MsCrystalina

It takes a lot of time and planning to add ports and tours to a cruise even with a generous period of time.

Insurance, legal, global and local security situations must be in place.  Find it unlikely that there will be stops on the west coast of Africa.  On the old Crystal 7 or so years ago a Cape Town to Southhampton WC segment was one of best ever! I do not think that itinerary has been repeated by anyone since then. Would expect Cape Town and perhaps one more stop might be feasible. There would be no fresh entertainment. etc.   Going across to SA likely.

All lines are being affected by this. Several months ago, November 2024 journeys thru the Suez to the Emirates and on to Mumbai were cancelled by SS and others.  Although disappointing, earlier changes are easier for all. 

Flying from Miami to Seattle to Iceland has got to be the most insane itinerary ever!! I hope you are not accepting it?

I was addressing an Athens-Mumbai trip- don't know anything about the WC route.  It might have to end early if going east to west. 

The issues will not be resolved in 3 months' time and itineraries should be decided earlier rather than later.  As mentioned by earlier post Silversea has addressed the situation. Their ship was turned around in the Red Sea and back through the canal to Athens to disembark. The decision was made one day before the US /allied attacks on the terrorists in Yemen.   Three cruises to the Emirates on to Mumbai then were cancelled.  The ship is starting down the west coast of Africa today without passengers hoping to resume voyage from Mumbai aiming to get there 12 February.   That is not a short cruise.  Ship must be positioned in the Indian Ocean for all the SE Asia and far east itineraries for the rest of 2024. 

 Hopefully Crystal makes their decision within next week with likely starting in Mumbai and offering passengers a refund and/or offers to continue with new itinerary. 

I doubt if the Moon would reach Mumbai before 23 Feb.  That is quite a journey and would be so expensive and add wear and tear to the ship.   Would require 'militarization" with front and rear heavy escorts to venture down the Red Sea.  All the security specialists and insurers have a big decision to make!

If passengers were allowed on the African circumnavigation- would be a full ship! 

Dear 81Zoomie- the big white boxes are closed areas which are accessible to the butlers/housekeeping staff.

I was in 9005 and no doors across or anywhere close to me.   There is a door to each area.   Absolutely no noise coming from the areas across from me and unaware of any elsewhere.

I was on Nova for 22 days in October and November. Loved it- great food, service, entertainment, and meeting lots of people.  Better than any of my time on Crystal over 15 years.   Minor issues- no service in the show lounge, one really awful excursion, one cold entree- all shared with those in charge.   

In my travels, no ship or cruise line or hotel is always perfect.   I expect to travel again and experience other ships with Silversea. 

I am so disappointed as my onboard-booked Athens to Doha cruise on SS Dawn for 17 Nov 2024 was cancelled on 11/16/2023- one whole year in advance.  Had been home a week from Nova when got the news.  Also, my Doha to Singapore continuation on 12/4/2024 was changed.   The sailing was changed to begin in Mumbai with 2 onboard days there and added stops in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur.

The Dawn is doing a Barcelona to Athens cruise which ends 17 Nov 2024 and then apparently will head toward Mumbai empty. 

Exploring options- who knows what will be going on anywhere a year from now!   

It appears that Silversea finds it much easier to cancel distant trips than dealing with the immediate ones!  Know several who have cruises in the general areas (eastern Med, Red Sea, Emirates) in the next 2-3 months and are still being advertised.!.

I think is contract- which is not bad in third world countries.

Don't get off the ship without visiting The Shelter and order a great champagne cocktAIL-

On Her Majesty's Secret Service  no charge- they also offer pricey champagne which is not necessary IMHO!

ak1004-   as a female I wrote from my perspective. Don't insult men. 

I cannot understand how this is such a problem for a traveler. I just returned from the Nova.  Over 20 years of cruising on luxury cruise lines with long sweaty tours and maybe 20-30 minutes before dining ceases, I have learned how to do sink baths, put on clean underclothes, pull on a basic dress or black pants and a knit top and present to the dining room on non-formal nights.   Surely one has those items packed if on a Silversea or ANY CRUISE.  Ask to sit alone if you can't handle the mini-bath or can't be seen without make-up.

Under no circumstances would I grab a pizza!   If you totally resent not being able to wear your shorts and t-shirt, there are other cruise lines which would welcome you.   

