Keith1010

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner last night, starting with canapés, followed by dinner. As we dined, we had breathtaking scenery as we sailed into Bordeaux. There was so much to see. This continued after dinner as we went out onto the verandah to watch until we were docked right in downtown Bordeaux. Given the height of Serenity we had to arrive when the tides were low, and it was interesting to watch as we spun around as part of the approach to where we would dock. Many cruise ships cannot spin around as Serenity can and we also had a little assist with by a tug-boat. Later in the night was White Dress Party at 10:00 PM. Bordeaux looks very much like other cities in France which the beautiful architecture of its buildings. It is second to Paris as the country’s most densely populated city. Today, it is best known for its chateaux’s, wonderful cuisine and the wines produced in this region. In fact, over 3,000 wineries are in relatively short proximity to the city of Bordeaux. We had thought today we had a private tour which included a visit to a Chateaux. Thank goodness I looked at the website of the restaurant we were to eat at and saw it was closed on Thursdays for lunch. When I spoke with the Shore Excursion Manager, I realized the tour was Friday rather than Thursday which was the day we requested. Somehow, I had mistakenly added it to our excel spreadsheet for today. Glad this was all sorted out yesterday since our tour doesn't begin until 10:30 AM tomorrow. LOL. We are asked if there is still a Catholic Priest on-board and the answer is yes with Catholic Mass held each morning. Unhosted Sabbath Eve Services are held every Friday at 5:30 PM as they always have been. On the World Cruise and on Jewish Holidays such as the high holy days, on Passover and on the Holiday Cruise the plan is to have a Rabbi on board. We walked for several miles around the down area of Bordeaux retracing some of the steps we took on our first visit on the 2007 Crystal Serenity World Cruise. That visit was a Sunday when very few people were out and about in the morning. We had a wonderful time in this special city. After lunch I went out by myself for a nice walk and will postt photos about it tomorrow. We are enjoying a nice afternoon on board Crystal Serenity. Cheers, Keith

We don't find it crowded at all. We walk different times but often out at 7:30 AM or 8:00 AM and my wife again around 12:30. I run from time to time. Not a problem and some run too depending on the cruise. Keith

Here it is. I posted it on my daily updates. Keith

All the times we previously were in Bordeaux on Serenity we docked at an industrial port outside the city. Since that time they dock downtown as they arrive when the tides are lower as we did last night. It was wonderful to dine last evening as we made our way up the river and we enjoyed many spectacular views. Later we went out onto our verandah and stayed until we were docked. It was very special. Serenity can spin like it is on a dime and not many ships can do this as we have learned. We also had some assistance just in case. Keith

When you hear that 82% of the crew has returned keep in mind in some areas of the ship the percentage will be higher while others it will be lower. For example, many of the people at the reception desk are new but often this is the case as some move up into other positions and some decide to return to land. Keith

Roy it is one day and the cruise ends a few days later in Miami. drgigi, you might want to ask your TA to contact on-board guest services to see if they can check and find out if the shuttle will have a drop off in Manhattan as unless anyone has already had their TA reach out we would be speculating on this. Keith

Food continues to be excellent. Waterside has more menu choices than I remember including lots of entrees. Presentation, Taste and the temperature in which it is served is a delight. And service is great. We've been pleased with the other venues. Biggest challenge is in IT area. Phones still have issues. If you cal handset to handset (not to say butler who is on a wireless phone) the call disconnects after 20 seconds and they have to call you back. If anyone calls us it rings in the bedroom but not in our living area. There are all new systems for check in of the guests including credit card, booking cruises and pretty much everything and some working well while others not consistent. Internet overall has been great. There has been periods where it is up and down (down for a second or two and back up) as I can see this on my e-mail browser. Not sure if this is the ship or the satellite as I have heard and read about the provider having issues so the jury is out on that. But in spite of this it has been so much better. Now if I was on RCI in the Caribbean I know from others they have a superior internet but they have a couple of benefits including repetition of itineraries. TV reception still has issues with intermittent freezing of programs. Early on you would lose sound and the way to correct that was to switch channels and then go back to the original channel. This issue is much better. A couple of times in port no reception so not sure what that is about. Keith

