Casino Details Announced

[BWIVince]

On 7/1/2024 at 2:21 PM, allinthesameboat said:

Crystal no longer resembles what it used to be when passengers got a great bang for their buck. Now the prices have skyrocketed and their attempt to satisfy the call for the return of the casino by engaging a Monaco outfit is pretentious. I agree with you, FlyerTalker, about Monaco casinos.

I was devoted to Crystal before it was sold, mismanaged, and went into the river cruise market where it did not belong!

So, farewell, Crystal.

I’m on Serenity right now, and this post seems about as far away from reality as one can possibly get.  As an “original” Crystal passenger who has sailed them on and off through every management team and ownership group that has passed through, the current product offered, like at most points through history, has evolved slightly to market realities, but is SHOCKINGLY true Crystal’s original vision — including many crew members and leaders onboard that have been with the company for decades.

 

I haven’t seen anything onboard any more pretentious than I’ve seen for the past 30-something years, and even more casual and approachable than ever in reality.

 

Vince

[May B]

On 6/26/2024 at 2:32 PM, Keith1010 said:

Hot off the press. Update from Crystal.

 

Keith

 

 

*Casino Update*

Greetings Crystal Society Members,

After listening to your feedback regarding the casino since our announcement yesterday, we have a few updates to share:

· The Library will remain where it is on both ships and not be changed.

· Bridge will be played in the Lounge on both ships during designated Bridge Hours. For tournaments, we will ensure that there is no flow of passengers through the Lounge to guarantee no interruptions during play. Additionally, Bridge play equipment will be provided in The Lounge during this time.

While we appreciate everyone’s feedback, no further modifications will be made, and this is the final configuration.

We hope you are as excited as we are about bringing back the casinos to Crystal.

I do hope the “powers that be” realize that having a bridge tournament onboard is IN ADDITION TO having Crystal’s daily bridge program onboard.

 

Last week on Serenity, the tournament was in the bridge room, and the Crystal daily bridge was held in the lounge. 
 

First I will tell you there was no distraction from cruisers walking through the lounge, nor from the one table of mah jongg players. In fact, at least one bridge player in the lounge was happy to see his wife show up near the end, in the lounge, to sit and read her book until he finished. There are some comfortable chairs in there. Also, potential bridge players could work on a jigsaw puzzle or play Scrabble, waiting for the game to start, or if there was a sit-out.

 

On a prior cruise I took on Serenity, the Crystal bridge program kept the bridge room in the daytime and the bridge tournament used the Stardust Club in the daytime. In the evening, the bridge tournament used the bridge room.

 

 

[May B]

On 7/3/2024 at 7:55 AM, BWIVince said:

I’m on Serenity right now, and this post seems about as far away from reality as one can possibly get.  As an “original” Crystal passenger who has sailed them on and off through every management team and ownership group that has passed through, the current product offered, like at most points through history, has evolved slightly to market realities, but is SHOCKINGLY true Crystal’s original vision — including many crew members and leaders onboard that have been with the company for decades.

 

I haven’t seen anything onboard any more pretentious than I’ve seen for the past 30-something years, and even more casual and approachable than ever in reality.

 

Vince

You were perfectly positioned to answer the naysayer. Thank you! 🤩😘🌝🥳🥂

[Keith1010]

3 minutes ago, May B said:

I do hope the “powers that be” realize that having a bridge tournament onboard is IN ADDITION TO having Crystal’s daily bridge program onboard.

 

Last week on Serenity, the tournament was in the bridge room, and the Crystal daily bridge was held in the lounge. 
 

First I will tell you there was no distraction from cruisers walking through the lounge, nor from the one table of mah jongg players. In fact, at least one bridge player in the lounge was happy to see his wife show up near the end, in the lounge, to sit and read her book until he finished. There are some comfortable chairs in there. Also, potential bridge players could work on a jigsaw puzzle or play Scrabble, waiting for the game to start, or if there was a sit-out.

 

On a prior cruise I took on Serenity, the Crystal bridge program kept the bridge room in the daytime and the bridge tournament used the Stardust Club in the daytime. In the evening, the bridge tournament used the bridge room.

 

 

Muriel, they do and as you note there is Stardust.

 

So they can make this work.

 

Keith

[SnoBirdCruiser]

On 6/26/2024 at 1:42 PM, BWIVince said:

 

They have to be considering at least a mild refit of that space, and include the librarian in the new setup...  If they just throw the books in that fugly cave as it exists today, Crystal's loyalists are going to riot.

 

Vince

Thank you Vince,I agree with you.

I am an avid reader and that is one reason that we cruise on Crystal...The Library is the best at sea, and the books they order each year are wonderful.

There are many Crystal "Family" members who consider that the ship is the destination for them.

I only hope that the new build Ocean Ships will have included them in their plans.

 

Pat

[SnoBirdCruiser]

On 6/26/2024 at 2:32 PM, Keith1010 said:

Hot off the press. Update from Crystal.

 

Keith

 

 

*Casino Update*

Greetings Crystal Society Members,

After listening to your feedback regarding the casino since our announcement yesterday, we have a few updates to share:

· The Library will remain where it is on both ships and not be changed.

· Bridge will be played in the Lounge on both ships during designated Bridge Hours. For tournaments, we will ensure that there is no flow of passengers through the Lounge to guarantee no interruptions during play. Additionally, Bridge play equipment will be provided in The Lounge during this time.

While we appreciate everyone’s feedback, no further modifications will be made, and this is the final configuration.

