Texas Tillie

27 minutes ago, PaulaJK said:

Obviously shorter, port intense cruises seem to appeal to a lot of people. What I see is the evaporation of a lot of what made cruising special ( bonds between fellow travelers on a shared journey to sea breezes and the romance of being at sea) and special events / parties plus  Crystal excelling at enrichment. I understand that Crystal needs to survive but does that mean that it needs to become Princess? You can add to this sad reflection the number of ports listed in itineraries, such as Venice and Amsterdam, where the ship docks at a significant distance from listed port. With various European cities objecting to over tourism ..eg Barcelona…this happening most probably will increase.

I don't think we have to worry about Crystal becoming Princess as Princess isn't old Princess these days. What new Crystal isn't is old Crystal, but what new cruisers aren't are old cruisers. The oldsters think it has changed too much and the youngsters think it hasn't changed enough. Things change, sometimes for the better and sometimes, not so much.

Patty

42 minutes ago, SusieQft said:

Our bed on Symphony is 72" wide and 76" long in the center.  The corners are rounded, so the length is ~68" +/- at the side edges.

Explains why they call it queen online, it's smaller than a true king, although substantially wider then a queen, and don't want any controveray.

50 minutes ago, caviargal said:

I'll update when I sail in 8 weeks.  

Are you on the Reykjavik - New York City cruise? If so, let's plan on meeting.

54 minutes ago, caviargal said:

And Crystal 

Have you been on Crystal recently? I have over 50 Crystal cruises over the past 18 years including as recently as May of this year, and I can assure you that you might find a few formally dressed, but the vast majority look very nice but are not dressed to the nines.

This question made me curious, a standard king is 76 x 80, a California king is narrower but longer, 72 x 84. A queen is 60 x 80. Anyone on board with a measuring tape? 😀

7 minutes ago, howiefrommd said:

Has been quite awhile since we have taken a Crystal Cruise, and even though I looked at the website, I was unable to determine which suites  have a king size bed. 

 

Thanks so much.  Howie

I don't think any have king size beds. Just looked at the write up for the Crystal Penthouse and the Junior Crystal Penthouse and both listed queen size beds. If the largest suites have queen size, I don't think smaller suites would have a king size.

47 minutes ago, BrianBigNFun said:

Haven't had a chance to read over fully but Crystal just launched their new FAQ on the website

It does seem a little more comprehensive than before fortunately

 

https://crystalcruises.com/faq

Thanks for the post. Haven't clicked on any indiviual topics, but it certainly is nicely organized. Thanks Crystal!

Patty

As someone who needs easier excursions, I have noticed that Crystal is offering more of them at each port. Have especially seen this on cruises in the future that already have started listing excursions. Since Crystal returned, I've discussed this twice with the excursion desk and once with someone on an excursion who was from the Monaco office, but I don't know their job there. All have told me, yes, they are aware and are working on it. Seems there has been some success on the "working".

Patty

15 hours ago, CJANDH said:

You would think they would be advertising in the USA. I get emails and brochures from Viking, Scenic, etc. all the time. But nothing from Riverside, even though I have a cruise booked on Mozart this month. I wonder if they bought Crystal's customer list when they bought the riverboats. They would be an ideal target to advertise at.

I have over 50 cruises with Crystal, both old and new, including 4 on old Crystal's riverboats, and I have recieved some emails from Riverside. None spoke to the fact I was old Crystal, so I don't know if they got my name from there or other sources.

2 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 

I know I'll feel underdressed in a cocktail dress even if I don't look so but, unfortunately it's the only option. 

Depending on your definition of "cocktail dress", you might be overdressed, not underdressed. The only cruiseline where you still find many passengers formally dressed is Cunard.

I was 77 last summer when I was on the Nova in Alaska and didn't come across any age resrictions, but didn't do any "strenuos" excursions, but wouldn't have done them at 30!!

1 hour ago, blyle said:

Princess pulled out of Houston years ago after the perks they received expired! People were not happy they did that.  When they decided to sail out of Galveston they were given a chance to redeem themselves and again they pulled out.  I doubt they will return.  

Never say never. You could be right, you could be wrong. Time will tell.

I've used it several times since the return of new Crystal. It's far forward where the cabins that weren't remodeled are located. Those cabins aren't available to book but are used for enrichment folks and some entertainers.

Patty

1 hour ago, TerriDactyl said:

I have booked an Aquarmarine Guarentee Suite and have just received the luggage tags with a letter indicating Suite/Room 1590 which, as far as I can see, does not exist. (or have I not looked at the deck plan thoroughly)?

Is this a typo?

Or is it the generic number given before suites are assigned in which case when are passenger with Guarenteed Suite bookings usually notified of the Suite they have been assigned?

Thanks

I have no idea! Looked at the deck plan and 10059 and 10090 are both Classic Aquamarines, so maybe it's a weird typo or something else. Have your travel agent call Crystal and resolve this problem. Enjoy your cruise!

Patty

2 hours ago, ljandgb2 said:

You've listed the three options available.  There really isn't anything else.  Taxis are generally available, or you can pre-book one.

 

https://www.hreyfill.is/en/

Thanks! Just booked.

17 hours ago, Spw1953 said:

Viking will transport you. If you are flying on your own arrangements Viking will still transport you for a very small surcharge. 

Thanks, but I'm not on Viking.

My vote is for Crystal. The food is better than ever, which can't be said for every luxury line. There are many posts on the Silversea board complaining about the food on Silversea. That is the only other luxury line I've personally experienced other than Crystal and I was not impressed with their food.

