New Crystal - the Good, the Bad and the Indifferent

[claudiaYVR]

@Roland4I didn't know we could book in CAD$ now, that goes on my GOOD column 🙂

Edited February 2, 2023 by claudiaYVR

[claudiaYVR]

I just found out that changing the country at the very bottom of the Crystal website gives me CAD$!!

[Roland4]

2 minutes ago, claudiaYVR said:

@Roland4I didn't know we could book in CAD$ now, that goes on my GOOD column 🙂

When I checked the pricing yesterday, it all came up in CAD$. Stickman also noted the local pricing came up in AU$, so it would appear currency pricing on Crystal is consistent with A & K's general pricing policy of quoting in the "local" currency. I have not checked the USD pricing to see what exchange rate they are using, mostly because we have no intention of booking anything until 2024, after we see how things pan out with the initial sailings. Also because we are waiting on the 2024 WC, if in fact they do a WC in 2024.

[Roland4]

Just now, claudiaYVR said:

I just found out that changing the country at the very bottom of the Crystal website gives me CAD$!!

It came up automatically for me yesterday. I will have to plug in US$ to see what the exchange rate is. Most lines are using something in the $1.35 range at the moment.

[Stickman1990]

27 minutes ago, claudiaYVR said:

@Roland4I didn't know we could book in CAD$ now, that goes on my GOOD column 🙂

International pricing arbitrage can sometimes be a very very good thing. We recently saved 40% off our cruise using it to our advantage 

 

But you need agents who can sell in those currencies/markets 

[Cruise-y]

We always booked an old PH and that seems to relate to Aquamarine so… 

 

Good:

- Walk-in closet that has room for luggage and seems to have enough drawers to replace the old cabinets and desk drawers. All clothes items in one spot instead of socks crammed in the desk and underwear next to the bed. Yay!

- No space-wasting useless tub. Big walk-in shower. Yay! 

- Sitting area seems more spacious without the uncomfortable love seat but will have to experience. I like the décor. 

- Adding Tastes and keeping Bistro, Italian, Trident and presumably some kind of Japanese TBD. Win/Win

- Deep-sixing Silk and Brazilian steakhouse. 
- Keeping Avenue and Promenade

- Updated workout area 

 

Actually can’t think of any bad so far but we don’t know a lot yet about many other things. 
 

Big Hope For:

1)USB ports and plugs on both sides of the bed. 

2) More overhead coverings (shade) on the pool deck and please redo the seating so it isn’t just a few big, hogged sofas in the shade and then millions of loungers crammed together in the sun. We’re all old. We don’t need to sunbathe.

 

Don’t Care: No Casino 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[edgee]

Not a surprise to see it finally documented after some of what I have read, but no casino is a deal breaker for me.

[Jayayeff]

oops...posted in error

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Jayayeff

[Jayayeff]

7 hours ago, claudiaYVR said:

There are so many recent threads with a lot of miscellaneous info and chatter that I'm having a hard time keeping up. I thought I'd start a new clean thread focused on what we learn from Crystal and our TAs as details are nailed down and communicated. I would propose that we list things we know with a reasonable degree of certainty and how we feel about them. For example, I wouldn't discuss shore excursions as at this time we have no information on this topic at all. Comparisons to other lux lines are fair as it serves to inform everyone about what we're getting for our money. 

 

My first ones:

Tastes - Good. Always loved it on Serenity and happy it will now be on both ships

Bathtubs - Bad. Only available on Jr. CP and above. Both Seabourn and Silversea have nice bathtubs on all categories

 

Good for me is that the Crystal Symphony is still 'alive and well' - I first sailed on her back in 2006 and have always preferred her over the Serenity, but as my cruises are usually itinerary driven it depends which ship is going where and whether it fits my budget!!    Secondly, the demise of that silly little bathtub in the standard staterooms and the arrival of a spacious walk-in shower - what a long overdue and welcome sight that is!!!

 

Bad for me are the Single Occupancy Staterooms.  Strange you may think for someone who travels solo, but if you are going to introduce something then at least do it properly.  Considering the number of regular solo passengers who have historically cruised with Crystal, across all categories of staterooms or suites, why on earth would you simply just rename a block of double occupancy staterooms located in the least favourable location on the ship for them!!!  Even paying the lowest fare on a guarantee basis in the past I've never been assigned a stateroom that far forward on Deck 7 of the Symphony.  In fact the only time I was even close my neighbours were either guest entertainers, dance hosts, dance instructors or enrichment lecturers.   Single Occupancy Cabins should have been designed for solo use not just be regular double staterooms with a change of label on the deck plan key, and be scattered around the ship not just lumped into one small area of a single deck - what were we, an afterthought!!!  What a wasted opportunity for the new Crystal to benefit from the number of solo travelers - past, present and future in the market for solo travel opportunities these days... 

