.  I am not seeing the ship listed on the Cruisemapper website for either its departure or return date at this port. Is this something one should expect given the ship is still under renovation and is not officially sailing? Just a bit concerned.

Haven’t seen his name mentioned in any of the postings over the past few months. Just wondering as we thought he was a great CD when we cruised with him on Regent. 

Have been enjoying your beautifully written travelogue.  

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/10/politics/us-to-end-pre-departure-testing-requirement/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1lGJg5piZ_GeAgYNiD8Oy8dbtp7dYPVbXRmKmckz6fXfcuGECXAflinwg

On 5/12/2022 at 6:44 PM, longterm said:

I didn't know that there were OBCs to be had for river cruises; has anyone on here actually received OBCs from a TA for a river cruise?

Yes, I have received a rather large rebate (choice of rebate or OBC). Not much to spend OBC on a river cruise.

Does anyone know if John Barron (formerly CD with Regent) is back with Seabourn?

Thank you for posting your experiences and candid opinions while on the Silver Moon. We were originally booked on the Lima to BA leg, January 19 but cancelled in December. Looks like it was the right decision. Very glad you and your wife are home safely with memories of an “unforgettable” trip. 
 

1 hour ago, dawntrdr said:

I don't think you can transfer to a TA if you start with an in-house cruise consultant, and vice-versa.  There is an exception if you book onboard with the  SS "Future Cruise Consultant" -  she/he will transfer the booking to your TA of choice...but that of course is not available to you since this is your first cruise.

 

It is a matter of opinion and personal experience as to whether the SS Cruise Consultant or the TA does a better job.  My experience is that the Cruise Consultant is more informed and moreover always gets me some onboard credit to use.   Other people just love their TA''s.  I have even heard of TA's who share their commission with the customer.  Either way, as a first time booker, you should definitely ask about onboard credit because a new customer relationship is very important to the SS in-house people and they will be motivated to win your loyalty for future business.

You can book with a travel agent even after you booked through a Silversea agent as long as you transfer the booking within 30 days. You are much better off working with a travel agent who knows Silversea and will give you an OBC and other amenities, plus act on your behalf.  If you work with an internal rep, they are working on behalf of Silversea who has layers of bureaucracy to go through if you need anything out of the ordinary. 

We were also scheduled to be on the Jan 19 cruise from Ecuador to BA and cancelled about 10 days ago when we heard the same thing. Silversea has done its loyal customers a great disservice.  I feel terrible for those brave folks who ventured out and now will learn the truth. It is not Silversea’s fault that these countries are closing to cruise ships, but it is their fault for not conveying information quickly and decisively. 

Hands down, Seabourn's food and its presentation are far better than Silversea. Have sailed an equal time on both (but not since the pandemic).

Agree with several posters on comparison of Viking to Regent having sailed on both. We did a two week cruise on Viking from Auckland to Sydney in February 2019 and thought it was lacking many things that Regent provides. We didn’t expect a luxury cruise and we certainly didn’t get it even though the price was comparable once you add up costs.  
Our aft Explorer Suite, the second highest level accommodation, was sparse and very tight on space. Yes, the bathroom floors are heated but they are also very small and the shower and bathtub are both in a wet room and not separate. Service is just okay. The dining room was very crowded, loud, rushed and slow. Food was mediocre at best. Complimentary and very standard wine is serve at lunch and dinner. Otherwise, you must buy a drink package. It was a big deal each time when we tried to order a cocktail or another wine having to show our card, etc.  After a few nights dining, we decided to use the reservation only specialty dining rooms which were quite good. The only downside was the need to get your name on a waitlist each time. On the good side, afternoon tea is the best in that it is served in a lovely conservatory type venue with live classical music.  The free tours at every port are merely overcrowded bus tours but you can purchase more in depth tours for a very reasonable price.  All in all, we wouldn’t take another Viking cruise and would stay with our usual Regent, Silversea or Seabourn. 

I tend to agree with Les37b but still remaining hopeful.  Here is an email I just received from a Silversea insider when I posed the question:

"No. We have not announced and do not plan on canceling any voyages to these regions. We plan on resuming sail to Antarctica this upcoming November and also to South America."

Has anyone heard from Silversea about the South America cruises in January/Feb 2022?  Today, another cruise line cancelled cruises to that area for 2022. We are booked on the Jan 19 sailing and received flight arrangements today. 

Scheduled cruise date: 4/6/21

Cancelled and requested deposit refund: 5/17/20

Credit card refund received: 6/4/20

We were on the Ovation in a corner penthouse spa suite. Lots of room and an excellent closet plus a window in the bedroom. However, I agree with the previous poster that the small amount of window and sliding door space in the living area is a disadvantage. Plus, you definitely rock and roll in rough weather. If I had it to do over again I would choose a regular penthouse on the lower decks, mid ship. 

5 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

I rather think that we are over-reacting to this virus.   Yes - it infects a lot of people.  Like the flu does.  And yes, people die.  Similar (but it seems actually fewer) than those who get the seasonal flu.    (I would like to see the statistics on that...)

 

The majority of those who have died seem to have been over 80.  And in poor health.  And that, to me, is totally understandable.  As is the fact that far more people have died in China than elsewhere.  Maybe because the virus was "covered up" for some time before statistics were announced ??

 

I worry about the flu every winter.  I get a flu shot. I take my Bronco Vaxom.  I have a tendency to get pneumonia (based on a childhood illness in the '40s)   So far I am still alive.  And plan to stay so as long as I can.  Eventually I will die.  That I am afraid is life!  I cannot spend my days worrying about all this nor can I second guess people trained in medecine.

 

For the moment I plan to go on with things, flying to SFO on 6 March.  Boarding Splendor on 14th March (hurray!!).  And I will deal with what comes when it comes - IF it does.

 

 

I like your outlook on this. So true. You do the best you can to prevent illness and deal with it when and if it happens. In the meantime, enjoy every minute doing what you love.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise on the Splendor in March.