You missed my point. We don't do shared excursions anymore so when they are included we are paying big money for something we don't want. I am a very seasoned international traveler both business and pleasure. We know where we won't go it alone. I've only been to one place where we couldn't do it on our own and back then it was Saudi Arabia. Not sure how it is today for that. We did the ships excursion although back then we did ships excursions plus private ones. We also do private ones though Crystal and we also do them on our own. We factor in many things in making those decisions as well. Choice is good. Keith

I would recommend asking this when people are on board Symphony. Serenity and Symphony Classic rooms are different. I love the classic on Serenity. It is has lovely features including makeup desk and another desk and lots of storage space. I like it a lot more than Symphony where we go with a Classic Sapphire or where we loved the Sapphire which was created in 2017 whereas we didn't like the Sapphire on Serenity created in 2018 but think the new Sapphire looks great. Anyway, I recommend getting some feedback after Symphony launches. Keith

Last evening, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Fernando Barroso de Oliveira who is the Crystal Ambassador. We had a delightful evening and there was never a pause in the conversation, and we enjoyed laughs throughout the evening. We shared travel experiences with one another and enjoyed getting to know Fernando. The food was great too as was the service. We were taken great care by Head Waiter Sigi, Waiter Albert, and Sommelier Adrian. It is great to be back on-board Crystal Serenity doing all the things we enjoy and being with so many special people, crew and guests. He will be on-board the early sailings of Symphony, other sailings and the Full World Cruise. After all guests were on-board the featured entertainment was James Fox who sang songs Billy Joel, Leo Sayer, The Eagles, Elton John and other artists. With an arrival to Bordeaux this evening, today was what you might expect a sea day to be the Crystal way. This included three lectures; destination lecture about Bordeaux by Dr. Kenneth Pearl, a talk on about traveling in space by Astronaut Dr. Jefrey Hoffman and a talk in the afternoon given by Entertainment Lecturer Gregory Sherman appropriately titled Supercalifragilistic! In total, forty daytime activities and that doesn't include eating which is several activities in itself. LOL. Sea days are always special with Crystal Cruises and today has been no exception. We still fit in time for walks and Paddle Tennis, eating and the enjoyment of the enrichment and conversation with the amazing Crystal Serenity Crew and fellow guests. Cheers Keith

Choice in cruise lines is good. I don't care for SS and so glad there are big differences between the lines. As to shared tours. Done that many times and have no interest in doing it anymore. So in the case with Crystal I like that tours are not included. I prefer private tours so we can see precisely what we want and even change it up during the tour and not wait on others. In the case of Muscat we didn't need a tour. Negotiated with a taxi driver and saw those sites we wanted to see. Keith

Nancy, Anne Marie and I had dinner with Fernando last evening. He is my kind of person. Very passionate and engaging. Keith

I forgot to say the naysayers said we would see contractors everywhere. Well there are contractors on-board both sailings but not obvious at all and most people would not know unless someone told you they were here. Keith

I would prefer not to post the cost but not much higher than the last time we did this which was 2020 as we didn't do a VR during the Bahama Cruises. The red that we enjoyed with the beef received a 100 rating. We were with people who truly appreciate wine as we do. Champagne was great too. Tomorrow we expect to taste some very good wine at lunch and at a Chateaux. Keith

I had a high school friend who asked if she can travel with Anne Marie and myself after seeing some photos. 🤣 We will be on Symphony in 2024 but not in that April/May time frame.

Yes website is correct. All Deck 10 double guest rooms with Verandah have been updated and look like the ones on the other decks. Keith

