2026 Cruises?

[Whipsnade]

I have been told before end of June. 

[Port Power]

On 5/23/2024 at 9:53 PM, Gregrat said:

Looks like nobody was correct on when the 2026 itineraries were coming out (except for the world cruise).
Anyone care to make an educated guess when the rest of the 2026 cruises will be released?

I think every other comparable cruise line has their 2026 itineraries out already.  By lagging so far behind, Crystal could lose out on new business.

 

I really want to book Crystal for some time in 2026, and would have booked by now with any other line.  (Due to a March transatlantic booking with Silversea, sadly I cannot book Crystal’s world cruise.)

[Whipsnade]

I suspect the 26 itinerary for Symphony will be pretty much similar to 25. As they are finishing up the year in the Gulf they will probably head east to Mumbai and then a couple months in Asia before heading back to the Med in mid April. If that is the case we will be on board for the whole ride as it incorporates all of the great stops in Asia and then comes back to Saudi fir the first time and Petra before Med in late April. Of course that assumes the Houthis have gone back to tending their goats by then. We are hopeful that because if their ownership by A&K there will be some excellent overland excursions as well. 
Hard to give an estimate for Serenity post WC. 

I cannot imagine what is taking so long. I am not booking anything else in 26 until they release as Crystal is my first choice. 

[BWIVince]

12 hours ago, Port Power said:

I think every other comparable cruise line has their 2026 itineraries out already.  By lagging so far behind, Crystal could lose out on new business.

 

I really want to book Crystal for some time in 2026, and would have booked by now with any other line.  (Due to a March transatlantic booking with Silversea, sadly I cannot book Crystal’s world cruise.)

I don’t know what Crystal is working on for sure, but if I was in their sourcing department, I would prioritize the rework they’re needing to do on the 2024/2025 itineraries before I finalized 2026.  Itineraries 2+ years out are a definite nice-to-have, but to say their sourcing department has bigger fish to fry right now is a complete understatement.

 

Vince

[Keith1010]

On 5/23/2024 at 3:53 PM, Gregrat said:

Looks like nobody was correct on when the 2026 itineraries were coming out (except for the world cruise).
Anyone care to make an educated guess when the rest of the 2026 cruises will be released?

I know people mean well speculating when the itineraries will be released but even those who hear a date while on the ship are often wrong. People are well intentioned but often it truly is speculation or one person says I heard x date and people take it as gospel. And this includes when they hear it from someone on the ship even someone you think would know. It won't be the first or the last time that what one heard turns out to be wrong.

 

I could speculate too but this is going to be like it often is. A couple of days before they come out that's when we'll know. NC has been doing teasers before releasing itineraries and/or letting the TA's know.

I know this is not what many want to hear but best to just be patient.

 

One observation and I can't say this is fact but just something I have picked up in speaking with fellow travelers and reading articles.  My sense (OK some speculation) is for a myriad of reasons many are booking later these days.  I think it's for a wide range of reasons and that includes some uncertainty in the world, in the USA elections later this year, looking for last minute deals, and just overall economic uncertainty. And yes I realize some including myself do like to book early but I think many are waiting.  Again, this is JMO so yes I am speculating a bit but it seems like with each passing day I hear from someone who says, "I just booked a cruise for June, July, August, September of this year on Crystal.

 

Keith

[Whipsnade]

Better move fast on Symphony 24. Many Sept Oct cruises are booked solid already. We will have to change cabins twice on 45 day cruise Sept/Oct cruise that I booked three months ago. 

[ryndam]

8 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

One observation and I can't say this is fact but just something I have picked up in speaking with fellow travelers and reading articles.  My sense (OK some speculation) is for a myriad of reasons many are booking later these days.  Again, this is JMO so yes I am speculating a bit but it seems like with each passing day I hear from someone who says, "I just booked a cruise for June, July, August, September of this year on Crystal.

 

Keith

We fall into your category-of-speculation. We're just not booking anything more than 6-12 months (max.) in advance. Most of 2025, and certainly 2026 travel opportunities, are not even on our radar, for any destination, venue or operator.

 

As an aside, we're waiting to see what the revised 2025 WC itinerary looks like, after Rio. Holding off on plans for early 2025, depending on the revised itinerary.

 

Rob

[Whipsnade]

Last I was told was June. Now almost middle of month and no further word. 

[May B]

49 minutes ago, Whipsnade said:

Last I was told was June. Now almost middle of month and no further word. 

Call us on July 1st.

