Crystal, when building the new ships, please don't forget...

[AtA]

I'm starting this because us Crystal regulars truly love certain things. 

For me the two most important things are

1. The walking track on deck 7. Yes I realize it takes up valuable space that could be used for cabins, but couldn't a ship be designed so that there's a walking track on deck 5 or 6?

2. The central cove area. The newer ships on other lines have eliminated the central 2 story core and it makes the ships feel compartmentalized. There are lots of "rooms" on these new ships but no one place to have impromptu music such as when the band does jazz or the white night. Shoving everyone into a 1 story room at the rear or front of the ship just isn't the same. Having certain events in the central core is like when family gathers together. 

[Observer]

Do you really want my thoughts?  I posted a long message (written partly while on Serenity in the South Pacific, as I recall) during the Edie era.  I think I wrote this in 2016.  It is clearly dated.  But it may give some people something to take shots at. 

 

I would add one further request/requirement:  Every cabin, no matter the size, should have a verandah.

 

Crystal has offered very little detail about the new “Exclusive Class” ships, named by one wag on this board as the Crystal Mirage since there are so few details.   

 

Perhaps Crystal is simply being cagey and waiting for a big, splashy announcement.   They seem to like those.  On the other hand, perhaps they are still deciding on key elements of the new ship(s?).  Against the second possibility, I thought we might help Edie and her colleagues by describing some of the things *we* would like to see in a Program of Requirements to be presented to the architects of the “Exclusive Class” ships.

 

I am presuming to launch this conversation/thread with some personal thoughts.  I hope others will chime in (if only to disagree with me).  These are personal observations on a) things I like and would like to see preserved and b) things I would like to see changed/improved from the current ships.  I have sailed on both Symphony and Serenity, but I have always sailed in standard suites and never sailed in Penthouse accommodation.  Thus, some of my "asks" for the new ships may already be provided in premium suites.

 

KEEP SMALL STANDARD SUITES:  Okay.  I guess this got your attention for a starter.  A huge complaint about Crystal is that the standard suites are small for a couple -- especially by comparison by offerings on other luxury lines. But it's a fine size for a solo, and Crystal has a loyal solo following.  Why can't Crystal increase the size of the standard suites to current industry standard for luxury ships, but keep a number of suites at the current smallish ~ 210 sq ft. size for solos and couples who will accept them?  I believe that Cunard is creating a number of single occupancy suites when refitting the Queens.        

 

SOUNDPROOFING:  I have frequented all of the luxury lines (not all of the ships), and from time to time have had noise infiltration from adjoining suite or corridor.  I have never had this issue on Crystal.  I have found soundproofing to be excellent.   This is very important and cannot easily be retrofitted if they get it wrong first time around.  Please don't skimp here.  

                              

MORE/FASTER ELEVATORS:  Current waits for elevators at busy times (e.g, end of show or return of excursions) are very frustrating.  There may be a standard calculus for a desired ratio of passengers/elevators.  But the Crystal demographic is older.  Fewer climbing stairs.  More with walkers or scooters that take up space.  The situation is compounded with people who know they have to take elevator up even if they want to go down, because if they wait for a down elevator it will be filled.  

 

PORT/STARBOARD IN ELEVATORS:  One of the nicest touches I recall from Serenity (and don’t recall from Symphony) is the indication above the elevators doors of which direction port and starboard will be as one exits the lift.  It changes from elevator bank to elevator bank.  I am accustomed to trying to figure out on other cruise lines which way to turn on leaving the lift.  No guesswork required on Serenity.  What genius thought of this simple but ever-so-helpful feature?  Please keep it on Mirage and her sisters. 

 

KEEP BISTRO:  This is one of jewels of Crystal.  Keep it and perhaps even expand it so that one could make a proper light dinner there.

 

KEEP DINNER SITTINGS:  There are some people -- like me -- who appreciate fixed dining times, same table/server, etc.  I understand that this group will be a minority.  But I hope the MDR will be organized so that those who want old-fashioned dining will have the option to book times and tables for the entire cruise.  The number might change from cruise to cruise -- 10% on one cruise electing this option, 20% on the next cruise.  This may have implications for galley/dining room design.

SPEAKER IN BATHROOM:  For reasons that presumably do not require explanation, a powerful exhaust fan is above the toilet in the suites.  It makes a lot of noise, thus making it very difficult (nearly impossible) to hear the audio from the TV while in the bathroom.  One doesn't want to turn up the volume so high as to disturb neighbors.   Luxury hotels have speakers in the bathrooms that transmit the audio coming through the TV.   I gather this feature is currently present in Penthouse accommodations.  Why not extend it to all suites on the Mirage?

