Symphony on song

[Noggins]

Symphony has arrived in Venice this morning (Fusina) and is being readied for a 3 day charter (for a wedding - wow, that's some wedding party!).

I'll post some thoughts on how we found things shortly but suffice to say that NC is very hard to differentiate from OC (in a good way).

Adrian 

[Keith1010]

Adrian, great news.

 

This is what a number of us are saying.  In my case NC is like OC but even better with more things coming.

 

Keith

[Treasure Hunter]

Hopefully there will be a new casino installed for my September 2024 cruise

[skybluewaters]

10 hours ago, Noggins said:

Symphony has arrived in Venice this morning (Fusina) and is being readied for a 3 day charter (for a wedding - wow, that's some wedding party!).

 

Wow!

Looks like the wedding party will be going from Venice to Athens.

I hope one of the passengers/partygoers will write a review of this cruise for CC.

[TER777]

 A Princess is getting married. 

Edited October 6, 2023 by TER777

[skybluewaters]

42 minutes ago, TER777 said:

 A Princess is getting married. 

 

Tracie:  any info on which country she's from? 

[TER777]

17 minutes ago, skybluewaters said:

 

Tracie:  any info on which country she's from? 

Sorry. No idea. 

[Noggins]

4 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Hopefully there will be a new casino installed for my September 2024 cruise

I think you may need to search for treasure elsewhere - I can't see there being any chance of an about turn on a casino anytime soon.

[BWIVince]

1 minute ago, Noggins said:

I think you may need to search for treasure elsewhere - I can't see there being any chance of an about turn on a casino anytime soon.

 

+1...  If they just started the RFP process a couple of months ago, that probably would be completed later this fall, and then have to go through design, procurement, and fabrication processes for the basic furnishings for the room (like the bases for the machines)...  The operator, once selected, needs to jump through some legal and regulatory hurdles to start a new operation with a new cruise line, needs to source the equipment that was spec'd out in the RFP process, needs to recruit and train the staff, and coordinate with the cruise line on the construction and installation of the space after all the fabrication and sourcing is done...   And of course all of this is dependent on even finding an operator that provides a feasible bid, which honestly I still have some concerns about.  I'm HOPING they can scale the operation down to a feasible size, but I'm not positive that's a given.

 

That's a lot to happen with less than 12 months to go...  But not physically impossible.  The odds just aren't great.

 

Vince

[May B]

1 hour ago, Noggins said:

I think you may need to search for treasure elsewhere - I can't see there being any chance of an about turn on a casino anytime soon.

Adrian, Cristina Levis has already told us they are planning a return of a casino, albeit probably smaller and as yet not negotiated.

 

If the ships could come back in not much more than 12 months, I think asking for a casino in eleven is not at all unrealistic.

[Noggins]

8 hours ago, May B said:

Adrian, Cristina Levis has already told us they are planning a return of a casino, albeit probably smaller and as yet not negotiated.

 

If the ships could come back in not much more than 12 months, I think asking for a casino in eleven is not at all unrealistic.

Oh, I don't recall reading that. I'm ambivalent about casinos but one observation I would make (sorry we're still in Venice and wider comments will take a little longer yet to pull together) is that we were 500 souls (to use the old fashioned expression!) - about the typical number I think Vince has told us to expect? With so much public space it does mean that several venues feel deserted and lacking in appeal for lack of atmosphere. The key exceptions being the Cove and the Avenue which become crowded because that's where the vibe and the action is.

The ship certainly felt empty at times. And that's not necessarily a good thing?

A casino would not draw off many folk, I suspect, so wouldn't affect the situation.

Adrian 

[Jayayeff]

23 hours ago, Noggins said:

Symphony has arrived in Venice this morning (Fusina) and is being readied for a 3 day charter (for a wedding - wow, that's some wedding party!).

I'll post some thoughts on how we found things shortly but suffice to say that NC is very hard to differentiate from OC (in a good way).

