Keith1010

You can just unsubscribe.

I haven't read all of the suggestions but try using a different e-mail. In general, Crystal has reached out to most of the Crystal Society Members. The biggest challenge and they knew this was that when they released itineraries the vast majority of people already had bookings with other lines and didn't want to change them. I hear from several people, (some from this board) who won't sail Crystal until later next year or even 2025 because they had other bookings in place. Keith

Roy, the plan was to be as paperless as possible. However, initially the tablets were not ready for deployment so they printed hard copies of the reflections. I am reminded how most cruise lines have evolved and many have far less paper than they did with each passing year. Old Crystal eliminated those four page newspapers such as the abbreviated New York Times several years ago and the Guest List as two examples of this. When we sailed Mozart there was less paper and on Endeavor things like Refections were not printed. It took us a day or two to get used to not having the printed copy of Reflections. Thank you again for taking us along on your adventure. Keith

Serenity in Spain in August of this year. Keith

Ray and Ann: I am very glad to hear you pulled the trigger and signed up for your first Crystal Cruise. Sounds like a great plan you have developed. You have selected a terrific itinerary and a great time of the year to sail this area. Please return to ask questions whenever you have them. If you have not done so already be sure to go to the Crystal Cruises website to set up your user name and password for your account. Once this is set up you can view your account and see your booking and fill in some or all of your guest documents. 60 days prior to the start of your cruise you will be able to make shore excursion, specialty restaurant and spa/salon reservations. Positivity is something I truly believe in. Life is short. And current events such as what happened in Israel is a reminder to put things in perspective IMHO. If the greatest problem in life is that someone didn't care for a restaurant life is surely good. Congratulation to you both. Keith

It's interesting what you said and we had a similar discussion while on board Serenity with some folks who were working on another luxury line when Crystal was shut-down. They said that the ship could make almost no decisions. The similarity between those comments and your comment is that both lines are owned by large parent companies. I agree with your analogy about software versus hardware. In the end, what makes Crystal great for us whether the ship was new (Endeavor) or had been around for awhile, is the crew who are truly the software and also the heart and soul of Symphony and Serenity. Keith

Got it. Someone might know but two suggestions: One is to contact them by e-mail or phone: Contact Details Department of Immigration and Emigration Suhurupaya, Sri Subuthipura Road, Baththaramulla Hotline : 0094 71 9967888 Telephone : 0094 70 1777555 , 0094 11 5329422 Fax : 0094 11 2674631 E-Mail : eta@immigration.gov.lk Web Site: www.immigration.gov.lk Email : controller@immigration.gov.lk The other one is to have your TA contact Crystal as I know they have been working on answers to visa questions for each voyage and they should have this information available for yours. Keith

According to their website a visa for Sri Lanka is good for up to 30 days so you wouldn't need a second visa. https://lka-egov.org/visas-and-requirements/ Keith

Rather I think what we see on this and the other cruise boards is that we all see, experience and view things as we see them and that is not always the same. Go to other sites to read reviews whether they are about hotels, restaurants or a wide range of products and how they rate them is certainly not the same for everyone. And this is why choice is good. Keith

Two photos sent to me when Crystal Serenity was at Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in Boston yesterday. Keith

Another beautiful view sailing 27 months ago. Keith

A view from twenty seven months ago on-board Serenity. Keith

It is an uplifting video. I've sailed with the guests interviewed on one or more prior cruises and it was great to sail with them again. It was great to meet others such as Fernando. Keith

Ray, Symphony has a very nice Fitness Center as does Serenity and they have the two items you said Ann enjoys plus the ones you were interested in for yourself. It is equipped with several types of equipment including indoor cycling bikes and stationary bikes as well as Ellipticals and Treadmills. There are free standing weights and all sorts of weight machines. There are other items such as balance balls and bands. There are classes offered in Fitness as well. I appreciate it being open 7x24. It is staffed from approximately 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Keith

Roy, I always think it is kind of those who post about their travel adventures and always enjoy your posts. Thank you so much for taking us along on the two ships you sailed. Safe travels. Keith

