Keith1010

Crystal Named as One of the Top Cruise Lines by Cruise Critic In its 15th Annual Editors’ Picks Awards Miami, December 06, 2023 Cruise Critic®, the world’s leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community, has named the winners of its 15th annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards – the industry’s most comprehensive awards – recognizing the best cruise lines of the year, as chosen by the site’s international team of cruise experts. Crystal was recognized as one of this year’s best cruise lines in both the US and UK awards, winning: Best Service (Luxury Category) Best for Solo Travelers (Luxury Category) “We are honored to have Crystal recognized in two categories by the editors of Cruise Critic, both in the US and UK awards,” said CEO of A&K Travel Group Cristina Levis. “Exceptional service is one of our key pillars and with more than 80% of our beloved crew returning during our relaunch, to once again be recognized by our industry peers is an esteemed accomplishment.” “With the trend of solo traveling continuing to rise, we are proud of the accommodations and programming we offer our solo guests and look forward to welcoming more single cruisers in 2024,” Levis added. Guided by the Cruise Critic editorial team’s impartial cruise expertise – based on first-hand experiences and industry knowledge – the awards name the best-in-industry while also helping travelers select the best cruise for their specific interests and needs. “This was a banner year for the cruise industry,” explains Colleen McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic. “On Cruise Critic, we saw demand for cruises surpass pre-pandemic times, and a number of lines reported ships sailing at over 100% capacity. Cruising has always been a high-value vacation, but with costs of land- and air-based travel through the roof, the true value of a cruise really hit home this year.” For the full details of this year’s winners, visit 2023 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards. Cruise Critic is the world’s largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers, featuring more than 50 million opinions, reviews & photos and hosts the world's largest online cruise community. About Crystal For more than three decades Crystal has been synonymous with exceptional, award-winning voyages. In 2022 A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and its two vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, ushering in a new era of Exceptional at Sea. The globally renowned cruise line offers discerning travelers industry-leading, authentic, and enriching experiences both onshore and at sea. Crystal’s pioneering partnership with Abercrombie & Kent provides guests with unparalleled access to the most sought-after experiences, destinations, and the latest cultural makers around the world.The reimagined ships boast larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes, new cutting-edge wellness offerings, spectacular entertainment, and complimentary world-class dining - including the return of UMI UMA - the only dining experience by Michelin-Star Chef Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) at sea. With a legacy of unrivaled service and commitment to sophistication and elegance at every touchpoint, once on-board passengers feel as if they are perfectly at home.

Where is Waldo? Easy one. Keith

Awards are the same as 2019 confirmed by Crystal. The information about Sapphire also comes from Crystal but if there are questions they advise speaking with a reservations supervisor. Keith

I have heard back from Crystal. As I knew would be the case, when you redeem a milestone it does not deduct points. As for the PH Level it applies. I was for the benefits to apply guest must have sailed and booked in a Sapphire Suite not an Aquamarine Suite. Valid upon completion of Milestone voyage. Applicable to voyages only in lieu of As You Wish credit or Cruise Fare Savings in Aquamarine and above categories. If you have questions they recommended that your TA speak with a Reservations Supervisor to clarify this or any other benefit. At the same time (this is me) you could ask more questions when on board your voyage. I hope this helps. Keith

Well that is correct in the sense that you use your 40th on your 41 cruise. You still have 41 cruises but you have no unused ones. Your next one would be whenever the next milestone kicks in. The way I am saying this is the way Crystal said it but what you were told is correct but different way of describing it. And you don't start over because you are building on what you have in terms of the more milestones you start to hit some special one. Just a poor choice of words from the Rep. I am sure when you clarify you will be told as I just explained it. By the way, I have heard back from Crystal and they want to make doubly sure but first response was the program is as it was in 2019. It's just the rep as I said not using the right words to explain this to you. Keith

The occupancy has varied on the Crystal ships since it restarted. On the current voyages of Serenity occupancy was low. On the one before it the occupancy was high. On the Holiday Cruise it is either sold out or almost sold out. I am reminded that on Serenity they did change the itinerary that is being sailed now and broke it into smaller segments. The reality is by the time they came out with their sailings for this year many people had plans with other cruise lines. They knew this would be the case. The key will be how things go next year. I do know lots of people who are booked on Crystal voyages particularly on all or portions of the World Cruise and for the Alaska season. I know some on Symphony but not to the extent that I hear about Serenity. Time will tell. Keith

