Keith1010

What you say is correct about the challenges. I do think though we all need to step back. Crystal was only bought at the end of June. A little over six months ago. They bought assets. Not a company. No people. No itineraries. No nothing beyond ships. I just can't imagine. They have to start from scratch. Decide what to do on ships at a high level, then detailed designs, then all the details which goes into this including cost and schedules and everything else. Start hiring people executives and then some people. Even the itineraries. They have to be developed but then they have to determine if the ports are available The list goes on and on. And when they do publish them and everything that goes with them they have to do it right and that includes not cancelling cruises because ships not ready and not cancelling ports because it turned out they were locked in or that the planned itinerary won't work. I guess what I am getting at is this is a massive undertaking because they didn't buy a company. I agree. The longer it takes the more people have locked in plans but.............It's only been six months plus two weeks. Keith

And my Paddle Tennis Racquet should be OK too. Glad not at the airport this moment though. Keith

Three years ago today, a transit of the Panama Canal. Always a wonderful experience. Keith

Which is why many "speculate" late Summer.. We'll know soon enough. Keith

I know it's frustrating but until dates are locked down I do not see us receiving any communications. TA's are asking on behalf of clients so they are trying to provide what they can to them. I expect when things are ready to go that's when we hear whether that is through one or more of the following: the TA first, e-mail(s) to Crystal Society Members, the Crystal website, PR announcements. No inside information but logic tells me this is how it goes. I do think we are inching towards the start date and yes it is testing our patience but in the scheme of things I believe it won't be that much longer. Keith

Roy, I will speculate sooner rather than later. Just my opinion with no knowledge whatsoever. Keith

And that is Long Island in the great state of New York not the Bahamas. My assistant at work used to say fixin. For us we like to say y’all. Then again I also say watter and idear. Go figure.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023 to all our Crystal Cruises Cruise Critic Members. May your dreams come true. This year marks the return of Crystal Cruises. Can't wait. Ready to go. And, yes, bags packed. See many of you on-board. Keith

Great video Brian. Brings back nice memories. Happy New Year. Keith

Last New Year's Eve on a Crystal Vessel. 12/31/18. Wishing everyone a safe, heathy and Happy New Year. Keith

Patty, I used to blame this on auto correct, Patty. Now I blame this on KenZSailing. It is clearly all his fault. Not mine. But, his or someone but not me. LOL. Keith

Terry, like most things each person has to decide their level of comfort and confidence. I would be more worried booking air with Southwest Airlines right now. Just kidding. Maybe. Maybe not. The open booking is $500.00 per booking so not something I am concerned about and I plan to make full deposits. I will use American Express as they were so easy to deal with and one of the lessons I learned. I leaned the lesson when the saplings were impacted due to COVID and used them for all new bookings. and easily got money back after Genting went under for the new ones. Unfortunately I had money tied up with another credit card company who had already been a pain in the.......well you know what I mean and that money is lost. There is always risk but I feel confident in the ownership of Crystal Cruises.. But I would never tell anyone what to do when it comes to something like this. Only what I am doing. Keith

During the height of the Pandemic where I live several people would paint rocks and leave them all around our community. To me thesis the best medicine. Keith

It does depend on time of day, day of week and what might happen in terms of roadway accidents. I would give yourself an hour for planning purposes. Could be short and could be longer. Also try not booking a flight before Noon. Keith

My recommendation is try to fly to Miami since your cruise starts there. There is no best hotel because best is in the eyes of the beholder. There are several hotels in the downtown area on or near Brickell and I would check them out. There are lots of restaurants nearby and stores if you need any last minute items. Keith

As most people said I would not do this. Too risky. Is it possible you will make it? Yes. However, there is a good chance you won't. Even if it meant waiting for an afternoon flight or going to Miami I would not go with a 9:00 AM flight. Keith

Nancy, yes. Sooner you go to sleep sooner Santa will arrive. 😃 Merry Christmas. Keith

Merry Christmas.

This year Chanukkah and Christmas overlap as Chanukkah comes to an end after nightfall on the 26th. On the Crystal Holiday Cruise of 2014, Chanukkah ended at nightfall on Christmas Eve so we had some overlap at the start of the Holiday Cruise a couple of days earlier. I am posting a few photos from eight years ago today. Wishing each of our Cruise Critic members who celebrate one or both of these Holidays a Happy Chanukkah and a very Merry Christmas. Keith

Four years ago today. Visit to the Avenue Saloon followed by first visit to the Supper Club on-board Crystal Serenity. Keith

Here is the trailer. Wonderful documentary. Keith

That is right. Up to $500.00 per suite 2 people crystal society and up to 250.00 per suite new to Crystal

Great documentary on the Disney Channel by Mary McCartney about Abbey Roads Studio titles If these walls could sing. Watch it. If you don’t have Disney look at YouTube for some snip its. . Keith.

I do too. Not sure what the worry is. As Larry notes, this was not part of SS until after RCI arrived. Also choice is good so if there are options where you could have the service if you want or unbundle it could be a nice option. Either way, not sure what this has to do with open bookings which prompted my original comment your point. Keith

Since we are only in the "open booking" phase certainly an unknown. When we can book the actual cruise I would suspect it will be known. Certainly won't play a role in most of us booking a cruise or doing an open booking with the latter being the subject of this thread. Keith