Keith1010

We are a few hours from Miami as I write this post. It's been a great cruise. Crystal is back and IMHO better than ever. Most items corrected from the first two cruises and so much to love and enjoy. Internet challenging the last few days and hopefully can be resolved soon as it was excellent on the first two cruises. I will write a review in a few weeks but overall lit was a wonderful cruise. Most people we speak with say what we do. Can't wait to return. Just like old Crystal, new Crystal continues to evolve. Since the day we first sailed with Crystal in the summer of 2002 we were told it was evolving. Some enjoyed each or more changes and some didn't enjoy it as much. I could list 100's of changes. Yesterday, was another super day on board. Lots to enjoy including classes, lectures, activities inside and outside, entertainment, food and even the weather. Chef Jon Ashton did his third cooking demo and the room was filled. Made a nice entree which everyone got to enjoy. It's been very nice to share this cruise with some of the members of CC. We sailed with some of you who we have known for years and just yesterday I met two other people from this board (not traveling with one another) for the very first time. We look forward to our next Crystal Cruises. What a wonderful cruise line. What a wonderful world. Cheers, Keith

Bob, thank you so much for following along and for your very kind comments. So glad to hear that you have added another cruise and utilizing the promotion. Keith

Thank you so much Bill. I always say choice is great and so glad you had two favorites restaurants. Best to you. Keith

Thank you so much for following along. Yes, Crystal is a destination and the best one at that. Keith

Thank you for following along and for your kind comments. Keith

A loyal customer who over the years has been able to provide and receive feedback from various levels of management and senior management of Crystal. I did discuss this specific item with them just before we boarded and learned that someone has been assigned to get notification out to TA's and to those booked when changes are made. That didn't happed early on. Social media such as CC is good and it is certainly read by people at the cruise lines including Crystal. I do believe though that a TA having direct communication with one or more specific people who have responsibility for an item via telephone and/or e-mail is very important. As to a consumer like all of us sites such as CC, Trip Advisor along with others provide the potential to get lots of information and opinions. In my case, if I haven't experienced a product I go with the 80/20 rule (assuming a large base of opinions). In other words, if 80% of the people like or dislike a product or a component of a product I take that as fact unless I have experienced it myself. I always know that not every experience is the same either. The two hotels we stayed at before this trip (one at our local airport where we hadn't stayed at for 5 years and one at Miami which we hadn't stayed at since November of 2021 had some reviews which would make me not want to stay at them. Yes, I did have the benefit of staying at them before but each one coincidentally was renovated. Using the 80/20 rule helped a great deal as in both cases I did consider alternatives. Finally, even my own views change overtime about a product. Could be that the product gets better or I learn how to enjoy the experience more, or my views changes as I age, or the product degrades. Keith

Always enjoy the Promenade Deck and the views it provides. Keith

Yesterday and today are the final sea days as we head to Miami. It's been a great cruise. We continue to have an amazing time sailing Crystal Serenity. Sea days continue to have lots of activities and today is our fourth sea day of the cruise. Lots on the program. A few to highlight was the second of three cooking demonstrations by Chef Jon Ashton and a behind the scenes look at the White House. Destination lectures as well. Last evening was the third and final formal of the cruise. Normally, cruises of this length have two formals nights. Since this was the Holiday Cruise, it was more dressy in terms of three versus two formal nights. Before dinner was the Captain's Farewell Reception. On this cruise we have had three different receptions; Captain's Welcome, Crystal Society and last evening's Farewell Reception. This was followed by dinner at Waterside. We had planned to dine two times each at Umi Uma and Osteria on this cruise. Instead, we ended up dining at each one once. We very much enjoy both specialty restaurants. However, we decided to go to Waterside on the other evening's other than Tastes one night because we find Waterside to be very special as well. At the same time knowing some people were waiting for a second reservation for one or more of the Specialty Restaurant hopefully this allowed a couple more guests to be able to dine there. Food at all venues has been wonderful for us. As to the food. If this was baseball it was a grand slam home run. Caviar was from the modern menu and the combination of ingredients was amazing. As to the Lobster this was a wow. The lobster was delicous and cooked to perfecton. We enjoyed the meal so much when dessert came I forgot to take photos. Everything was great including the outstanding waitstaff team which has taken excellent care of us throughout this sailing. Bravo. I have more thoughts to share about the cruise which I will do when we return home. In the meantime, we have another wonderful sea day to enjoy. Today's daily program and waterside menu follows and some photos. ReflectionsJan4.pdf WatersideJan4.pdf Cheers. Keith ReflectionsJan4.pdf

