As I have mentioned before I have been considering hosting a Crystal River Cruise and people have asked me if I ever host Silversea as they would like to try it. So while on the Beatles cruise I put together this idea.

Combining the new Silver Muse with a Crystal River Cruise. Trying both new products on one trip. Of course you can do just one of the cruises if you do not want to do both. Details are still in the works but next week we should have a flyer out to everyone.

Between KLT and the cruise lines we have some extra special benefits coming your way I think people will be happy about.

Cruises will be in September 2018 after the summer rush and usually nice weather. Dates are as follows:

Silversea Muse – Sept 12 – 22, 2018 – ROME TO VENICE
Crystal Debussy – Sept 23 – Oct 3, 2018 – AMSTERDAM to BASEL, SWITZERLAND

Details are still being negotiated but full details will be on the flyer.

We would possibly interested in these cruises

Super Cheron it would be wonderful to have you with us.

We are definitely interested in joining you on the Crystal riverboat cruise. Doubtful we'd go on another Mediterranean cruise (but never say never), I'll check with the boss.

That is great Marcie. Look for the flyer next week.

I happen to read a blog on CC from someone who was on Crystal Bach (a sister ship to the future Crystal Debussy). It's very well written with loads of photos and good information.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2538382&highlight=Crystal

Wow that is what I call a review. I read every word. Seemed to be very balanced as well, hit the highlights and the issues extremely well. THANKS so much for posting that Marcie I would not have seen it otherwise.

I think this is a river cruise experience quite different to any other currently available. From the pictures the food looks amazing and the cabins and public spaces are wonderful also. The comfortable CRYSTAL bus with wifi is certainly a huge plus. This is what I expected but you never know until the product is actually operating. I was debating whether to squeeze this into my 2018 offerings but after reading that review I am so glad i moved forward with the idea.

I like to be informed and really want to experience all the new products out there - hence the idea of the combination of the Silver Muse and the Debussy.

Nothing is perfect but the issues this passenger experienced were not deal breakers at all. Toiletries you can always bring your own if you do not like what is offered and of course that is always a matter of personal preference. The part about the internet problems and how quickly they responded was good to know.

I am very excited about seeing the Mozart and the Bach in December (cant sail they are totally sold out) but at least I can see the ship and eat the food and get a sense of the product.

Looking forward to cruising on the Debussy in September 2018.

we are definitely interested in the River cruise.....hope we can work it.

Can't say for sure yet, but we are definitely interested in the River Cruise too.

Flyer went out today hope you all got it. If you did not see it contact the office by email and they will send you a copy. Do not want to put all the details here on the web. What is nice about Crystal is that it is 100% refund up to 91 days. So you can always change your mind with no penalty.

Two of my regular clients said they did not get the flyer. In checking the first one we found they were unsubscribed from Signatures. Not heard back from Julie on the second one.

As part of Signatures we HAVE to send all our flyers via Signatures emailing service. We are also obligated to take part in their email marketing so I know that some of you get tired of those emails (usually weekly) and unsubscribe and I REALLY understand that. However, then you cannot get OUR flyers that you may want. It is worth it to be part of Signatures and get all those extra shipboard credits for our clients.

We try and use headings that should identify that our email comes from us not a general Signature email. Just wanted you all to be aware of how it all works.

Just skimmed most of the cruise critic posts. Ebikes, Michelin restaurant night, 10 flavors of ice cream! Sounds great to me.

And I always love an honest review of the toiletries, although nothing will ever come close to that vile cherry soap on the Russian river cruise.

I didn’t get the flyer either. I emailed Julie. Possible I unsubscribed.

Hi Ngaire. Mona and I are interested in at least the river cruise and possibly both. I'll have to look at whether she would be able to get around in the ports.

Tom.

Tom, I would be really interested in anything you find out. Thank you!

I will sent in an inquiry on the port issues for a wheelchair and this was what i was referred to on the Crystal website. I do not think this is a good cruise for wheelchairs unfortunately.

http://www.crystalcruises.com/river...ist/medical-information-special-requests

SORRY

Hey Leslie,

Crystal and I were on Serenity last year and found the Etro shampoo horrible on our hair. Turned our heads into grease-pits. Luckily our room attendant was able to find Aveda for us. You may want to take your "tried and true brand."

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Well at least know the situation and I think it is not the best for you on the Crystal river boat. Unless you are content to just enjoy the ship, service and friends and know that in most ports you can not go ashore. If you are okay with that then it would we need to determine boarding in Amsterdam and debarking in Basel is possible with the wheelchair.

Silversea Muse would be just like Regent so you know how that all works.

Ngaire, I apologize for the snarky comment. I just felt that their wording was very harsh. There are many variables when someone uses a wheelchair and a very big difference between a regular wheelchair and a collapsable transport chair. There are also very broad parameters when it comes to classifying "limited mobility". Having to use a wheelchair or walker of any type is a very sensitive issue and for the most part cruise lines handle it very delicately and kindly.

