Ways To Save With Crystal This Fall

[Keith1010]

This appeared on the Crystal Web Site the other day and I thought it was a nice summary of the ways to save with Crystal so I decided to post it here. It is mostly focused on savings for this Fall, so I have added in a couple of additional savings below.

Many of the regulars know about many or all of these promotions but those who have not sailed with Crystal or possibly who have not sailed for a while might no realize that there are many nice promotions in place.

On top of this, passengers can save an additional 3.5% off the cruise fare including pre and post hotels and airfare through Crystal by making their final payment six months prior to the cruise.

And for those of us who have completed just their first cruise with Crystal they realize a Crystal Society Discount for each and every Crystal Cruise.

As noted below combine two or more voyages and in most cases there is a back to back savings to realize although certain promotions preclude this discount as we recently learned. There is also the discount in 2010 when one sails on a voyage on their actual birthday and they will receive a certificate at the end of their voyage that can be used to receive 50% off (for the one passenger) off another voyage that is taken within twelve months of receiving the certificate.

Keith

LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2009 – From up to $3,000 off per couple and up to $2,000 per couple in shipboard credits to group and family incentives, Crystal Cruises is providing exceptional value and variety, as well as luxury, for discriminating travelers.

“A Crystal vacation, along with consistently being voted ‘World’s Best’ by savvy travelers, is an inherently great value. Every detail of the Crystal experience is attended to with special care,” says Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president. “When travelers realize the amount and scope of these offers, they will find the savings are extraordinary.”

Celebration Savings

To celebrate of an unprecedented 15 years as “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line,” up to $1,500 per person savings off most fall Mediterranean, South America, Amazon, New England/Canada, Caribbean and Transatlantic voyages.

All Inclusive – As You Wish

Up to $1,000 per person spending credit on most cruises to customize one’s vacation with experiences that are personally meaningful – from fine wines to Crystal Adventures ashore.

Crystal Family Memories Program – Two Savings Options

For six full-fare berths: $500 credit toward a Crystal Private Adventure, kids under 17 sail free, plus other perksFor 10 full-fare berths: One complimentary berth, plus all of the above perks.

Round-trip Miami Panama Canal Combo

Save more than $1,000 and enjoy a $1,000 per person ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish” shipboard credit for the 22-day combination of two Panama Canal transit sailings.

Big Savings on Thanksgiving Voyages

Save 50% or more off Crystal Symphony’s wine and food focuses, Amazon journey, or Crystal Serenity’s jazz cruise through the Caribbean, both departing November 22.

Value Collection Sailings

Save up to 50% on seven sailings through the Panama Canal, South America, New England and Canada, Caribbean and the Amazon, and a transatlantic crossing.

Crystal Assurance Plan

Crystal’s price guarantee protects guests if the fare for their stateroom is later reduced, plus offers reduced cruise fare deposits, deadlines and cancellation periods.

Combo Cruise Savings

Guests booking two or more fall cruises back-to-back can save up to 5% on the fare for each voyage.

Onboard Booking Savings

Guests booking a future cruise on board receive up to 4.5% off their next cruise.

[digtexas]

This may have been mentioned here before, but if so, I haven't seen it. Our T.A. asked us if we owned a Lexus. I told her that yes, we own two. We each were given an additional $200 of shipboard credit for being Lexus owners.

[holand]

I just called my travel agent on this one and Crystal told her it was a promotion that had expired. Bummer!!!!!! But that's good to know for the future!
Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by digtexas

This may have been mentioned here before, but if so, I haven't seen it. Our T.A. asked us if we owned a Lexus. I told her that yes, we own two. We each were given an additional $200 of shipboard credit for being Lexus owners.

[Keith1010]

holand, that's correct. The promotion is not for 2010.

Keith

[nancygp]

Digtexas, your are correct. My TA also told me about this early in the year and it's only for 2009 cruises. This information is not on Crystal's website.

Nancy who is also in Houston

[Liv4cruzin]

The Lexus promo code was listed on the Lexus Platinum Club website a few months ago.

[patinwv]

I cannot find this credit on the Lexus site and my TA hasn't heard of it. I'm a Lexus owner so, can anyone give me a link to it? Thanks.

Pat

[nancygp]

Pat, I'm not aware of a link for this. It has never been Crystal's website and there is a mention on the Lexus website but I don't know if it is still there and it didn't give the amount. My TA called me about this in late April to let me know about this and has assured me I will receive this shipboard credit on my upcoming cruise in a few weeks. I'd suggest you have your TA call Crystal Headquarters or the Crystal Regional Sales Manager that services your TA's agency.

