ryndam

Well, we all know about Crystals proofreading skills… it is pineapple.

Onboard Serenity now. Depending who you talk to, occupancy is 250-285+/-. Captain said at last nights reception there are 565 crew onboard. The next 2 7-nighters are low occupancy. Was told the Xmas cruise is nearly sold out and over 600 pax expected for the January 2024 cruises. Pricing for everything is higher than pre-Covid. Restaurants. Theater. Food. Fuel. Utilities. Water. Land packages. (Have you checked either A&K or Tauck’s per-firms for 2024? Makes Crystal seem a bargain!) And, yes, cruise prices across all lines are up, or prices have been “unbundled” so there’s a lower base price, and virtually everything else is a up charge. This is the new reality. I’m not expecting any significant price adjustments on Crystal anytime soon. Rob

Todays snack.

Asian specialty lunch in Marketplace today. Huge variety. The Thai coconut lemongrass soup was wonderful. Maybe I appeared unusually needy today, but I had a server following me around the buffet and carried everything back to the table. Also lunch served in Waterside. A much more traditional offering, for those that do not care for Asian cuisine. Weiner schnitzel and Dover sole on the menu tonite. Choices and decisions. Rob

Santa’s helpers appear to be done. Decorations appear to be concentrated on deck 6 and in the center atrium. Hadn’t noticed any on the upper decks. Rob

Todays programs, for those interested. Rob

Just closed down the Cove. Dinner was really amazing. Caviar. Escargot. Crab cakes. And an astounding cotton candy dessert perfection. Sinatra tribute show tonite. Wow. We’re not “Crystal cheerleaders”, but it really hard not to be impressed. Fwiw, I was acknowledged in the Crystal society party tonite as 5th most previous Crystal cruises. Nice. Another full sea day tomorrow. Asian specially lunch tomorrow. Stay tuned. Rob

Today’s snacks.

Individual tastes in decor differ. But I found the carpet selection in the 2023 renovated staterooms disturbing. Looks like bodily fluid spills. Maybe it’s just me…🤪🤣 Rob

Stateroom open house today. All categories. Rob

Today’s activities for those who may be interested. Rob

Oliver Holland. My opinion and my opinion only. Pleasant enough piano player. Sound level allows conversation with other guests. After discreetly asking a half dozen requests, and received an “I don’t know that, I don’t play that”, I just suggested he play whatever he’s comfortable from his songbook. Nice background music. Others may feel different. Rob

We’re in Aquamarine suite. Don’t know about other categories. Rob

3-4 weeks prior.

This afternoon’s snack.

Just ask your butler for hard copies. They’re delivered during turn down service. There are also hard copies in a rack on the reception desk.

Tastes for lunch today. Dumplings, sangria, Blue Moon and onion rings! Rob

Another cruise ship parking lot today in Nasssu. Rob

Santa’s helpers are out and about today.

Autocorrect has its own mind for spelling…lol

Most interesting feature of The Lounge (ex-casino) is this really neat model of Crystal Harmony. The Lounge was used for check-.in yesterday. Rob

Selection in the Bistro as varied as usual, but it’s not self serve. Not sure if this arrangement is permanent or a temporary experiment. Seems to work fine, but then again there’s only 350+/- onboard. Rob

Cardomon infused vodka, a very small splash of galleano, sprinkled with cinnamon and a few other aromatics. All the bartenders can make it, but it’s still the best when prepared by its inventor. 😄 Rob

Yesterdays and todays activities, for those that may be interested. Rob

Karma camelion martinis with its inventor, Abzul in the Avenue. And I requested Jim's favorite, Hallelujah, from the pianist. Plus indescribable other-worldly pizza at 11:30p. Crystal is back. And then some. Rob