History&Wine

One of the tabs is for solo fares. But when one investigates, you will find that the fares listed are for double occupancy. One is instructed to call to find solo fares. Seriously? Not impressed.

All good suggestions. On past world cruises I have had friends pick up my mail. This cruise is so long (141 days) I plan to forward my mail to a neighbor. As Keith mentioned, do this a week or two before you leave to see that it runs smoothly. Also have someone check any mailbox in case some mail slips through. Don't forget to file for a federal tax extension and check your state rules. An extension only delays the date to file; it does not delay payment. So be sure to pay a bit extra in estimated taxes to avoid potential penalties. Two months, four days 'til the 2024 world cruise!

Someone who should know (Vince I think?) posted the limit for a credit card to refund a booking with a company that went under. I forgot the figure, but I think (again, not sure) it was greater than eight months. Check with your credit card company.

With all the website updating one would think that Crystal could remove the Serenity Panama Canal cruise December 13-23..... Still shows on the website.

You can try this, but this means that someone before you had to request a table and say "add some more". You're better off finding a friend or two before dinner. The other problem is that you end up with table mates who are at different stages of their meal. I'm solo on the world cruise. I'll usually find enough people who want to share a dinner table with me. There is always the sushi bar where one can join others. Meeting new friends is one of the joys of a cruise.

Anyone know what the cancellation policy is for excursions on Crystal now?

It's nice sometimes to have the hard copy. I'm sure crystal will balance this with expenses. I note that the Caribbean cruises seem to be selling extremely well. The January 5 and January 18 Serenity sailings show only one category that is not wait listed. And the December 23 sailing...Four categories wait listed. The other categories are not even shown! Does this mean even the wait list is full?

Interesting comments on shoes. In the past I have packed a pair of nice hard sole dress shoes for wear exclusively on formal nights of a world cruise. With size 15 feet, I could save packing room by leaving these out.....

I seem to remember that wheelchairs and scooters had to be stored in the room...not in the hall.

+1

I haven't visited this thread in a long time, but figured I would find out why there was so much interest in a single cruise. I should have known it was due to off topic drift. But hey, my two cents: I agree that Waterside should be open for lunch whenever the ship is at sea. I dislike buffets, even the so called grand or theme buffets. Like others, a sit down lunch is part of my definition of a luxury experience. I have no problem with Waterside being closed when the ship is at port. In most if not all cases, I'll be in port. I'll sample the port cuisine. And Vince said it best: "It’s demoralizing for the crew to be denied shore leave (or even just a break shift) to be standing around staring at the carpet day after day." Boarding Serenity in less than three months! Dwight

Thanks CruisePfan. Come join us on the roll call. See you on board. Three months and counting! My TA sent me the same. Cindy at Crystal advises I was the first to send in the application. I would add that some Visas cannot be obtained at this time. Sri Lanka for instance must be obtained on or after January 12. Given that we need to have all visas prior to sailing, that is a pretty tight window for those of us boarding on the 18th.

A couple of interesting posts above.....

@travelberlin Thank you! Looks like Silversea is offering the zero supplement on sailings over the next five months. That won't work for me due to my world cruise booking. Sales must be slow at Silversea....

lvi, Details please! I talked to a Silversea rep last week and he promised to notify me if there were any zero supplement offers. I've not heard anything. Maybe you're being offered something unique to you?

Well...as Keith says...Choice is good. Old Crystal used to have a 25% single supplement for the single window rooms and a 50% supplement for balcony rooms. So this is actually pretty much in line. I remember a wealthy woman (Tommie Campbell, a wonderful person now deceased) said she saved over $25,000 by switching to a window room from a balcony on a world cruise. She could afford it, but could not justify it. I agree that i would not pay the supplement for a balcony, but others might.

Australia and New Zealand are both fabulous and are particularly well suited to cruising since most of the cities are on the coast. And you speak the language! "When you see the Southern Cross for the first time...You understand now why you came this way...." Seriously..when you go spend some time on a clear night star gazing!

I seriously doubt a shuttle will be provided due to the distance. I would look into the local train service. I've done this and it is much easier than you might think. Many departures/ arrivals to choose from...

@seasack Yes, this was a single invoice. I sympathize with those trying to figure out what the cancellation penalties are. for my 2024 WC I have multiple invoices (one for each payment). At least two state a cancellation penalty of $125 prior to 181 days, and at least two state $250. None of this matters in regards to 2024 as the sail date is less than four months.

@bayonejoe Found the invoice! Directly from the invoice: All Crystal cruises may be cancelled prior to the final payment date with only an administration fee being assessed. Once the respective final payment date arrives, the below fee structure applies. Cruise UNTIL 181 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FIXED RATE $125.00 Now...I do believe the $125 is a mistake...but that is what the invoice says.....

Hmmm. I thought I could respond as my TA placed a conditional booking for this. But looking through the emails, I don't see an actual confirm. Just her stating "it is my understanding that there is a $250 fee prior to 181 days that can be converted into FCC." I decided not to book this for several reasons, including no 5% on board credit unless booked on board, plus I want to see how NC rates with my own experience before placing another booking.

Thank you for the review...and double thanks for posting in the forum with a link.

Not sure where to post this.... I've never sailed Silversea, but want to try a booking. I have been on several other lines. After my world cruise next year I will have been on Crystal Serenity for over 365 days total. My Silversea question; I am a solo cruiser. I have seen references to Silversea's 25% single supplement but have never found this. Am I missing something? Any guidance appreciated.

I just looked at the May segments...showing 50% single supplements for me. No experience with Silversea. Those look like great itineraries.

How much does Crystal charge to be placed on a wait list? And is that refundable?