Nancy

[holand]

Nancy and Pat: This is my post from above:

"I just called my travel agent on this one and Crystal told her it was a promotion that had expired. Bummer!!!!!! But that's good to know for the future!
Thanks for the info."

[Seahorse1]

I received an insert in my Lexus Financial credit card statement earlier in the year advising me of the promotion (for 2009 bookings made by March 31, 2009). I later saw it mentioned in the Lexus magazine. It was a very generous promotion (especially for my upcoming B2B for which each segment qualified!) and Crystal considered it "combinable" with other onboard credits.

[digtexas]

I have a question for those of you have cruised recently, or at least since Crystal began including such large amounts of OBC. Is it easy to use up $2000 to $2800 in OBC? We are booked on an upcoming Baltics cruise and will be using a private guide in St. Petersburg the first two days, so we won't be using any credit there, although we will take a Crystal excursion on the third day. We are not big drinkers so likely won't be attending a vintage dinner or ordering multiple bottles of expensive wine on the ship.
Here is a reason I ask this question: we want to go to the Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm. At first I thought that we would maybe take a boat ride in the morning from Crystal and then, later, go to the Ice Bar on our own when we walk around town. On the other hand Crystal offers a rather expensive ($137 per person) walk around Old Town and trip to the Ice Bar. It sounds like a lot of money for just walking around and for entrance to the Ice Bar, which, I think is about $35 per person, but my thinking is, why pay to go to the Ice Bar on our own if we have Crystal OBC to burn.
Lee Ann, and others....did you have lots of onboard credit left over? At the end of the cruise did you fill your bags with Hermes scarves and ties from the shops....or were you able to use up the credit?
Your advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Seahorse1]

Danny, some less obvious (than the shops, spa, tours, transfers, gratuities, bar) uses for shipboard credits are internet, renting a computer, photo shop which also sells cameras, flower arrangements for the room, donations to the crew fund and/or to Crystal's charity, and personal training in the gym.

[joyous]

We have already used a little over half of ours on shore ex and transfers as we did our own air this time. We also have our martini every nite in the Ave. and wine some nights with dinner. Then there are always photos and just when we think we don't need anymore the photographer will take a really good one! Whatever we have left, if anything, will go to the crew. I suspect on the 19 day cruise next year it will be easy to use it up as well. joyous

[Leejnd4]

Originally Posted by digtexas

I have a question for those of you have cruised recently, or at least since Crystal began including such large amounts of OBC. Is it easy to use up $2000 to $2800 in OBC? We are booked on an upcoming Baltics cruise and will be using a private guide in St. Petersburg the first two days, so we won't be using any credit there, although we will take a Crystal excursion on the third day. We are not big drinkers so likely won't be attending a vintage dinner or ordering multiple bottles of expensive wine on the ship.

Here is a reason I ask this question: we want to go to the Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm. At first I thought that we would maybe take a boat ride in the morning from Crystal and then, later, go to the Ice Bar on our own when we walk around town. On the other hand Crystal offers a rather expensive ($137 per person) walk around Old Town and trip to the Ice Bar. It sounds like a lot of money for just walking around and for entrance to the Ice Bar, which, I think is about $35 per person, but my thinking is, why pay to go to the Ice Bar on our own if we have Crystal OBC to burn.
Lee Ann, and others....did you have lots of onboard credit left over? At the end of the cruise did you fill your bags with Hermes scarves and ties from the shops....or were you able to use up the credit?
Your advice is appreciated. Thanks.

I can only answer from our own experience: we used up every penny, and had a balance to pay at the end. But in our case there were two reasons for this: 1) Moscow, which used up the entire $1000 each As You Wish OBC, and 2) Vintage Room, which used up almost all of the $250 each STEX OBC. We also had a few hundred OBC on there from our TA, which we used up with other Crystal excursions (I took a couple, and my Mom did several.)

Without those big ticket items, it does make it harder to spend. If I were you, I would definitely stick with the private guide in St. P - in that port it's not about the money, it's about the experience, and there is no better way to experience that magical city than with a private guide. Splurge - you'll be happy you did.

