Keith1010

Often I have said that Crystal is going to take many of the positives from classic Crystal and add to it new features and amenities to create an even better experience. This is an example of that and I believe this is a recipe for success. Keith

FYI. Keith CRYSTAL APPOINTS NEW HEAD NUTRITIONIST, DALILA ROGLIERI New Role Will Allow for More Exceptional Wellness Experiences at Sea MIAMI – July 20, 2023 - Crystal announced today the appointment of Dalila Roglieri as Head Nutritionist, a new role strengthening the brand’s culinary prowess and ability to provide an individualized approach to wellbeing. With an extensive professional background in nutrition and a passion for fitness, adding Roglieri underscores Crystal’s dedication to providing guests with a holistic and exceptional wellness experience. Roglieri’s expertise and culturally minded approach to gastronomy are an enticing complement to Crystal’s reimagined programming, launching this summer. In her new role with Crystal, Roglieri will collaborate with the award-winning culinary teams onboard CrystalSymphony and Crystal Serenity to develop balanced menus that cater to a variety of dietary preferences and requirements. Roglieri brings multiple degrees spanning focuses in nutritional sciences and culinary arts. While she began her education and career specializing in the biology of nutrition, Roglieri has continued feeding a natural fascination with the impact of food and drink on the body and mind for more than 14 years. Her curiosity led her to deeply study food tasting and gastronomic tourism. She has pursued a Master in Sport Nutrition at SANIS, Oncology Nutrition at the University of Pavia, Phytotherapy and the use of plants in clinical nutrition at the University of Tuscia – Viterbo, and Wine and Marketing of Wine at the University of Sacro Cuore – Piacenza. In addition to her role with Crystal, Roglieri has her own practice, DaRò Wellness, located in Bari, Italy, where she specializes in dietetics, sports nutrition, and culinary nutrition. Her global palette and bespoke approach to healthful living make her well-equipped to bring both flavor and function to Crystal’s onboard food and beverage programs. "As Crystal enters this next chapter of excellence, Dalila’s wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for wellness will help to shape a new era of exceptional experiences,” said A&K Travel Group CEO Cristina Levis. “As our Head Nutritionist across the full A&K portfolio, she will play a significant role in ensuring that our offerings align with discerning travelers' evolving tastes and needs.” “Crystal has provided me with the opportunity to once again share my passion for culinary nutrition with guests and chefs from around the globe,” said Roglieri. “I look forward to setting sail on this new adventure, where I hope to make an impact for all onboard.” Roglieri will be onboard Crystal Symphony on the October 9, 2023, voyage from Athens to Dubai and the March 12, 2024 sailing from Singapore to Mumbai and will offer Crystal guests an opportunity to learn all about her exceptional approach to wellness, nutrition, and gastronomy.

With yet another seven days of triple digit weather highs, Alaska is a great alternative. Keith

My comment about chewing gum and walking was to your response about why they changed the write-up for attire. My point is they can do more than one thing at a time. Have not idea what you are talking about in terms of competitiveness and emerging. I never said that has anything to do with that. When you say you are looking forward to change this is change. There are more changes. Some announced and some we will learn about. If one espouses change my point is they have to understand that change will vary and some will be significant and some small. And what one person thinks is small another person may see it as big. But change is change. I look forward to change and understand with change there could be things that I don't like but as long as there are enough things I enjoy I am happy. Each person will have to decide for themselves.

They can chew gum and walk at the same time. I know you have said you want them to change but I now get the feeling that you want them to change as long as you agree with what they propose. When it comes to change if you are a proponent of it (I certainly am) there will be changes that some will embrace and others won't so be careful what you wish for if you can't accept it all. It's not strange. It's something new and also the pre cruise booklet hasn't gotten out to those who are booked on the cruise and not everyone goes to the website ahead of their cruise. The information shared came directly from Crystal and is the same information that Seasack recived from Crystal when he called them directly.

Time was the issue here not only for entertainers but for enrichment. There was no one in place until late last year (one person) and the team was augmented about March of this year. Developing shows takes a long time. So it was far easier to bring back selected shows as it sometimes is to bring back selected enrichment in the near term until future programs can be developed and rolled out. Costs for new shows can also be quite large which is why when a show debuted it was carried over for several years. Keith

Yes.

