Just a few comments on this recent cruise as it was disrupted on the third day having acquired COVID and quarantined to my cabin for the remainder of the cruise. Therefore, my comments are limited to the experience I had the first two days including my visit on the third day to the medical clinic. This was our first Crystal cruise having sailed many times with Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn. We anxiously looked forward to the trip to celebrate a milestone anniversary and booked a Sapphire Suite on Deck 9.
We were pleased with the eagerness to serve attitude of the crew members. It was obvious that they were trying very hard to provide the best service possible. The ship, in general, is beautiful, tastefully renovated and well maintained. With 1/2 capacity (around 325 passengers), nothing was crowded, providing a very comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
We were mostly pleased with the Sapphire suite except for the very small closet and the opaque glass door off the entry foyer that opened into the bathroom. (If one was using the facility, anyone entering the suite could actually see their silhouette.) What were the designers thinking? Our butler, Prince, was an old Crystal employee who returned, and was excellent and attentive. Our cabin stewards were also outstanding.
We dined in the Italian restaurant and Waterside the first and second nights, respectively. Both were very good.
However, experience with the Spa was substandard at best. That is, none of the pre booked appointments appeared in their system plus their published prices were higher by $10 or more than what was posted on the Crystal website. Reception Spa staff seemed confused and unable to resolve the simplest of problems including the scheduling of appointments. The one service I did receive was incomplete. ( All things considered, it didn’t matter because my subsequent illness precluded me from attending the remainder of my appointments. )
Also, experience with the medical clinic was an issue. On the third day of the cruise, I visited the clinic feeling unwell. I thought it might be COVID but the ship doctor insisted that there was NO COVID on the ship. He prescribed antibiotics and said I would feel better the next day. However, my condition worsened two days later and I was finally tested positive for COVID and quarantined for the remainder of the cruise. It was too late to begin any antiviral treatment. Needless to say, this was an unfortunate event and I was quite ill for the remainder of the cruise but well taken care of by our butler and cabin stewards (for which I am deeply grateful).