History&Wine

I often had Heineken Zero at lunch when on board. Surprisingly good ( IMHO better than say Michelob Ultra) for a non alcohol beer.

West Africa may be attractive to Crystal (cheaper ports) but the itinerary is my prime consideration in cruising. The thought that the 2026 world cruise might go back to Africa is the reason I did not book..doing European rivers instead. I booked the 2028 world cruise in the hope that the Red Sea issues would be resolved by then. If not I will cancel. Not going back to West Africa.

I knew I wasn't dreaming! Yes, that is where the memo said the safe was to be moved. For me, I would rather have the space of that big drawer than the not very usable space garnered from removing the safe from the closet.

@Texas Tillie Interesting. I was on the 2024 World cruise and we were told the safes were being moved. I was asked to provide a time to have mine moved and I told them to wait until I disembarked as there were only a few days left in the cruise.

I see Keith started this thread in 2023. In 2024 the safe was moved out of the closet (not sure where) to provide more closet space.

Having done one West African cruise I would not do another. The one I took was not by choice...a re-route of the 2024 world cruise.

Crystal and other cruise lines face a quandary. Passengers want to see Dubai, Egypt and the Mediterranean ports. And those destinations welcome tourists. Africa is much less popular.

@ryndam Rob, I don't understand. The crew was composed of volunteers, So what happened that they did not expect? Was there a near miss missile?

Bill, I think you could obtain the room type of your choice but perhaps not the location. You might have to wait list but I think (repeat think) that will clear in short order if booking this year. One thing to keep in mind....September 30 is the last day to get the 5% (as opposed to 2.5%) Crystal loyalty discount. So if you are planning to double dip with the 2.5% on board discount, time will be very short. Dwight

All rooms now available except penthouse suites. I suspect more people decided the price was too high.

The casinos on "old" Crystal had ATMs...perhaps those could be brought back?

As TER777 mentioned, Solo rooms are available again. It's one thing to put down a $500 wait list deposit...it's quite another to come up with the $20K++ payment. The Symphony has something the Serenity does not: Sapphire Ocean view suites. No balcony, but double the space of a solo room...and at a smaller percentage of single supplement that the standard solo rooms. Some solos might find that appealing.

I understand the 2026 world cruise is being evaluated for possible Red Sea problems. The word from cruisers on the 2025 WC is that the 2026 WC would end in Dubai if the Red Sea was judged unsafe. This is why I decided against the 2026 WC. Itinerary still unsure AFTER full payment date? Not for me, even with supposed bonuses. And there was my experience on the 2024 WC, where Crystal pledged to solicit feedback from those on board but did not. I most definitely do not want to return to West Africa.

Thoughts on pricing: The 2028 World cruise has two departure ports, Barcelona or Fort Lauderdale. Pricing is the same even though Barcelona is two weeks shorter (or if you prefer FLL is two weeks longer) . Crystal is all over the place on Solo pricing. Some short cruises are at a zero supplement for the smallest rooms. The 2028 world cruise is priced at a 40% supplement. The 2026 world cruise solo supplement is only 8%, but rooms are wait listed. The 2027 solo rooms are at a 43% supplement, but are also wait listed...I think I can remember these rooms started out at a lower supplement.

"We'll make sure your money works for you".... Hardly. One pays 10% extra up front. Crystal keeps that money and the original fare for a future sailing which must be booked within 12 months and completed in two years. Might work for some, but not for me. I wonder how much "cancel for any reason" insurance would cost as a comparison?

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One thing that comes to mind: Those white containers at the bars used to be filled with assorted nuts: Brazil, filberts, cashews, pecans, etc, Then Crystal evidently decided to go cheap and they were filled with some twig-like snack or plain peanuts. Please bring back the mixed nuts.

I too am glad the library will stay as is. i enjoy the library with natural light. If the casino is going to be in what is now the bridge lounge having higher limits makes sense. Smaller venue casinos are not geared for the casual players. In my opinion...good moves all around.

I found many of the desserts at Waterside looked great but tasted ordinary. The desserts at Tastes were few but very good.

I think Vince has nailed it.

"Library stays" While I'm sure serenity will have a library...the question is where??

My answers apply to the Serenity, but are probably true for both ships. The pool is of decent size, enough to swim. The depth is only 4 feet however. Live music; The cove has a solo piano player or violinist from about 5:00 to around midnight. The violinist also plays there in the day for a few hours on sea days. The Avenue Saloon has a piano player from about 6:00 until 8:00 or so and then returning at 9:00 as a singer/pianist until "late". Dancing is most every night in the Palm Court from 5:30 to 6:15 accompanied by ambassador hosts. Dancing returns there after 8 pr so...not sure how long. There is often dancing in the Cove with the hosts on special occasions such as white night. As far as guests dancing, many do dance on special occasions such as white night. The dancing in Palm Court generally had less than a dozen guests dancing..sometimes far less such as two or three. But then the ship was usually sailing at half capacity or less on my just completed world cruise. Entertainment is generally quite good but I must say I miss the quartets Crystal had in the Cove years ago.

Changes were announced today. See attached pdf. Should be live on the website within 72 hours.2025-WC_Itinerary.pdf

Changes announced today. World Cruise itinerary after Rio: 2025-WC_Itinerary.pdf

Yes, I heard by the end of June. At the world cruise Q & A it was presented that "option 4" would almost certainly be the change, although there are bound to be some fine tuning. This option sailed across the Atlantic from Rio to Dakar and then spent the rest of the cruise in the Mediterranean. See my posts here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006334-itinerary-changes-coming-to-crystal-2025-world-cruise/