Ray and Ann, Based on your cruising experiences, items you like and other things you have said, you have certainly picked a great luxury line to try out. We had sailed many mainstream lines before trying Crystal in 2022. Since that first sailing we have sailed other lines but within three years of that first cruise Crystal clearly became our go to cruise line. We started sailing Crystal when we were in our 40's. The first thing I noticed about Crystal was that they saw myself, my wife and our two adult children as individuals and not a number. I noticed this day one literally. Over the years this has grown immensely with each passing cruise. So for us what we like starts with the amazing crew. For us they are amazing. It continues with the size of the two vessels and their ability to provides a wide ranges of activities and programs while still providing a luxury product and cozy places to enjoy. There is something for pretty much everyone. Over the years our interests have changed so having lots of enrichment, other activities and entertainment has given us lots of choices as we evolved. I enjoy fitness so having a 7x24 fitness center and other outlets such as the wraparound promenade deck is important and I evolved to playing Paddle Tennis something I truly enjoy. There are lots of other things in the day time whether that is art classes, computer classes, golf classes, bridge classes and bridge play, fitness classes and so much more including lectures on a range of topics. Food is very important to us as is great service and Crystal provides them exceptionally well. Their standard rooms are smaller than the other luxury lines. But they have many accommodations to choose from including different sizes of suites. Each of the two vessels was sized for many more guests than they carry today as the overall capacity was reduced to increase the number of suites in a two or more major dry docks and one which completed only a few months ago. This means the two vessels which already had more public space than many vessels and a great ratio of space to guests now have a higher ratio of space per guest. Back to service the service is superb IMHO and that includes throughout the ship. When dining they do all those little things which many lines we have sailed didn't do and the service levels are high whether it is in your room or suite or in other areas of the ship. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to wine. I find the inclusive wines to be quite good. Some I am very familiar with and others not. Crystal often arranges to bring on local wines based on where the ship is sailing to complement other wine they have year round and often it is the local wines (when I say local if you are in South America regardless of country they might bring on some wines from South America and the same is true of Europe or South Africa, etc. In general the wine might have a retail price of $18.00 to $22.00 per bottle in the USA on land in stores that sell wine at competitive rates. I did find them to be better than the overall set of inclusive wines offered on other lines we have sailed. As to Shriza they might only have one or possibly two types that are inclusive having more choice in cabernet and merlot. On the white side they have several with a slightly higher number of chardonnay. I would say give the inclusive side a try. I have my favorite blends as well but try to try others while sailing Crystal and this has actually been great as it has pushed me to experience a greater number of blends and when home try to keep that so I am not in a rut when it comes to what type of wine I enjoy. At the same time, if you don't prefer what is offered that is inclusive or want to try others there is a range of wine to purchase. Also, some of the inclusive wine varies by dining venue but if you ask the sommelier they can often bring you wine from another venue. We have found the majority of sommeliers to be very knowledgeable. If you enjoy wine they will offer one or two vintage room lunches where food is paired with champagne one time and say wine the next time and dinners when it s paired with wine. There is a cost and you can sign up once on the ship and it is a great experience. I may have provided you with more information than you prefer. Others will have their own set of opinions. We love to cruise and over the years enjoyed most of our cruises but for us Crystal is our go to cruise line. We are glad we found a product that we really prefer but as I say it started with a love for cruising and for us Crystal worked out well. Is it for everyone? No. But very few if any products are. For us it works out great. Keith

Well, a new one for today. Crystal Serenity from eight years ago. Glasses on. Ready to go. Can't wait. Keith

See what happens when I don’t wear my glasses. 🤓 🤓🤓🤓 Keith

Crystal Serenity in the Mediterranean five years ago. Keith

I agree with Patty and it is not not conjecture nor opinion as some of us know for sure. This was all recognized as part of the plans. And I am sure someone will ask how do I know. So it goes. Keith

This makes perfect sense as does Vince's post. I know in previous cases where we received money back it did come back via check and excellent point about those outside the country where a wire transfer might be something that is done. Keith

I can't speak to "more" but do know that Crystal has been doing quite a bit with the major travel consortium's, not only before the first sailings of each ship but also as we speak. Keith

David, she hasn't make this but does make some great desserts. 😀 Keith

You are very welcome. I also like hard copy brochures. At the present time there are no hard copy brochures that I am aware of but I had heard that there will be a new one that is hard copy. Maybe it will be 2025. Keith

Palm Court on Symphony has never been very popular. One reason was its original design. The other was after Starlight was opened up and it really has become the all purpose lounge. The other issue is at night as we learned from one of the people involved with Serenity and Symphony up until around five years ago at night it is not popular real estate. In other words, people dine and don't want to go all the way up for a visit to Palm Court. Serenity utilizes the Palm Court much more than Symphony but the reason is Serenity does not have a lounge like Starlight. Yes they do have Stardust but it is different in terms of location and that it is not welcoming. Keith