On my many cruises with the Old Crystal, single tables were available at 6pm only on certain dates in the Nobu/Italian which is too early for me.  Make your reservations for the specialty restaurants when you want to go and will be able to add a guest if wish to.    I don't know if the new C has started having solo get-togethers for cocktails on the first night of a cruise as my new preferred ships do!

Unfortunately, dates are too soon for me as have one on Nova coming soon.  Looking at some to middle east at year's end (2024) which appear to be better deal at 25percent supplement than what Crystal is offering in single cabin.  The cost of shore excursions is likely to make CC trip more expensive. Guess will get my deposit back.

Thanks will do!   

Just about 3 weeks and I will be on Nova.  Newest ship ever sailed!

Are there computers on board? debating whether to take my tablet.

Are the special tables for solo passengers in the restaurants still offered at 6 or 6:30? That was always unacceptable to me.  

I have been on Crystal 16 times and made a deposit for a lengthy one end of 2024.  As a solo I am unhappy with their prices. The solo rooms on 7 have no balcony which I have been in several times in the past.  but they took out the tub and decreased the storage by at least 50 percent from my interpretation of the new pics.  Casino is gone, tours not inclusive, caviar seldom served in the past. No solo get-togethers. Now it looks like the trip for 2024 is not such great deal and looks like can do better with Silversea for a longer trip with a balcony suite and all their inclusives  so not sure when I will go back.   

The C board is full of cheerleaders in the big suites who were accurately described as "cults".

soon will be on my 2nd SS and looking forward to it!!

As for clothing - shorts were worn by most of us during the hot days, wide brim hats for all.  In Cairo when to the museums wore skirts or cotton/ linen dress. Definitely no place for heavy dark jeans.   Closed toe shoes preferred for comfort, safety.   Clean-up for cocktails and dinner. On Uniworld one night all of us were able to buy cheap costumes on board for "Egyptian Night" - loads of fun, music and dancing! 

At the Ritz-Carlton I dressed in my nice things- few Americans were there and lots of well-dressed Egyptians and guests.

Last year I did the Uniworld Egyptian cruise on the Sphinx. I have only traveled the rivers on Uniworld- so pleased with the rooms, service, etc see no reason to change- this was my 4th Uniworld and different as all was operated by the Egyptians.   

I travel alone and this trip did not waive the single supplement as Uniworld does on some European trips.  It was worth every cent!  There were only 33 of us and we were divided into 2 groups with a separate bus and Egyptologist each.  So, it was like a private tour!!!

From the pickup at the airport to the drop off- every day was beyond my expectations. I had spent 3 days in Egypt with a Crystal cruise in the past and just had to get back and see it in detail.

The service, food and large stateroom (pictured by someone in an earlier post) were equal or better than My ocean cruises on luxury brands.   

The Egyptologist was fascinating and being such a small group, we all were privileged!

President Sisi is doing a fantastic job keeping Egypt a safe destination for tourists.  security was highly visible.   

My recommendation would be if anyone wants to see the wonders of Egypt- do it soon.

While it is safe and while you are young enough and physically able to enjoy all the long days and many miles of walking among the treasures!!  

Yes, the hot tub will be used for my feet. I also will have only a shower. I am a shower person at home but like to take tub baths on cruises after long touring days when hurt all over- especially my legs and feet.  Also have more time to bathe on a trip.    

The Egyptian E-visa is legitimate and was efficient process.  

A few years ago, when I did a transatlantic RT on Queen Mary 2 , their terminal in Brooklyn - Red Hook area- was like an old bus station.  Bathrooms were "added ON' sitting on a raised platform in waiting area Certainly not what I expected with such a classy ship! The ship is too long to use the Manhattan piers.

It may have been replaced since then- hope so.    The old Crystal never had a shuttle from the pier and don't expect the new expensive one will!

for clarity- the Sphinx is a luxury river boat- board it in Luxor.

I am so glad I did a trip from Dubai to Athens on Symphony years ago!  There was an overnight in Luxor which was at a luxury hotel which was not expensive nor overpriced as I would not have paid it!

If really fascinated with Egypt and able to travel more , hold off and take a Uniworld River Tour on the Sphinx which includes 2 overnights in Luxor, the Four Seasons in Cairo and flights within the country. All while having a luxurious stateroom and all is inclusive.