Keith1010

Ivi, Senior Head Butler who oversees all the Butlers not the Restaurant Senior Head Waiter. Keith

A very nice interview on the Crystal website featuring Crystal Senior Head Butler Rao as part of the Meet the Crew series. It is an excellent read. https://www.crystalcruises.com/story/sailing-through-the-decades Keith

Ivi at the port it would likely be port security. I would think the holes were not intentional but caused with their unloading. But that is just a guess. At the airport we have had notes placed in the luggage but other times it was clear they went through it but no notes, This last time someone went through one of our pieces and broke a strap. Keith

Too bad Steve can't play as a sub. That would be nice. Keith

There she is at Montenegro. Keith

Julie, the Holiday Cruise was full and I believe the same will be true for 2024. They had a very festive party including balloon drop and the next day a very nice lunch at Marketplace. We enjoyed the holiday cruise and it was very festive. Keith

I've enjoyed the live reports on this thread including the sense of humor. Keith

Five years ago in Monaco. Keith

Would you proceed straight ahead or to the right? Keith

I checked again today and the official site shows terminal E. There are only three ships in port. I am sure it won’t change. But if it did you would spot Serenity very quickly. Keith

Thank you for your post. The medical team as you note is terrific based on our own experience on the voyage and the ones this summer. i am glad your wife was in great hands while on board and in Miami. Keitj.

Plenty of taxis. Where to? Keith

We might have to close the borders to keep your arctic weather out of here. Maybe we can build super duper fans to push anything sent our way back to you. 🤗 Keith

Although it was rainy that day, it was sunny staying indoors. Keith

Drink up. Eat up. And bring back to our state warm weather. Keith.

Ivi, this is all speculative but.............. If they make this the focus of the evening then it would attract a lot of people for a buffet dinner. Where they would have it would be anyone's guess but not the pool deck IMHO. Too many issues including weather. So probably Marketplace and if a lot of people attended Tastes too. The staffing would likely need to come from the specialty restaurants and Tastes. With all this when we were on the Holiday Cruise we had a special New Years buffet but it was not the Grand Gala Buffet but rather it utilized Market Place and had some items from the buffet. Many on board remarked that they preferred it this way; as they find buffets a big waste of food and a spreader of germs, etc. So I just don't see this happening anyway. White night is just a mixer. Also just as there are some things that work well on Serenity and Symphony and might not work well on smaller ships there are things that work well on smaller ships that might not work well on Crystal size ships. It's good we all have our opinions but in the end Crystal will decide. In this day and age of post covid and not wasting food I don't see it happening in addition to other factors such as staffing and weather. JMO. Keith

Rob posted it on the live thread and another friend sent it to me a few hours ago as it is on the Crystal App. I though a good idea to post this as a separate thread so that if someone does a search they can easily find the updated menu. Keith

Crystal Symphony from 2018. Keith

I think of the White Night as a mixer and that's what it is. Provides an opportunity for guests who want to participate to do so including dancing, listening to music, watching others dance, and just having fun together. It's not for everyone but nothing is. It was introduced in February of 2018 when Serenity and Sydney were in Sydney as part of the world cruise on each ship. That night there was a white gala fro all of the world cruisers off the ship and when they returned it was the start of White Night on board each ship for everyone. We happened to be visiting Serenity that day while with family in Sydney. If they would go the Azamara route it would mean the closure of all restaurants so one less night at the specialty ones and we know on short cruises or even ones which include two visits to each one the challenges of accommodating everyone. And then there are those who don't like buffets. Anyway, as they say it is what it is and that is a night where those who want to attend can enjoy the party and those who don't can still dress in white or not. Keith

As others have said no one should worry about whether or not they wear white. I do see more people in white with each passing month and year. For me, we don't make it to the events but we do wear something white. Just changes things up. My wife always brought white pants with her or tops that have white in them. I made the change to white by getting white pants but sometimes I wear them to Tastes as well. I don't do the all white look nor does Anne Marie but I see many doing that. I was thinking I should do the all black look and maybe they will cast me in Men In Black but I suspect if they do it will be to play the part of the alien. Just saying. 🤗 Keith

For those cruise that were last year and the ones upcoming soon most of the booking happened way before October 7 so again I believe there are many other factors at play. In terms of new bookings sure. Now if we all had a Crystal Ball we would no where to book where war, terrorism and even mother nature would not strike. Keith

We do recognize that pricing is based on many factors including supply and demand. What Crystal has done at least with the current program is to offer the chance to upgrade while keeping the integrity of pricing. But in short they have dropped the price because one can book x room and get an upgrade to as an Aquamarine at the lower rate. But anyone who already booked can take advantage of the offer as many have done. At the same time they seem to use dynamic pricing. I have never heard from Crystal that they vowed not to adjust rates and that includes under NYK, G and new Crystal. But then again I've never read that most companies have made statements (I am sure some did) about never lowering rates. When I do book a hotel, I book early and then check rates.If they stay the same and or go up I do nothing and if they go down I get the better rate.I've done this for other things such as when I used to rent cars. Back to Symphony. Their challenge over that of Serenity was where they are sailing. Many of the Crystal Society members have chosen to cruise closer to home or say those in North America going to Europe but maybe not to the Middle East Australia, etc. I think between the promotion which is seems to sell very well, Symphony sailing in Europe this year and people who didn't have commitments in the second half of 2024 and for 2025 demand should increase for Symphony and continue to increase for Serenity. It all takes time though. Keith

You can make the first move if you would like. Keith

You will see a mix for the gents and the ladies. Some were all white and some a combo so what you said will be fine. I do wear white pants but a colored shirt. Anne Marie usually wears something contrasting as well and not always white pants. All good. Keith

An alternative to walking to and from the ship in the water. Keith