ryndam

Since this thread has morphed into a hot dog and pizza discussion (probably my fault for originally posting the link to the Icelandic hot dog stand), here's a couple of regional variations that will the purists will likely abhor. (Chicago-style and Sonoran style). Sorry for starting this!!!! 🤣🙄🤭 Rob

For those interested in a point-of-comparison to the current single, ocean-view and ocean view/balcony rooms after the current refit, here are some pictures of Symphony's "regular" balcony room taken in January 2020. The PDF file is taken from Crystal's current online brochure for comparison. Rob Symphony Guest Room with Verandah.pdf

We enjoyed the chef's tasting menu here. The absolute freshest seafood imaginable! Less than 5 minute walk from any downtown hotel. (Click the "EN" translation button or the British flag icon in the upper right of the websites for the English translation.) https://www.fiskmarkadurinn.is/matsedill https://www.fiskmarkadurinn.is/ Rob

Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rekcuqq-reykjavik-konsulat-hotel/ If the ship is docked in the old port downtown, this hotel is a 5-10 minute walk from the pier. It is also immediately adjacent to the most famous hot dog stand in Iceland, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur! Rob

Check out the weekend hotel rates in S.Florida. Primetime pricing. $$$$ 🤪😳 Rob

From the FAQ section on the Crystal website: Formal Evening On sailings over seven days, there will be at least one optional ship-wide formal night (depending on the length of the segment), which will require more formal cocktail chic attire. These special events will be defined in your personal pre-sailing guide. Suggestions for a Formal Evening look: Women Cocktail dresses or gowns Suits Evening skirts or pants with an elegant top Evening shoes Men Suits or tuxedos Shirts Dress shoes Ties (optional)

Based on current sailing schedules, Serenity is sailing from Miami until it returns from the World Cruise in June 2024. FLL sailings later. FWIW, FLL has 8 cruise ships with 28,000+/- arrivals/departures on 9 December 2023, so congestion isn't much better in FLL than in MIA.

For those debarking and/or embarking in Miami on 2 December 2023, there are 8 cruise ships with a combined total of 22,000+/- passengers scheduled to arrive/depart that day. Plan your port arrival and transportation accordingly. Rob Miami Departures 2 Dec 2023.pdf

I guess I never paid attention to the asymmetrical arrangement of the tenders. Learn something new everyday. 😁🙂 FWIW, I prefer the higher headroom in Serenity's tenders, compared to the head-knocker bulkheads in Symphony's tenders... Rob

It does appear that there are now three tenders (at least on the starboard side) of the ship. Before the current refit, there were a total of 4 shore tenders/lifeboats (2 each side), 4 "regular" lifeboats (2 each side) and the 2 smaller, staff-only boats (2 each side). Unless there is only 1 shore tender/lifeboat on the starboard side now, the picture in post #37 above shows 3 shore tenders/lifeboats, the 1 staff-only boat, but the "regular" lifeboat has been removed and replaced by the new deck 8 Crystal Penthouse. And the design of the 3 new tender/lifeboats appears different than pre-refit. Does anyone know if the ship received new tenders as part of the refit? Rob

Here's a 2019 broadside view of Symphony I took in November 2019.

This is a good broadside photo that clearly shows how the new Deck 8 Crystal penthouse was sandwiched in between the lifeboats. And how all the previous balcony dividers were removed to create the larger suites. Thanks for sharing. Rob

No idea. This is new territory for all of us. Perhaps another CC member can post their current/recent experiences for us here. Rob

On the Crystal website, click “itinerary”for the cruise you are sailing. Next to each port is a “+” symbol. Click the + and the current shore excursions for each port show up. There are no prices shown. And not every port has excursions offered. Rob

So many of the table-side preparations, including the cheese carts, were discontinued (Caesar salads, steak tartare, steak Diane, bananas foster, crepe suzette, etc.) when Crystal went to the open seating concept. After open seating, the only table-side preparation I can recall was when the waiter de-boned the Dover sole tableside. Rob

And another Seatrade article published today. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/food-and-beverage/taste-and-toast-crystal-symphony Rob

This article is an interesting read and describes the differences between the original canal locks and the newer Neopanamax locks. https://splash247.com/the-panama-canal-setting-the-record-straight/

A bit small of an area. My guess is a repurposing of Pulse to a casino. There’s already a bar in that room.

Your cruise next September is within the 520+/- day credit card dispute window determined by the major credit card issuers. As many of us discovered, any advance deposits for any service/travel/product/etc. older than 520+/-days in advance will not be protected by your credit card issuer. You should be financially protected for a scheduled September 2024 cruise.

Available to book and reserve online 60 days before sailing.

Flexibility is the operative word here. In the past, we've been fortunate to enjoy multiple dining opportunities at Umi by asking the restaurant manager when additional days/times were available, rather than requesting a specific day/time later in the cruise. Generally, we have been able to secure a 2-top at 8:30pm+/- without much difficulty, even on shorter cruises. If a day/time could not be confirmed immediately, we asked to be placed on a waiting list, which generally cleared within 48 hours or so, with a confirmed day/time. Table size also is a consideration; there used to be very few larger tables that could accommodate 6 or more people. Looking at the photos of the refurbished Umi, it appears that there are even fewer larger tables in the new configuration than there were in the previous decorating scheme. Rob

Welcome home, Keith & Anne Marie, albeit to record breaking hot and dry weather. (It's been hotter in Austin all summer than here in Houston.) Wishing a rapid healing to you both. Thank you for sharing your time with us the past 3+ weeks. Rob & Jim

St. Barth, as several other world ports, appear to restrict the size of cruise ships as well as the number of cruise passengers/day that are allowed to anchor on any given day. Perhaps there’s a scheduling conflict, with Crystal coming late in the game. St. Martin ( the French side) is lovely. And also affords an opportunity for a day trip to Anguilla, if interested. Rob

Been in #7016. Furthest forward cabin we've ever been on a Crystal ship. Felt every bump, wave, roll and pitch. I would not even guess the additional movement up on deck 10, even further forward. Then again, some do enjoy the roller-coaster-ride-at-sea. We'd never book a room forward of the forward stairs; too bumpy. Rob

Thank you for posting the link. Much appreciated.