 

Indifferent:   The itineraries released so far are a bit ho hum, same old same old, but they may have been limited in options for these early voyages.    I'm not overly concerned about the other internal changes - restaurants, bars, gym, spa, casino or no casino etc.   Although I think the phasing out of the Computer University at Sea and the introduction of something like an Arts Studio or a Cookery Skills Academy would be far more relevant to todays world....However, the ship is not the destination for me, but the means of getting to those places on my chosen itinerary so it will be interesting to see what shore excursion choices/prices are like when they are released..

 

I won't be rushing to have my travel agent make a booking for me, I'm happy to sit back and wait for the full story to be published for now!!!... Once bitten, twice shy....😀

 

Anne..

 

 

 

 

 

[BEAV]

Thanks for starting this type of discussion, @claudiaYVR. Very informative and helpful. 👍

[Zele]

We always sail on the Symphony so my comments apply to it or is it her.

 

Amenities to which many modern cruise ships don't appear to have but Crystal have retained are the superb library, the cinema, the self service laundries, the wraparound walking promenade deck (for us doddery old folks), breakfast, lunch and dinner in the MDR (which was not the case on a recent SB voyage) and likewise the free Wi-Fi. 

 

I'm pleased with the change to walk-in showers instead of having to clamber into a bath tub.  Never went to the casino so not missed but what will replace it?   No mention of the magic castle, lets hope it reappears as if by magic like the proverbial rabbit.   

 

I'm hoping that they will not introduce, unlike other cruise ships, incessant musak and frequent annoying tannoy announcements.   I was always amused by the only announcement of the day by a previous German captain as he sounded exactly like the captain of the U-Boat in Das Boot.  I was hoping he would announce 'enemy convoy ahead' to see what the reaction would be with fellow passengers.    

 

To us, the ship is the destination and its the whole package from pricing, cabin and ship amenities, social events, fellow travellers, food and beverages, the generous quiet public areas, little to no queuing, excisions and of course the very professional and friendly crew who have always made a cruise a very special and highly enjoyable occasion with Crystal, and lets hope it continues.          

[Keith1010]

Claudia excellent thread.

 

More of a question.

 

Can anyone tell if the new rooms will have those entranceway doors that the Seabreeze have or will they be as they were?

 

Two comments.

 

I like the introduction of the new Junior CP for those who want something larger than the Sapphire.

 

I feel you can never have too much storage.  I remember on the PH that there was a lot of wasted space next to where the TV was and when they redesigned it they added more usable space and drawers.  I always think the design people whether it be a cruise line or a hotel or even a Fitness Center think of visual appeal but not practicality.  

 

I think it's nice they are calling the outdoor court(s) Paddle Tennis and Pickle Ball.  They bought Pickle Ball racquets and balls in 2021. Hopefully, they will reflect the kitchen on the court so those who play Pickle Ball don't have to place tape on the court.  

 

I like the removal of bath tubs although I realize some like them.  I felt it was unused space for most people.  I do like rain showers.

 

For me, I like seeing the real things so I reserve judgment on seeing how everything looks and operates when we are on-board.

 

Keith

[travelberlin]

4 hours ago, Jayayeff said:

 

 

 

Bad for me are the Single Occupancy Staterooms.  Strange you may think for someone who travels solo, but if you are going to introduce something then at least do it properly.  Considering the number of regular solo passengers who have historically cruised with Crystal, across all categories of staterooms or suites, why on earth would you simply just rename a block of double occupancy staterooms located in the least favourable location on the ship for them!!!  Even paying the lowest fare on a guarantee basis in the past I've never been assigned a stateroom that far forward on Deck 7 of the Symphony.  In fact the only time I was even close my neighbours were either guest entertainers, dance hosts, dance instructors or enrichment lecturers.   Single Occupancy Cabins should have been designed for solo use not just be regular double staterooms with a change of label on the deck plan key, and be scattered around the ship not just lumped into one small area of a single deck - what were we, an afterthought!!!  What a wasted opportunity for the new Crystal to benefit from the number of solo travelers - past, present and future in the market for solo travel opportunities these days... 

 

Indifferent:   The itineraries released so far are a bit ho hum, same old same old, but they may have been limited in options for these early voyages.    I'm not overly concerned about the other internal changes - restaurants, bars, gym, spa, casino or no casino etc.   Although I think the phasing out of the Computer University at Sea and the introduction of something like an Arts Studio or a Cookery Skills Academy would be far more relevant to todays world....However, the ship is not the destination for me, but the means of getting to those places on my chosen itinerary so it will be interesting to see what shore excursion choices/prices are like when they are released..

