crickette

2 hours ago, BWIVince said:

OMG Patty,...Countless management teams have now reviewed that same atrocity of a (third of a) ceiling, and thought, “oh, that’s good enough, we can leave that for sure.”  🤮  Taking function and wear out of the equation, that has to be the tackiest original design element Crystal ever selected — and it takes a lot to pass the 6 golden sculptures/sets.

 

Sorry for the rant…. My decades of hate for that ceiling grow with every passing refit.  LOL

 

Vince

In case anyone needs a reminder!  And this is the disparaged carpet where we thought dead bodies had just been removed. Credit to FB for both.

2 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Actually click on Ocean Penthouses, not "Select"

Got it.  Thanks for your patience.

31 minutes ago, crickette said:

Thanks.  When I clicked on Ocean Penthouses, I get a choice of deluxe, premier, and grand with pix but no text.

UPDATE:  scrolling beneath the picture brings up the Features.  But features listed for Deluxe PH or Grand PH do not resemble your features.

33 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Go onto the website as if you're making a booking.

 

Select a sailing and then click on the "Book" button.

 

Then you will see a list of the 4 major categories available. Click on "Ocean Penthouses" which is underlined.

 

The shown page will then slide in from the top of the page!

Thanks.  When I clicked on Ocean Penthouses, I get a choice of deluxe, premier, and grand with pix but no text.

1 hour ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Success!!!

 

This is a direct screenshot from the Explora website:

 

Could you post a direct link to this page, please?  I cannot find it.

The low water levels in the lake and the impact on shipping was covered by Canadian news media quite awhile ago, as part of their coverage of global warming thoughout the world.  If I remember correctly (and I could easily be missing some of it) cruise ships that had reservations to transit the canal would be honoured (oops, bad sentence construction, so read between the lines).  New reservations have  become very expensive, and are limited in numbers.  I'm guessing now, but I wouldn't be surprised if Serenity was late to the reservation queue, and may have suffered the consequences (expense/limited supply).

3 hours ago, SusieQft said:

I believe the exercise equipment on the aft decks was only on Symphony (OC).  So the answer to your question will probably be pending until we get observations/photos after Symphony's restart.

The Fitness Garden was removed before our cruises to Bermuda.

20 minutes ago, BWIVince said:

I fall into that bucket….  I’ve said plenty of great things about Prego through the years, but I’m also ready for change.  If for no other reason, it’s not the past anymore.  I can also request almost any Prego dish in Waterside if I wish, so from where I sit nothing is really lost, and something exciting is gained.  I understand it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s the nature of change even for those of us that embrace it.

 

In my defense though, there are a few things I’ve been consistently critical about with Prego over the years, including Symphony’s original Prego decor (why did the same decor work in Prego as Excalibur Las Vegas at the time?) and Serenity’s decor most of the years (floating Olive Garden).  
 

Symphony Prego’s Kirk Nix makeover is one of my favorite Crystal decor iterations in the company’s history, but putting my money where my mouth is re: change, that decor is now over a decade old and a change is certainly appropriate.

 

Vince

You've been missed.  Glad you are back.

51 minutes ago, Observer said:

Do you really want my thoughts?  I posted a long message (written partly while on Serenity in the South Pacific, as I recall) during the Edie era.  I think I wrote this in 2016.  It is clearly dated.  But it may give some people something to take shots at. 

 

I would add one further request/requirement:  Every cabin, no matter the size, should have a verandah.

 

 

Crystal has offered very little detail about the new “Exclusive Class” ships, named by one wag on this board as the Crystal Mirage since there are so few details.   

 

Perhaps Crystal is simply being cagey and waiting for a big, splashy announcement.   They seem to like those.  On the other hand, perhaps they are still deciding on key elements of the new ship(s?).  Against the second possibility, I thought we might help Edie and her colleagues by describing some of the things *we* would like to see in a Program of Requirements to be presented to the architects of the “Exclusive Class” ships.

