sarahjaneb

Yes, we had 2 bottles of wine in our checked bags boarding the Ascent in Fort Lauderdale and had no issues. We also had a bottle in our carry on bags. Upon debarkation, the table of confiscated items that people were able to retrieve was filled with irons and steamers, not alcohol.

We just returned from the Ascent and had cabin 12171, just a few down from yours and below the pool. We occasionally heard chairs being moved but it wasn’t bad at all. There was a party held on Valentine’s Day on 14 and the thumping music and amplified DJ went until 12:30am which was awful but guest relations said they don't do that party every sailing. The room was great and we are of the group that loves the Infinite Balcony. Happy to answer any other questions you may have. -Sarah

10 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

I tip in Swiss francs (my home currency and far more solid than the Euro or the dollar) and also in Euros.  Dollars - only if I have been in the US before the cruise. (Otherwise I wouldn't have any).

 

  Basically as long as you choose a respectable currency (maybe not Zimbabwe dollars!) the crew member has to convert them to her/his home currency anyway.  (Unless they have an external bank account...unlikely!)

 

Tips are welcome even if in USD!  

Thank you! My original question was regarding cash currency and what is most appreciated by the hard working staff so I appreciate your input.

45 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

We have been told by a couple butlers and different staff that any money given directly to any employee remains with that employee. There is no pooling of tips except for standard gratuity.

If true, that is good news indeed. Thank you. 

24 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

it does not matter  they have to turn them in 

If you do not remove the auto tips  then staff member will get the $ back

 We usually give  the staff an envelope with  a note of thanks & cabin #  so the Purser can check  for auto tips

Interesting. I did not know they had to turn them in. I’ve always tipped as I go along for exceptional service in addition to the auto tips. 

Hello,

We are sailing on the Sirena from Rome to Barcelona and typically like to leave cash tips. Wondering if Euros would be better for staff or USD. 
Thanks in advance,

Sarah

Wow, that Culinary Center offering looks like an ideal fit for me. 
Too bad the Sirena doesn’t have the capacity but thrilled other sailings have cooking to look forward to!

5 minutes ago, Snaefell3 said:

Nope.  The R-Class (Sirena) ships don't have the classroom kitchens.

Thank you, would love to join classes on another sailing. 

Thank you, good to know.

Are classes not available on all ships? We are on the Sirena and there have never been cooking classes listed on the Other Options tab since we booked 6 months ago.

2 Days:)

No shore excursions yet for our April 9 sailing. Notified that they would be up over a week ago and still nothing.

On 7/27/2021 at 12:23 PM, Tom.in.nc said:

Might have been an anomaly but we were in 8018 and were awakened by the clunking of the early morning joggers/walkers climbing and descending the stairs right outside.

One other thing to note in choosing a cabin is that the ships “usually” dock starboard in, if that matters to you.

 

Tom

Hi Tom,

May I ask how bad the clunking was? We are booked in the same cabin on the Orion and I was worried about the stair noise. Any other feedback about 8018? Thank you!

Sarah

Question about the Elite wines for all who have bought the package:  Do all of the bar venues have both Elite and Signature wines available or just in the Main Dining Room? I am sailing on the Oosterdam and would do the Elite for Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne and Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc alone but if those are not available throughout the ship, maybe the Signature is better for me?

Thank you!

Sarah

15 hours ago, hubbledouble said:

Dalekwho,

Re: the Christmas market cruise first week in December on the Crystal Bach,  assume you're on the same one we are, embarking in Basel.  Just received the attached from my TA.  Cruise is being switched to the Crystal Mahler, embarking out of Amsterdam. Two possible itineraries, the final itinerary won't be determined till nearer the embarkation date. 

 

Crystal Bach Itinerary Change.pdf

That's interesting, Dalekwho.

We were booked on the Mahler December 6 for 16 nights from Amsterdam to Budapest and were notified last Friday that it was cancelled. Pretty disappointing. We were offered the same itinerary in July but that defeats the Christmas Market theme that we booked. Not sure what we are going to do at this point.

Sarah

[ATTACH]426347[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]426348[/ATTACH]

My photo from the top deck of the late evening sailing

 

With good weather, you could easily walk to the Four Seasons from where Crystal docks. Don’t overplan for now.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Absolutely gorgeous, thank you :)

sjb

Budapest is not big and it easy to take a taxi from the pier or the hotel (depends on which hotel you are looking at) in central Budapest.

 

I have done Budapest both on the Mozart and at a hotel (Ritz Carlton, courtesy of Crystal as well. Don't ask long story). If you wish to do the cruise (inclusive) excursions, then stay on board the boat. If you wish to do your own thing then, you can arrange to check-out on the penultimate day. You can get help getting your luggage off the boat from staff and get reception to call you a taxi to the hotel.

 

One thing Crystal and most cruise ships do, is that they sail up and down river around mid-night to see the buildings along the waterfront lit up. You are not on a coach and they boat itself sails with restaurant staff serving hot chocolate to which you can add a punch with some rum or have a virgin version.

 

Not many restaurants, if any, in Budapest will come close to the Waterfall Restaurant when it comes to dinner. And remember that drinks are free (sorry, inclusive) at night long on board the boat.

 

We had the same set-up on the Crystal Serenity in Singapore. We stayed on board the Serenity on the last night (friends, food, entertainment) but checked into the hotel in the afternoon on the day before disembarkation with some hand luggage. We were staying for a couple of nights. That way we were already checked-in when we hauled our luggage over after leaving the Serenity at 9am.

 

Its horses for courses. I was happy to pay for the hotel room and it was for two nights anyway.

If you just want to go to the airport, then my suggestion is to check-out after breakfast. You can leave the luggage on board the boat until the afternoon. Do your own excursions in town that day. At a lost? Try a couple of hours at the hot springs at the Szechenyi Baths. It is massive with indoors and outdoor pools. Grab lunch and then head back to Crystal, pick-up luggage and it should be time to head to the airport.

Wow, thank you for this great information. We were looking at staying at the Four Seasons in Budapest for that final night but I am second guessing the thought if our boat sails the river at night, that sounds lovely. If we can keep our luggage on board until the afternoon on the last day, that might be the answer.

Our Crystal agent indicated that there is nothing much going on on board the last evening of the cruise are there are crew parties and most passengers are packing but I would not want to miss any good sights from the river that I would not be able to see from Budapest...

Do you have to be off the ship or just out of your cabin? Because of the small number of people you can generally have the run of the ship for as long as you need.

 

I think off of the ship but either way, we would like to spend the day enjoying Budapest without our luggage/carry on baggage.

Also thinking a night in Budapest would be lovely but not sure we would be missing much leaving the boat early.

Hello All,

Our Crystal trip of 16 nights on the Mahler will be ending in Budapest with a full day an night there before disembarkation.

We are thinking of leaving the ship the night prior and staying at a hotel in Budapest. (our flight the next day isn't until 4:30pm and we would have to be off the ship by 10am)

Will we be missing much on the last night on the boat?

Any opinions will be helpful.

Thank you!