 

Actually, I expect to be enjoying my last lunch and dinner on Serenity, in Victoria, that day. I’ll certainly be delighted if 2026 itineraries are announced after I board in San Diego on June 24th.

[Whipsnade]

26 itineraries still not up even though we have been told they are. Website is a mess. 

[Port Power]

1 hour ago, Whipsnade said:

26 itineraries still not up even though we have been told they are. Website is a mess. 

I’m wanting to book late 2026 cruises now, as well as possible 2027 World Cruise.  I really want to try Crystal, but they have to get their itineraries out!

[Texas Tillie]

1 hour ago, Whipsnade said:

26 itineraries still not up even though we have been told they are. Website is a mess. 

 

I don't believe they said the 2026 itineraries are out yet. What they said that have been released are the 2024 and 2025 cruises that needed to have itineraries changed. Now, I believe they said the end of June for the 2026 itineraries and that is approaching, but it's not here yet. 😮

 

Patty

[BWIVince]

13 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

I don't believe they said the 2026 itineraries are out yet. What they said that have been released are the 2024 and 2025 cruises that needed to have itineraries changed. Now, I believe they said the end of June for the 2026 itineraries and that is approaching, but it's not here yet. 😮

 

Patty

I was just about to ask where they announced the 2026 itineraries, I thought I missed something.  😁 

 

I’ve said it before and I'll say it again — no matter when they hoped to release 2026, I don’t expect them to release 2026 until they clean up 2024 and 2025, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that causes a delay for 2026 because the same team has to do both, and the 24 and 25 changes were extremely time consuming.  Not saying they have to be late, just saying it’s a reasonably predictable risk depending on how close they were when they had to shift focus.

 

Vince

[Keith1010]

18 hours ago, Whipsnade said:

26 itineraries still not up even though we have been told they are. Website is a mess. 

May I ask who told you they would be up?

 

Keith

[Whipsnade]

TA

[Mrs. Claypool]

7 hours ago, BWIVince said:

 

I’ve said it before and I'll say it again — no matter when they hoped to release 2026, I don’t expect them to release 2026 until they clean up 2024 and 2025, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that causes a delay for 2026

I am onboard now and just spoke to the Future Cruise Consultant who said the exact same thing.  She did not expect to see the itineraries for the first half of 2026 for yet another few weeks. 

[BWIVince]

30 minutes ago, Mrs. Claypool said:

I am onboard now and just spoke to the Future Cruise Consultant who said the exact same thing.  She did not expect to see the itineraries for the first half of 2026 for yet another few weeks. 

 

Thanks for checking, Emily!  They had a really heavy lift on the '24 and '25 changes, so I don't envy them one bit on having to turn around and finish '26 at the same time/right after.

 

Looking forward to seeing you and Dick soon!

 

Vince

[Whipsnade]

They still have the end of 25 going through the Red Sea. Disappointing. 

[BWIVince]

14 minutes ago, Whipsnade said:

They still have the end of 25 going through the Red Sea. Disappointing. 

 

Not saying it wouldn't be nice if all the changes weren't done by now, but if you had any concept what was involved in making all those edits in a content management system this complex, you'd probably have a lot more patience, and be a lot less "disappointed" all the time.  

 

Vince

[Whipsnade]

I do have an idea how complicated it is to rearrange an entire season of cruises as we were in the business for years. Still, they have had at least six months to get this worked out. I think “disappointment” is only a mild criticism considering. 
And it looks like there have been no decisions about end of Med season in 25 and beginning of Asia season in 26. Not me, but many experienced travelers have already made their 26 plans. Pity Crystal will miss out. Again. 
They do need to get their act together in order to woo back reluctant Crystal guests. 
We all want to see them survive and thrive. 
 

 

 

[PaulMCO]

The first half of 2026 for Serenity is announced and that is the WC 2026

[Whipsnade]

But not yet a hint of Symphony and latest info is to not expect it this month. 

[Keith1010]

They say patience is a virtue.

 

I am sure that having to update 2024 and 2025 was a big deal with so many things to figure out and this was something that was unplanned and not caused by Crystal.  My own opinion is they are doing the best they can under very challenging circumstances not caused by them end not caused by anyone in the cruise industry.

 

A few people in the travel industry have told me that because of world events and a few other reasons that people are booking cruises closer to the cruise date. This makes sense. While I know some people like to book far in advance and traditionally we were one of them, that many do not for various reasons.

 

Also, even if the 2026 itineraries were available (and I have no idea if they are or if they are not) I suspect it would not be a good idea to release them until people sort through their 2024 and 2025 cruising plans given the revisions that were only just released the other day.

 

Keith