May B

3 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

My experience with reservation agents at Crystal has been VERY hit and miss.  I agree with Texas Tillie.  My travel agent might not know the answer but she is not afraid to say so and can find the answer. 

 

I don't know of any cruise line that would prohibit using OBC for excursions. 

 

Boarding Serenity one week from today!  😁

I don’t think Crystal’s res. agents have a corner on that market.

So glad to hear you can play duplicate again! So, pray tell, who is it?!

On 1/8/2024 at 11:17 PM, ryndam said:

Aquamarine and up.

Actually, our friends on deck seven were in an Oceanview and got the little snack things every late afternoon from their butler.

Our butler, otoh, for our desk nine double with a veranda got them to us exactly ONCE. I guess he couldn’t handle all his 18 of our category plus the rest (mostly sapphire but a couple of handicapped-accessible aquamarines and Jr CPs). 

On Serenity on Nov. 2nd, I was amazed at how quickly a little line-up was seated, lickety split. And I don’t mean they rushed us to our tables. It was all gracious and comfortable.

5 hours ago, Stereojeff said:

VIking Mississippi

That ship had issues that don’t resemble Serenity in any way, shape or form. Its problems were unique and sad to hear about. Actually, I’m sure they were frustrating to mgmt. as well as the guests. 

On 1/4/2024 at 7:01 PM, TRIPACIAN said:

So far no bridge instructor on this cruise.  We heard there was a visa issue that prevented the instructor from joining the cruise 

Wow, bummer …for the players AND the instructor!

Tripacian, I’d like to hear who’s doing the bridge if you get a chance. I was intrigued to see that I know the couple on the Serenity holiday cruise doing bridge (in the Lounge).

Bon voyage to you and to DaisyUk. It makes it even more exciting for me to know people currently board Crystal. Happy to have cruised with the four of you.

9 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Great Circle Mapper to the rescue!  (www.gcmap.com)

 

LGA to TPA is 1010 miles.  MIA is only 86 miles further away at 1096.  San Juan is over, at 1608.

 

You can also ask the sons about the other USA airport with a perimeter rule.  That would be Reagan National in DC.  But it has many more exceptions, all with political connection.

 

 

Aha! Another fun tool for me to have in an open window.

In the old days 😳 I remember lots of flights were x6, so the reverse for LGA is fun to consider. It’s like a spaghetti model, to get planes where they’re going?

The one son will look for all the DCA exceptions, one by one, I’m sure.

When Mr B and I flew to SJU for our honeymoon, we missed our plane from ALB to JFK, and they put us in an air taxi. We were at the airport on time, but we didn’t go to the gate until we heard them say final call, and they’d given our seats away by then!

5 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Just remember that LGA has a perimeter rule.  No flights with a distance of more than 1500 miles.  Only two exceptions - flights to/from Denver and any flight on a Saturday.

 

 

Wow. Thx, FT! Can’t wait to try to stump my sons the aviation gurus with this tidbit. Is TPA-LGA about 1300, and MIA just sneaks in under the 1500? I was sure there would be LGA-SJU, but since I have the highest regard for your knowledge, now I know there isn’t.

11 hours ago, Cruise-y said:

Certainly, everyone should enjoy the ship as they wish and stay onboard if they wish. That is an individual choice and I totally respect that opinion. I know many choose to never get off of a Crystal cruise.

 

And yes, I totally agree that a Crystal excursion is better (and probably safer) than walking around in a port. But the locals need tourist dollars too.

 

 I've spent many weeks living in the Caribe, and I don't want people to feel that it isn't safe. These ports have the most wonderful and interesting people, and fabulous local cuisines. I've had some of my most memorable experiences and delicious meals in St. Martin, Jamaica, and the like.  Like any city in the U.S. (New York, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, etc.), one should always be cautious with their belongings and aware of their surroundings. But please feel free to enjoy these fascinating cultures too. I can't wait to get off in these spots. We often rent a car and drive around.