Hello. You lost me. I have never heard the word points for Crystal Milestones. And I've never heard of reduced either. Let's say you have 38 milestones and you took two cruises a few months ago and are now at 40. You have a cruise coming up. You can use the 40th for that cruise. If you do, you now have used your 40th milestone. At the end of the cruise you have 41 cruises. You take another 4 cruises and you are at 45. You book another cruise and you can use the 45 milestone for that. I will ask someone at Crystal if the milestone program has changed. I hope that whoever you all talked to knows what they are talking about. Keith

I have seen a few guests in military formal attire but it's been many years. When it comes to formality my experience is that it ranges by voyages. You will see more formality on a World Cruise because many people are on board a longer time so many men take tuxedos whereas on a voyage of one formal that is less likely. Where you sail is a factor too as is time of year. Keith

Just have your TA confirm this with Crystal. If it is doable they can request the milestone and if it's not it won't be approved. Just think we should not speculate and not knowing all your details I would not want to tell you the wrong thing. Also the milestone program of 2019 was different than the one before that. Keith

Another day. Another view. Looks walkable. Keith

I agree and that was my thought. But just in case something has changed I thought having the TA verify this was wise just in case I was wrong. I do know that say you have 99 cruises and you book another one making it 100. You can't use that one until you actually achieve 100 so if you wanted to use it you would have to wait till you hit 100 and then use it for something that you make payment for after that one. So logic told me this wouldn't work on those segments but..............better to have TA verify. Keith

Each segment is counted as a cruise or cruises (length is a factor) towards your milestone. Have your TA followup on the second question. Keith

This has changed a bit due to the sheer volume of suites. Each day they bring each suite an assortment of canapés and they change each day. To keep things simple, everyone gets the same set. Those in the Junior CP and CP can get this and/or canapés including the pigs in blankets. Keith

Not sure what the 3 digits are for. I would have your TA check with Crystal. As to assignments, it can happen anytime from now till the day you board the ship but often before you board. Keith

Seems close enough to walk to and from the ship. Keith

The goal is 30 days before the cruise. Initially it was a week or two. More recently 30 days. Just like making reservations. Initially 30 days and now 60 days. Keith

They are working on it for sure. I know it seems like it would be a piece of cake to fix this one but it isn't. Please remember. All of these systems were built from the ground floor. NC didn't inherit any systems. It is on my followup list. 😄 Keith

Unfortunately you won't see them. They use the area for the New Years Eve Celebration which is one of the reasons they take them down. Once down and back in Miami they'll take them off the ship to be stored. Your cruise will be here before you know it. Keith

Ivi, when you say keep do you mean when do they come down? They start taking them down after Christmas so they can be all down for New Year Eve celebration. If you are asking how long do they keep the decorations for use each year they have had them for many years although I do remember a boat load of new ones added around 2011. Keith

You got that write (just kidding) Rob. Right. 😄 Keith

I am not in this situation but in my case my wife has issues that preclude us from taking advantage of all venues unless there were significant design changes. We just focus on the venues that we can enjoy. Like I said JMO. Yes if they could have a do over I suspect the Avenue Saloon on Serenity would have been designed similar to Symphony. With that said, personally, I don't want Crystal to spend a lot of money on the existing ships as I would like to see the emphasis on the new ships. I believe the next dry docks of each ship will be mainly technical with some interior work. When the new ships become reality just like building a new home and with all of the great planing that goes into them there will be issues. I also feel when it comes to decor what one person likes another doesn't. Keith

I always like to share paths and side walks and this one resonates with me from Wellington (no not Beef Wellington Ken Z). Just Wellington the city. Keith

Agreed. We've had at least two threads on this subject. And before anyone says why note have a third (we can and even more) but there is a lot of good information already posted as Crickette noted. And it is Crystal Clear that the vast majority of guests prefer a promenade deck but in the end Crystal will decide. With that said, they did ask what people think on that because at the time they were working through the design of the new vessel. Keith

My view is simple. If you liked Crystal before NC is like OC but even better. Keith

As I read about the columns I keep telling myself the glass is half full. There is so much good about Serenity and about Symphony. Don't sweat the little things. Live is good if you can sail with Crystal. JMO. Keith