Keith1010

Usually it means that there will be amenities passed from the cruise line (in this case New Crystal) to Virtuoso who, in turn, passes them onto the agencies which can then be passed to the client for booking a Crystal Cruise. Last month a similar arrangement was announced with Signature. Keith

Yes they are off to an incredible start. Go Yankees. Keith

Eight years ago. Put on your sun glasses before you look. Keith

Getting back to Ice Cream. I believe this is another case (Ben & Jerry's) where new Crystal is bringing back items that guests have been asking about and/or items, they were familiar with on old Crystal. It doesn’t mean they will bring back everything but quite a bit from what we have seen announced or in Q&A’s and other areas of the website such as under dining in this case. Keith

I had a typo. Meant 80%. This was in an interview with Cristina Levis , CEO of A&K travel group which was conducted when the new initiative was announced. I have posted this a couple of times previously and 80% is amazing As I I have repeatedly said many of the Crystal Crew (most is fine too and over 50% is considered a majority at least here in the States) are returning and this number as I've said before speaks a great deal about the crew, the guests and the new Crystal.

Claudia, I decided to look back at your first post. One thing that has become very clear since you started the thread is that many things of old crystal are part of new Crystal. Several TA's received information recently about the types of enrichment which are returning, and we know that Nobu is returning and while the new Italian restaurant is not Prego it is an Italian Restaurant. We know Tastes is returning. In short, we will have the same number of restaurants and also have other things such as The Vintage Room. An amazing number of crew are returning at all levels and has been estimated at around 90%. That is an amazing percentage as some crew would leave with each passing year. Do we know everything? No. We will learn more before the ship sails. We don't know all the details but it is clear some of the public rooms are being redone. I certainly hope there are surprises. I would rather not know everything ahead of time. The first several sayings on each ship will be very telling of what new Crystal is like. But certainly like a great meal the ingredients look superb so far. Keith

My view is simple. I look forward to the day and maybe that won't occur until Crystal sails again that every thread doesn't have to become a comparison to other lines when that is not the topic of the thread. I get comparisons and there are threads on various boards that specifically ask for them. I get that. I am talking about thread that are cruise line specific. Example, If someone starts a thread that says how many guests Serenity and Symphony have that is very specific to Crystal there is no need to hear about what another lines passenger count is. Now if someone starts a thread asking how many guests Crystal sails with and asks how that compares to other lines I get it. As I said, I look forward to the day where there is more normalcy on the threads as I used to see and I see across CC on all the cruise line boards. So I won't ask for that to happen I will just hope it does when Crystal starts sailing. And yes bags are packed and ready to go.

Bags are packed. Ready to go. Can't wait. Keith

Just giving my opinion on this. If it's OK for others to switch discussions to other lines I certainly have the ability to give my opinion too. And certainly there is an opportunity to compare lines by starting a thread on the very subject. All it take is clicking on the button that says start a new topic. Keith

So once again we talk about ice cream on Crystal and the discussion turns to SS. If I want to learn about SS Gelato or Ice Cream I know where to go. It reminds me of grade school. My basketball which is Spaulding is better than yours. Oh no, my basketball is a Wilson and it is better than yours. Yes once in awhile comparisons are nice but maybe it's me but I prefer on the Crystal board heading about Crystal and not the continual posts about other lines unless it is truly relevant to the conversation such as if someone asked are there other cruise lines that offer Ben & Jerry's or do other lines make their own ice cream? And yes I know this is CC but at the same time I know this is the Crystal Board. Keith

You are very welcome. Keith

They are in catch up mode but their plan is They are in catch up mode for the earlier voyages but their plan once they get caught up is to make them available in advance of the cruises in the time frames old Crystal did. Keith

By July 1 is what I was told by the person who for sure would know. This was not me guessing. Keith

1. If you go on one cruise get off and return on a cruise after the next one starts and ends that is two different cruises. Voucher is good for five different cruises (20% value per cruise) 2. Yes. 3. Yes by July 1 is for any cruise through CYE 2025. Right now cruise thru 2024 are published. Keith

Roy good catch. Should have been April 10. Thank you. Keith

"Get Back" to April 19, 1964 and on this date the Beatles second album was released. One of the songs on the album I believe a few of you should know. Keith

For those of you celebrating Easter and/or Passover a very Happy Easter and Passover. Many times this year we were sailing with Crystal over Easter and Passover. One time we were leaving Egypt for the start of Passover which I thought was appropriate. Another time we were visiting Israel over Passover. Keith

I agree, with Stickamn. If it is one cruise that you originally are owed money for and it was for two people then you should receive one certificate and not two. Let me add by saying If it is one cruise with double occupancy where you are owed money then have the TA go back to Crystal to find out why you are not getting one certificate instead of two. I'm actually surprised you were not contacted directly assuming you filled in the exceptional incentive form with your contact information. Regardless, better at this point to get the TA to followup for you. The one certificate provides a 20% credit for each of five cruises it is applied to. Keith

Aren't we all related to Adam and Eve. If so, does this mean we are all related. Please say it Ain't so. 🤫 Keith

There is no pay early discount at this time. Right now there is the 5% Crystal Society Discount and on back-to-back cruises 5%. This is off the cruise fare only and not the port charges/taxes. Will there be an on-board booking discount I am unsure. We will learn soon enough. What a TA might give on top of this certainly ranges by TA and how they do this varies as some give on board credits. What the future brings is anyone's guess but that is not exclusive to new Crystal but applies to all cruise lines. There are way too many variables on this ranging from normal demand versus capacity plus all of the other factors such as economy along with an outbreak of some virus which didn't start with COVID conflicts between nations, a terrorist, attack, etc., etc etc. And even in stable time if demands are off for itineraries it is not new to see those itineraries promoted. It's happened all the years we have been cruising as it happens on land with hotels or in the air with airlines fares. Keith

Yes I believe the current plan is correct. I saw this because I looked at taking the family on a cruise (Serenity) and my TA said connecting rooms are limited and explained where they were and that is consistent with the diagram. And with limited connector rooms they were all booked for the cruise we were considering. If you have a TA I would have them contact Crystal for you but I am pretty certain the deck plan is correct. As to the verandahs even on the former ships as best I remember the decision on this varied by ship and/or Captain (I could be wrong but that is what I remember.) Regardless even if you could keep the connectors there could be situations where they will be closed due to weather conditions. And you would need to keep the sliders closed. I can't speak to any new partitions nor the policy. Keith

As a reminder to some these are just renderings. I am reminded that when Serenity first came out that many people criticized the colors in various public areas. As time went along I stopped hearing about this including on CC. I guess for me I always say to myself I am not buying the ship just sailing on it. I also say to myself that what one person dislikes another one likes and that doesn't apply only to cruise ships and hotels but also to ones home. I sit back and say I am glad that new Crystal is updating several of the public areas and can't wait to see each ship. Over the years on the most part we have been very pleased with the changes. Once in awhile they don't go as planned such as the removal of the couches but as they say you live and learn. Keith

Becky, I am glad to hear that you have found rates that are appealing. This is a reminder that the devil is in the detail when it comes to most things including the rates. Good suggestion on your part several years ago about the solo rooms and while they don't have verandah's which I realize some prefer, over the years we know many singles who went on Deck 7 as did couples too. As Ashley mentioned, I am glad to see you posting. Best to you. Keith

It is being us for public space. Keith

Matzah Brei. For breakfast, lunch or dinner. Made with Matzah (well that is a given) eggs with a small amount of water, and butter in a fry pan. You can eat it like this or add a variety of items. Apple Sauce is one. Keith