ryndam

Thank you, Terry. The "current" PDF is rife with typos and outdated references. It's obvious that it's just the old society brochure from 2019 with some, but not all, references to the pre-A&K ownership updated and edited. Appreciate the PDF version; thank you for posting it here. Rob

Examples for contemplation: 1. Once you have completed your 25th cruise on OC or NC, you would be eligible for the $5000 credit upon booking your 26th cruise with NC. 2. Once you have completed your 50th cruise on OC or NC, you would be eligible for the $5000 credit upon booking your 51st cruise with NC. 3. This $5000 credit also applies at the 70th cruise milestone level. Once you have completed your 70th cruise, whether with OC, or a combination of OC and NC, the $5000 credit would be applied to your 71st cruise with NC. Milestone benefits are not retroactive if you have already passed these milestone levels on OC. This is our understanding from our TA who has been in contact with Crystal. Rob

I agree. I do not subscribe to Facebook either. Rhetorical question: why is this not on Crystal's website? That was the first place I searched. (Maybe it will show up there eventually....🤣🤔😆 Rob

Terry, thank you for the cut-and-paste of the benefits. Where did you download the information from? I cannot find this on Crystal's website, nor have I received an email directly from Crystal. Do you mind posting the weblink? Much thanks! Rob

Another design feature of the 2018 version vs. the classic version: the bathroom door in the 2018 version opens directly into the cabin area. In the classic version, the bathroom door is around the corner in a recess. This made a big difference for us when one gets up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and the light shines into the whole room. Not the case in the classic design. Rob

You are correct. I should have dug a little deeper before posting. This is her bio from the Crystal website. Sorry for creating any type of confusion here. Still sounds like she may have some interesting stories to tell. "Melinda Bates is the first person in history to be a Special Assistant to the President and Director, White House Visitors Office for all eight years of any administration. From her elegant East Wing office she organized events both large (the annual Easter Egg Roll) and small (Presidential birthday parties.) Her day might begin with breakfast with Tom Hanks, a State Visit, lunch with Michael Douglas, tea with the Queen of Sweden or Dr. Ruth, and dinner seated next to the President of the United States. She welcomed many thousands of visitors to the White House, including all the most interesting celebrities, royals, politicians. In the morning the beautiful former Queen of Greece and in the afternoon the Grateful Dead. On the same day. No problem! Thanks to her historic years there Melinda is a leading authority on White House social history and the author of a popular memoir, White House Story."

Slightly off-topic, but FWIW, guest lecturers and entertainers have been populated on pretty much all itineraries through the end of the year on the Crystal website. Just follow Vince's guide for the particular voyage you might be interested in following. (Not his Barcelona cruise specific link above.) I was curious if there were any "star" speakers or entertainers scheduled on the current world cruise. I was surprised to see Melinda Gates as a speaker on the Cape Town-Tema segment next month. https://www.crystalcruises.com/cruises/none-cse-011-240505?menu=ship_overview Rob

Unless the protocol has recently changed, luggage tags are distributed on the pier by the shoreside porters. The only information that gets written on the tags is your cabin number, in a big, black (or red) marker. Easy peasy. Takes less than 60 seconds (unless you're traveling with an overabundance of luggage!). Rob

Bon Voyage Larry & Monica. Have a safe and stress-free journey! 🚢🛳️ Rob

On a semi-related subject, Seatrade Cruise News reports that HAL has re-routed its 2025 WC to avoid the Red Sea. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/holland-america-revises-2025-world-cruise-avoid-red-sea

On a semi-related subject, Seatrade Cruise News also reports that HAL has re-routed its 2025 WC to avoid the Red Sea. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/holland-america-revises-2025-world-cruise-avoid-red-sea

From Seatrade Cruise News: https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/safety-security/crystal-strongly-refutes-any-incident-red-sea-deadhead-transit

Vince, re: cuisine. On our 30+ days onboard this past January, on the sea days that Waterside was serving lunch, every single item that was offered in Waterside was also available in Marketplace, albeit in a self-serve mode, rather than served tableside by a staff member. In addition, there were way more selections and varieties available in Marketplace that were not offered on the served lunch menu in Waterside. Re: ambiance. Casual self-service is a different atmosphere than a more formal restaurant. Rob

Welcome back, Vince. We've been missing your observations! Rob

And the last time we were in Alaska, during the first two weeks in July, the temps barely hit 50-55 deg during the day, with a wind chill in the 30’s when the ship was moving. Just shows the unpredictable temp swings possible in Alaska. Rob