Adrian 

Hi Adrian

 

Good to see you a Kathleen enjoyed your return to the Symphony.  I’m looking forward to seeing her arrival here in a couple of weeks, although I’m unlikely to make it onboard now as the friends who will be onboard have an early flight out on disembarkation day, and with the arrival now scheduled to be later than initially given the previous day it leaves them very little time in port… Look forward to reading your full review later…

 

Anne…

 

 

[Keith1010]

8 hours ago, May B said:

Adrian, Cristina Levis has already told us they are planning a return of a casino, albeit probably smaller and as yet not negotiated.

 

If the ships could come back in not much more than 12 months, I think asking for a casino in eleven is not at all unrealistic.

The difference is the work was done in a dry dock.  So, depending on how extensive this is and where the casino will go it might require a dry dock.  Time will tell.  😄

 

Keith

[Noggins]

Sorry for the wait but, in summary, we had a great time on a ship that has the feel, the quality, the history of what we had come to really enjoy in old Crystal. Bear this in mind in anything that follows!

 

Trying to set things out with a degree of logic....

 

Hardware

It’s strange how the passing of time can make you see things a little differently. Seeing Symphony again after such an enforced gap left me with slightly mixed feelings. Great pleasure to know that we were heading back into a safe, known, quality environment but also realizing that, crumbs, whilst Symphony does look elegant, yes, she also looks, well, a bit old fashioned…. Anyone new to Crystal could be forgiven for thinking that they would have to wait and see the quality of what is on board whereas there are many competing ships that externally look (are) new, ‘on trend’ and you just know are going to be fabulous inside when you see them. There is no doubt, and in many ways I am sorry to say it, but Crystal needs those new ships to survive. Longstanding, returning Crystal passengers will not be enough.

On board, she is just as she was, quietly elegant in an understated way but with some glaring outdated parts (atrium, Starlight ceiling, to name two of the most obvious). And for the first time we were struck by the almost complete absence of artwork anywhere. This absence does leave several venues looking unfinished – especially the Osteria (Italian restaurant). Anyone out there with a large art collection that they don’t have enough walls for….?!

Our room was brand new, spacious and lovely. But it was not necessarily entirely well thought out or fully snagged – all features of the refit being done in a huge and understandable hurry, I am sure. For instance, the luxurious shower is fitted with a handheld shower that has virtually no adjustment when in its bracket making it next to useless unless you use it handheld. The two wall jets are so powerful (and initially cold) that they could knock you over / drill holes through you! The rainfall is Amazonian in water quantity and great if are happy to be immersed head to toe. When it comes to the end of the bathing ritual, there is no towel rail – unless you were in our friends identical room where there was a towel rail – just where you expected there to be one!

We had our fire alarm go off in the middle of the night one night, the lighting in the bathroom partly stopped working and the loo stopped working briefly. All new Crystal experiences.

The public rooms remain spacious and beautifully furnished but as mentioned previously it is starting to feel as if there is just a bit too much space for the number of passengers. Spaces seemed to regularly feel empty of people and vibe – Starlight and Palm Court in particular.  

 

Software

This bit is a little more complicated, so I’ll break it down a bit to food, service and entertainment.

 

Food is just as we remembered it – quality fine dining in elegant surroundings, inventive menus with multiple choices. This goes for Marketplace and Waterside especially. Osteria needs a special mention in view of the apparent controversy over the menu. Make no mistake this is fine dining of Michelin standard. Perhaps it is not appealing to the masses in quite the same way as Prego did but it is certainly very high quality fare.

Service is, on the whole, of that special Crystal standard that no-one else (that we have experienced) manages to achieve. The team in the Osteria were the best example of Crystal service – they were just brilliant. For the whole crew, it is partly the training, partly the selection of confident intelligent people, partly making sure they feel happy in their work and partly by empowering them to interact with the customer and make decisions. We were surprised there were so many new faces (to us) but most of them had ‘got’ new Crystal and delivered exceptionally. A few didn’t – service slightly marred a Waterside dinner experience and breakfast service in Waterside was off beam. Astonishingly we were recognized by some staff. This gives a very nice fuzzy feeling when it happens! When one is a sommelier you wonder whether a previous search for that other pleasant fuzzy feeling might have been a little too enthusiastic (how else would we have made such a mark that we seemed to be instantly recognizable…?!)  

