Strictly hypothetically

[Nancyquilts]

since it couldn't happen. What if Symphony and Serenity were offering the exact same cruise - same ports, about the same time, etc. Which ship would you choose, and why? Nancy

[cruzpro]

That's really easy to answer. I'd go on the Symphony because half the time Herbert Doppler would be the Hotel Director. It's never the ship it's always the soft ware. Besides Herbert there is Slafko in Prego and Walsom in Jade Garden. Jordan was the bartender shown on the baby ritty photos of the new Symphony. He was really nice in April and I look forward to seeing him again. Disclaimer: The crew of the Serenity is also wonderful and my favorite waiter is there, Eduard. How about sending Eduard over to the Symphony in time for 6230. We can always use a great waiter. Ernie

[Judith02]

It would be a tough choice. At one time I'd say we'd take Symphony, no question about it. After a great many cruises on it, we love the ship and the crew and feel very much at home on it. BUT we took our fourth cruise on Serenity in September, and our appreciation of that ship and crew has grown. Certain areas of the ship are nicer (I like the layout of the Galaxy Lounge and can actually see over peoples' heads in the raised back section) and we love Silk Road (Prego is great on both ships). The difference would tip to Symphony if Remi was on board. He, to us, symbolizes everything that is good on Crystal. He is the best! Now of course, if Harmony (and its Vista Lounge) were still in the fleet, that would throw everything into a scramble.

[All too soon...]

Our first time on the Serenity will be next November, so I can't compare. However, this bargain-hunter gets one thing on the Symphony that the Serenity can't offer: lower-priced partial view staterooms.

[HookedOnSeaDays]

I would book both cruises and jump from one to the next every port. One night on Symphony, the next on Serenity, the next on Symphony...

[Crown Imperial]

Having been a Symphony addict for years, I have become devoted to Serenity. Of course the crew makes the real difference, but the larger cabins, wider hallways, inboard lifeboats, nicer Palm Court and Galaxy give the tilt to Serenity in my book. If the WC were to be on Symphony again I might have to reconsider.

[ab0si]

Well, if the Harmony were still in-fleet, I would definately take that one. Why? Because my two favorite palces on that ship were the Vista Lounge with the wonderful double deck high open windows and separation from Palm court and the perfectly designed Avenue.

Since, imho, the Serenity has screwed these two areas up even more than the Symphony, my choice is the Symphony.

Also, the forward balcony cabins on the Serenity really do not have much "extension" on the balconies.

[crsdks]

Our first cruise with Crystal was on the Symphony, and it was unbelievable. Out next cruise, just 9 months later was on the Harmony and some how they had logged that my wife required an extension cord for a heating pad that she needed for a heating pad that she used for sleeping due to a bad back. When we arrived for the second cruise, there was a note that stated "Mrs. S, we see that on your last cruise you requested an extension cord so we have placed one in your cabin for your use. We also see that you requested two additonal pillows and have also placed those in your cabin".

We were absolutely blown away and were comitted to Crystal for the rest of our lives at that point. Someone on the Symphony had to have logged that request into a passenger log and then someone on Harmony had to have read it and responded to it.

Since that first cruise and the experience on Harmony on our second we have cruised only 8 times total. One on Symphony (the first), four on Harmony, and three on Serenity. We are now booked on Symphony 1/4/07 for the second cruise through the Panama Canal and can not wait to return to Symphony. It was so memorable that we remember our waiter on that first cruise, Ivo, and his assistant, Ivan. We understand that Ivo is now a Head Waiter and hope to see him again.

We have truly enjoyed each and EVERY cruise but the first on Symphony was the the best. If asked today, Symphony would be our choice.

[Keith1010]

We look forward to cruising with Crystal, whether it be on the Symphony or the Serentity and of course on when the Harmony was part of the fleet. So, in the end, either ship would be wonderful.

My belief is that the Serenity combined what we on the most part enjoyed best about the Harmony and the Symphony and the staterooms are all a little bit larger than the original two ships and the space in the rooms has been optimized. I also find the placement of the various venues on the Serenity to be very logical in terms of their location. So, while I enjoy the Symphony I am a little more partial to the Serenity.

With that said, one of the areas that makes Crystal so unique is its wonderful crew, wonderful passenger's along with others such as the guest lecturers.

So, if the itineraries were the same, and the price was relatively close, then the deciding factor would likely come down to the people. If several of the regulars from this board were already booked on say the Symphony I would go with the Symphony and the same would be true of the Serenity. Because, you see in the end, many times what makes one cruise more memorable than the other are the people that you cruise with; from our fellow passenger's to the fellow crew and guest lecturers/entertainers.

Keith

[Judith02]

Very well said as always, Keith.

[paws10]

I'm a Harmony girl myself. So, I guess I'll just have to try the Symphony and Serenity and find out. What a task to look forward to! I know the Symphony will be great on 6230 because of all the cc people going, but like Ernie said, Slavko, Walson and others I'm looking forward (and hopefully) to seeing, will also make this a wonderful cruise.

Ditto what Keith says, as usual, he hits the nail on the head and expresses my sentiments as well.

[martinsfo]

I've only been on the Harmony. I'll be on the Symphony for the first time over the Christmas Holidays. I'm truly looking forward to it.

[Roland4]

After four cruises on Harmony our first experience with Serenity was in November of 2003, Frankly, we preferred Harmony. Serenity just seemed a bit large and lacked the warmth and "homey-ness" of Harmony. Our last two cruises were on Serenity and we have found that it has "grown" on us as we have come to know the ship and the crew better. We sail Symphony for the first time next Friday and we are looking forward to the comparison.

[Judith02]

Roland, we were on Serenity for the second time in November 2003 in the Caribbean. On our first three cruises on it, I felt it was cold and lacked the warmth we felt on Symphony. We went on Harmony to Alaska and loved it. This past September, we cruised on Serenity again. Something changed. I'm not sure what, but we loved the cruise. Several crew members from Symphony were there, but that wasn't the only reason we enjoyed it. Perhaps you are right, and it has just grown on us. When you are on Symphony I don't know if Remi will have left and Victor come aboard, but if Remi is there, say hi for Larry and me, please.

[Roland4]

Judith, we will pass on your greetings if Remi is onboard.

Intereseting that you felt the same way about Serenity in 2003. I really think the problem then was that it was a hybrid crew. Some from Symphony, some from Harmony and some new to Crystal and they had not had a chance to "become one". The camaraderie of the crew was the most noticeable difference when we were onboard Serenity last November.

[Nancyquilts]

Thanks for all your helpful comments. Being Harmony addicts, we opted for Symphony's L.A.- Hong Kong cruise in March. Hope it sort of feels like home. Nancy