Ice Bear

1 hour ago, stonepebble said:

Hello, We are on a different sailing but trying to find an answer.

We are doing a pre-cruise tour to Iguazu Falls. 

There is a boat ride in our itinerary. Did you do one?

Some of the comments I've read say that you will get soaking wet.

If you did the boat ride is that accurate? Trying to decide if we need flip flops along with wearing our hiking shoes!

Thanks, 

Chris

I did the boat ride in December 2007 during a Holland America pre-cruise. I wore a RAIN SUIT: Jacket with hood and pants. If you sit at the FRONT of the boat, you will become very wet. I also took the small plane ride Over Iguazu Falls. The group visited Iguazu Falls by bus from both the Brazilian side and the Argentinian side. Fantastic memories. . . .

Great to see Rick onboard the Serenity!

Recently, I remembered the video of Rick and the crew members departing in 2022. He promised that they would return. I’m happy the Crystal team of officers, staff, and crew are, indeed, valued and continuing to return. 

Fun to see the travel agents enjoying the White Party!

A friend recommended The Maritime Executive — Report: MSC and Fincantieri Delay Explora 1 Due to Fire Safety Concern.

Although the article is dated July 10, 2023, it does mention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea).

“It likely also involves the classification society, which would be responsible for certifying the ship and ensuring it meets the SOLAS standards defined by the IMO.”

International Maritime Organization (IMO) — the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

I used the search term: Owens Corning subsidiary PAROC fireproof panels failure to meet requirements.

Insurance Marine News, July 12, 2023: Provides original content from the Financial Times.

The final three paragraphs provide information about the ships that may be of interest.

SMAARTcompany.com: The article did not include a “finance news” perspective, as marketed. 

1 hour ago, CB BOARDER said:

We're scheduled for Sept 2 thru Sept 9th. We've been super excited about this cruise hopefully they get this figured out. However, I have a few concerns like how many panels we talking about? I assume thousands. If that's the case and there's dozens of ships involved, it sounds like a supply chain nightmare. What's the lead-time on the replacement panels? Have they been ordered? Who gets first dibs.... Lots of unanswered questions....

Wasn't able to read the Ft article, was any this covered?

 

Hoping August 1st happens!

Google “Financial Times”. At present, it’s the first article in the list.

I’m also interested in the status of cruise ships being renovated at the Fincantieri shipyard.

I sailed on my first Silversea cruise in July 2022. I wanted to make Open Bookings. Silversea required each itinerary to be designated. I was advised I could transfer each “Open Booking” before the deadline. The Future Cruise Consultant designated the cruises. A significant Issue arose when I tried to transfer the first “Open Booking” — it created extra work for my travel agent. The credit card was never referenced. This may be specific to the Silversea ship. Or, perhaps the Future Cruise Consultant’s Sales Target required the “Open Booking” itineraries to be identified? 

Terry in Ohio, I appreciate your Notes about the RCL CEO and CFO responses to the stock analysts. The paragraph addressing Optimize Yield is definitely of interest. Thank you.

On 4/21/2023 at 9:06 PM, Stickman1990 said:

Yes we successfully did a status match based on our Crystal status - we submitted a copy of our last booking confirmation which listed the number of completed cruises - that was all they required from us 

I appreciate your reply, Stickman. I originally submitted a Booking Confirmation identifying the number of completed cruises, too.

Lord Haw Haw: Eventually, MSC approved a Status Match based upon my Seabourn status. Thank you for the follow-up note.

That would be interesting. I’ll submit a different application.

I appreciate your suggestion. Thank you, Oh2Bcruisin. 

Did anyone successfully obtain an MSC Status Match based upon the number of completed Crystal Cruises?

What did you submit as a Crystal status card or a Crystal Online profile?

My travel agent submitted verification of my cruises, too. Each submission was rejected.

Thank you. 

Unique for me to consider accessibility of a Ship’s Laundry Rooms. I looked at the Deck Plans for Silver Nova and Silver Ray: It appears the floor space of the Laundry Rooms will be significantly larger. Each may provide six washers and six dryers.

1 hour ago, TER777 said:

Or go to the upper floors as people who reside there are more likely to have free laundry and thus not use their facilities. 