 

ROOM SERVICE CARTS:  The need here is for arrangements to get food that is supposed to be hot to a room at at least lukewarm temperature.  If one is living at the front of the ship, the food has to be transported from the galley to your deck and then on an open cart (without any heating cabinet) along the entire length of the ship.  My food has regularly arrived tepid at best.  How about room service carts with heated cabinets on “Exclusive Class” ships?  Perhaps coolers as well.  The open carts currently used are probably not much different from those used in prisons.  BTW:  I have never stayed in Crystal butler-supported suite.  Life may be –doubtless is! -- different/better there.  But it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope for warm food on deck 9.

 

SHOWER IN EVERY SUITE:  The current deep bathtub w/shower is not luxury -- esp.for aging passengers who have difficulty negotiating high tub rim.  The default should be walk-in shower in every suite.  No one will object to having a tub added when possible. 

 

ELECTRICAL PLUG IN BATHROOM:  I know there are safety issues, but a plug is needed for personal hair dryer, electric shaver, etc.

 

PROMENADE DECK:  Don't sacrifice wrap around teak promenade deck.  It's a distinctive Crystal feature.  Friends who just returned from Regent Voyager will now move to Penthouse on Crystal largely because of prospect of using promenade deck.  

 

INCREASE SPA SIZE:  I don’t think it’s enough to have only one sink and two showers for ~500 potential  passengers (50% of 1000).  On a luxury line like Crystal, I do not think one should have to wait in line to use the sink to shave or take a shower after a workout or treatment. I know some passengers who shower all the time in the spa because they find it awkward/dangerous to climb in and out of the snug tub/shower combination in most suites. Other luxury lines have much more favorable ratios in their spas.  Ideally, the Mirage will have a better ratio.

 

KEEP TASTES/CASUAL OPTION OUT OF THE WAY:  Tastes (Serenity) is always casual and is out of the way (deck 12).  Thus, slobs like me who do not want to dress up can go up there on BTO evenings.  With this option, a man would not need to bring a jacket on a Crystal cruise.  The fact that this casual restaurant is out of the way makes a guest feel less awkward going to the restaurant "underdressed."  One would still feel awkward if Silk Road or Prego or even Bistro were declared "casual" on BTO evenings.  So keep an always-casual option on the “Exclusive Class” ships and place it out of the way so that casually dressed guests will not feel awkward going to dinner on BTO evenings. 

 

GIVE CREW PREMIUM ACCOMMODATIONS:  I do not pretend to know what happens below deck, crew accommodations and amenities.  But these should be prime considerations in a Program of Requirements.  The heart of Crystal is the crew.  This draft POR has focused on guest areas that I know best.  But please, please don't stint when planning for crew life.   

 

[crickette]

There were a few thoughts on this thread:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2953663-new-ocean-vessels-and-new-expedition-ships

 

[crickette]

51 minutes ago, Observer said:

Do you really want my thoughts?  I posted a long message (written partly while on Serenity in the South Pacific, as I recall) during the Edie era.  I think I wrote this in 2016.  It is clearly dated.  But it may give some people something to take shots at. 

 

I would add one further request/requirement:  Every cabin, no matter the size, should have a verandah.

 

 

Crystal has offered very little detail about the new “Exclusive Class” ships, named by one wag on this board as the Crystal Mirage since there are so few details.   

 

Perhaps Crystal is simply being cagey and waiting for a big, splashy announcement.   They seem to like those.  On the other hand, perhaps they are still deciding on key elements of the new ship(s?).  Against the second possibility, I thought we might help Edie and her colleagues by describing some of the things *we* would like to see in a Program of Requirements to be presented to the architects of the “Exclusive Class” ships.

 

I am presuming to launch this conversation/thread with some personal thoughts.  I hope others will chime in (if only to disagree with me).  These are personal observations on a) things I like and would like to see preserved and b) things I would like to see changed/improved from the current ships.  I have sailed on both Symphony and Serenity, but I have always sailed in standard suites and never sailed in Penthouse accommodation.  Thus, some of my "asks" for the new ships may already be provided in premium suites.

 

KEEP SMALL STANDARD SUITES:  Okay.  I guess this got your attention for a starter.  A huge complaint about Crystal is that the standard suites are small for a couple -- especially by comparison by offerings on other luxury lines. But it's a fine size for a solo, and Crystal has a loyal solo following.  Why can't Crystal increase the size of the standard suites to current industry standard for luxury ships, but keep a number of suites at the current smallish ~ 210 sq ft. size for solos and couples who will accept them?  I believe that Cunard is creating a number of single occupancy suites when refitting the Queens.        

 

SOUNDPROOFING:  I have frequented all of the luxury lines (not all of the ships), and from time to time have had noise infiltration from adjoining suite or corridor.  I have never had this issue on Crystal.  I have found soundproofing to be excellent.   This is very important and cannot easily be retrofitted if they get it wrong first time around.  Please don't skimp here.  

