ryndam

Just received this automated emailed response from Crystal Guest Relations.

Thank you, Terry, for starting this thread. Glad someone at Crystal is watching. 🙂😉

Not receiving any electronic communication nor any printed materials via US Mail.

44 minutes ago, Roland4 said:

I think they definitely redecorated it and went to what seemed to us as smaller tables.

We agree. Many more rectangular shaped 2-tops and 4-tops than before. Much better utilization of the available real estate to accommodate more singles and couples, rather than the previous, larger, round tables.

Rob

Attached are the lunch and dinner menus from the original Beefbar location in Monte Carlo. The euro is almost on par with the US$ (actually 1 euro = US$1.08, as of this morning), so the prices noted on the menus can be easily converted to your preferred currency.

Rob

lunch.pdf lunch-desserts.pdf dinner.pdf

16 minutes ago, Jimmycruiser said:

Per the website it says reservations not required at Tastes. Can you still make reservations ahead of boarding on the website for Tastes?

Yes.

Needs a bigger stick....

11 minutes ago, canadianINtexas said:

Hi Rob - We're doing the 10 day Stockholm - Copenhagen cruise with stops in Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Visby (Sweden), Rostock (Germany) and Malmo (Sweden).   I've been so focused on what to actually do in each Port that I haven't bothered to figure out how close the dock is to the city centers and how much time to allow to get to the sites.     

It's been pre-Covid since we visited these cities by ship, so the situation may have changed over the years.

- Helsinki, depending on the terminal, it may be walking distance to the center of town. One terminal was about 1/2 mile; the other closer to a 1 mile walk.

-Tallinn, when we were there, the port provided a complimentary shuttle. Not sure if that continues to be a valid option.

-Visby, not sure.

-Riga, walking distance.

-Warnemunde, the terminal is adjacent to the train station. I'm guessing that you may be planning a trip to someplace outside of the actual port area. If the ship actually docks in Rostock, I do not know.

-Malmo, not sure.

-Copenhagen, when we were there, it was only an intermediate port call and the terminal was walking distance to the center. Since this is a turn-around port on this cruise, the cruise terminal is a decent distance away from the center. Not sure if Crystal will offer a shuttle; best to enquire as Keith suggested above.

It's a great itinerary. Enjoy!

Rob

31 minutes ago, canadianINtexas said:

We have a cruise planned for August and, as we don't plan on doing Crystal Excursions in every port, want to know if we have to arrange/book our own transportation into the cities/towns where necessary.

The ship, itinerary and date(s) of your cruise would be helpful, in order to provide a more specific answer to your query.

Rob

Back in the day, they used to print menus for the grand buffet. I uncovered this little gem during a recent cleaning purge.

Rob

I found this one.

Rob

1 hour ago, flyers said:

For those familiar with Silverseas is the dress code comparable with casual,informal and formal nights or is it closer to Regent with mostly elegantly casual. We are booked on the Serenity in November and are wondering how to pack.Appreciate advise from those who have been on board recently.

From the Crystal Cruises website:

WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE ONBOARD?

At Crystal, we want guests to feel confident and relaxed throughout their stay, so we have compiled the following guide to the different dress codes on board. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 1.888.611.0318 or +1.786.464.4420.

27 minutes ago, TER777 said:

Jay was lecturing on Silver Nova NYE cruise as per a friend who was on that cruise. 

I stand corrected. Thank you for the update.

13 minutes ago, firstcruise91 said:

Looked high and low thru over 30 cruise albums and could not find him listed in numerous Reflections.  Very odd, on my part.  My question is . . Does anyone know if he is still a guest lecturer on Crystal ships?  I have tried the Crystal website but no luck there.

 

Cheers,

 

Mary

He is now 90 years old, residing in Naples, FL. I do not believe that he lectures on cruise ships anymore. This is his website, but it does not provide any additional guidance or information.

Rob

http://drjaywolff.com/

FWIW, this message was just posted on the Regent WC thread. It may (or may not) be a guide to what Crystal may (or may not) have in mind, whenever a final decision is made. Check post #259 on the referenced thread above.

After experiencing the ongoing pandemic debacle of 2020, we do not purchase any non-refundable tours, hotels, airfares, cruises, tickets, restaurant reservations, et.al., etc. from any supplier or vendor. And certainly not a year in advance. These two offers do not appeal to us (even the refundable option), but it I suspect that they would not be offered if the actuaries, investment and marketing strategists did not believe there was an audience and a benefit involved.