Thanks for the reminder, Tracy! 

Thank you, Joe. I hoped the newest ships had expanded laundry facilities.

Question: Are the Self-Service washer and dryer on Silver Dawn stacked in an extremely small laundry room similar to Silver Spirit? The deck plan indicates a limited space. Thank you.

On 2/21/2023 at 6:24 PM, braxx20 said:

MY TA DOES have my CC loyalty number one BUT, while she was on vacation and before Crystal opened up, I used another agent to book my SB cruise - a delicate situation.

 

ON another topic:

I got a "cold call" from a Crystal salesman tonight, hoping to solicit a booking. That is rather surprising, to say the least! I hope they are not having trouble filling the ships!

 

 

Did you request the New travel agent to telephone Crystal? The agent may have an A&K Crystal Contact. The New travel agent has likely navigated this dilemma when booking Crystal passengers on Seabourn cruises during 2022. It’s unfortunate you have not located even a Deposit stating your Crystal Society number and verification of the number of completed cruises. 

Roy, Yes, it will take time to regain strength and endurance to enjoy your walks. The weather forecast suggests another rare February week of mild temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic. Snow bells are thriving, crocuses are abundant, and daffodil leaves are flourishing. Best wishes as you recover. Enjoy the early Spring sights in your neighborhood!

Roy, I enjoy seeing your Sunrise photos. I hope you will initiate a dedicated thread in New Crystal. It’s inspiring to see the places you’ve visited. Looking forward to your early Spring 2023 additions, too!

5 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Our TA was rejected by the reservation agent when she tried to book segments on the World Cruise just an hour or so ago so it’s looking very unclear just what they’ll allow at this stage 

Previous Full World Cruise passengers may book the World Cruise (and Segments).

Perhaps your travel agent is able to put you on a Waitlist to request segments when reservations become more widely available.

At long last, an A&K Crystal Communication.

Before the Early Deposit deadline, it’s critical to understand the value A&K places upon legacy Crystal passengers and our Crystal Milestone status.

I seek ongoing A&K comprehensive Communications that clearly define whether I will receive benefits as a legacy Crystal passenger. 
 

The time to tell is now.

Hopefully, this will follow the 2021 timeframe.

Initial Announcement in late March/early April. Reservations accepted in early April.

Boarded Serenity on July 3.

Symphony’s initial sailing in early August.

It’s time for Crystal to communicate with Crystal Society members rather than relying upon trickle-down snippets from travel agents.

54 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

No need to turn this into a "research project". Once you clear Customs and Immigration and are out in the Arrivals area of the terminal, just follow the signs to Taxi/Limo. They are a flat rate to anywhere in the city, and they are clean and reliable. We use them every time we come home by air and have never had a problem. 

Thank you Roland4. The Flat Rate is awesome!

7 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic @Ice Bear.  To get other more targeted responses to your questions try asking on the CC Canada/New England/East Coast Ports of Call forum here:  (I see you have already asked on the river cruises American Queen Forums)

 

Canada/New England Cruises Q&A: Find Tips & Recommendations - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

 

East Coast Departures - Cruise Critic Community

 

~Nancy

 

 

Thank you for pointing me to these resources Nancy. I appreciate your guidance.

6 hours ago, d9704011 said:

You could take the Union Pearson Express train from the airport to Union Station then get a city taxi from there to your hotel.  Easier (and probably much cheaper) than trying to organize a transfer.  It may take a few minutes longer but not much and if there are traffic issues coning into Toronto you may be glad you chose the train.

I appreciate your guidance. I’m concerned how to negotiate with my luggage. I’ll check into the Express train. Thank you!

I am seeking recommendations to go from Toronto’s Pearson Airport to the Toronto Hilton: a reliable airport shuttle, private driver, or taxi company. I cannot manage my luggage on the train. Avoiding Uber, etc. While Crystal is paused, a close-to-home Great Lakes cruise became an option. Thank you.

Seeking transportation options from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto Hilton on Tuesday morning, August 16. Can you recommend an airport shuttle company, reasonably priced limo service, or taxi company, please? Toronto Hilton provided name of one Limo company; however, online comments are mixed. Thank you.