                              

MORE/FASTER ELEVATORS:  Current waits for elevators at busy times (e.g, end of show or return of excursions) are very frustrating.  There may be a standard calculus for a desired ratio of passengers/elevators.  But the Crystal demographic is older.  Fewer climbing stairs.  More with walkers or scooters that take up space.  The situation is compounded with people who know they have to take elevator up even if they want to go down, because if they wait for a down elevator it will be filled.  

 

PORT/STARBOARD IN ELEVATORS:  One of the nicest touches I recall from Serenity (and don’t recall from Symphony) is the indication above the elevators doors of which direction port and starboard will be as one exits the lift.  It changes from elevator bank to elevator bank.  I am accustomed to trying to figure out on other cruise lines which way to turn on leaving the lift.  No guesswork required on Serenity.  What genius thought of this simple but ever-so-helpful feature?  Please keep it on Mirage and her sisters. 

 

KEEP BISTRO:  This is one of jewels of Crystal.  Keep it and perhaps even expand it so that one could make a proper light dinner there.

 

KEEP DINNER SITTINGS:  There are some people -- like me -- who appreciate fixed dining times, same table/server, etc.  I understand that this group will be a minority.  But I hope the MDR will be organized so that those who want old-fashioned dining will have the option to book times and tables for the entire cruise.  The number might change from cruise to cruise -- 10% on one cruise electing this option, 20% on the next cruise.  This may have implications for galley/dining room design.

SPEAKER IN BATHROOM:  For reasons that presumably do not require explanation, a powerful exhaust fan is above the toilet in the suites.  It makes a lot of noise, thus making it very difficult (nearly impossible) to hear the audio from the TV while in the bathroom.  One doesn't want to turn up the volume so high as to disturb neighbors.   Luxury hotels have speakers in the bathrooms that transmit the audio coming through the TV.   I gather this feature is currently present in Penthouse accommodations.  Why not extend it to all suites on the Mirage?

 

ROOM SERVICE CARTS:  The need here is for arrangements to get food that is supposed to be hot to a room at at least lukewarm temperature.  If one is living at the front of the ship, the food has to be transported from the galley to your deck and then on an open cart (without any heating cabinet) along the entire length of the ship.  My food has regularly arrived tepid at best.  How about room service carts with heated cabinets on “Exclusive Class” ships?  Perhaps coolers as well.  The open carts currently used are probably not much different from those used in prisons.  BTW:  I have never stayed in Crystal butler-supported suite.  Life may be –doubtless is! -- different/better there.  But it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope for warm food on deck 9.

 

SHOWER IN EVERY SUITE:  The current deep bathtub w/shower is not luxury -- esp.for aging passengers who have difficulty negotiating high tub rim.  The default should be walk-in shower in every suite.  No one will object to having a tub added when possible. 

 

ELECTRICAL PLUG IN BATHROOM:  I know there are safety issues, but a plug is needed for personal hair dryer, electric shaver, etc.

 

PROMENADE DECK:  Don't sacrifice wrap around teak promenade deck.  It's a distinctive Crystal feature.  Friends who just returned from Regent Voyager will now move to Penthouse on Crystal largely because of prospect of using promenade deck.  

 

INCREASE SPA SIZE:  I don’t think it’s enough to have only one sink and two showers for ~500 potential  passengers (50% of 1000).  On a luxury line like Crystal, I do not think one should have to wait in line to use the sink to shave or take a shower after a workout or treatment. I know some passengers who shower all the time in the spa because they find it awkward/dangerous to climb in and out of the snug tub/shower combination in most suites. Other luxury lines have much more favorable ratios in their spas.  Ideally, the Mirage will have a better ratio.

 

KEEP TASTES/CASUAL OPTION OUT OF THE WAY:  Tastes (Serenity) is always casual and is out of the way (deck 12).  Thus, slobs like me who do not want to dress up can go up there on BTO evenings.  With this option, a man would not need to bring a jacket on a Crystal cruise.  The fact that this casual restaurant is out of the way makes a guest feel less awkward going to the restaurant "underdressed."  One would still feel awkward if Silk Road or Prego or even Bistro were declared "casual" on BTO evenings.  So keep an always-casual option on the “Exclusive Class” ships and place it out of the way so that casually dressed guests will not feel awkward going to dinner on BTO evenings. 

 

GIVE CREW PREMIUM ACCOMMODATIONS:  I do not pretend to know what happens below deck, crew accommodations and amenities.  But these should be prime considerations in a Program of Requirements.  The heart of Crystal is the crew.  This draft POR has focused on guest areas that I know best.  But please, please don't stint when planning for crew life.   

 

STEWARDESS CARTS:  We have been on some other luxury lines where there were better alternatives than the heavy, awkward, cumbersome linen trolleys that were part of OC, and I assume are still part of NC.

[Mr Luxury]

I thought that they were in discussions to get finance in place before moving forward with ordering a ship or four.

[May B]

7 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

I thought that they were in discussions to get finance in place before moving forward with ordering a ship or four.

So do I think that.