It’s A Crystal Family Affair – Return To Crystal & Crystal Serenity

[Keith1010]

3 hours ago, bonnieg said:

Happy Anniversary!! We'll be joining you in Lisbon. I've been excitedly following all your postings on cruise critic, Facebook and your blog. I'm looking forward to meeting you and Ann Marie.

I have a few questions... Is there an APP to be used onboard like the OC where you can look up reflections, menus, etc? It might be too early to know this, but can you check to see if Crystal is offering a shuttle to Porto from Lexioes, and the Bilbao port into Bilbao? Thanks. Enjoy!

Bonnie

Bonnie, thank you for the good wishes.

 

At this time no App yet so we get a hard copy of Reflections and no menus on line. The iPads are not in each room yet. I suspect that is where they will have this information on line. Maybe to put some kind of app on our phones but not sure. I will try to find out but please understand I might forget. I will tell you from experience there was always a shuttle to Bilbao so I am sure there will be one again.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

I said the dining experience at the new Italian Restaurant was amazing.  

 

Why you ask?

 

The venue is beautiful from its design, colors, chandeliers, tables and flooring. It is bright and evidently when they dim the lights they flicker so this item will be corrected.

 

Food is Michelin quality.  We dined with people who could guide us with what to order and the waiter gave us great recommendations.  There is a tasting menu or you can order what you want.

 

I tried two starters, a pasta and the main item.  The food was delicious. One starter was lobster. The main dish was lamb and I was told it would melt in your mouth and that description was spot-on. 

 

While we enjoyed Prego its menu is American Italian.  This menu is Northern/Italian cuisine.  

 

To me this was special. I know some people who would dine in Prego often.  This food was rich and to me a place you would dine in occasionally. IMHO this restaurant raises the bar for the dining experience.

 

As to the waitstaff team.  Paolo was there.  Both sommeliers from before. Morne the Head Waiter was there.  Many familiar waiters. Chef Alfred was there and brought out the birthday cake.  

 

Crystal at its finest. In short, Crystal enhanced.

 

Will everyone like it?  No. Did everyone like Prego?  No.

 

We did end with Anniversary cake and just had a little bit of it.  The dessert was the entire evening and the people we dined with.

 

I will also post this on my other thread.

 

Keith

[johng75370]

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

At this time no App yet

I’ll confess to having the old Crystal app still on my phone, hoping for its resurrection.  It’s remained unchanged the last couple years, and is likely a security risk, but here we are…

[Ibis]

So thrilled to hear the news about Osteria d’Ovidio! This definitely sounds like a  great enhancement and dining there will be a “very Crystal” experience. Thanks for sharing! 

[Keith1010]

3 hours ago, Ibis said:

So thrilled to hear the news about Osteria d’Ovidio! This definitely sounds like a  great enhancement and dining there will be a “very Crystal” experience. Thanks for sharing! 

You are very welcome.

 

We loved it.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

Greetings. We are having a wonderful time and everything about this voyage is the Crystal we know and have come to love. I believe when you return to Crystal you will be equally pleased.

 

Some highlights from the last 24 hours.

 

More time in the afternoon to visit with guests and crew.

 

Muster Drill was at 5:15 pm which for us was at the Hollywood Theatre. We got to visit with some guests we have not seen in years plus see Senior Head Waiter Jacques and Raphael who is helping out now and when Cruise Director Rick goes on holiday will be the Cruise Dirctor.

 

Afterwards, we went to a welcome celebration featuring Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Executive Director of A&K Travel and Crystal's CEO, Christina Levis.

 

Each of their talks was great.  Christina mentioned that when she first visited Crystal Serenity in 2013, she could feel the soul of the ship.  This resonated with all of us.

 

For dinner we went to Osteria D'Ovidio where we were joined by the CEO of the Travel Company we use and our Travel Specialist. To our surprise hosting us was Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Executive Director of A&K Travel Group & Christina Levis Crystal CEO.

 

They are gracious, great conversationalist, passionate about the crew, Crystal, the guests, travel and cruising.

  

The conversation was amazing as was dinner.
 

The food is clearly Michelin and the as is the ambience. It is different than Prego which is more typical of American Italian. This venue is clearly a blend of Northern and Southern Italian.

We then went to the top outdoor deck and watched a special fireworks celebration which Crystal arranged.

This was an amazing end to the day which included the celebration of the return of Crystal but our wedding anniversary.

Everyone we spoke with talked about how magical the day was. This is the special relationship with the crew and with fellow guests.

 

And I stayed up until early the following morning which says how wonderful the day, afternoon and night was.

 

Crystal Serenity anchored off Cannes, France. We decided to make the ship our destination today which we will do tomorrow.  

 

We tendered off Cannes, France. We decided to make the ship our destination today which we will do tomorrow.  

What did we do?

 

Morning and afternoon walks for Anne Marie, morning and afternoon Paddle Tennis for me and the opportunity to play with some members from this group and others I have known for many years.  