 

I am presuming to launch this conversation/thread with some personal thoughts.  I hope others will chime in (if only to disagree with me).  These are personal observations on a) things I like and would like to see preserved and b) things I would like to see changed/improved from the current ships.  I have sailed on both Symphony and Serenity, but I have always sailed in standard suites and never sailed in Penthouse accommodation.  Thus, some of my "asks" for the new ships may already be provided in premium suites.

 

KEEP SMALL STANDARD SUITES:  Okay.  I guess this got your attention for a starter.  A huge complaint about Crystal is that the standard suites are small for a couple -- especially by comparison by offerings on other luxury lines. But it's a fine size for a solo, and Crystal has a loyal solo following.  Why can't Crystal increase the size of the standard suites to current industry standard for luxury ships, but keep a number of suites at the current smallish ~ 210 sq ft. size for solos and couples who will accept them?  I believe that Cunard is creating a number of single occupancy suites when refitting the Queens.        

 

SOUNDPROOFING:  I have frequented all of the luxury lines (not all of the ships), and from time to time have had noise infiltration from adjoining suite or corridor.  I have never had this issue on Crystal.  I have found soundproofing to be excellent.   This is very important and cannot easily be retrofitted if they get it wrong first time around.  Please don't skimp here.  

                              

MORE/FASTER ELEVATORS:  Current waits for elevators at busy times (e.g, end of show or return of excursions) are very frustrating.  There may be a standard calculus for a desired ratio of passengers/elevators.  But the Crystal demographic is older.  Fewer climbing stairs.  More with walkers or scooters that take up space.  The situation is compounded with people who know they have to take elevator up even if they want to go down, because if they wait for a down elevator it will be filled.  

 

PORT/STARBOARD IN ELEVATORS:  One of the nicest touches I recall from Serenity (and don’t recall from Symphony) is the indication above the elevators doors of which direction port and starboard will be as one exits the lift.  It changes from elevator bank to elevator bank.  I am accustomed to trying to figure out on other cruise lines which way to turn on leaving the lift.  No guesswork required on Serenity.  What genius thought of this simple but ever-so-helpful feature?  Please keep it on Mirage and her sisters. 

 

KEEP BISTRO:  This is one of jewels of Crystal.  Keep it and perhaps even expand it so that one could make a proper light dinner there.

 

KEEP DINNER SITTINGS:  There are some people -- like me -- who appreciate fixed dining times, same table/server, etc.  I understand that this group will be a minority.  But I hope the MDR will be organized so that those who want old-fashioned dining will have the option to book times and tables for the entire cruise.  The number might change from cruise to cruise -- 10% on one cruise electing this option, 20% on the next cruise.  This may have implications for galley/dining room design.

SPEAKER IN BATHROOM:  For reasons that presumably do not require explanation, a powerful exhaust fan is above the toilet in the suites.  It makes a lot of noise, thus making it very difficult (nearly impossible) to hear the audio from the TV while in the bathroom.  One doesn't want to turn up the volume so high as to disturb neighbors.   Luxury hotels have speakers in the bathrooms that transmit the audio coming through the TV.   I gather this feature is currently present in Penthouse accommodations.  Why not extend it to all suites on the Mirage?

 

ROOM SERVICE CARTS:  The need here is for arrangements to get food that is supposed to be hot to a room at at least lukewarm temperature.  If one is living at the front of the ship, the food has to be transported from the galley to your deck and then on an open cart (without any heating cabinet) along the entire length of the ship.  My food has regularly arrived tepid at best.  How about room service carts with heated cabinets on “Exclusive Class” ships?  Perhaps coolers as well.  The open carts currently used are probably not much different from those used in prisons.  BTW:  I have never stayed in Crystal butler-supported suite.  Life may be –doubtless is! -- different/better there.  But it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope for warm food on deck 9.

 

SHOWER IN EVERY SUITE:  The current deep bathtub w/shower is not luxury -- esp.for aging passengers who have difficulty negotiating high tub rim.  The default should be walk-in shower in every suite.  No one will object to having a tub added when possible. 

