Keith1010

Just got the letter a few minutes ago. I am sure they are being staggered over days as some got it the other day which makes a lot of sense. The system worked very well but any system might be more challenged if lots of people are in at the same time. Keith It started with Dr Mr. (my surname)

New cruise line yes. Will it evolve yes. Did Crystal evolve yes. Will it have many characteristics of Crystal yes. and they have put together a great team IMHO. Ready to go. Bags are packet. Can’t wait. Keith

We booked our first Crystal Cruise in 2001 for 2002. We were so certain we would like it in early 2002 we booked a second one for 2003 months before we took the first one. We are not talking about ships that none of us sailed or a completely new crew that none of us know. Keith

Glad to hear they fixed the problem. I know they were working on it. Yes, you are right about deposit. This is why they didn't ask for details as to how many guests, etc. That will come when open booking converted to a full booking. Keith

I wanted to add that Crystal is well aware of this item and folks are engaged to get it corrected. It will be $250.00 per person up to $500.00 per suite for Crystal Society Members converting open booking to a regular booking within 90 days of the release of the new itineraries. Keith

Yes we are all in the same "boat". Decisions....Decisions. I just made an assumption for next year and then for all of 2024. At the same time there are certainly other unknowns including pricing and the itineraries themselves. As I was reminded, let's say I book more cruises than open bookings. The worst is we don't get an as you wish credit for each voyage or even a priority booking for everyone in terms of booking window. Then again will every voyage have equal demand where the latter is necessary. Then again one could error on the higher side and cancel what they don't need. The open booking fee of $500.00 is much smaller than the 25% deposit at time of booking. Keith

I would not be concerned with the $125.00/$250.00 issue. As mentioned it is likely due to this being what someone who is not a Crystal Society member gets versus the $250.00/$500.00 that a Crystal Society member gets assuming you book with 90 days of itinerary release. I have communicated this one to the good folks at Crystal. Keith

Not sure if you can do it but I would just book it myself. Long story. I had to book them myself due to an issue. We will then give them to our TA to take from there. It was easy to do and I even had the extra challenge of CC company on the first one asking via text and e-mail if this was fraud. Keith

Easy Peasy..

I could speculate but best for us to know when Crystal comes out with the itineraries. Hopefully we’ll see them in a few weeks. Keith

Yes the 500.00 from the open booking goes to the cruise you designate it to be used for. Keith

Open deposit is live. https://www.crystalcruises.com/open-deposit Keith

I posted this on another thread that relates to open bookings and I am adding some additional information. Crystal expects to start the open deposit program in early December. They also expect to announce the itineraries before the open deposit booking priority window is open and new itineraries are available for sale. In other words they announce itineraries, open up the open deposit booking priority window and sometime after that open up sales. If you have an open booking you would be able to book before others. They delay in the open deposit booking window is not only to be sure the systems are ready but everything is 100% locked down with respect to the delivery dates of the vessels. December is just around the corner. Keith

Like most things we will all figure out what works for them. And every situation is different such as whether or not you care about a specific suite category or even location and what specific cruise you might be interested in. Some like myself will book as soon as we can. Others will wait. No right or wrong like most things in life. Keith

WIth respect to the bridge programs and Ambassador Hosts, my understanding is that nothing has been firmed up on Enrichment yet. Only conversations. Keith

Thank you for pointing this out to me. While I am getting up there in years and while I can't fly, I can read. And yes I read your post before I posted. If there were no cases on CC where people answered the same questions, then threads would be half thire size. I know when I ask a question as important as this one, I do appreciate getting more than one answer just to be sure, particularly when someone references their TA told them something. Why? Because there are plenty of times where erroneous information is passed on as things got lost in the translation. Thankfully, this is a case where the answer is correct.

Yes. Keith

As many as you want. Keith

Getting ready for Thanksgiving. I need to know how many of you are coming over for the feast. We have a lot of turkey on site and I need to know how many and sizes I will need to feed you all. Keith

That makes sense. I had been wondering why they would go this route. Keith

OK. Took me awhile but found it. Yes while I didn't correct that specific post I have commented on the 90 days several times. The 90 days only refers to getting the As You Wish Credit. In short, if you put down the open deposit of $500 per suite to resize the As You Wish Savings (amount depends on one or two people on the booking, and Crystal Society Member or not) you must book one of the 2023/2024 sailings which will be announced later this year within 90 days of the time the itineraries are released. However, if you choose not to book within 90 days the open booking remains out there unless you cancel it and you can use that open booking after the 90 day window but you won't get the As You Wish Credits. Keith

I learned a big lesson. In my case I now go with American Express for large purchases formany reasons and one is their customer service and the ease in which to work with them when something goes badly. But this is based on my experience. Like most things I saw some people post that they had good luck with other companies. I did not. Another lesson I learned is not to move money from one booking to the other. Way to complicated if you have to unwind this. Sometimes you don't have a choice but there were times I did and I should have cancelled and rebooked. Exception would be if there are administrative fees but then keeping a record of all of this is important. Keith

Yes you have described it well. For some the incentive is getting on a priority list for the actually booking and the as you wish credit whose amount varies based on one or two people on the booking and whether or not they are Crystal Society members is a plus for some.. And if itineraries are really related later this year it's putting out $500.00 for this and if you want to book realizing these benefits and if one does not want to book they can immediately cancel the open booking or some might be interested but not want to make a decision within 90 days so they could wait and use it later but no as you wish credit or just cancel. Like any promotion it might not be attractive to one person but attractive to someone else. Keith

I did verify this. Using USA money the open booking deposit is $500.00 per suite, not per person so yes $500.00 is the amount regardless of the number of people in the suite. Keith

Pat, This is how it works. To get the as you wish credit you have to book a cruise within 90 days from when the itineraries are released which is estimated to be in 4Q 2022. So say they allow the open deposits in two days. You make the deposit. Say the itineraries for 2023 and 2024 are released December 15 (I am making this date up) to get the as you wish credit you would have to make a firm booking for one of the itineraries within 90 days of the release of these itineraries. At the time you make the real booking your $500.00 deposit is moved to that specific booking. I hope this helps to understand how this will work. Keith