Keith1010

One of the ports I enjoy walking around is San Diego. And yes those memories that we make or we make through others are great. After all, when it is over it is those memories which we take forward. Keith

Bingo. As the winner, you get to stay at this property. Note airfare is not included. Keith

I haven't done so. I could speculate but this is one best to ask directly to Crystal. Even if someone has already asked knowing cruise lines sometimes change policies always best to find out what the current policy is. Keith

I wanted to add one more item having actually been on the webinar along with a few of you. New Crystal was great about answering as many of the silent questions as possible and they did a nice job keeping up with them. I asked a couple of silent questions and within minutes each one was answered and the same was true for most of them. There were very few that could not be answered and they indicated that they would followup on this. They had a few people on hand answering them. There were also a few items that needed clarification and they were clarified towards the end. There will undoubtedly be a few surprises too such as What A Wonderful World. Will the same version be used? Will it be accompanied by another song? Some will find out very soon. Similarly it won't be long until people get a better sense as to what will be done in those rooms where walls were not removed whether it is only the bed linens and detailing or if anything else is in store. While it's nice to know the answers to everything, I like the idea of not knowing everything. I think back to our first cruise on Harmony where we knew far less than what we knew ahead of time or the first time on Symphony or on Serenity or the first time on Symphony around six months after open dining was implemented along with other changes and the first time on Serenity after leaving the ship on the voyage before dry dock only to return three or so cruises after the dry dock to see the changes to open dining and two new restaurants. There is an excitement to that IMHO. I have said all along that New Crystal will take the best of Old Crystal and then adjust other areas to create an even better product. I believe this will be the case. Will it be perfect? No. It never was. Nothing is. Will there be a few hiccups along the way? Likely and not a surprise but overall it should be terrific. I remember those posts about crew not returning and all the banter about how many. I remember those posts about how can one say that new Crystal will be anything like old Crystal while some of us said it will. The good news is we will know soon enough. And the other good news is what we have seen so far and heard about is many things are carrying over from old Crystal and being augmented with new things which are being introduced by New Crystal. I have heard from a number of people who were live on the webinar with myself in the minutes and hours after the Webinar and I think everyone used the same two words which were "Very Exciting." Just like a sequel or prequel to a movie people will take it all in and decide for themselves what they think. Even if it was still old Crystal we all had different views. In fact, take five people on the same cruise and some of the experiences vary. It will be great to experience new Crystal. It will be great to hear what people think. We can expect differences of opinion. But in the end, the only opinion that truly matters is each of ours. It won't be long until New Crystal debuts. It won't be long until each ship is underway. Bags are packed. Ready to go. Can't wait. I know several of you feel the same as I do. Keith

You will see a combination of lecturers who are new to Crystal and those who have been with old Crystal. .For me, my issue is not about a returning lecturer if they change up their talks. Rather it is with those who do not make/take the time to develop fresh material. In time we will also see greater diversity in topics and in those who give talks. Keith

While this one was not covered, might be best to have your TA contact Crystal about this. Keith

I believe I remember seeing a silent question and the answer was soon Keith

Yes

No one asked.

Julia, that would be great. 😀 Keith

Phyllis, so happy it turned green. Keith.

Title Chairman ceremonial. Clearly an Ambassador. He was terrific yesterday. I applaud enthusiasm and passion when he described the itineraries, the crew and the cuisine. Keith

I was just thinking I have several old luggage tags not from 2021 when they were pre-printed but from 2020 and before. I could fill those out. 😀 Keith

Close. Different hotel but Four Seasons would have been a guess by me if I didn't know where we stayed. Keith

Yes less administrative fee. Keith

Rod, Excellent point. I will be sure to ask about this to see if they will be provided ahead of time or at the pier. Keith

I bet you know where this photo was taken. Keith

I wanted to add that yesterday we saw a combination of OC and NC with the personnel who were on the webinar. For example, Bernie Lepold who is and was SVP for Hotel Operators was there as was Captain Birger Vorland. At the same time we saw and heard from Fernando Barroso de Olivieira who will Chairman and Brands Ambassador for Crystal along with Jackie Barney, SVP Sales and Marketing new to NC and helping with the Q&A's PR Director Robyn Finch Fink also new to NC. The same is true for several land based executives and their people. If you didn't know it, one would think they had been together for much longer and that even those new to Crystal had been there for years as they have an appreciation for OC. Keith

I wish I could share the webinar but I can't because it was TA related. By the way the same was true with one for Explora Journey from sometime last year where I could only refer to it. I was very pleased with how questions got answered. Most of the Q&A actually was addressed via silent question and answers. I found that what was shared was quite good. There were a few incorrect pieces of information but by and large they were corrected when the verbal questions were asked and covered. One of the silent questions was one I asked that anyone who is booked on the first cruise might want to know. I asked when the cruise documents would be sent out. They will be sent out in early July for the July 31 cruise and my impression is by e-mail. They also said for many they will also be reflected in my account. As to What A Wonderful World they will play it but there will also be some surprises so let's see what that is like. And this leads me to another thought. Some of our member have sailed Crystal for a very long time and for me on my very first Crystal cruise there were many things I didn't know. By not knowing everything IMHO it adds to the excitement before you cruise and when you board and are cruising. Just like a surprise birthday party or that surprise gift sometimes it is nice to just be a newbie and be surprised. I know when we took our first Crystal River Cruise never having taken a river cruise before there was the element of surprise and that first and only Cruise on Endeavor had a lot of excitement too. I feel the same way now. Will everything be perfect? No. Have everything been perfect? No. But overall I do believe they are talking much of what most of us enjoyed and adding in new ingredients which hopefully many will enjoy as well. Bags packed. Ready to go. Can't wait. And yes lots of crew are returning which as I've said for months says great deal about the crew, the new company and the Crystal Society members. Keith

It's funny. If they would have bought the ships and called them by a new name some of this would not come up. But they chose to call them Crystal and to keep many of the things many of us loved about Crystal. Yes what happened to old Crystal is a good reminder to all of us to always remember about default but that is true for everything whether that is the stock you buy to the contractor who does a project for you. Keith

Julia, Glad it worked. All, I heard back from Crystal a few hours ago and they indicated that they believe they solved the problem so would each of you see if it now works for you as it does for Julia. Thanks, Keith

My thoughts on the Casino. I could be wrong but when OC had the Casino I never heard that they did as much comping of rooms as they did when owned by the G. I just listened to portions of the Webinar again and the answer was brief. In short he said he thinks a conversation around the direction of the product.....Not mixing well with some of the former casino guests they had. Regardless, I never thought this was a short term change as a couple of people did. Keith

Julia I sent your information to them a little while ago. You will either hear back directly back from them or I will but not expecting something today. Usually they let me know that they received it and I’ll let you know. Keith

To add to Kathie if I heard it right they will also be adding something too but I'll have to rewatch this when we get the recorded webinar. They also touched on some other items. If you take the full World Cruise you won't be charged for additional visits to Specialty Restaurants. On segments it will be based on the length of the segment as it is on other voyages. Keith

One thing for sure as we all get older most of us are truly in the same "boat" when it comes to memory. The good news is if you had a bad time you might forget about it the next day. 🤫 Keith