 

ELECTRICAL PLUG IN BATHROOM:  I know there are safety issues, but a plug is needed for personal hair dryer, electric shaver, etc.

 

PROMENADE DECK:  Don't sacrifice wrap around teak promenade deck.  It's a distinctive Crystal feature.  Friends who just returned from Regent Voyager will now move to Penthouse on Crystal largely because of prospect of using promenade deck.  

 

INCREASE SPA SIZE:  I don’t think it’s enough to have only one sink and two showers for ~500 potential  passengers (50% of 1000).  On a luxury line like Crystal, I do not think one should have to wait in line to use the sink to shave or take a shower after a workout or treatment. I know some passengers who shower all the time in the spa because they find it awkward/dangerous to climb in and out of the snug tub/shower combination in most suites. Other luxury lines have much more favorable ratios in their spas.  Ideally, the Mirage will have a better ratio.

 

KEEP TASTES/CASUAL OPTION OUT OF THE WAY:  Tastes (Serenity) is always casual and is out of the way (deck 12).  Thus, slobs like me who do not want to dress up can go up there on BTO evenings.  With this option, a man would not need to bring a jacket on a Crystal cruise.  The fact that this casual restaurant is out of the way makes a guest feel less awkward going to the restaurant "underdressed."  One would still feel awkward if Silk Road or Prego or even Bistro were declared "casual" on BTO evenings.  So keep an always-casual option on the “Exclusive Class” ships and place it out of the way so that casually dressed guests will not feel awkward going to dinner on BTO evenings. 

 

GIVE CREW PREMIUM ACCOMMODATIONS:  I do not pretend to know what happens below deck, crew accommodations and amenities.  But these should be prime considerations in a Program of Requirements.  The heart of Crystal is the crew.  This draft POR has focused on guest areas that I know best.  But please, please don't stint when planning for crew life.   

 

STEWARDESS CARTS:  We have been on some other luxury lines where there were better alternatives than the heavy, awkward, cumbersome linen trolleys that were part of OC, and I assume are still part of NC.

There were a few thoughts on this thread:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2953663-new-ocean-vessels-and-new-expedition-ships

There were a few ideas on this thread:

1 hour ago, FlyerTalker said:

Try a lightweight rash-guard, or a t-shirt style fishing shirt with a high UV rating.  Long sleeve and you can find them in 50 rating.  They work quite well in sunny conditions

Or you can walk your laps starting at 0530-0730, as I do!!!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I do hope the Promenade deck (on or about deck 7) is part of the new builds.  

30 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

The reason OC changed the protocol (and NC likely won't change it back) is that much of the OBC you get "from your TA" is actually funded by the cruiseline. It is also the reason why you cannot "cash out"  unused OBC at the end of the cruise. The only exception to that is if your TA (or someone else) purchased your OBC from the cruiseline.

Thanks Larry.  I knew that, but glad you posted for others on this thread.

We get substantial OBC from the consortium our TA's agency belongs to, and I believe these are also from Crystal, to the agency, and back through Crystal.  I fear the next thing this thread will reveal are rebates, and they are different again!

29 minutes ago, calliopecruiser said:

Good to know - it sounds like you can use your account, but only if it's from your credit card, and not from OBC. 

That is the way it was on the last voyages of OC.  Wouldn't it be nice if NC changed the protocol?  OC also had envelopes, if you preferred to use them for cash.  The envelopes could also be used to enclose a note about the tip, or a thank you card.  Lastly, Reception had a binder of staff photos with names - we found it useful.

Some of the above posts mention onboard account.  I want to emphasize that onboard credits cannot be used for tips any longer.  Many of us used to zero our OBC by donating to the crew welfare fund, and OC put a stop to that.  But tips can be paid by credit card at the Reception desk.

35 minutes ago, Keith1010 said:

Terry this really ranged from crew working at sea, on land, or not working.

 

Keith

There was also an organized program to support a crew member - I know several Society members that provided assistance.