 

We also caught up with the crew and so many guests. This is a true family affair.

 

We are having an outstanding time. Crystal is back and better than ever.

 

 

Cheers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[USCAdventurer]

Keith,

thank you for the description of your dinner menu which is only outdone by your terrific photographs.  that must have been a very interesting group to dine with and i'm sure the conversation was enlightening.  Will Anne Mareie christen the next new Crystal ship?  Wouldn't that be an experience.  You souind very happy with everything on the ship and doing exactly what you want to do.  Keep enjoying it.  Will the Crystal exectutives be on the ship for the whole voyage or will they depart after a stop or two?  Be sure and let them know that I'm sailing with them in May, 2024 on the Rome to Lisbon voyage.

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, USC Adventurer said:

Keith,

thank you for the description of your dinner menu which is only outdone by your terrific photographs.  that must have been a very interesting group to dine with and i'm sure the conversation was enlightening.  Will Anne Mareie christen the next new Crystal ship?  Wouldn't that be an experience.  You souind very happy with everything on the ship and doing exactly what you want to do.  Keep enjoying it.  Will the Crystal exectutives be on the ship for the whole voyage or will they depart after a stop or two?  Be sure and let them know that I'm sailing with them in May, 2024 on the Rome to Lisbon voyage.

You are very welcome. Not sure how long they will be on board but tonight we have a celebration for everyone hosted by Cristina Levis.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

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

[Keith1010]

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

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
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ctjon]

Were all men in suits or tux or were any in sports coats?

 

[Keith1010]

1 minute ago, ctjon said:

Were all men in suits or tux or were any in sports coats?

 

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

[lovet2travel]

Will there be any White Nights?

[Keith1010]

13 minutes ago, lovet2travel said:

Will there be any White Nights?

Yes. On every cruise.

Keith

[vistaman]

4 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Yes. On every cruise.

Keith

on 7 days cruises as well?

[Keith1010]

8 minutes ago, vistaman said:

on 7 days cruises as well?

Absolutely.

Keith

[USCAdventurer]

keith,

your commentary and pictures are wonderful.  thank you for sharing with us.  its really appreciated.

[Keith1010]

17 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

keith,

your commentary and pictures are wonderful.  thank you for sharing with us.  its really appreciated.

You are very welcome.
Keith

[happy cruising]

Keith, I am on Quebec to NYC October 5-13 and on board guest services told me there is one black tie/formal night but no White Night scheduled on that cruise… so I’m not sure that every cruise has a White Night… perhaps there’s no

white night because it’s a cooler weather cruise and perhaps that might change but wanted you to be aware that’s what OBGS has communicated to me. 

[ctjon]

t Any idea how many guests are on board.  Not that a sold out ship would seem crowded but wondering how Crystal is doing attracting passengers.  Based upon reports from cruise 1 I'm sure they'll do very well

[SnoBirdCruiser]

3 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

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

Believe it  or not there was a very large number in Tuxedos and if I say so myself, they really looked handsome.!Oh and the women as well wore beautiful evening gowns, evening suits and cocktail dresses.

There were quite a few men who wore suits and also those who wore blazers and dress slacks.

there was one gentleman who sat at the crystal Cove bar during the entertainment who wore his baseball cap and a white tee shirt but he did depart at six pm ....never saw him again.

Everyone was just a having a wonderful time and we never heard of anyone complaining.

We had dinner in the main dining room. The new menus were superb. I decided that I was going to try food s that I seldom ordered for this cruise.My first untried order was the the night before an it was sauteed spinach,however i ordered balsamic vinegar and added a few drops to it...I loved it!

To be honest ,I am enjoying the new chefs preparation f the food surpasses the OC chefs(my private opinion.)

Tonight we will be at the Italian Restaurant. I wasn't aware that it is from Northern district.I actually went to a cooking school in Sienna way back and still enjoy cooking Italian foods at home.

No, I am not of Italian heritage.

Thank you Keith for keeping everyone here up to date on this wonderful cruise.

Cheere from Pat and Ray

[History&Wine]

Pat and Roy,  Thanks for posting!  Hope to hear more of your experience.

 

Dwight

 

[Keith1010]

4 hours ago, happy cruising said:

Keith, I am on Quebec to NYC October 5-13 and on board guest services told me there is one black tie/formal night but no White Night scheduled on that cruise… so I’m not sure that every cruise has a White Night… perhaps there’s no

white night because it’s a cooler weather cruise and perhaps that might change but wanted you to be aware that’s what OBGS has communicated to me. 

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

[Keith1010]

2 hours ago, ctjon said:

t Any idea how many guests are on board.  Not that a sold out ship would seem crowded but wondering how Crystal is doing attracting passengers.  Based upon reports from cruise 1 I'm sure they'll do very well

Somewhere between 450 to 500 guests.

 

Keep in mind many rooms were needed for executives and others from Crysta and A&K and other who are on board.

 

And lotts of solos on board.

Keith