Texas Tillie

He flew into Houston Bush Intercontinental (aka The Big Airport) and stayed at the Marriott within the airport complex. If you stay at a hotel like the Doubletree or others that have food at the hotel near Hobby and take their shuttle to the hotel and then back to the airport and take the cruise line's shuttle to the port, it's probably easiest and cheapest.

So, as long as the money from the credit card came through AFTER the cruiser applied for the EI, they are in high cotton? I understood that any EI credits applied before any monies came through from the bankruptcy (or whatever it was called) didn't reduce those credits but did on any credits not used. Since none of this applied to me, I wasn't too informed

It was my understanding that if you were made whole by your credit card before the EI credits were issued, you were not eligible for the EI credits. What don't I understand?

I can't believe I'm writing this, but drink whatever they have, pee in a container and drink that. It probably tastes about the same as Lone Star! 😵🤣

The 2;25PM flight arrival from the UK to IAH is the Singapore Airlines nonstop from Manchester

I got it for a 2024 cruise but it might have had a book by date. I was hoping it would last for the ocean view doubles. I certainly don't like the idea of paying double for the exact same cabin as the single. Patty

Remembering fondly what has been come to be known as the Flying Dutchman cruise. We missed the first port due to seas that didn't allow us into the port. After that we floated around the South China Sea looking for someone to take us. Thank you Singapore. Little did we know at the time what Covid would do to all kinds of plans going forward. The vast majority of the passengers just rolled with the punches and had a grand old time! Patty

I know on at least some of the cruises Crystal has been booking the Ocean View Doubles to singles for 150%. That's 50% of the double fare and since the single cabins have been averaging a little over 20% single supplement to the doubles, so actually not 50% on the single fare. Suppose this depends on how well the particular cruise is selling. Patty

I've read the Terms and Conditions. Crystal can take you anywhere or nowhere on a cruise. My philosophy is that if you absolutely have to get to a specific place, don't try doing it on a cruise. Most of the time it works, on occasion it doesn't. Same with weather. You can check the "average" for a specific date, but you pay your money and take your chances. Patty

First, I love liver, if it's cooked like my mother cooked it!! Used to go to an open house every Christmas Eve, the husband was Catholic and the wife Methodist, but they lived in a neighborhood that was at least 50% Jewish. Looked forward to it every year as one of the neighbors always brought the best chopped liver ever! And, yes, she was originally from New York. As to the restaurants on Crystal, I expect OO to become more popular as people experience it. I don't expect it to change much as the "money" wants it the way it is now. And, never forget, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Patty

That is correct IF you have used all of your 5 credits. If you have used fewer than the 5, receive money from Moecker, then the remaining credits will be reduced by the amount you received from Moecker.

If an Osteria in Italy implies non pretentious food, then the restaurant on Crystal is misnamed. I've seen photos of the food served there and I'd describe it as foo-foo. I seriously doubt that 99.9% of Italians eat like that at home. Patty

I read the Terms and Conditions on the Crystal website.

Please see my example - say they get $2,000 from Moecker. Say they had 2 unused credits that had been worth $2,500 each. Each of those is now worth $1,500 each. $2,500 x 2 = $5,000 and $1,500 x 2 = $3,000 + $2,000 from Moecker. It's all $5,000, either way!!!

You are not going to be dinged because you've already used all your credits, but anyone who has not booked 5 cruises will have however many unused credits reduced by the amount they receive from Moecker. Example, they receive $2000 from Moecker. They have 2 credits originally worth $2,500 each. Those 2 unused credits are now worth $1,500 each. What's so hard to understand??

I thought everyone was to get 5 vouchers, each worth 20% of the total due from Old Crystal. Patty

I remember seeing charity donation bins in airports at the international terminals for people to contribute foreign coins that couldn't be converted at money exchanges. Haven't seen those in a while. Patty

I'm reminded of that late, great Texas football coach Bum Phillips. He was known for his cowboy hat, but he never wore it when the Oilers were playing in the Astrodome. His mother had taught him to never wear his hat indoors and the Astrodome had a roof, therefore it was indoors. Patty

Guess that depends on who profits from the "service charge". If it goes to the proprietor, why isn't the amount just included in the base price? It would then be like VAT taxes that are hidden. We Americans like the sales tax shown separately so we know how much the government has its hands in our pockets.

I have no idea where the idea for White Night originated but I do remember that it didn't start until after Russ came to Crystal from Azamara as a cruise director. It was way after Edie. Patty

I'm sure someone will have an idea for you, just saying that I've lived in Texas all of my 76 years and I've never had beef ribs! When I think of barbecue I think brisket.

Just to confuse the issue, I wonder if they redid the fully obstructed cabins on Symphony 8, the ones behind the tenders/life boats? I think those are being used for entertainers, enrichment staff, lecturers, Ambassador hosts, etc. They are not listed for booking. Patty

Yes, I don't think any hotels in Galveston pick up at Hobby. You need to arrange that transportation yourself. The cruise lines provide transportation to the ship on the day of sailing, but not earlier days.

There is no Galveston airport. The closest airport to Galveston is HOU (Hobby) about 40 miles and mostly Southwest Airlines. The other Houston airport is IAH (Bush Intercontinental) about 70 miles from Galveston.

I am seriously interested in knowing in which countries tipping is considered an insult. I was told Japan is one, where else?