Keith1010

I know it does vary by submission. Some go quicker than others for sure and some take awhile especially if there are a lot of claims. Try e-mailing exceptionalinitiative AT crystalcruises DOT com noting first and last name and when you submitted your claim. You might have done this already but if not check spam folder. Keith

Glad it worked out for you. I know plenty of TA's that were owed money and booking New Crystal knowing that NC has nothing to do with OC. I get the emotion they have but the ownership is 100% different and so is the viability of them. Yes OC taught us all lessons about financial exposure as we've learned over our lifetimes with other financial risk. And yes there are some people who won't book with Crystal because of OC. I do know some who said they would never book but they have while others have not. Some will do a wait and see while others may never book. I have enjoyed reading posts on Social Media where there has been quite a lot of positive comments about the program rolled out about the Exceptional Initiative program and how appreciative they are for what NC did. And yes some people have no interest or think more should have been done. As to risk, the key is to do ones homework and if they are concerned with the risk to consider insurance to protect them and also to understand their credit card company as we all learned in the last go around. That is true of anything. You build a house. You are asked to put down x dollars up front. You better know the risk if the builder goes out of business. Keith

I have no idea what the gap is. If I was a betting person (and I don't bet) I don't think it has anything to do with a dry dock. Why? Because it is hard for me to imagine that with the work going on now and with a dry dock coming up after Serenity goes through hers there would be a need for three more days and if you look at the schedule you will see another three day gap at the end of the October 6 cruise. As I often say time will tell because those on board these cruises will find out what the gaps are all about. Either way there are gaps of three days. Zele that was a true no no by Crystal but my guess is that since the full blown system is not available yet for TA's to do bookings themselves that maybe this is done manual because surely a full blown system would have prevented a back to back to be created. In the meantime, the reservation person should have noticed this as should your TA have. I do remember from day one people posting on another site about this as I know people who wanted to book a back to back and realized they could not. I remember the first time we sailed Venice and it was on the Grand Princess which at the time was the largest cruise ship before RCI took that honor. We had an overnight in Venice and were docked downtown. I believe that was in 1997. How times have changed. Last time we were in Venice was on back to backs in 2019 and could dock at the port that was I believe about a mile walk into the downtown area of Venice. I know since then more restrictions have taken place. On a positive note this is a nice time to visit the Med with less heat and humidity. Venice though will be very crowded as it seems to be most months of the year with an exception for a couple of months. Keith

Boarded Crystal Mozart four years ago today. A beautiful vessel. Was supposed to return last year. Keith

Always there. Keith

Last full day in Vienna, Austria before boarding Crystal Mozart four years ago. Love the city, food and drink. Now should I say drink food city. Or Food, City, Drink. Whatever. 🤫 Keith

Four years ago while touring around Vienna, Austria before Crystal Mozart Cruise. Out on a run yesterday and I had to stop for a moment to say a quickly hello to these fellas. There was actually a six but she wouldn't joint the these five for a group photo. Maybe she's a bit shy. Keith

Thanks, Rod for getting back to me. Sorry you couldn't leave the luggage for the few days. I am glad you were able to find another cruise. Keith

Just wondering did you ask Crystal if you have to take all your luggage off the ship if you are doing a B2B with this three day gap? Keith

Eight years ago today we enjoyed time in Bermuda. A number of you from CC were on that cruise. First time visiting Bermuda with Crystal. Visited there twice in the 1990's with Celebrity, visited there on business and spent a wonderful honeymoon there. First time there we made our way around the island on Mopeds. On those Celebrity cruises kids were with us so we utilized bus and taxi. My return on business led a pack of business colleagues on mopeds but by 2015 no more mopeds. Instead we did a private tour. Keith

Four years ago first visit to Vienna, Austria before boarding Mozart. So much to see in the city and also to taste food wise. Keith