Entertainment has been something that has always impressed us and new Crystal have maintained the standard. High quality professional and highly skilled entertainers wherever you looked. The Avenue, in particular, delivered (for us) with one evening the band joining to deliver an outstanding jazz / jamming session with contributions from other members of the entertainment team and from guests who were themselves professionals in the entertainment industry contributing. Truly an exceptional evening.

 

What next? (after Explora...) Serenity, next year. To be honest our bags are unpacked right now – but we can’t wait to re-pack. Rest assured that this will be the only time I will feel the need to compare OC with NC - as far as we are concerned Crystal remains outstanding. Long may that last.

 

(apologies if you hoped for more but it has been a bit of a whirl since coming home. A months worth of rain fell at the weekend and we’ve been busy with the consequences of that and the rivers that border us and run through the property. Goodness what a lot of water!)

 

Adrian

[ryndam]

Adrian, thank you for taking the time to write down your thoughts. Very nicely composed and objective observations.

 

On a related (or unrelated note) about the "old fashioned" hardware references - we totally understand. We were very loyal travelers on the Rotterdam V and QE2, probably sailing on both ships long after their "pull-dates". The staff, the atmosphere onboard and the feeling of comfort/coming home was important. Same qualities as you have noted about Symphony. But both ships did finally reach the end of their commercially viable sailing careers, as will both Symphony and Serenity. Hopefully their replacements will sail sooner, rather than later.

 

Rob

[travelberlin]

Adrian thanks for sharing your observations. Very careful expressed but balanced. Looking forward to cruising with the NC. 
Ivi

[Stickman1990]

Thanks for the review - always appreciate your commentary and honest appraisal of the situation 

Looking forward to hearing your views on Explora (if you like Umi Uma then you’ll love Sakura!)

[Keith1010]

Adrian, thank you for sharing your review of Symphony.  I look forward to hearing what you think of Serenity.

 

Best to you.

 

Keth

[BWIVince]

Thanks Adrian!  I just want to point out that Adrian was in no way compensated or campaigned for his comment about the Starlight ceiling.  😆 

 

Symphony’s original lack of artwork has always been one of the starkest contrasts with Harmony to me.  Harmony had several really high profile original pieces commissioned that really added to the atmosphere, where Symphony always had a much more austere vibe.  Subsequent designers attempted to correct that in specific spaces…. (The pieces in the elevator lobby outside the casino added in 2007, the prints Kirk Nix added in the Avenue and the framed art and image panels in the former Prego, Alison Clixby’s coordination of the cast pieces that used to be in Umi Uma and her use of crafted wall textures, like the (former) purple tiled wall in Umi Uma and the mirrored cutout wall in Marketplace, and II BY IV’s additions to the Starlight.). Overall though, lots of finished wall surfaces instead of commissioned pieces.

 

I completely agree about Crystal’s new builds being the future, and their only path to long-term success.  I say that with mixed feelings though, because the new builds will likely not fit my needs, and I expect that to be my end of sailing Crystal, as much as I know they will meet the needs of the majority.

 

Vince

[kool kruiser]

Hi Adrian

Sorry to hear of the weather conditions in your new home and hope you all dry out soon !!

As ever, a great read and totally relatable. I think your thoughts regarding being recognised by a sommelier are spot on, don't forget, I can speak from experience. I wondered how reduced numbers would affect the vibe on board. The increased space ratio, which was excellent before, is perhaps a double-edged sword ? 

We have just booked the Serenity for an Alaskan cruise next July, as part of a longer holiday Our first experience on that ship, all our other Crystal trips having been on Symphony. As you know, we will be embarking on Explora in a few weeks time and I am heartened by Terry's ( Mr Stickman ) positivity. I believe our trip will be at a greater capacity so it remains to be seen how often we can get to eat in Sakora, which really appeals. Of course, I will post my thoughts on that board upon our return.

Love to E and take care

Colin

[Cruisecyp]

Colin,

 

We are on the Symphony at the moment which has 170 passengers.