I believe this comment is very appropriate to some of the discussion and it is based with the conversation I had to understand how Formal Optional Works. I also expect like most things, Crystal will look at the first several sailings on each ship and determine if any adjustments are warranted and that includes the writeup. As I mentioned earlier, flexibility will be shown for those on the first few sailings and I expect that Crystal will review all this as they get experience with it including guest feedback. With that said, I the purpose of this thread is so that people would know what Crystal's definition of Formal optional is which is different than some expected and I only raised after receiving a number of questions and after personally rereading the writeup several time and realizing that it was not as I originally thought either. For some of you since you are either not booked yet or you are booked but not on one of the immediate cruises those of us who are on the earlier cruises I am sure will share additional details on this. Keith

I was told that this is where answers will be found as they eventually add more details to voyages. Keith

Nice. I know I've seen this before but couldn't remember where. Keith

Yes. Keith

Thank you seasack. My purpose was not to give an opinion on any of this. My purpose was only to share with everyone what they meant. I would not have used the word optional to describe this. As mentioned, I read the over many times. First time I read it I thought to myself the option is resort casual. But then each time I read it when people asked I began to realize that's might not be what they mean and this was confirmed yesterday on my call. You have confirmed the same thing. As I mentioned in my first post my sense is that this like many things will be evaluated to sort it all out and they will be flexible on the first set of voyages. But whether one agrees or not, I am glad you confirmed what I was told. As I said no one should be alarmed if they have not packed with this in mind. What I wanted to avoid though is people who interpreted it one way and actually felt bad once on board that this was not the intent and if only they knew they might have brought different clothes. Trying to help here so because many people have asked about this and I am only the messenger. As to a comment about dressing up on any night I don't believe I've ever cruised on a line or on land where that is a problem. Around the pool though you won't see me in a suit, or tuxedo for sure anywhere. 😀 Keith

As I mentioned in my original post " I also expect like most things, Crystal will look at the first several sailings on each ship and determine if any adjustments are warranted and that includes the writeup. So let's see what happens. We will know soon enough. As to change, not everyone is going to like every change whatever that will be. And as to clarity this was not the first Q&A which would benefit from some additional clarity. I remember reminded about the one on smoking which History and Wine mentioned shortly after the Q&A's came out and I believe additional clarity would be great. So it goes. Keith

It is not surprising there are inconsistencies because if there was not I would not have to post as it would have been Crystal clear from their writeup. And I am not interpreting anything. I had a lengthily conversation yesterday and I asked many questions, reviewed what I was told to be sure that what I heard is what they said to make sure that what I shared is what they said. So no misinterpretation on my part. In addition: Because people have asked about this issue numerous times and because I read through the A&A 10 or more times and found it to be confusing, I reached out to Crystal to find out how it works and yesterday had a lengthily conversation with the person who knows for sure how it works. I brought up the wording such as the use of optional and asked if it is optional than what is the optional attire because that is not listed. I also brought up how black-tie optional night used to work and how the use of the word optional is confusing. As I said no one on the first sailing’s will be turned away from venues but I am sharing what they have in mind which is that depending on the length of the cruise when there is one or more formal nighs on cruises greater than seven days their intent was and that for those who choose to dine more casually they will offer the option of dining at Tastes. I do hope they will reword some of this and share it not only on the website but also in pre-cruise communications and I suspect that will be the case. In the meantime, since so many people reached out to me to ask in addition to the many questions, I’ve seen on CC I reached out to Crystal, had a lengthily call with them and am sharing it with those on this board. I hope many of you will find it helpful. And yes, in the perfect world, I would not have to ask as the writeup would be Crystal clear and if it as not Crystal would update it and communicate it. After we went through all of this and I ensured that I understood all of this we agreed I would share it. This is what I have done. Cheers, Keith

I just reread the e-mail from Crystal and they referred to all three voyages as short voyages (no formal nights). I have written back to them because the third voyage is listed as 8 nights and pointed out that their writeup says a formal night on voyages greater than seven days. I have asked that they run this down to verify whether or not there will be a formal night. When I hear back, I will let you know. You can also write to on board guest services. Keith

The first three voyages of Symphony consist of 7, 7 and 8 nights. So there would not be a formal night on the first two voyages but there would be on the third one. They note on the website that for voyages over 7 night there would be one formal night. How many beyond that will be determined by the length of the voyage. Now, I want to provide on caveat and that is will they be doing a special night for the Symphony inaugural voyage? I would have asked that if I thought about it yesterday and if there is a formal night I will recommend that they ensure this is communicated. The good news is there is time for them to do just that. Keith