Somethings for sure: Remember when a couple of people kept pushing back when I said the majority of the crew would return. Aside from being wrong they show they do not understand the crew or why people choose to work where they do. I never had a doubt the majority would return but one of the reasons is hearing from so many of them. Remember when some said those of us who really enjoy the Crystal product will be disappointed because the new Crystal product will not be anywhere's like the olds one. One person went on to say the new owner would make it SS. I remember saying if that was true why make the new product Crystal? I expected changes and welcomed changes and reminded people that since I first sailed Crystal in 2002 it never stopped evolving and that is what Crystal of today has done. Remember, when some on this board said the ship(s) will not be ready. They said they wouldn't be able to get dry dock space, contractors, supplies, etc. I remember saying that no inaugural cruise I am aware of has ever been flawless and this one wasn't either but that they would not set a date and miss it and they didn't. And being on the inaugural of Serenity and those on it for Symphony (would be there too if not for meetings at home) will be very special and this one truly was and Symphony will be as well. Were there glitches? Yes. But given the choice of staying home or for me sailing on another line there is no comparison. New ownership and leadership. Some said they would not listen to Crystal guests and do it their way and some of us said they would not have bought the name if they were not going to listen to Crystal guests. They have done IMHO an excellent job of bringing in those from the outside former Crystal and bringing back former Crystal land personnel and trying to get back as many of the crew members as possible. Anyway, I am just glad that so much has worked out so that Crystal continues to sail into the future. My bags are packed for our next set of Crystal Cruises. Since we've been on-board we've added more plus open bookings. Bags are packed. Ready to go. Can't wait. Keith

Three observations for today: Like in the past as much as any cruise line, hotel, restaurant tries the experience can vary. For example, embarking a cruise line is not always the same based on many factors including debarking the previous cruise, rules and regulations of the port, port authority, and even the company providing the support at the port. With Crystal returning over the coming weeks and months guests will continue to see changes around each ship and new added touches. For example, the crew is working outside on different projects such as putting coverings up on the Paddle Tennis courts, or putting in place umbrella stands in the back of the ship and new trash cans have been added. As discussed, the new bath products have arrived in pumps. Wine is still coming such as the Nobu wine has not yet arrived and other wine is coming for both inclusive and for purchase. Many info all of the systems used around the ship are new and there is a learning curve, some need to be tweaked and some not yet working. As I mentioned the tablets will be deployed. They have added three to the computer university so people can try them out. I am sure they will be modified over the coming months based on feedback. Finally change. Everywhere I've been in life people don't like change. This includes work, pleasure, etc., etc., and this is evident to me. I use this example often but when inclusive rolled out I would say easily 95% of the Crystal Society guests didn't want the change. A year later not a peep. When this ship rolled out in 2003 many over those first several years didn't want to go to Umi Uma which back then was called Silk Road. I remember some asked us if they could dine with us so we could help guide them along the way. I see this with the new Italian Restaurant with several wanting their Prego. As in the past, I am sure that Crystal will modify the new menu but here is my take. A specialty restaurant is supposed to be special. I know some who feel they should go there almost every night. If you have the same thing every night how is that special I ask. The key is that Waterside continues to up its game as I've seen on the first two cruises and hopefully the specialty restaurants are viewed as being special. When I first sailed with Crystal in those first years on a typical cruise people went to each specialty restaurant one time each. Anyway, all of this does reaffirm my view about change. Bottom line to all of this is with the start up there are still things to go so as people board over the coming months some of the items you hear about will evolve and feedback will be good too. They already made one change which was in the suites related to pressing and then there was the change on the casino. Can they make every change some want? I've never seen a business that could or would do that but clearly the new ownership listens, considers and evaluates. Keith

Terrific news. As to Explora I've heard some interesting things from two friends and someone who worked there. Glad that Crystal is back because from what I've heard............Well let's leave it at that. Keith

Great news. Keith

Have your TA check with Crystal on this. Have looked at your itinerary and never needed to do visas for any of them and have visited each of them several times with Crystal. Country can matter although on the cruise when transiting them that would be a major exception other than if you are ending in a country. But when it comes to all of this best to get current information. If this was me I would have my TA followup with Crystal specially with the group that coordinates this with the ship. Keith

I didn't ask if the price from previous private VR's went up so am unsure of the cost at this time. When I do these they have kept to what is the standard cost, but we normally keep to five to seven people so you can keep to one bottle pairing. We like them to build up and included one or two very special wines. We've gone with themes at times and I remember one-time having guests figure out did it come from Napa or Bordeaux. Keith

I know of at least one CC member who will be writing a review of the first cruise. Many more people were on board who post on another site in comparison to those on board who are CC members. Keith

Thank you so much. We did go to the museum on a prior visit. Keith

Is this the right place to look as I can't find it under the Brooklyn Terminal. I might be looking at the wrong tab so appreciate if you can post the link. https://nycruise.com/brooklyn-terminal/schedule-bct/ Keith