Emdee

I so agree with you. Felt the same with both the SS cruises we did the last two years. SS itineraries are excellent though. We are still itinerary driven for everything except the Caribbean. So hoping for some new and interesting itineraries along with favourite ones in the days to come. We were recently looking over some of my Serenity dining pics with a former Crystal chef and were amazed at the huge wow factor of those dishes compared to the pedestrian offerings we have received on other luxury lines. I can do a lamb shank on a pile of potato mash as well as anybody and Jon Ashton’s short rib recipe is a sure winner.

Very true but having sailed on the other three contenders since 2020 with just OK experiences we are eager to acquaint/ reacquaint ourselves with what the Crystal offering is.

From what I heard from past and future employees they were given two dates…June and September. If it is June I know I cannot make it…if it is September there is a chance I will be able to. Pure armchair speculation….don’t have much else to do… but I think it likely that Symphony due to its cabin design configurations may be easier to bring back earlier with Serenity getting more larger suites to follow in September. Just saying….

I doubt I will make the inaugural cruise due to health reasons but I will enjoy booking a few cruises I hope to go on. With time running out we haven’t waited for Crystal to come back and have been on all the other luxury lines which was a real wake up call to what we loved about Crystal. Crystal was the real McCoy for us. Happy days are here again…

Not only packed but locked!

My daughter tried to convince me to try a window on Serenity and I agreed to do it. But one week was enough. For the second week of the b2b I was fortunate to get a balcony cabin. I don’t need a lot of space in the cabin but I like to feel the fresh sea breeze on my face…one of my greatest joys. I too am eager to see the types of cabins available as my daughter usually stays in a window cabin.

Any crew we met said they were counting the days to return to Crystal. Some have already signed on. Of course they had to take other positions in the meantime. Even if only some of the crew return if they can infuse the Crystal spirit in the others it would be wonderful. We have been on all three competitors in these last three years and yearn for Crystal’s return. And, if the new Crystal is not up to our expectations and hopes the Regents of the world will still be around.

If ever I need to fly in the day of the cruise…almost never these days…I always make my contingency plan. How far is the next port of call for example and how will I get there.

Both start with a C? Are they reimagining a Costa cruise ship?

Although we put in our deposits weeks ago I suddenly freaked out that we had received nothing from Crystal. My fear was the itineraries would drop and I would be on the outside. Anyway we called and they were sent tout suite when we said we wanted to keep them ready to book. Now why were they tarrying and are they still fixin them?

We called since I am in a wheelchair and they have to make arrangements to take me in. they put our whole group at the earliest boarding time. I found the gangway steps way too many and too steep on Encore.

Glad to know as I have an early boarding time but my DD who will be with us in a separate cabin is 4 pm. She intends calling in advance to let them know we are travelling together.

I am sure you can get a pint there…less chance of Veuve or Caymus.

Likely the bread served on the ferry is also better than on SS. On the Cloud the donuts were like hockey pucks and even the executive chef agreed that the bagels were no better. Fortunately, the itinerary included some lovely French ports so just brought my choice of brioche on board. Unfortunately they wouldn’t allow me to eat it in the dining room.

This is one of the reasons we are not fans. FYI the SS expedition ships are more relaxed and we enjoyed the Cloud and will look at the Endeavour. We do like SS itineraries though.

How perfect is that for a relaxed meal on any cruise line…..with slacks or elegant jeans as per preference.

What does manners have to do with wearing jeans? Firced? Yes I do speak for myself.

Definitely…but poolside!

Both of us do not wear jeans…in fact my husband has never owned a pair of jeans. Formal optional are a good alternative for those who want to dress up. Elegant dressing is the key for evening wear. And jeans can be elegant. A well styled blazer on a pair of elegant jeans looks far nicer than some of the mothballed and ill fitting tuxedos that I have seen on some luxury lines. I applaud that Seabourn wants to move with the times.

I don’t wear jeans but I don’t see them as a problem. They were allowed on Crystal. After a lifetime of dressing in suits am happy to relax in perfectly acceptable elegant casual clothes on holidays.

The matching benefits that have been offered do not entice us crystallized passengers. But the excellent and thoughtful service on Seabourn does. We noticed that like Crystal the staff on Seabourn try to anticipate your needs. To me that is luxury. Unfortunately I had to cancel 4 Seabourn cruises in the next few months taking a 50% hit on some. This was due to health reasons. If things pick up I will jump on a Seabourn ship as soon as I can. For now hoping and dreaming.

Yes we would if the new Crystal is anywhere close to the old Crystal. Waiting and hoping.

That will be hilarious…as Seabourn gave the Crystal cruisers equivalent status?

I only drink one cup of coffee in my cabin at 6.00 am so the chance of it flying through the closed door isn’t there. Agree that people should be careful or they will fly into the ocean.

Yes they do. I asked for splenda and got a bottle that said splenda.