 

Walking around at night is like visiting Scunthorpe or any other seaside town in February.  The lights are off, sections are closed off and whole areas are deserted.  This afternoon I ventured into the Palm Court as I heard a piano.  Sitting alone was a pianist surrounded at Crystal staff waiting for someone or anyone  to turn up.

 

Granted it was a port day but whole areas are deserted.  It may be different on sea days.

 

But the answer your question about increased space ratio is yes a double-edged sword especially when nowhere near full capacity.  It looks a bit sad.  Perhaps all passenger ships are the same when there are so few passengers.  Symphony being no different.  However the service is still exemplary and the food outstanding.  Crystal have made an excellent job of replacing and revitalising areas and should be commended.  Our state room that was upgraded in 2023 is excellent.  The crew are fabulous as always with lots of familiar faces and we being recognised after so long away from the ship.

 

Put off?  Certainly not. A BTB next year and a triple BTB the following year.

[Whipsnade]

Appreciate Adrain’s review. Not surprised by any of it. We are committed to Crystal until our EI coupons are all used (they are all booked). 
Guess we should all be concerned that there are only 170 passengers on board. Old Crystal passengers have not flocked back as I am sure they expected. Just got a flyer that they are offering incentives for our extended Asia trip next winter. 
I think the problem is not that many old Crystals have a “thing” about OC/NC but that there are so many more luxury options that are available now that were not at the beginning of Covid. Think Explora, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea. Between them five new ships in last/next 18 mos. And another four at least in next couple years. How can a couple 30 year old vessels compete with that?  Cannot win on nostalgia alone. And the reputation of Crystal is it is a line for over 70s. When I first started with Crystal we were among the youngest on board (late 40s). Now we are among the oldest (mid 80s). No one is chasing our age group as we are all expected to be dead or in memory care in less than a decade!! 
The Whip and spouse are just going to take it one year at a time. We are booked up for the next two years on Crystal, Silversea and Explora. Let’s hope we live that long. And, yes, we have insurance protection!!!!
 

[AtA]

1 hour ago, Whipsnade said:

 Think Explora, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea. Between them five new ships in last/next 18 mos. And another four at least in next couple years. How can a couple 30 year old vessels compete with that?  Cannot win on nostalgia alone. And the reputation of Crystal is it is a line for over 70s. When I first started with Crystal we were among the youngest on board (late 40s). Now we are among the oldest (mid 80s). No one is chasing our age group as we are all expected to be dead or in memory care in less than a decade!! 
The Whip and spouse are just going to take it one year at a time. We are booked up for the next two years on Crystal, Silversea and Explora. Let’s hope we live that long. And, yes, we have insurance protection!!!!
 

We've been on SS, Seabourn and Regent and the one HUGE thing that sets Crystal apart is the crew and how they anticipate. The other three are good, IF you ask but they lack that something extra that the Crystal crew and staff have.

The other thing that sets Crystal apart is the ships. Yes they're old but the new, blingy ships feel more compartmentalized without a "central core" and without the promenade deck. Plus rooms on these new ships tend to be forward or aft on each floor versus having several floors just for rooms. To access the very top deck rooms, one is limited to one elevator or walking outdoors to access the rooms. Just one example. And those most expensive rooms are forward of the pool.

My feeling is if Crystal can somehow keep the feel of the ships they have while updating them, they will be far ahead of any of the other cruise lines.

[Keith1010]

A reminder that when Crystal came out with the itineraries many people (and several we know) had bookings on other cruise lines and they didn't want to change them having in some cases bought tickets for flights and didn't want to pay administrative fees. At the same time, the focus was on Crystal Society Members.  

 

I also agree there are many products to choose from.

 

This is a work in progress in terms of the start up and next year will be key.  

 

Keith

[Whipsnade]

New Crystal just moved a top category all the way forward where in addition to bring a long way from midship elevator will have some rocky seas. Both Silversea and Explora have some larger configurations adjacent to midships. As far as access from outside,  I don’t know where that comes from. Certainly don’t know what AtA could be referring to.