Keith1010

The major difference is we are on a flight for x number of hours not days or even weeks. We don't have time on that flight to converse with everyone about what we paid. We do on a cruise. People talk on cruise lines and that is a problem is fare are significantly reduced. And yes agree that even old Crystal offered some incentives but not something that would take a cruise of 200 guests to a full ship. Crystal built all of this into their business plan and that was fully understanding that booking in 2023 and into 2024 would be low. So my vote is they continue with this strategy to ensure pricing integrity. As I have said from the beginning these are very smart people who have thought this through. And we are seeing that is working as more and more people I know have been adding more and more cruises. As for time will tell which is a phrase I have used on this board for several years and always enjoy when others day the same, the next Crystal Serenity cruise is pretty much full. The Serenity Holiday Cruise is in the same boat. I am seeing other cruises we are booked on with increasing numbers as I see several categories wait listed. And the same is true for a number of other cruises. In the end Crystal will figure out what makes sense. If they need to adjust pricing they will but glad to see they have not panicked. There is no need to.

Here you go. Keith

Pricing integrity. How would you feel it you booked early and learn that someone else came on for a far less price. Customer loyalty is important. Keith

Welcome home. I am glad to hear how much you enjoyed the cruise. You are so right. All of this was built into the business plan. They knew that many people had other cruises booked by the time they put out the itineraries for not only 2023 but for 2024. Keith

I would be careful on this one. I believe your cruise ended in Dubai and the cruise that the original poster asked about ends in Mumbai. I am not saying it will be a problem but just so there are no surprises I think it is important for the original poster to have their TA verify this with Crystal. Even if it was the same port I would say yes to verify it because rules could change. Keith

What I do know is that on the next Serenity sailing it is close to sold out. Only one category of room is not waitlisted. Keith

Sixty days before your cruise you can go to "My Account (your account) and you will see the pricing for each shore excursion. Thankfully, Crystal does not include excursions in the cruise fare. I hope this continues. Keith

Sailing the Pacific Ocean in late January of 2020. Keith

As many times as we have transited the Panama Canal we always enjoy the day. Each time is unique in its own way. Even the weather makes a difference. Keith

Something new in my account under reservations since we took the first two Crystal Serenity cruise is the ability to submit a Crystal Customized Experiences Request. I realize this is not for everyone. It provides an option to have Crystal Land Programs customize a private shore excursion for you and others in your traveling party. Old Crystal had something like this. It does involve a non-refundable fee of $100.00 and that is to cover costs associated with developing a proposed itinerary for you. I do realize you don’t know if you will be pleased with what is proposed including the cost until you receive the proposal. I am glad it’s being offered as another option in the tool box for you to consider. Some additional information follows. Keith Crystal Customized Experiences General Terms & Conditions 1. An initial non-refundable $100 service fee for each Crystal Customized Experience per port requested is due at the time the request form is received. If Crystal Customized Experiences are accepted and confirmed, the $100 non-refundable service fee for each port request will be applied to the final balance. 2. All guests must have a deposit on file in order to book and/or participate in a Crystal Customized Experience. 3. All Crystal Customized Experience Request forms must be submitted at least 14 business days prior to the sailing date. Please allow approximately 7-10 business days for processing and quotation of pricing for your Customized Experience(s). 4. Payment in full for each Crystal Customized Experience is due upon acceptance and confirmation of the program. 5. Crystal Customized Experiences and the $100 non-refundable service fee for each request are non-commissionable and non-transferable. They cannot be applied as credit toward any Crystal Customized Experience and/or any other services offered on board. They cannot be redeemed for cash and/or a cash refund or credit to the credit card. 6. Any changes made to a Crystal Customized Experience after confirmation and payment in full are subject to a $100 service fee per change to each Crystal Customized Experience. 7. The following penalties will apply for all pre-reserved Crystal Customized Experiences canceled by the travel agent and/or guest(s) after confirmation and payment in full is received: Days prior to sailing % 180-90 days prior to sailing 10% 90-60 days prior to sailing 25% 60-30 days prior to sailing 50% 30-0 days prior to sailing 100% 8. Should you have any questions while completing the Crystal Customized Experience form please email crystaldestinationsATcrystalcruisesDOTcom. DOT is . AND is @

Continue to enjoy every minute. Keith

The day before we boarded Serenity in early January of 2020 in Miami. Keith

Early January of 2020. Keith

Often during the day they are there. If you see them overnight then report it. It's a big no no. If there was an emergency it could be a catastrophe. Keith

Yes and that is for safety reasons. This is from the before you sail guide which I think might be of interest to dcsam. WHEELCHAIR & OTHER ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION For complete details and guidelines, guests who have special requirements, physical challenges or need oxygen should refer to our website. The Onboard Accessibility Guide may be requested through our Onboard Guest Services departments by calling +1 (786) 464–4431, or via email at obgs@crystalcruises.com. All itineraries, fares, programs, promotions and policies are subject to change at the discretion of Crystal. Keith

Dcsam, the doors out to the pool area from a couple of different areas of the ship are automatic. I believe not a high threshold. This is on Deck 12. The promenade deck which is on a different deck (Deck 7) has heavy doors which are not automatic.. The guest decks are average size in terms of width. In a standard wheelchair/motor scooter you could navigate the clearing cart as long as they are already pushed close to the wall. There are some members on this board who utilize wheelchairs/motorized scooters who if they see your post can provide a lot more details than I can. Depending on where the ship sails you often see people in mobility scooters and some in wheelchairs. Keith

A view of Serenity in March 2020 from our Hotel in Sydney. Keith

Yes in the end, I would do what makes you happy. We have varied it up over the years. This year we wanted to be more formal so I brought my Tuxedo which I didn't do in 2020. 2021 didn't have formals based on the length of the cruises. I also don't worry about what others wear. I only pay attention to what my wife wears. 😀 Have a great time. Keith

A couple of years later, March 2020, after we got off Serenity in Sydney. After spending a week in Sydney, a few days on Long Island, returned home to the nightmare that would await with almost no food in the grocery store. Keith

I am sure if you would like something printed the would do this for you but the reality is most places are going paperless. All the hotels we have stayed at the past two years don't have printed items including room service menus and more and more cruise lines are going paperless. Most airline lounges and flights have very little if any paper as well. Very few hard copy newspapers if any. Magazines, very few if any. So I think what you want is going to be the exception and don't see the need to have stacks of paper printed out. Is it an adjustment? You bet. Keith

December 2024 and whatever dates in 2025 are a very long time from now. In the world we live in that's like years away.

Serenity from February of 2018 in Sydney, Australia . First and only time we visited the ship as a visitor. Keith

You are correct. In recent years they have had armed guards. When we sailed in this area a few times we had a lot of extra security but not armed guards. They are now there for pirates. At the present time we are on high alert for terrorism activity and that includes the USA. When we flew out of JFK one week ago today there was added security at the airport with personnel having their fingers on the triggers of assault rifles. Hadn’t seen this for many years. Keith

They are actually skipping a port due to weather and will have another day in Muscat instead which is good. Armed guards won’t help against a missile but will help with the pirates which is why they were brought on according to friends on board right now. Keith

You may have done this already but be sure you verify that you can debark the ship that day. When it comes to this history doesn’t matter. In terms of distance it depends whether your transport can enter the port or if you have to meet them outside the gate. If inside the port it’s very short distance after you debark. If outside the gate another couple minute walk. Keith