Texas Tillie

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

No review. There were issues with the remodeling that have been reported - the phones and the tv having glitches and the lighting in "OO" and "UU" needing work, but I wouldn't be surprised if those things have been corrected by now. I did have a discussion with the excursion team about there not being excursions listed as "minimal" activity for those that need to take it easy. They were aware and said they had already passed the info on to the new group securing excursions. They didn't say but I assume it's A&K. I've looked at excursions listed for January cruises and there seem to be more with minimal activity. My only other "complaint" was that all the evening entertainment in the Galaxy was at 9:45 which is generally too late for me. I'm hoping that at least some will be earlier going forward. Food was better than ever. Service was as good as ever. Patty

Then why are you still here beating the dead horse?

No one here has said that!

I think people assume if the excursion is included, the tip is included. I don't see it that way, but others do. Also, there are people who are just down right cheap, spend $20,000 on a cruise but think $5 or $10 for a tour guide is too much.

Better not put me on that list! I can think of a number of places where Crystal can improve. My point was almost everything I experienced (I experienced) on Silversea wasn't equal. I expect my upcoming cruise on the Nova to reveal a new, fancy ship. Will the food, service, etc. equal, much less exceed Crystal, we'll see. I will be honest in my review, but my review will be a personal review, as are everyone's.

I have been on the "new" Crystal, so my points are valid, well, to me, obviously not to too many here.

Local except in places where the locals actually prefer the US dollar as it is more stable than their local currency.

That will be no problem at all as I don't eat caviar. Thanks but no thanks to salty slime.

Oh, I had it on my phone. Just couldn't remember where and couldn't find it at the time! 🤪😵😉 Patty

If you think all things are equal on what you are comparing. My experience is that Crystal is far superior to Silversea on food, service, entertainment and enrichment. This is the Silversea board so I don’t expect anyone here to agree.

Different strokes for different folks. You know what they say about opinions!?! 🤪😉😵

I have a photo but have no idea how to post it. It's on the wall next to the bed on a mechanism where it can be slightly pulled out and pointed toward the bed or toward the sofa. Patty

Both Crystal ships were extensively remodeled after the former owner of Silversea bought the ships and the name. The space where many of the smaller cabins (low 200s sq. ft. not counting balconies) became 300 plus to 400 plus sq. ft. cabins. There are still a small number of the smaller cabins on both Symphony and Serenity. I have done just one Silversea cruise vs. around 40 with old and 1 with new Crystal and my opinion is Crystal is superior in every way other than cabin size. This is the Silversea board, I don't expect anyone here to agree with me.

Can't predict weather but have lived in Houston for all my 76 years. January weather will be somewhere between 20 and 80. Galveston will be a few degrees warmer but feel about the same with the breeze from the Gulf. A good average is about 50 at night and 68 during the day. You're from Chicago, so I don't think you'd think that was too cold. The specific day you'll be there, ask about a week out and you'll get a good prediction.

I know I've observed that, but it's hard to dispute FlyerTalker in matter aviation, so I just let his comment stand. Patty

With the old Crystal you weren't charged if you were in a Penthouse or higher. Now you have to be in the Junior Crystal Penthouse or the Crystal Penthouse to get included specialties after the first time in each.

I fly United and other Star Alliance since that's the vast majority of flights out of my home airport. On the United website you can see the number of upgrades made for each flight and on those I've checked recently all seats in business are filled with upgrades at the gate based on those in economy with the highest status. Granted there's no guarantee, but it does happen on almost all flights, just as some who paid for regular economy are upgraded to premium economy. Patty .

I haven't been on an international flight in business class in years that wasn't 100% full. Passengers with status in the airline's frequent flyer plan are always upgraded to fill any vacant seats. In that case, I suppose the status has perceived value.

They had stopped having bar service in the Galaxy before. I think it was even before Covid. I'm sure someone will remember the exact date!🤪🥂😉 Patty

My thought, just mine, is this is information best kept close to the vest and not announced on the World Wide Web. All you can do is anger someone who doesn't get the same treatment. This opens a can of worms for everyone and makes your chances to get one the next time diminished. Also with occupancy fluctuating the crew load doesn't change when they know 2 cruises away is full occupancy., so it makes sense for all the crew to have a lighter work load. Can you just see all the butlers and stewardesses working on 10 and 11 and the other decks empty? Patty

Just make sure the cruise is within 540 days of making the deposit and your credit card makes the deposit secure. The problem with the bankruptcy was many people had deposits on cruises canceled during covid and rolled them over and over. They had initially been made more than 540 days before the bankruptcy.

Crystal doesn't have any Inside cabins. Their original ship, Harmony, had some but that ship left the Crystal fleet in something like 2005.

That should probably read the highest suite categories - Junior Crystal Penthouse and Crystal Penthouse. Don't want the lowly guests in Aquamarines or Sapphires to get excited! 😉 Patty

When on the Serenity recently, the cameras from the bridge, port and starboard where on the TV with classical music playing. So, I guess the question is, will they post the camera views on the internet? Patty