Rob

39 minutes ago, goldengatecruisers said:

Not to be contentious but I am not convinced the sliders are of different size?  Maybe they are and I am happy to be corrected.  Having recently sailed two weeks in a 2018 decor Aquamarine followed by two weeks in a classic decor Aquamarine suite I can confirm the light in the classic is far superior. At first I could not figure it out but then I started to pay attention to the design. I believe if it is the positioning of the curtains.  If you look at the photos provided by Rob (ryndam) you will note the classic provides for a more pronounced recessed area to store the curtains. The recessed area extends beyond the width of the sliding glass doors in a more extreme design when compared to how they are situated in the 2018 'Seabreeze' renovation. By doing so, it reveals more of the glass and provides more light into the room.  I might be wrong entirely but that was my take away.  While I absolutely love the bathrooms in the 2018 renovation I agree with most in that the classic suite is far superior in so many ways. 

Ashley

Ashley, I totally agree with your observation about the drapery pockets in the classic version vs. the 2018 version. However, I will gently correct your observation about the width of the balcony sliding doors. They are wider in the original classic versions.

In the first photo, check out the difference between the deck 10 & deck 11 doors when compared to the deck 8 & 9 doors. Also on deck 10, immediately below the person on the deck 11 balcony, going aft, these are the 2018 conversions with the smaller doors. The three rooms all the way to the left of the photo on deck 10 are the original classic versions.

In the second photo, the deck 11 rooms are the original classic version. The rooms below on deck 10 are the 2018 renovations, and the rooms on decks 8 & 9 are the 2023 Sapphire renovations, all with the original door openings from the ship's original balcony configurations.

Rob

10 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

Still waiting for a return of the late night chicken nuggets Rob introduced me to.  Anticipation….

 

Dwight

 

 

They are addicting...especially with the lingonberry topping. Glad you're enjoying. 😊

Rob

18 minutes ago, jet65 said:

While we agree with others who have posted regarding preference for the Classic Aquamarine over the newer versions, there is one aspect of the suite that hasn't been mentioned.......having enjoyed the Classic many time before the bankruptcy , we were disappointed that during the extensive AK refurbishment , these suites were not touched in any way.  The carpeting, drapes, chairs, and sofa are quite worn and really need to be replaced .  This is still our preferred type of stateroom and hope that Crystal will address this in the near future.

Perhaps by your 2025 cruise this will have been addressed.

 

Interesting observation. We found the upholstery and sofa & chair cushions in the 2018 version on our December 2023 cruise to be sagged-out and showing significantly more wear than the classic suite we occupied last month. I agree that the carpet in the suite needs some love, but nothing was worn, soiled, torn or in obvious need of repair. Even the loose bed and sofa pillows were pristine. The sofa on the classic version was way more comfortable than the sofa in the 2018 version.

Everyone views decor differently. The classic suite we occupied was certainly not worn out or shabby.

Rob

46 minutes ago, Mrs. Claypool said:

The Classic Aquamarine also has a bathtub, I believe?

Yes it does. But honestly, we only used it to rinse and dry our snorkel gear. 😊

Here are a couple of pictures of the 2018 version that we sailed in December. I don't have as many pictures, because I was not that impressed. The photos on the Crystal website are accurate. As mentioned above, we did like the bathrooms in the 2018 version, but in order to have that larger shower, the real estate was taken from the living area in order to create those larger bathrooms.

Rob

59 minutes ago, emckeeve said:

Are some still not renovated.  If so, are the Classic suites really dated?

Depends what your definition of "dated" is. We've sailed in the classic version and the 2018 version. We like the additional USB and electrical outlets and the big walk-in shower in the 2018 version, but overall, we prefer the classic version. In our opinion, the classic version has better storage, a better closet, better desk space, better flat space, the bathroom door does not open directly on the bed area, and the glass doors to the balcony are larger. It is a better designed layout, at least for us.

Attached are a few pictures of the suite that we just spent the last 30 days enjoying.

Rob

1 hour ago, Jinn said:

 Grey Goose slept on sofa last night.  

Our bottles of Grey Goose, Knobs Creek and the Cabernet spent quite a few bumpy nights together on the sofa! Sending you continued thoughts for calmer seas in your direction. Sail on!

Rob

Thank you Dwight for continuing the journey. Looking forward to the ongoing adventure. Best wishes and smooth sailing (eventually)!

Rob

Parting shot. Till next time. 🛳️🛳️🛳️

For those boarding today, the WC balloon drop will be tonight. Safe travels!!

Rob