Nothing new on this voyage other than sometime this year. Keith

Enjoy every minute. I look forward to following along. Keith

Another wonderful on Serenity We arrived at our final port of call of this cruise at 8:00 am, Brad Town Tortola. The downtown area was a 10-to-15-minute walk from the pier, depending on your speed of walk. City population is 12,500+ locals. Road Town, Tortola is part of the British Virgin Islands. Tortola is the capital and the largest of the 50 British Virgin Islands. The Island of Tortola is 13.5 miles long and 3 miles wide. Enjoyed Paddle Tennis with many people in the afternoon. It’s been great playing this cruise. Last night we had dinner at Waterside. Excellent dinner with terrific service. For those of you who like the mushroom soup it was on the menu. Two more sea days until we arrive back to Miami. I'm also including Waterside Menu for this evening. Cheers, Keith Reflections below. WatersideJan3.pdf Cheers, Keith ReflectionsJan3.pdf

Yes no worries about that. 🤣

I have spoken with Crystal and they get it and know to send out updates via e-mail to agents and guests when there is a change. In fact, we received one about a terminal change for boarding before we boarded this cruise. My point was for people not to just post on a CC but to have their TA's get with Crystal directly. The concern was legitimate and thus my recommendation for feedback to go to Crystal from the TA's. In any event, I expect communications will be going out for changes going forward. Keith

Many of us thought Market Place makes a lot of sense. First it was a subset of items from the Grand Buffets. Second it should mean a lot less wasted food. And finally, by avoiding so many people so close to one another it helps to minimize the spread of germs and other things as mentioned. We don't go to Market Place anymore but that has nothing to do with Market Place. However, for years when we went for lunch we would go when it opened just to minimize all of the guests handling utensils, accidentally placing the utensils in the bowls and accidentally touching food. It was lovely to see Market Place set up on New Year's and I know it was very much appreciated by the guests who ate there who I spoke with. Keith

Safe travels and an early Bon Voyage. We won't eat all the food nor drink all the wine and spirits. Keith

On the Waterside menu last evening. Keith

Emily you can sign up when on the ship. Keith

Definitely on the menu. If you look at my posts from yesterday you will find the Waterside Menu where it is listed. They should have it one time per cruise on the menu. On a different night they will have the mushroom soup. I believe the carpaccio could be special ordered so Brian could have it on the night the soup is on the menu. I would just speak with the Head Waiter early on about all of this. Keith

My appetizer from last evening at Waterside. Keith

Photos from Stardust Lounge. The four person tables and selected two person tables could accommodate 100 guests in Supper Club but they are not filled 100% since restart. After Stardust Rolled out seating was great than 100 guests before room was update during dry dock to accommodate for staging items needed for the Supper Club. Keith On this cruise Supper Club is offered two times with the second one tomorrow on the third formal of this cruise. Keith

Greg, glad you two booked this cruise. Keith

Enjoyed a nice day yesterday. Shortly before we arrived to port, rain stopped, sun came out but still windy. In time, less wind. Three other ships with us. Like some we made it a sea day. Town was very crowded and there was no need for us to get off. With better weather we enjoyed the things we like to do outside including Paddle Tennis (me), walking both of us and chats with guests and members of the crew. Dinner was back at Waterside. Food, service, ambience wonderful The food is better than ever IMHO. Today's Daily Program Reflections. 9F1772E3-E025-4E67-8B87-C1D3ED8E73FA.pdf This Evening's Waterside Dinner Menu. WatersideJanuary2.pdf Cheers, Keith

Let me add to this. I recommend arriving in your workout wear. They ask that everyone sign in when you enter the center. Two types of bikes. Stationary bikes. Like all equipment ideally people are asked to limit use for 30 minutes at a time unless someone is waiting. Often they are not all in use. Sometimes they are. It will vary by overall occupancy and time of day. There are also indoor cycling bikes. One can use them anytime and when there is not an indoor cycling class easy to use. For the classes sign up sheets are put out several days before the class. Keith

Anyone. Keith

Ivi, for the last several years of old Crystal they had them on Holidays Cruises and the long voyages so not something you'll see often. Keith