 

Thanks for your posts, Keith. No disrespect intended of course. Just my personal bias. 

 

 

Crystal tours certainly put money in the locals’ pockets. Locals are the tour operators, guides, bus drivers, boat drivers, and there might be a shop or restaurant involved, as well.

I actually think the most dangerous thing when I go off ship is the uneven pavement I walk on! That was true recently in New Orleans, as well.

Actually, I knew somebody who was mugged in New Orleans on a Sunday a.m., walking to or from church, about 40 years ago.

I live in the city with the most pedestrians hit by cars of any city in the US, or something like that. I still go for walks. We all have our own standard of being careful. Let’s try not to relax those standards!

On 12/27/2023 at 1:23 PM, go.without.you said:

One thing about the staff on this ship. They $@#& rock!!! Every single one of them. No matter who we encounter, the captain, the head chef, the maintenance personnel, every single one of them acknowledge us and say hello. This ship is why I love to cruise. The elegance, the fabulous service and great food. 

Since we first stepped onboard the Connie in 2008, we have felt the same. Crew and staff are so happy, such a huge asset on this ship.

We were on this cruise with you! Didn’t see your thread. Actually, son who cruised with us found it, after we got home today. As he and I discussed, there’s so much posting on the Celebrity boards, threads get buried quickly. So now I just read the Viking boards and the Crystal boards, until I suddenly wonder, have I missed anything re Celebrity!

Anyway, the escargot in the MDR also are excellent. I never saw the brownie sundae, but I was happy with every dessert I had, so I won’t worry about it. Actually, I enjoyed five beef dinners out of six, a true rarity. So happy to have prime rib, tournedos, Wellington and Dianne all nicely done on this cruise. Back to the way it used to be! With an extra oomph b/c it was a holiday cruise.

I do not recall having goose on the menu on any of my 56 past cruises.

I am looking forward to this first, though: Xmas Eve dinner, crispy frog legs are an appetizer in the MDR.

And to Ivi: I have walked into my local Apple Store numerous times. Purchasing what you want will be cinchy. When you walk in, an employee will come ask you how you can be helped. Then they’ll walk you to the correct display and get a salesperson. Or, they themselves will be the salesperson. If you’re going from an old device to a new, don’t blink or you may miss the data transfer! Well, that may be an exaggeration, but not by much.

The employees are also very good at answering questions that perplex us but are a piece of cake for them!

The appts. are generally to sit at the Genius Bar for help with a more complex problem, I think. If they do even have them any more.

Have fun!

I see those MCI marks on the sidewalks, Keith, and I wonder: are they actually about “your” MCI or something else?

2 hours ago, glsebs said:

Thanks for that information. My travel agent is on vacation, and my final payment is due soon on December 26. I spoke to someone at the travel agency who is covering her clients while she is away. However, I think this agent must have been new.  She told me she has never booked a Crystal Cruise before.

 

I am on a 2 week cruise on the Symphony, April 25 to May 9. I was in  a midship Aquamarine Suite #1036. Now I have been upgraded to a forward Sapphire Veranda # 8011. While I am excited for the upgrade, I would much prefer to be midship. 

 

I don’t understand why the upgrade difference for a Sapphire Veranda mid ship  was more than 4 times the price of a forward suite. ($1000 vs $4400). I was in an Aquamarine midship suite!

 

If my TA was available, I would get her advice. 
 

I am struggling to understand this. What am I missing here?
 

I agree it doesn’t make sense. I think in this case you should either ask for the mgr. at the agency or call Crystal yourself.

My own booking was in a double veranda like tripacian (hi!), to a classic aquamarine. There are many aquamarines on deck 10 and I was able to choose my specific cabin. I took the closest to midship that was offered. Until travel agents can see live availability, we can only trust what the Crystal agent tells us!

It just goes to show you how easily people make things up. Do they lie? Fib? Delude themselves? Guess? Fake it?