 

I won't be rushing to have my travel agent make a booking for me, I'm happy to sit back and wait for the full story to be published for now!!!... Once bitten, twice shy....😀

 

Anne..

 

 

 

 

 

Very well said 👍 it is a weird policy against solo cruisers. 

Ivi

[Emdee]

10 hours ago, Roland4 said:

As a fellow Canadian, be thankful that you can now book in CAD$. That was never an option before.

But not using AMEX as far as I know.

After the last debacle AMEX is the card that came through for me. 

[Emdee]

I don’t care for most of the itineraries. Still a bit itinerary driven as a family. 
Otherwise the proof of the pudding will be in the sailing. Booking two so far not rushing to cancel my already booked Seabourn and Regent.

[History&Wine]

Good:

It appears the MDR will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Big deal for me as I despise buffets.  I enjoy a nice breakfast or lunch...hopefully with the opportunity to chat with others...on sea days.  Heck, sometimes I like a MDR breakfast on port days. 

Tub out...shower in.  Great news.  Always thought the tub was more of an obstacle.

Tastes is back!  Yes!

Casino gone.   I used to be a regular at the casino tables.  But then I had an epiphany:  what with zero commissions, i can "gamble" much more profitably on my laptop at the stock market casino.  I didn't appreciate bored casino employees (I guess others gave it up as well) imploring me to come gamble when I walked through the casino.  

 

Bad:

Pricing. As many have posted, it appears Crystal thinks its aging ships are comparable or better to new ships with a track record.  So, we are supposed to think an unproven experience will be better than a proven one??

Excursions.  Other lines include an excursion in every port.  I realize these are not premium excursions, but they are included in the fare.  Crystal thinks it can charge us more for an unproven shipboard product AND an unproven shore experience. 

 

Really Bad:

Treatment of solo passengers.  Go back and read the post above from  @Jayayeff above.  I cannot say it any better.  Spot on.  It appears pricing for solo cruisers not in the designated solo cabins will be astronomical.  Hopefully New Crystal will expand the solo cabin offerings or lower the single supplement like Vintage Crystal had done. 

 

[ak1004]

12 hours ago, Roland4 said:

As a fellow Canadian, be thankful that you can now book in CAD$. That was never an option before.

 

Well, it doesn't help me much because they are using exchange rate of 1.38 while the official rate is 1.33.. many other lines use 1.25, so Canadians are actually at even a bigger disadvantage when it comes to Crystal pricing. Oceania has 1.22, and SS has some sailings with CAD at par. 

[Nuka]

14 hours ago, JTor said:

Agree! Price per person per night is way up and the US dollar exchange is very painful for Canadians right now. We need a Canadian dollars at par promotion 

I was booked on Regent for their 'Canadian Dollar at par' promotion. My US friends also booked the cruise at a 25% reduction in $USD under a promo for Americans. So, it did seem to me to be a bit of an enticement to book without any substantive  savings between Canadian and American passengers.

[crickette]

Sailaway "It's a wonderful world" ... ???

[Mr Luxury]

14 minutes ago, Gimlet Eyes Logan said:

That's a sound deadening screen apparently 😀

[Txcotn]

18 minutes ago, Gimlet Eyes Logan said:

That looks like the door in from the hallway that can't open all the way. And why put the walk in closet ACROSS the hall from the bathroom? Somebody didn't think about that very hard.

[Txcotn]

6 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

That's a sound deadening screen apparently 😀

It's the door in. Look at the actual "photos".

Edited February 2, 2023 by suzeluvscruz

[Mr Luxury]

6 minutes ago, suzeluvscruz said:

It's the door in. Look at the actual "photos".

Yes,I had realised it was a door and it is also a transparent see through door in the picture 

[Txcotn]

1 minute ago, Mr Luxury said:

Yes,I had realised it was a door and it is also a transparent see through door in the picture 

More than likely frosted glass, it lets in some light.

[PaulMCO]

16 hours ago, skybluewaters said:

 

But the new entry level suite - the Aquamarine Veranda Suite - is just 323 sq ft.

For comparison, the standard veranda cabin on Seabourn is 300 sq ft.

You're correct that the huge gap is gone, but it still is substantial.  Plus, you're getting a cabin (sorry, a suite) that is only 8% larger than a much lower priced standard veranda cabin on Seabourn.

(Yes, there is a butler on Crystal, but how much is that butler really worth?) 

Then compare the same on SS.  Just comparing the same on my Quebec - Florida trip.

 

Same price for equal space, both have butlers, SS is 16 versus 12 days on Crystal.  Crystal obviously was shut of of ports.  Alot of sea days.

Edited February 2, 2023 by PaulMCO