Evening Attire On Formal Evening(s) Several people have asked about the formal evening attire, so I reached out to Crystal to get additional information and answers to questions which have been posted or people have asked me directly. Yesterday, I received clarification on this from Crystal. As part of the Q&A section on the Crystal Website they say that on voyages great than 7 days there will be at least one optional ship-wide formal night. They go on and list suggestions for Formal Evening Look. I will copy and paste this at the end of this post. Based on my talk, I look at what they list as choices one can make with respect to formal evening attire. For those not wishing to wear formal attire, my understanding is that you would be guided to dine at a venue such as Tastes. Now, for those of you on the first sailing please do not panic if you are not bringing formal attire, there will be a lot of flexibility. I am sharing this information not to start a debate over formal attire versus casual attire but rather to share with you what they envision it to be. If one wears a sports jacket versus a suit, I suspect that the world will not come to an end. Again, what they are trying to do on the longer cruises is have one or more night that distinguishes itself from the other nights. Although the capability is not there yet they do want to add to “My Account” details on which night(s) are Formal so you are more informed of how many nights will be formal and on what nights to help you with your planning. I know the intent is to also provide additional information about this ahead of each cruise, but I would say to give this sometime as they continue to work on all of this. For those on the first voyage of Serenity my understanding is to expect two formal nights. Again, please do not panic if you have shipped luggage or didn’t fully understand this. I also believe those of us on the sailing will be able to share additional details as will Crystal as guests prepare for the next set of voyages. I know when attire is mentioned that it can spiral into debates including no one can tell me what to do, they won’t enforce this, etc. etc, etc., I am hoping this debate can be avoided. My only intent here is to share with each of you what I learned. It might not answer each question, but I am hoping it will answer some. The following is from the Crystal website, and I do recognize the word option but the definition they have in mind is a bit different than black tie optional as past. I also expect like most things, Crystal will look at the first several sailings on each ship and determine if any adjustments are warranted and that includes the writeup. I hope this helps in your planning. Bags packed (inclduing formal attire). Ready to go. Can't wait. Cheers, Keith Evening Resort A step up from Day Casual, after 18:00, we ask that guests adopt the more refined Evening Resort dress code. Suggestions for an Evening Resort look: Women Dress Skirts Pants Blouses or sweaters Dark-wash jeans with no rips Tailored dress shorts Men Shirts Collared polo shirt Sweaters or smart designer sweatshirts Dark-wash jeans with no rips (only when accompanied with a jacket) Chinos Sports jacket or blazer (optional) Tailored shorts (these may only be worn in the Tastes restaurant) NOTE: Please avoid flip-flops/sliders, swimwear, and hats. 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)

A very nice wish and thought but a bit early. All this is coming though just not as early as this. Keith

When I look at photos like this one, for a moment I feel I am there and can hear the motion of the water as it moves back and forth. Keith

The e-ticket have been going out for several hours. For anyone who doesn't have them check your spam folder. As to luggage tags. They have not gone out yet. They will be sent out two day express when they do. If you don't receive what they are sending before you go they will have tags at the pier to fill out. Keith

Going forward the e-tickets will come out a lot sooner. I believe they will try to get them out 45 days prior to voyages. Obviously, they are in catch-up mode. Not sure if they will e-mail them or put them in "My Account" (My as in Your account LOL) Keith

Pat, luggage tags are supposed to come directly to you. They are working on them. To me the docs were the most important item. We are smiling too. Look forward to seeing you and Ray. It's been way too long. I think the last time was 2020. Keith

I just received my e-tickets for the first voyage. I saw someone posted on another site they received them a couple of hours ago. So if you are on the first voyage and didn't get them just be on the lookout for them. Keith

Roy, Well done. It is from St. Helena.

As Nancy mentioned the staterooms have had variable pricing for many years including location and also if the view was somewhat hampered. Although other luxury lines have had variable pricing for years expanding this to the Aquamarine and to the Sapphire suites is something new for NC. For those who don't care about location it can be a bonus. For my wife and myself location is important so we won't do a guarantee. In fact, for one of the cruises we booked for one of the suite categories we were interested in the only option was guarantee and for the other suite category there wee several voices including preferred locations so we went with the latter. Keith