Texas Tillie

Do you really think they would have been able to grow like they have if they were selling tainted gas??

Many luxury cruisers have thought the same, but are waiting until after they actually sail to make a booking. Feed back is needed as MSC itself gets very mixed reviews from US residents. Will they actually be able to provide a luxury product?

Crystal had a cruise that stopped at St. Pierre et Miquelon in 2018. Since we were anchored and the weather was past atrocious, I didn't get off. When it comes to weather, you pay your money and take your chances. Patty

I had been told by multiple sources that the cheapest and the most expensive cabins were the first to fill up with those doing full world cruises. Patty

That shouldn't be as expensive as earlier in the summer as here in Texas the public schools and universities will be back in session. Also, none of the big festivals then.

No doubt new Crystal's fares are higher than old Crystal. I don't think it's fare to compare to the fares after Crystal came back when doing just Caribbean, etc. A reasonable comparison to Regent, Seabourn and Silversea is a comparison to what those lines were charging in late 2019, the percentage increase they are charging from then to now and what Crystal's rates were then and then now. Everyone is charging more - has anyone been to the grocery store in the last 6 months? Afraid the new Crystal not serve Portuguese tarts based on the price of eggs - a main ingredient! 🤪 Patty

Let us know when the cruise is happening. Galveston is a tourist destination and hotel rates vary substantially depending on the season and what's happening on the island.

It's my understanding that the prices quoted for the Solo Window Cabins will be as quoted, no supplement and it says they will be booked for one passenger only. Patty

I think you know the answer and the port fees aren't it!! 😱🤓🙄 Patty

I was on the Silver Muse this past Dec., 18 days Singapore to Sydney with 9 sea days. Enrichment was lacking and entertainment was even worse. I keep hearing Silversea is upping their game with those - when you're in the basement, any improvement is up. YMMV Patty

I don't believe you are purposely being shunned; it's just another place where it appears Crystal is falling short. I haven't received anything from them but did make the deposit. There is a woman who has way over 100 cruises with the old Crystal who also seems to be a persona non grata. She has posted here on Cruise Critic that she has already made deposits on future cruises, as she keeps up with what has been posted here. Patty

Amen, Brother! How are you feeling? All well and ready to rumble? Patty

The food wasn't bad on the Muse (with a few exceptions) but I never had one meal anywhere on the ship that was as good as 90% of the meals on the old Crystal. It was a combo of the quality of the food, the recipes and the presentation. That was my only other experience with luxury cruising. Was it better than all mass market cruises I've done (Disney, Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean) - of course. The service wasn't the old Crystal quality. Crew tried, but they just weren't well trained. Patty

Agree 100%. And both of us had the experience in the last 2 months. Patty

"Regarding dining...rumor has it that there won't be a Japanese restaurant at all. Hope this is not true! The ones we have had on Crystal had more than a rain shower." Keith, you answered the wrong post from skybluewaters! 🤓 Although I think a combo of a Japanese restaurant with rain showers would certainly set Crystal apart from the competition!!!!! Patty

Those were the days! That's how I met Pat and John and then they introduced me to you and Gary💗. Patty

If they are the same as on my recent Silversea, 🤮 Patty

As I recall, that was typical with the "old" Crystal. Patty

Just noticed something when reading about dining, and it must be considered a negative, in suite dining from the specialty restaurants, only for the Crystal Penthouses. Patty

My travel agent said that when she booked the $500 they quoted my correct email address to her. Since then, nada. Never got the one about the bookings opening or anything else. Decided not to get paranoid!😜 Patty

All those crew members have time specific contracts with their new lines. It seems that many will be returning to Crystal when those contracts end. Patty

Back when the trivia winners would get a $25 award to use in the casino, I'd bet 25 cents per spin, count to 100 pushing the button and then cash out. I remember getting $12 to $14!! ☺️ Patty

From my travel agent earlier today, there will be a sushi restaurant that may or may not be associated with Nobu. There will not be a casino. Patty

However, if the food, service, entertainment, etc. is inferior on the 5 year old ship, is the cabin size the be all and end all. Seems to me you need to consider the entire package. Patty

As is the norm, Vince is "spot on". I was on the Silver Muse last month and the room, cabin, suite (whatever you choose to call it) was lovely and spacious. That, however, was the only thing "better" than Crystal. Most things were worse, in some cases much worse. I went in knowing that the entertainment and enrichment would be inferior. What actually surprised me was how inferior the food and service was compared to Crystal. A very minor example, I ordered the same cocktail 4 nights in a row before dinner, 3 of those nights in the same bar. It was never the same twice. Hoping the new Crystal will be close to the old Crystal. We shall see (time will tell is getting a little shopworn 🤪). Patty