I am reminded of my colleague who told our Prime Minister, who was dangling on the end of a rope below a helicopter, that he had the most confidence in the rope, as it was supplied by the lowest bidder.  I am happy to repeat that thought whenever I enter an elevator in a government building.

A&K was happy to spend millions to refurbish Serenity, and allocate dollars as the marine space designer recommended.  This is why the designers demand the dollars they do for their services.

Can someone enlighten me, please?  Why is Ritz Carleton never included when comparing luxury lines, S, SS, R and C?  Haven't sailed them, but thought they would be on this playing field.

Been there; done that.  For reference:  February 2020 $125pp

11 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

This is indeed how it works. In recent years it worked this way for Standard rooms but now it works this way for all suites with exception of CP and Junior CP with the few rooms in each of these categories priced the same way.

 

Keith

Then help me understand the "from" in the fare.  It implies there is a higher fare... for something.  Second, there is an asterisk beside the fare, but I've not found the footnote for it.

3 hours ago, KJB416 said:

We board on August 8 and I’ll definitely report back on the feel and atmosphere of the restaurants and the ease of getting multiple reservations at Marble and Sakura. You do need to book reservations through your travel agent (or direct with EJ if no TA was used) which has not been communicated well to these first cruisers and also there has been nothing communicated anywhere to say only one evening of dining is allowed in the reservation required restaurants (Sakura and Marble). I wonder if they are being as strict with allowing only one reservation in Anthology as well per booking?  
 

I heard my sailing is almost full and this was quite shocking to me since a lot of cabins were available 6 weeks before sailing. My TA asked last week how full the ship will be and the EJ advisor said it was almost full. I’m not that excited about sailing with other TA’s and influencers that are getting their trip for free and taking up my space at a dining venue. I understand it’s the first sailings, but it doesn’t seem fair to those that have paid to go on a luxury cruise line that promises all this and more to go without so those who are getting a free ride get it instead. Anyway, time will tell. I’m just looking forward to it actually sailing and reporting back a fair assessment.  I’ve only sailed on Regent, so I am expecting a lot and I really hope they deliver. 

Understand your thoughts that EJ does need the publicity from TAs and Influencers, while on the other hand paying pax are being prevented from enjoying all the amenities that they paid for.  Reading between the lines - does that imply that in the 6 week interval they filled the ship with TAs and influencers?  I wonder, once you are onboard, would speaking to the Maitre d' open up opportunities?

14 minutes ago, Cruisemonty said:

 

You can find pricing on the website - click on a cruise, and then suites and guest rooms. If you click on the category, it shows the range of prices for that category.

 

It show "fares from" and separates mid/aft from fwd.  But traditionally fares become more expensive on higher floors, and the website gives no idea what that might be.  

Have not seen any discussion on the following:

One of the things we liked about the OC website was how easy it was (in real time) to know the price of a specific room, on a specific deck, for a specific cruise.  On some sites I could even find out the actual rooms available.  A second part, I was able to book online.  But that is not the focus of this post.

Our questions were pretty basic

   - how much more to upgrade from an oceanview to a verandah

   - how much more to upgrade from a double to a penthouse, from a stateroom to a suite

   - how much do we save with an obstructed view

On NC the only way to find this information is to go through our travel agent, or call Crystal and that involves "getting back to you", multiple times.

For anyone onboard - does either cruise sales agent have this information at their finger tips?  For example, can you get the range of prices for a Aquamarine verandah on various decks and forward/mid/aft locations?

22 minutes ago, gaspari said:

Thank you. Have done this, and ours says  ‘classic’. Guess this may mean older than 2018? The pic on the website looked lovely and modern?

The 2018 refers to the SeaBreeze decor, most easily recognized by the bed without a bedskirt (edit to add: and turquoise items).  See Bayonejoe #150 on this thread - it seems to say minimal refresh.  For photos, the best I can offer are on Keith's blog when he captured the show suites:

https://www.followourtrips.com/cruising-the-bahamas/archives/09-2021