We hope you are as excited as we are about bringing back the casinos to Crystal.

Sorry People, when I wrote this I had not read Crystals Update re: Library and Bridge locations.

So see, Crystal does listen to their clients .

Pat

[NancyNM]

I hope somebody will post a review of the new Casino once it is in place (particularly mentioning the minimum bids on the tables, and what tables are available).  The Casino was one of my main social activities on board -- I am not a high roller, if it's not a $5 table it's going to be too rich for my blood.

 

I haven't sailed on Crystal since January 2020 (first COVID, now health issues) but I was really disappointed about the lack of the Casino, so this seems promising.

[HUNKY]

 

It's the hottest ticket of 2024, the opening of our new seabound Casino de Monte-Carlo. We will be spinning the wheels for the first time on this special cruise, joined by two leading lights of the world of travel, Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group, and Geoffrey Kent, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent. 
 

from today’s email

 

On board Chrystal Symphony

 

VENICE to PIRAEUS (ATHENS)

Nov. 14-24, 2024

Edited July 13 by HUNKY

[ryndam]

For those interested, this may be indicative of the games-of-chance that may be offered in the shipboard casinos. These are the minimum bets as noted on the Casino de Monte Carlo website:

 

Minimum Bets: Casino de Monte Carlo

 

Blackjack:                      25€

Craps:                            10€

Roulette:                        5€

Texas hold’em poker     10€

Slots                              from 1€

 

Here is a link to the website for those that desire additional information:

https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/casino-monaco/casino-monte-carlo/gaming-room

 

Rob

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, ryndam said:

For those interested, this may be indicative of the games-of-chance that may be offered in the shipboard casinos. These are the minimum bets as noted on the Casino de Monte Carlo website:

 

Minimum Bets: Casino de Monte Carlo

 

Blackjack:                      25€

Craps:                            10€

Roulette:                        5€

Texas hold’em poker     10€

Slots                              from 1€

 

Here is a link to the website for those that desire additional information:

https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/casino-monaco/casino-monte-carlo/gaming-room

 

Rob

Rob,

 

I "bet" you are right.  😂

 

Keith

[FlyerTalker]

4 hours ago, ryndam said:

For those interested, this may be indicative of the games-of-chance that may be offered in the shipboard casinos. These are the minimum bets as noted on the Casino de Monte Carlo website:

 

Minimum Bets: Casino de Monte Carlo

 

Blackjack:                      25€

Craps:                            10€

Roulette:                        5€

Texas hold’em poker     10€

Slots                              from 1€

 

Here is a link to the website for those that desire additional information:

https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/casino-monaco/casino-monte-carlo/gaming-room

 

Rob

 

 

I'm visualizing the new casino location and am trying to figure out where they are going to fit all that stuff.  Both the roulette and craps tables take up a chunk of space.  Then add in a couple BJ tables, plus room for walking.  Doesn't leave room for many slots.  Personally, I think they will just go with one roulettte and maybe three BJ, plus 8-10 slots.  Especially on Serenity, where the space is long and narrow (and has a doorway constriction).

 

 

[CwazeAndCwaze]

In this, as in ANY unknown situation... Conjecture is folly.

I need a vodka.

Be back later.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Another cruise line has a small casino. The tables are not full size

[FlyerTalker]

31 minutes ago, ChatKat in Ca. said:

Another cruise line has a small casino. The tables are not full size

 

And even then, there are limited gaming options.

 

 

[KenzSailing]

On 7/15/2024 at 11:38 AM, ryndam said:

For those interested, this may be indicative of the games-of-chance that may be offered in the shipboard casinos. These are the minimum bets as noted on the Casino de Monte Carlo website:

 

Minimum Bets: Casino de Monte Carlo

 

Blackjack:                      25€

Craps:                            10€

Roulette:                        5€

Texas hold’em poker     10€

Slots                              from 1€

 

Here is a link to the website for those that desire additional information:

https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/casino-monaco/casino-monte-carlo/gaming-room

 

Rob

 

Hmmm, somehow I don't think Crystal's casino marketing slogan is going to be "loosest slots on the seven seas."

[BWIVince]

On 7/15/2024 at 4:11 PM, FlyerTalker said:

 

 

I'm visualizing the new casino location and am trying to figure out where they are going to fit all that stuff.  Both the roulette and craps tables take up a chunk of space.  Then add in a couple BJ tables, plus room for walking.  Doesn't leave room for many slots.  Personally, I think they will just go with one roulettte and maybe three BJ, plus 8-10 slots.  Especially on Serenity, where the space is long and narrow (and has a doorway constriction).

 

 

 

I think the whole point of this exercise was to have a scaled-down facility that better matches demand, and can use very limited staffing to implement (usually one of the biggest challenges to small operators in reaching an agreement with an operator vendor.). With that in mind, I almost think I'd have an easier time designing Serenity's space than Symphony's, since Symphony's is even smaller overall but will need to waste some of that space delineating the squarer "blob".

 

I walked Serenity's space while I was aboard this month, with this in mind...  I have to admit the room isn't as narrow as I remember, and I can see this being exactly the scale they were thinking of for the new Casino.

 

As soon as I get more time (probably this weekend) I'll start sharing other opinions on the subject based on my cruise though...

 

 

 

Vince

[FlyerTalker]

I hope they somehow save and reuse the Fortune magazine prints on the fore side of that room.   Maybe put them into the library or the former casino area.

 

 

[Embowaf]

I do hope they end up having three card; that's the only thing I really play.