Keith1010

Not sure your tastes in music. What I can say is that over the last few years under old Crystal and new Crystal that the music has changed. For example, before dinner used to be a pianist in the lounge near the main restaurant doing several sets at three or more times. Now you might find a pianist doing one time, a guitarist and vocalist at another time and then an electric type of violinist with keyboard. There is a DJ who plays each night but sometimes is playing where the pianist used to play. At the same time as mentioned you have a Bill Joel show on Serenity and Elton John show on Symphony. And yes you will have traditional music too some of which is to dance too. You won't have all current music if that is what you are looking for. By the way I like current music (used it teaching classes at the fitness center) but yes demographics do play a role in all of this. What I can definitely say is under the direction of the VP of Entertainment the entertainment including mix of music continues to evolve. People on land and at sea don't alway like change as we know so well so I think his approach has been wise to evolve it overtime and not at once. Full disclosure I do still like The Beatles music. While most of it is from the 1960's they did have a new hit song from just a few months ago. 🤣 Keith

Whether or not there is a line will depend on each cruise including demographics, itinerary, day of cruise and time. I've now been on three in 2023. Each one was different. On the Holiday cruise busier at 6:00 AM when doors opened (long line on a few nights) and then less so on others and then more people arrived later for another wave. On the first two cruises of New Crystal no line when it opened, and then it came in waves starting at 7:00 PM until around 8:00 PM. Even if there are lines early on things settle down a few days into the cruise. I've been on other lines with long lines including when the doors open and that included for open and fixed (assigned seating) dining. Keith

If you remember they said they planned on two expedition and two ocean vessels. They also Logic tells me the first two are one each. JMO. As to the cost, I believe the actual cost was closer to $400 Million. No idea what a duplicate would cost as certain things I don't believe would be duplicated such as that outrageously large casino. Anyway, my opinion. Time will tell including what the design is and what the cost to build is. Like I said, I don't bet but if I did I would be betting on new Crystal including new ships. Keith

Jeff Every cruise is different but no one will be left out. When people arrive is based on demographics and where Crystal sails. The food at Waterside is better than ever IMHO. Keith

Adding to what Patty has said, as we've all discussed many people had cruising plans on other lines and either had paid or didn't want to incur cancellation fees. Serenity is benefiting with people from USA, Canada and Mexico which don't involve long haul flights. New promotion seems to be doing very well just based on knowing many people who are taking advantage of it. Keith

An opportunity for a bath or shower. Keith

I don't bet but if I did I would bet on new builds. Keith

Fernando will be on-board for the entire World Cruise as Crystal's World Cruise Ambassador. On top of this there will be Cruise Director on board each segment of the World Cruise. A Keith

Well two issues. If you are concerned just don't take a chance and go mid ship. And I would try to find a suite that you can be in for both legs so you do not have to move. Keith

I wonder if the clock was "high" or on "fire" or just....... 🤣 Keith

Many. Keith

Classic Aquamarine Keith

September 2016 Crystal Serenity. Keith

Thank you so much for following along. Great news you will be sailing Crystal later this year. Keith

We saw Explora as we were driving out of the port. Have a great time. Keith

Offered on all cruises we've been on this year and two of three had mostly ports. Keith

Final outdoor walk of this cruise from this morning. Cheers, Keith

I used the on-board Internet Cafe for the first time since New Crystal started to check in for our flights. I like the fact that there is a reader to log-in so all you have to do is place your room card on the reader and it logs you on. This way you avoid having to key in your log on information. Brilliant. Cheers, Keith

We are a few hours from Miami as I write this post. It's been a great cruise. Crystal is back and IMHO better than ever. Most items corrected from the first two cruises and so much to love and enjoy. Internet challenging the last few days and hopefully can be resolved soon as it was excellent on the first two cruises. I will write a review in a few weeks but overall lit was a wonderful cruise. Most people we speak with say what we do. Can't wait to return. Just like old Crystal, new Crystal continues to evolve. Since the day we first sailed with Crystal in the summer of 2002 we were told it was evolving. Some enjoyed each or more changes and some didn't enjoy it as much. I could list 100's of changes. Yesterday, was another super day on board. Lots to enjoy including classes, lectures, activities inside and outside, entertainment, food and even the weather. Chef Jon Ashton did his third cooking demo and the room was filled. Made a nice entree which everyone got to enjoy. It's been very nice to share this cruise with some of the members of CC. We sailed with some of you who we have known for years and just yesterday I met two other people from this board (not traveling with one another) for the very first time. We look forward to our next Crystal Cruises. What a wonderful cruise line. What a wonderful world. Cheers, Keith

Bob, thank you so much for following along and for your very kind comments. So glad to hear that you have added another cruise and utilizing the promotion. Keith

Thank you so much Bill. I always say choice is great and so glad you had two favorites restaurants. Best to you. Keith

Thank you so much for following along. Yes, Crystal is a destination and the best one at that. Keith

Thank you for following along and for your kind comments. Keith

A loyal customer who over the years has been able to provide and receive feedback from various levels of management and senior management of Crystal. I did discuss this specific item with them just before we boarded and learned that someone has been assigned to get notification out to TA's and to those booked when changes are made. That didn't happed early on. Social media such as CC is good and it is certainly read by people at the cruise lines including Crystal. I do believe though that a TA having direct communication with one or more specific people who have responsibility for an item via telephone and/or e-mail is very important. As to a consumer like all of us sites such as CC, Trip Advisor along with others provide the potential to get lots of information and opinions. In my case, if I haven't experienced a product I go with the 80/20 rule (assuming a large base of opinions). In other words, if 80% of the people like or dislike a product or a component of a product I take that as fact unless I have experienced it myself. I always know that not every experience is the same either. The two hotels we stayed at before this trip (one at our local airport where we hadn't stayed at for 5 years and one at Miami which we hadn't stayed at since November of 2021 had some reviews which would make me not want to stay at them. Yes, I did have the benefit of staying at them before but each one coincidentally was renovated. Using the 80/20 rule helped a great deal as in both cases I did consider alternatives. Finally, even my own views change overtime about a product. Could be that the product gets better or I learn how to enjoy the experience more, or my views changes as I age, or the product degrades. Keith

Always enjoy the Promenade Deck and the views it provides. Keith