1 hour ago, Whipsnade said:

Sounds like Akorn is now totally in charge of shorex. My solution?  I now will only book excursions independently. New Crystal is not Old Crystal. 

And if Manfredi had not come through, there would be no New Crystal. 

Patty

27 minutes ago, mnocket said:

It would be helpful to know what the cancelation deadline is for excursions.  Does it vary from excursion to excursion?

Cancelation deadline does vary from excursion to excursion. Just looked at the exxcursions I have booked for my September cruise and in the writeup on the Crystal website for one excursion it says it must be canceled 36 hours before the excursion. None of the others speak to a cancelation deadline. On my May cruise the excursion tickets were in the cabin when I boarded. I was able to cancel 3 excursions on that day as I talked to the excursion desk and determined that those would be too strenuous for me. I'm at the place wher some listed as moderate I can do and some I can't.

I'm not interested in a bus transfer, too old to deal with luggage, etc. It seems that all other transportation is expensive. I'm aware that the airport into the city is at least 45 minutes to an hour. Are taxis usually available? My research shows that will be over $200. Should I book a transfer with the hotel? That seems to be over $300. My plane arrives around 8:30 am, if that makes a difference. Thanks!!

9 hours ago, Roland4 said:

 

 

Speaking of bucks, I received my first one dollar coin with the King's likeness on the front a couple of weeks ago. My first "Chuck Buck" as it were!!! I am waiting for the first $2.00 coin, or the "Two Buck Chuck"!!!!! 😁😁😁

Not the same as Two Buck Chuck in the US, that's Charles Shaw wine sold at Trader Joes once for $1.99 a bottle. Some places it's closer to $4 now!!

Patty

10 hours ago, Denny01 said:

I’ve tracked this thread and have noticed that except for noting there seems to be younger passengers w kids and maybe fewer VS members, there was been No comment on any change in the product….what SS is providing.

 

So what is the ‘concern’? 

 

that some RCL/Celebrity cruisers are taking a cruise on SS? That families that can afford SS are bringing Kids on instead of going Carnival or RCL?
 

what am I missing, especially being a Celebrity cruiser who is giving SS a try. Should I be concerned I’m not an SS old hand? I know, not an issue but shouldn’t ’we’ all be happy w younger and newer clientele?  
 

trust me, been on a cruise line that had a Ton of electric scooters running us over!
 

den
 

den

There have been many negative comments on various threads from long time Silversea cruisers that the food and service is not as good now as it had been.

1 hour ago, KirkNC said:

We talked with our butler who said he would report it.  I believe the oldest maybe 16, is that old enough, not sure.

What I'm seeing is all must be 21 or one must be 18 - 21. Could the oldest be 18? 

1 hour ago, Shellback91 said:

     When we first cruised with SS, we were 40y/o, and excluding a 22y/o traveling with her mother and grandparents, we were the youngest on board (based mostly on appearance I admit). We talked with a couple in their late 40’s, another in their early 50’s, and two in their late 50’s. The latter couples both had multiple SS cruises at the time, and said those demographics were similar on all their trips.

 

     Fast forward too many years 😊 and we are now in our late 50’s, and the passenger demographics have not changed that much, at least on our cruises. Though there was an increase in the number of under 60 couples. On our last cruise there were four or five couples in their 40’s, and seven or eight couples in their 50’s. I went out of my way to try and make conversation with anyone who looked our age or younger, as I wanted to know what brought them to SS, and what they thought about the cruise/demographics (my poor wife just shakes her head and has another drink).

 

     Of the nine couples I had a conversation with, five were first timers to SS, for three it was their second cruise with SS, and for the last couple it was the third SS cruise. Five of them were told about SS by family/friends who had sailed previously, three said they discovered SS by researching online, and one said they received marketing material.

 

     Five of them did not mind the demographics, and even enjoyed talking with the “older folks” and meeting some very interesting people. Three also did not mind, but said they wished there were more people in their age bracket. And one said they did not like the age make up, saying they did not feel comfortable. Five said they were enjoying the cruise, three were enjoying it “for the most part”, and one said it was “okay”.

 

     When asked if they would sail with SS again, three of the couples in their 40’s said they would not, with one saying they might try again when “we are much older”.  Of the couples in their 50’s, three said no, with one saying perhaps sometime after they retire. Two said they would sail again, but SS would not be their “go to” cruise line, and it would have to be an exciting itinerary. One couple said they plan to continue sailing SS.

 

     When asked why they would not sail again, they all said the ship was “too boring”, “not exciting”, or “not much going on, particularly in the evening”. They referenced the lower quality and lack of variety in the stage shows, and that the Panorama Lounge was the only place where there was lively entertainment in the evening. This resulted in it being very crowded and unappealing (no seats, poor service).

 

     So, based on my very unscientific survey of a minute sample on one cruise, as well as what others have posted here and elsewhere, I do not see SS demographics skewing significantly younger in the near future. Is that good or bad.... I guess that is up to each individual to decide.

 

Your admittedly unscientific survey seems to have been done before Royal Caribbean did the matching status. Since other, also unscientific, observations seem to indicate many new Silversea cruisers are coming from the other Royal Caribbean lines, I wonder how that will change the demographic going forward?

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I hate to be the  bearer of bad news, but when we had a promenade cabin on Symphony we tested – and you can see in in daylight hours.  You have to be right at the window, but it is a privacy issue IMO and we won't be booking them again.

Don't you imagine in the very remote possibility that there was a pervert on board standing right next to a window looking in, it wouldn't take long for someone to report them to security? But you've got to do, what you've got to do. My problem with those cabins isn't that someone might look in from outside, but that the closet and storage space has been reduced so much.

Patty