travelberlin

I am very sorry to read that you got COVID during your cruise. I hope you recovered well. Your post reminds us that we have to be careful. I will take selbs tests for my next cruise just in case. Ivi

I am coming late to this thread. I have just learned via social media, that we will not go to St. Barths. It is a pity because I like St. Barths. But it is being replaced by Marigot, which I like also. So I guess it is fine. I would have preferred to be properly informed about this change. But it did not happen. One more thing to learn? Ivi

Thank you very much Rob for directing me to the other thread. I did not have any idea of the port change or of the previous discussion 😔. Ivi

My itinerary for a cruise with the Serenity has changed. The attractive port of St Barts has been replaced by Marigot. Does any body know the reason? What I find strange, is that no one has informed me about this change. I have only just learned via FB, although the itinerary change has apparently been done previous final payment (which I have already done). Is this normal that before sailing, an itinerary changes, and the guests are not informed? I have only experienced itinerary changes from other cruise lines in which I had received the information from my TA. Ivi

I think the US 125 is because of the solo cabin.

There are no transatlantics for the price you are mentioning. Look at the Royal web page. And I know because I am looking for one.

I would be grateful if you tell me which transatlantic could I find for US 50 per diem. Inside cabin in the lowest category? Not even that one. When you start adding taxes, drinks, internet and gratuities the per diems are for sure more then US 50.

Nice article. Thanks for sharing. Ivi

My invoice for one segment of the WC 2025 says: All Crystal cruises may be cancelled prior to the final payment date with only an administration fee being assessed. Once the respective final payment date arrives, the below fee structure applies. Cruise UNTIL 121 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FIXED RATE US 125.

Keith, The thread “Bistro- off topic and fun posts” was supposed to be “off topic”. At the moment it was created the “topic” was Crystal. This means that “off topic” should have been whatever it was fun and not Crystal related. However there are innumerable number of posts with pictures which only talk about Crystal on that Forum. For me those posts are “off topic” of the intended thread. Now in relation to mentioning other cruise lines and the experiences with other cruise lines in the Crystal Forum, apparently for some posters, who might not even consider other cruise line besides Crystal, it might no be relevant to hear about other cruise lines. But for other posters , specially those who have looked for alternatives to Crystal after the bankruptcy, experiences with other cruise lines trying to replace Crystal are very relevant. I am very thankful when some one describes its experience positive and negative with other cruise lines, because it reaffirms me that I am doing a good choice by booking with the New Crystal. And no, I do not want to go to other specific forums to find that information. I do not have the time for it and I only go to other forums when I am ready to book with that cruiseline. For example, my experience with Explora has made me book three Cruises with Crystal instead of Explora. I have told this on an earlier post in this thread and given the reasons of my disappointment with Explora. I find that information relevant for other Crystal guests and for Crystal management itself (good to know where the competition is disappointing). I find also relevant to learn that other people are making other experiences. Healthy, interesting exchange of opinions. It is very tiring to hear over and over again, to just post about Crystal. And even then, if someone allows himself some negative comments, a certain number of people jump and start minimizing whatever could be considered negative, telling their experiences were always wonderful and finally to move over. Mistakes on the forums of the Old Crystal are being committed again on this new forum. Same people, same mistakes. I guess we will just have to be patient and take it easy. Ivi

Thank you 😊 Ivi

Can we use the diamond drinks at the main restaurant while having dinner or at the buffet while having lunch?

5 included drinks for Diamonds? I have thought it was 4…

We get off topic even in the Bistro-off topic and fun posts 😂 take it easy… Ivi

Have you written a review? Can you tell us on which number of places the New Crystal can improve? Ivi

Back to topic…I like it. Post 127 gave us the introduction to this out of topic subject.

Terry, I am glad that you like Explora. What have I experienced with them? Onboard nothing! I had a B2B cruise for a total of about 21 days for February 2024 leaving from Brasil to Miami. It was cancelled. I rebooked for another cruise from Miami to Lisboa for May 2024. And this was again cancelled! They have cancelled all their cruises from middle of May 2024 and before that they have cancelled several cruises. I did not rebook again because they are offering shorter itineraries now. 7 days cruises on average. Not for me. And because I do not trust that Explora will not cancel those itineraries again. Why do I think that they are not delivering what they have promised? Fist they are not delivering the booked itineraries because they have cancelled them just like that. Not even a reason was given. Second other paying passengers have already written their reviews and some others have described the experience on board. Food, drinks, beautiful ships, on shore experiences and short itineraries sound very similar to MSC. For me, if I am going to get the service and experience from MSC, I prefer to book MSC and not Explora at higher prices. I am MSC Diamond Member and I like MSC. I would say it is a a 4 stars experience and in MSC Yacht Club a 5 Star Experience. But Explora was supposed to be better than MSC taking luxury to different levels, unrestricted access to all restaurants, except one, and making cruises a “journey “. More a six stars experience from the beginning to the end. Most of the reviews I have read, show this is not happening. So I have lost my trust on Explora, and I have booked 3 cruises with Crystal instead. I will also not hesitate to book MSC again for the MSC Grand Voyages from South America to Europe and Viceversa (beautiful ships, good food and drinks and a great alternative to flying). But for at least until 2025, I do not plan to book Explora again. Once more, I am glad you and Kerry and other Crystal clients who are onboard with you are enjoying the cruise. Your itinerary is certainly wonderful. You are privileged that your cruise was not cancelled. Ivi

Yes. But Explora has made a couple of mistakes. One of them was canceling itineraries. Another one, was advertising a fantastic luxury experience. Unfortunately it seems that it is not delivering what it has promised. I wish cruise lines were more careful about what they promise and would limit their use of superlatives. Their marketing specialists imagine and advertise as if the experience were unique, fantastic, etc.etc. And then it turns out to be that this can only be repeated by travel agents, influencers and cheerleaders. Ivi

Thanks a lot for your answers. I have chosen cabin 7591.

Thanks for your explanation Vince. I am surprised that Crystal has an extraordinary number of solo cruisers. Maybe that was for Old Crystal. However, I have cruised in several cruise lines also as solo, and I did not realized that this number was extraordinary higher for Crystal cruises. All cruise lines have a good number of solo cruisers, paying either a solo rate or full rate, what percentage of solo cruisers are cruising now with the New Crystal? I know the few solo cabins get sold very quickly but how many solo cruisers do you estimate are going to be willing to pay double for the cabins after their cruise of preference has been sold out? I think, that well travelled solo cruisers, do have limits on which per diems they are willing to pay for an itinerary. I least I know some people, including myself, that would not pay per diems which are above other comparable cruise lines. Ivi

Did you get your room already assigned?

I agree with this. Interesting that I was just exactly thinking the same..

Good to know…lets hope this Company is successful. Ivi

Repetition

Thanks for posting the link to the review. It is good to read the opinion of another Cruise Critic member. For me this shows that Crystal is real and it would not be perfect. I can live with the negative points listed on this review. When I only hear positive, and positive plus comments, somehow those comments raise expectations very high and once on board the disappointment is unavoidable. Too many just positive reviews achieve also doubts. Some times “less is more”. Ivi