Dear Wife and I always enjoyed the casino onboard Crystal. We would have preferred that it resume operation, and maybe someday it will. However, as we start counting the weeks before our first cruise in three years, we don’t see the casino as crucial to a happy experience. For us, Crystal was not a restaurant at sea or a zillion-star hotel or a floating casino. It was an Idea, and we think The Idea will reveal itself again once we resume interacting with Serenity, its staff, and other guests in February. There will probably be some warts, hopefully some improvements as well. But we think The Idea will survive Covid-19 and the economy and possible overreach by previous owners. It is a strange feeling to hold a reservation for a cruise, whose shipboard offerings are somewhat vague, as are the shore excursions and other amenities, and whose quality standards are yet to be observed. However, it is exciting to contemplate how a substantial travel company like A&K will meet guests’ expectations, especially those of OC cruisers, by taking The Idea and bringing it to life again in NC. We are looking forward to it, and we don’t think the casino will make a difference to the overall experience. Anyway, there are lots of casinos around, and only one Crystal – again.