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Unless the protocol has recently changed, luggage tags are distributed on the pier by the shoreside porters. The only information that gets written on the tags is your cabin number, in a big, black (or red) marker. Easy peasy. Takes less than 60 seconds (unless you're traveling with an overabundance of luggage!). Rob

Bon Voyage Larry & Monica. Have a safe and stress-free journey! 🚢🛳️ Rob

On a semi-related subject, Seatrade Cruise News reports that HAL has re-routed its 2025 WC to avoid the Red Sea. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/holland-america-revises-2025-world-cruise-avoid-red-sea

On a semi-related subject, Seatrade Cruise News also reports that HAL has re-routed its 2025 WC to avoid the Red Sea. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/holland-america-revises-2025-world-cruise-avoid-red-sea

From Seatrade Cruise News: https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/safety-security/crystal-strongly-refutes-any-incident-red-sea-deadhead-transit

Vince, re: cuisine. On our 30+ days onboard this past January, on the sea days that Waterside was serving lunch, every single item that was offered in Waterside was also available in Marketplace, albeit in a self-serve mode, rather than served tableside by a staff member. In addition, there were way more selections and varieties available in Marketplace that were not offered on the served lunch menu in Waterside. Re: ambiance. Casual self-service is a different atmosphere than a more formal restaurant. Rob

Welcome back, Vince. We've been missing your observations! Rob

And the last time we were in Alaska, during the first two weeks in July, the temps barely hit 50-55 deg during the day, with a wind chill in the 30’s when the ship was moving. Just shows the unpredictable temp swings possible in Alaska. Rob

I beg your pardon. I spent considerable time and effort during 30+ days on Serenity in January-February 2024 and consistently posted my observations almost daily on a "live from" thread. My comments were certainly not all rose-colored, 5-star. I recall reading some of your observations that were also posted on that thread. Terry (sn Stickman) also did a very nice "live-from" Serenity on his most recent journey Tahiti-Aukland. I do not duplicate my efforts by repeating comments on the secondary CC "review board". I post my observations live, get home, unpack, start planning our next adventure and then move on. I also complete Crystal's emailed survey, which gives a greater opportunity to address issues directly to Crystal management, without posting potentially controversial comments on a public forum. There are so many available outlets for one to post their impressions, the specific/dedicated "cruise review" section of the CC message boards is probably my least visited forum of any available online cruise sites. Rob

Pure speculation on my part. No insider or advance knowledge. Just an intuition of fastest/least expensive opportunities requiring minimal investment: Serenity: 1. Sundry/gift shop - deck 7 (former "high roller" room under Genting ownership) 2. The Studio - deck 7 3. Pulse - deck 6 4. Waves/Fantasia - deck 12 (children's & teen's rooms) 5. Lounge - deck 7 (former casino; all or part) Symphony: 1. Jade - deck 6 (former "high roller" room under Genting ownership) 2. Waves/Fantasia - deck 11 (children's & teen's rooms) 3. Lounge - deck 6 (former casino; all or part) Time will tell. No flame-throwing, please. 😉😊 Rob

Interesting CV post-Crystal. Her short stint at Ponant is not even mentioned. https://apcoworldwide.com/people/edie-rodriguez/ And another: https://www.futurehospitality.com/sa/speakers/profile/edie-rodriguez Rob

From the Crystal website FAQ section: 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.

It is in your cabin once you board. I do not believe, other than the tour description and the cost, that this additional detailed information is available online, pre-boarding.

That may have been the protocol in the past. On our most recent cruise this past January, cancellation dates were 2-3 days prior to the excursion for virtually all ports. Some excursions required an even longer cancellation, in order not to assess a penalty. Attached is a copy of the shore excursion form from our last cruise. The cancellation dates are noted on page two of the attachment. Rob CRYSTAL DESTINATION EXPERIENCES REGISTRATION FORM.pdf

Many cruise lines, including the peer luxury cruise lines, offer enhanced internet packages at additional cost. This article was published on Cruise Critic in March 2023. The link below is for reference. Some components may have changed since its original publication date. One would need to investigate the individual cruise line's current Terms and Conditions to validate current offers. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/cruise-line-wi-fi-and-internet-packages

Try this thread. I believe it will address many of your questions.

Maybe it's just us. Or the area of the world we've been cruising. But we had no issues with the current shipboard internet during our 40+ days onboard Serenity this past December-February. And since these cruises were very port intensive, we generally opted to just use our devices connected to land servers while in ports. (In ports where we were docked pier-side, we could generally connect to the port's wifi from our balcony.) On a very few (i.e. less than 2) occasions when we needed to review some documents online, we just used the ship's terminals in the computer room, which were very fast and easy to use. We do not stream movies nor we do not try to hold Zoom or WebEx calls or try to access anything that requires large bandwidth while onboard. Perhaps that is why we have been satisfied with the current wifi service offered. Apparently, there are others that have needs that require more significant bandwidth, hence this proposed, additional cost alternative for those that may need this type of service. Rob

Thank you, Dwight, for continuing the WC journey. It does take time, effort and concentration to post impressions, menus and Reflections. It is most appreciated. Hopefully, you will enlist the assistance of other CC world cruisers during this segment, as well as the remaining upcoming segments on your way back to Miami. Again, thank you for allowing us to travel vicariously with you! Rob

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No. There are no outlets next to the beds in the classic configuration.

Safe travels home. Till our cruising paths cross again. 🌎🛳️🚢🖐️ Rob

Terry, thank you for posting every day's menus and Reflections. Been enjoying the vicarious travels along with you. Are you staying on the next segment to Perth? Rob

No, they do not. For us, the overall configuration of the classic arrangement outweighed the lack of outlets on either side of the bed. There were sufficient outlets on the desks to accommodate all our electronics. Others may find the need for bedside outlets more relevant than other features. Rob

Ditto. Received Alaska email this morning. First marketing email from Crystal since 2022.

Told 'ya! Glad you filmed the presentation for those that may not feel tempted to order it. Rob