Would you have your laundry done here? Just asking. Keith

We sailed her on our very first Crystal cruise. Keith

Yes, we can expect butlers assigned more rooms for standard rooms compared to suites. This is because of the difference in amenities provided. As an FYI it is amazing how many suites each butler is assigned (can vary by voyage based on overall occupancy) but they work as a team so if one is busy someone else assists. Yes, we can expect a more experienced butler for the suites because of the difference in amenities provided. The same is usually the case for the room attendants. Typically those new to Crystal and new to the position are assigned to decks 7 and 8 and in time they often make the progression to the suites if they perform very well and if they would like that. I've known a few who prefer not being assigned to the suites. I think the different set of words is simply as I mentioned earlier that more amenities are provided for the suites and like many things the wording is driven by marketing. Old Crystal had butlers for all rooms on the River vessels, Esprit and Endeavor. Some luxury lines have butlers for all the rooms. Great opportunity for those wanting to have a new opportunity on the ship. Traditionally many of the butlers on Serenity and Harmony started in the Crystal Dining Room (now Waterside). Some were elevated to butlers from there. Others worked in Prego and then transitioned to becoming a butler. With very few exceptions even experienced butlers from outside of Crystal started in the Waterside/Crystal Dining Room just as in some cases other experienced in other areas started as room attendants. If you are a butler that dining room experience is very key including knowing how it all works and how to make things happen. If you are assigned to work the reception desk that background as an attendant can be very helpful just as most of the shore excursion people and concierge often had reception experience and from there moved either to shore excursions or directly to concierge while others went from shore excursions to concierge and from there a variety of positions. We have always enjoyed seeing many progress to higher level positions. Keith

This is Crystal Serenity and not a new Disney ship unless you all know something I don't. Keith

What I liked about this thread is the variety of things posted. For those who don't like it simply don't read it. And some who have opinions just post something new yourself.

Like all things everyone know what is important to them and which cruise lines deliver that. If everyone felt the same as everyone else about other cruise lines there would be far fewer ones in the industry and the same goes for all products sold. But that is not the case as we all know from reading Cruise Critic. One person thinks a cruise line is great and another does not. One thinks food is great on a cruise line and another says no way. Keith

From nine years ago from a two day stop in Sorrento. First day drive off the Amalfi Coast. Second day, pizza. and walking around. As is the case in Italy lots of great looking fruit and vegetables. But tis vendor didn't make it easy to select what you want on your own. Too bad the most important sign was in English. Otherwise, we could play dumb. Then again even in English some American tourists could play dumb. Why? I'll use t each person answer that for themselves. 🤫 🤫🤣🤣 Keith

As someone often says, if you don't care for what has been posted don't read it. The nice thing about this thread is it is not topic specific. Keith

Happy May. Nine years ago driving the Amalfi Coast. Keith

They have not detailed this specifically as you said. I am not sure if they will do that in advance or not. For the time being if you look at the details for the category of room you booked and if you look at one say for one of the larger suites that will give you a sense of the difference. The difference will be in some of the amenities/services offered. For example, shoeshine service and packing/unpacking is listed for each room category but a Nespresso Coffee Maker is listed in the Aquamarine and above suites and it is the butler who replenishes this. In the largest two suite categories you can order from a specialty restaurant and in the other accommodations you cannot so that is a small difference but yet a difference in what the butler does. In the two largest of suites it says on embarkation day the butler or concierge will escort the guest from terminal to suite on embarkation day. Keith

Four year ago we were in Rhodes. Our previous time was many years earlier; I believe 2008. We love walking the walled city, particularly early before it becomes crowded with tourists and then shortly after the stores and other venues open. Keith

I can't believe I ate the whole thing. Oh not Pizza but Pisa. 😀 Made a stop in Pisa on the way back to Serenity on a tour of Lucca 9 years ago today. Lucca was a terrific place to visit and to walk. Keith

To each his (her too) own is key. I suppose if all one cares about is the size of the room they would simply go with the lowest price. But often people book cruises for one, more than one, or several reasons so for those people (I am one of them) there are many other factors to consider when choosing the line. (enrichment, entertainment, other activities, food, public areas, outdoor and indoor activities, service levels, size of the ship, and the list goes on and on.) If it came down to just the size of the room I suspect there would be far less cruise lines in business. Choice is good. Keith

The system to allow you to provide guest details, make reservations, etc., is not up as of now but is expected to be operational shortly. So at the present time, when you make full payment your TA will receive an invoice noting that. Keith