I agree, Keith. It happens everywhere.

Mr B used to say the three words he loved to hear were “I don’t know.” Then he knew he could expect some credibility in the rest of what the person said. He was talking about medical students and house staff! Even other attendings or private docs.

You inspired me, tryber. G-d willing and the Creek don’t rise, Mr B and I will be cruising in our first Aquamarine in June. I think this was a crafty plan by Crystal. Trying to find another cruise to book another one! 

6 hours ago, tryber said:

 

Just heard from my travel agent.  We can upgrade and pick our cabin.  We were booked in Aquamarine and can upgrade to Sapphire for $900 each (could have stayed in Aquamarine for a reduction of $500 each, but decided to go for the upgrade).  My parents are upgrading from verandah to Aquamarine for $380 each.

Niiiice! 

16 hours ago, tryber said:

 

How does the guarantee work?  They have different prices for the mid/aft and forward.  So, if you book  mid/aft in the lower category, would you be guaranteed a cabin in the same category?  My wife gets seasick, so a forward cabin does not work for us, but the specific cabin doesn't matter so much.

 

The price for our cruise in late September hasn't changed, so it seems like a no-brainer to cancel and rebook, apart from the guarantee issue.  

When people say they want a specific cabin, some probably have an actual cabin number in mind, but I think some mean the general location. I do not tend to get seasick but I do prefer to be more midship than anything. Plus we really like to be by an elevator lobby, with of course the midship being by far our favorite.

If your wife gets seasick, I don’t see how you can have just a guarantee booking. I do think you would be in the same area, but that part is unlikely to actually be guaranteed. If your TA has a good relationship with a Crystal sales rep, this might be a good time to ask them if they’ll talk to the rep.

1 hour ago, ctjon said:

Noticed a MSC cruise ship in Portland harbor today - I guess because of bad weather in the Bahamas the ship was re-routed to Boston, Maine, Canada.  Can you imagine thinking you were heading for warm weather and ending up in the north.  Maine still has cities and many roads closed and about 300,000 without power from a storm Monday so a visit to Maine probably not a joy.

 

Wow. No I cannot imagine.

Bon voyage, Keith and Anne Marie!

For some unknown reason, I thought Marigot has been replaced with St Barts. Perhaps that’s for another sailing. On my Nov. sailing, Marigot replaced St Barts.

Guests have not been thrilled with Marigot, which seems to have suffered from the pandemic, after struggling to come back after the hurricane. There actually were many stalls in a lot directly across from where the tender docks, with low-end things up to nice things, and a reasonable variety, once you actually explore every single stall. Phil hiked up to the fort for a nice view.

8 hours ago, Txcotn said:

You mean those cheesy flimsy things that are fine for laundry but not much else? What about a nice real live tote  like they used to give? 

Mine have lasted for years. Recently I even washed one in my washing machine and it came out great!

I use them for a tote around the ship. Also sometimes on land! Have never used it for laundry.

If you love to gamble, and hate cigarette smoke, how can you possibly consider Princess?

Of course keep your eyes and ears open, in case they suddenly make their casino non-smoking.

They really don’t have to be printed at all. Just be sure you know (or can find) your stateroom number when you get to luggage drop off at the pier.

30 minutes ago, hcat said:

Dinner portions look small on large plates..not many veggies  we lkke double veggies.  Maybe it's the camera angle? How was the fish?

 

The  combo breakfast plate looked great!

Enjoy!

  

 

I’m guessing most diners don’t even finish the small amt. of veggies that is the standard amt. I thought the salmon and the other main looked quite large size. Not sure what it was … breaded chicken cutlet? 
 

I sometimes ask for my fish to be cooked “gently”, especially after one overcooked piece.

We sometimes go to Elite breakfast just for the fresh-squeezed juice and a cappuccino, although then we do often want a little something to go with our coffee.

I think it’s more to the single woman’s shame, that she ate more than the two of you did, than to YOUR shame! 😊