Texas Tillie

Your description of the shortcomings in the new bathrooms for the steerage (😉) cabins is A+!! True, first world issues, but we are paying first world prices for those cabins. As to the towel bar in front of the sink, the corner is exactly midthigh on my leg and it took over 2 weeks for the bruise to subside!! Patty

So, is there any site that has the up to date information on the various airlines seating charts?

You are not going to save $400 by not taking the excursion. You need to figure out how much it will cost to get the over 70 miles from the Port of Galveston to IAH for an earlier flight. The difference between that cost and $400 is what you'll have to apply to a more expensive earlier flight.

Need to add that in the US it has been a long time since travel agants booked flights, unless they are part of a package or the client has agreed to pay the travel agent since airlines haven't paid any commissions in years.

As to bright lighting, don't I remeber that the lighting in Osteria and Umi Uma was changed at the remodel and then they determined that it was too bright and could not be adjusted until a dry dock? Thinking that might also apply at the Bistro. While we are on the subject of Osteria and Umi Uma, I went to each twice on the two weeks I was on the ship. Umi Uma was almost crowded both times, my thought was at least a few tables should have been left open, but know they were trying to get as many people as possible in on a 7 day cruise. Osteria, on the other hand, not so busy. It seems the "authentic" menu isn't as appealing to the majority of Crystal cruisers. But like I've always said, if that's what the boss wants, and without his money Crystal would not be back, a small price for us loyal cruisers to pay for everything else being better than ever. Patty

No, just an observation after being around men for 77 years!!! 😁 Patty

No offense but the vast majority of men don't have the same standards as most women when it comes to public restrooms!! 😁😮😏 Patty

Vince, Don't know if you plan to review the public restrooms on the Serenity, but thought I'd chime in on the women's restrooms, since you wouldn't have experienced them. I don't believe they have ever been updated since the ship was built. They really need a complete gut job, way past being described as "tired". The floor plans can stay so that plumbing wouldn't need to change. Patty

Door to Door used to more often than not include one hotel night before embarkation day. That has almost always gone away. Just another way Silversea has gone to cheapening what they offer.

Blacklane is a booking service. They use independent contractors.

Or don't wear white at all. It's optional. Patty

Is that the same thing as an interline fare or something else? Patty

True for the younger contingent, but I'm sure you did notice there are still a number of Crystal cruisers who were well into their adult years in the 80s. As a first year "baby boomer", I like being far from the oldest on a Crystal cruise! 😮 Patty

Having been on the same cruise plus the one before, I'd say that any questioning about "dress code" on a seven day Alaska cruise with many, many first to Crystal cruisers might constitute a fool's errand. At least in Alaska, with the temperature, you're not as likely to see shorts, T shirts and rubber flip flops. I don't like it either, but I'm afraid dress codes of any type will soon go the way of the rotary phone! 😏 Patty

I have no idea and don't think it's any of my business one way or the other how they choose to operate internally. I either do or don't like their product offered to the public and think the fare I'm offered is acceptable or not.

Only a few cabins on Crystal hold 3 and I don’t believe more than 3 are allowed in any cabin.

I don’t understand your first sentence, what is 514? As for a guarantee, I’ve never thought that I would ever get a better cabin than the one for which I’d paid. Maybe I’d hit the jackpot and get a better cabin, but that was never a given. Maybe you had been exceeding lucky in the past to get better cabins than you’d paid, but luck lasts only so long. I’m inclined to think your expectations are out of line with reality.

It would be rather ridiculous to segregate people in the dining room but they would still be together in the bars, the showroom, etc. Just my opinion. Let’s face it, that ship has sailed. You are not required to like it but you might as well accept that times have changed. Patty

For the Diver to Dover in Sept. they are offering a transfer to Amsterdam, but for $$$. Patty

Thank you!! Actually I’m coming to you from the United Club at terminal E, IAH. I was supposed to be on the flight tomorrow morning to Vancouver to meet Serenity at Vancouver. Early this morning I decided that was not a good idea and that flight (with everything else) has been canceled. I’m on the evening flight that is now an hour late, but as long as it takes off, I’m happy. The airport is a zoo with everyone trying to get out of Dodge. Serenity, here I come!!

I've never been on a Crystal cruise where Diet Coke Caffeine Free isn't available, well one time it was Coke Zero Caffeine Free. I've never requested in advance. Patty

Your last sentence is the operative one! All will be welcome and it will not be crowded. Enjoy!! Patty

Noticed that the Bistro was also going to be opened for a few hours in the evening. Patty

🥰💖🥰 Yes, I'm on the back to back, July 9 - 23. Happy as it has been hotter than Hades in Texas recently, close to 100 daily with a heat index of 110 and up. Patty

Noticing that dining is still at 6:30 in all venues. I'll ask next week when I'm on if that is a permanent change going forward. In the summer, especially as far north as Alaska, it is daylight so much later. Patty