Keith1010

They will. I am sure OBGS is wrong. Why because they probably don't realize this because that kind of detail is not in any system. Keith

In the past yes. I expect this in 2025. We will know soon. Keith

Yes to all questions. Keith

You are very welcome. Keith

On this cruise they have a group vintage room dinner and they have enough people signed up. I know they offered a lunch vintage room but do not believe enough people signed up. So I had posted that the dinner last night was excellent. One fellow member of this group said I was wrong. She said not just excellent but better than ever. Good point. Another person says the lobster she had was the best she has eaten. Keith

Absolutely. Keith

Yes. On every cruise. Keith

Many were in Suits and Tuxedos. I have to say I didn't look. A few people didn't realize there was a formal night as they are new to Crystal. Keith

We kicked off last night with a Gala. It was formal night on-board. It was held in the Crystal Cove. It was one if not one of the most amazing events I have seen held in the Cove. Three continuous hours of entertainment by the on-board entertainment team and some brought on from land. From land this included vocalists and a classical orchestra. In addition, there were Crystal vocalists and dancers and band, violinist and it was a delight. Waiters and Bar teams with canapes and drinks and cocktail tables set out. This was the first time I was in a tuxedo since the 2019 World Cruise as on the 2020 World Cruise I brought a suit and no formal nights on all of the Bahama cruises we were on or Endeavor in 2021. Dinner in Waterside. Menu terrific so many favorites including caviar, and lobster. All in all a wonderful evening and so nice to see so many people dressed up. We arrived to Monte Carlo last evening. We have been here many times most recently in 2018 and 2019. We had some things we needed to take care of around the ship so we decided to do all this today and not tour around as we've done in the past. I did go on a run up to the Palace. Was very careful when in the cross walks knowing the cars do not stop but suddenly, this bicycle comes out of nowhere at a crazy speed. Good news I am here to write about it. Ugh! We also enjoyed the day on-board Serenity doing similar things as we did yesterday. We are always happy to visit ports and also make Crystal Serenity or Symphony our destination for one or more days. Day also included walks and a couple of hours of Paddle Tennis with friends. Hot…Hot…Hot

I just me up with Anne Marie in the lounge. So you have all seen the tables and chairs the middle and I've already mentioned that they are comfortable. Around the perimeter of the table are wing back (high back) chairs with coffee tables and they are even more comfortable. This is a great meet up place. Whereas sometimes Anne Marie would go to the Cove this is just a nice place to visit. If you told me this was here from day one of Serenity I would believe you. This reenforces my view that pictures do not do justice to rooms and that you need to experience it for yourself without rushing to Judgement. In short, the area looks great. Finally, people need to remember that the furniture on ships must meet fire codes and this is way different than at your own home. And as I've said before maybe it's not your taste in furniture but someone else might say that about the furniture in your very own home. If we all had the same taste we would not have so much variety would we? Keith

I am pretty flexible with bath products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash and for me the new products are fine. I do like the tube as it is very easy to squeeze each tube as you might toothpaste versus hard containers or even the previous ones where sometimes it was hard to open the lids. Keith

When we dined at Osteria d'Ovidio the first night I didn't provide photos of the dining venue so I am providing them now. Beautiful dining venue. Keith

OK some additional observations. Some of you asked are the outdoor vests and polls still on board? Yes. On Board Bookings. Two cruise consultants who also administer Crystal Society. When you book you will need your credit card as the transaction will be done with them. If you are on board in the coming weeks and you think you want to book a 2025 cruise consider an open booking as they are good for three months ($500.00 per person and refundable) and that way you can get a 2.5% discount. I plan to do several of them.) If you book a specific cruise you will make a 25% deposit as if you were at home. They can confirm your room real time. For those of you who remember Bojan from Serenity he will be on Symphony. You now tap your key card to enter your room and you don't have to remove it from the Crystal card holder.

Sometimes we will hear of something from someone on board that is incorrect. If you have been told that the floor in Waterside is new or that Palm Court furniture is new that is not the case although both were updated in the 2018 October/November dry dock. Keith

Jeany you are welcome. On another board someone from here once mentioned that a crew member was returning to Crystal. That crew member who was supposed to get promoted on the line they were working (they would still have come to Crystal at the end of their contract) lost the promotion because the other cruise line read the board and saw the name. This is why it's important that unless the person publicly says they are returning I am careful what to confirm or not confirm. Best, Keith

I said this the other day but to me this is the key. If you enjoyed the prior Crystal experience you will enjoy new Crystal because in the end it is the prior Crystal experience with enhancements. Dining the same but an enhanced Italian restaurant and if you liked the Tastes for dinner that is back. On -board service and enhancement terrific. Walk anywhere and if you are familiar with the crew you will see them everywhere. New people of course. There were always new people. New rooms? Yes. Other new things yes such as the new Lounge. But the feeling onboard which was what people seemed to be concerned with and the worry the product would be radically changed is the furthest from reality. It is Crystal all the way but enhanced and when I say enhanced some enhancements made already but others coming over the next months. And this reaffirms all I have been saying over the many months when for whatever reason was questioned about the statement about the majority of the crew returning and how the core product would be similar with enhancements and now this was not going to be Silversea and so forth. So if you were waiting on the side because you didn't know whether the product would be similar to what it was like I would say no need to wait. I have spoken to at least 150 guests now (maybe more) some from this board and everyone says the same as I do. This is the Crystal that those of us adore. You will also hear on board saying Crystal is back. And more crew will return in time. Keith

When you say rest you mean just one as the other three were announced. It won't be too much longer till the fourth CD is announced including who that person is. Keith

A gala before dinner last evening; two of them in the Plaza. A mix of entertainers from the ship and from land with the show band and a 10 (maybe more) classical orchestra from land. This is something that the Crystal from many years ago might do. It was outstanding. There is no longer the sextet and now two performers and the woman's voice is one of the best I have ever heard. Later I will have a very short video of her singing. I am not sure if it is this thread or another asking about lectures. Today two. Destination Lecturer George Munro and World Current Events Lecturer Stephen Cole. More later including menus from Waterside. Keith

A video from last evening. Keith IMG_2334.mov

Formal night was last night. Menu which I will post later from Waterside featured the types of items one would see for a Formal night. Keith

Yes this is the case for what was the Seabreeze rooms. The newer ones do not have this and the benefit is the actual room is larger not using that space for the foyer area. Keith

Folks have not heard me speak about people like Slavco and Remi as they are on Symhony and not Serenity. Keth

When you say Clark. There was Clark from many years ago who went to Esprit and he will be returning but I am not sure if this is the same Clark. I am unsure of the Catholic Priest and will let you know when I am sure. Keith

Yes for both. Keith

Excellent choice. Keith