In other ports, consider doing Crystal tours. They do a good job, and you can't deny the convenience factor! Generally I tend to avoid ship tours, but if they are basically going to be free, then I would do them. As for the Ice Bar in Stockholm, we did that on our own, and really enjoyed it - it's a kick! It's kind of one of those "done it, don't need to do it again" things. If you have OBC to burn, definitely do it through Crystal. We did it with four other people, and that is what made it fun - doing it with others.

I tend to be someone who collects memories, rather than souvenirs. I have more than enough "stuff" - at this point I treasure my memories far more, especially those with my Mom. If I'd had extra OBC, I would not have been buying stuff...I would have been doing more tours, or finding other ways to spend it that would give me lifetime memories.

Hope this helps!

[nancygp]

Danny, hi from a fellow Houstonian. My husband and I have a very, very large shipboard credit for our upcoming British Isles cruise. Since we normally do Crystal's shore excursions, now they are all free! I've been very impressed with Crystal's excursions. We will also use the money for the internet, drinks, transfers, my nail appointments and additional gratutities. These are things we normally spend money on each and every Crystal cruise. However, I might buy more expensive wine if I'm in the mood! I doubt we will have to pay for anything this time.

Enjoy your cruise. I can't wait to do the Baltics in the next couple of years.

Nancy

[Keith1010]

Danny, hi from a fellow resident of Texas.

If you think you will have quite a lot of money available because you are doing mainly private excursions are not big drinkers let me suggest a few items to use the credits for.

1. Additional Tips. I am not sure if your TA has included tips or not but if not you can use a portion of the OBC for tips and if they have included the prepaid tips you can use it for any additional amounts you would like to give the crew.

2. Once on board the ship stop by the shore excursion desk to ask about what private tours you could book while in port. You may find that you would like to add a private tour for a port where you had nothing booked and the OBC could go towards that.

3. You can use the OBC for transfers from the ship over to the airport at the end of the cruise.

4. Consider treating yourselves to some nice items in the various on board stores.


These are just some examples of how you can utilize the OBC's provided by Crystal.

Wishing you a great cruise.

Keith

[All too soon...]

It's been said before, but anyone looking to spend some spare credits on themselves or a lived one should have trouble finding a fragrance or tie/scarf in the shop. The prices are duty-free fair, and the selection is excellent.

Of course, this old capitalist wonders how to create a secondary market (against policy, so not realistic) for the credits, so I pay you $80 cash to buy me a favorite $100 bottle of cologne (or round of drinks. etc.)

Pretty silly idea, huh? I think tipping your favorites is best, especially considering that the dollars they are paid in don't go as far as one would like for their families back home.

[digtexas]

Thank you all for your responses. We do plan to take some Crystal tours in addition to our private ones in St. P. and we realize that additional private tours can be arranged and paid for with credit through Crystal. We also are considering using Crystal's transfer from Dover to London at the end of the cruise, although we think it might be easier to get to the port in Stockholm from the airport on our own at the beginning. We are bringing a lap top and intend to spend a good bit for internet service.
We do have prepaid gratuities from our T.A., who, I think may be your T.A. as well Keith, and who will be on your British cruise, Nancy.
I love the idea of using the credit for extra tips for the wonderful staff. I had not thought about that one and I have always tipped them extra out of my pocket. My wife and I can certainly use some credit in the spa. I once had a manicure on the Serenity and would certainly be open to trying a massage. We do drink some, but just not that much. Also I bought my wife a necklace in the jewelry store on our first Crystal cruise, so we certainly are aware that they sell nice things on board. Also, since you people have shamed me into bringing my tuxedo, I can use credit for dry cleaning and pressing!

Thanks again for all of your kind responses.

[Leejnd4]

Oh, and one more idea...have your wife treat herself to getting her hair done for formal night! Both Mom and I did that, and I loved it. They did a great job! I went in there with an idea of what I wanted, based on a photo I'd seen of Eva Longoria with an up-do at some awards show...I described it very briefly to the stylist, and he just waved his hand and said, "Of course, I know that look, I'll take care of it." Well, I was skeptical, but darned if he didn't reproduce that hair style -- to a T!

Now if only they could have made the REST of me look like Eva Longoria...but I guess there is only so much magic they can do in the spa.

[nancygp]

Hi Danny. Yes, we use the same TA and I'm excited that she and her husband will be on my cruise. Perhaps we have met before in Houston?

Sounds like you've received great suggestions on how to use your shipboard credits.

Wishing you a wonderful cruise.

Nancy