I did not think it was snarky at all. I certainly agree with you it was harsh but I had to give you exactly what they have on their web. We would love to have you with us you know that!!!

.....and you know I would love to be there!!!

I don't want to turn this thread into a discussion on limited mobility but here's what I've found. Not only does Crystal river cruises discourage wheelchair guests, Tauck river cruises flat out says they won't accommodate them. But the cruise lines may be saying that more to protect themselves if a wheelchair guest is unhappy. I asked Ashley, the woman who wrote the comprehensive review of the Bach (which Marcie found,) if she thought the cruise was suitable for wheelchair guests and she said yes with some obvious limitations. I think it just comes down to whether a wheelchair guest would be willing to give up some of the ports that may not be suitable. Here's what she said:

Good morning Giustot - firstly someone with limited mobility can enjoy Bach as there is an elevator onboard although it does not go to the open top deck. If you can manage with assistance to walk up the stairs to the open deck I think you will enjoy being on the river vessel. There were passengers on my sailing who used wheelchairs and walkers and they had no problems getting around - plenty of space and people to assist. I would not let that worry you. As far as the tours are concerned that would have to be a personal decision for someone with mobility challenges. I think the primary issue would be the nature of the walking surfaces in some of these old towns. You have remember the history of the region and the style of roads, sidewalks etc. Lots of cobble stones and uneven surfaces which might make walking or using a wheelchair challenging. In saying that Crystal will be able to tell you which of the walking tours would be better suited to a person in a wheelchair. We did several walking tours and one of the guests, who we befriended, traveled with her own super mini scooter. It enabled her to join the walking tours and not only keep up but usually be ahead of the crowd. She had no issue at all. In some of the other ports this lady would organize a car and driver to tour her and her travel companion around. Basically you can participate on tours in all of the stops and if for some reason you feel the Crystal tours would not be suitable to your particular needs then you can organize a car and driver and do something privately. If you don't use a scooter but have a traditional wheel chair then I think the same would apply - check with Crystal as to the best tours for a wheelchair. In some towns we had tours with lots of stairs so obviously those may not be the best ones to choose. Other towns it was all on the same level and the sidewalk surfaces were smooth and easier to navigate. There are also coach tours offered in most ports where you could enjoy the scenery without actually getting off and walking around. The coaches travel with us and meet us at each stop to take guests on excursions. My best advice would be to engage Crystal in this decision making process. The shore excursion department is very experienced and thoughtful and would be your best resource in such matters. I hope that this helps.

Tom that is really very good news. You may have hit the nail on the head. They are just overly concerned that people with mobility issues maybe unhappy so go "overboard" on their information to protect themselves from complaints. Having information like this directly from a person onboard is really helpful. I should have focused more on this portion of the review.

Thanks for posting that.

Thanks so much, Tom, for the great information! We are in!

Great Kathy. I think we're going to do it too.

Tom.

I think, we are too, at least we will book it and see how it goes. We do have South America next year and in May our oldest Granddaughter graduates from high school, so that is a trip, and my high school class may have a 60 year, so that is another trip, but with the cancel policy being so nice its worth holding a booking. What kind of cabins are you guys looking at? We are thinking the River suite.

I'm so happy to hear you think you're going to join us Tom and Mona. Thanks to your research, I feel very comfortable booking this and with you and Mona it will be even better.

Well, JoAnn, I think it's about time we saw you again! We were thinking of S. America, but I really want to see the Rhine River! We are going to book the River Suite too.

A nice group is forming it will be fun to try the new Crystal River Cruise it sure sounds great from the reviews.

Just FYI to anyone not booked yet who is interested the price has gone up since the flyer went out. But for right now I am able to get that river suite for just a little over the flyer rate but not sure how long we will be able to do that. So do not hesitate to contact us, it is a 100% refund up to 91 days so best to get the price point and decide later.

Not to sound redundant... but we too booked a River Suite. I love their great 100% refund policy up to 91 days.

this is going to be fun.

Kathy, was just going to add my thoughts, but some others beat me to it. I think you would be fine, because you can walk, just can't walk long distances. On our first AMA river cruise, there was a guy in a wheelchair. He had had a stroke and really couldn't walk at all, but he seemed to be having a great time. There were a lot of cobble stones in some of the towns, which were a bit of a problem, but they had a slow group so he and his daughter (who pushed him around) just went on that one.

so excited for this cruise.

Kathy so looking forward to cruising with/spending time with you. Also Tom and Marcie and Tom and Mona.

We need a name for this cruise and the Silver Cloud. Since the Debussy cruise is first I will ask Karen to start a contest.

Since one is an Ocean Cruise (Silver Muse) and one a River cruise (Debussy) even though its a back to back, shouldn't they have separate names and pins?

Just doing the River cruise right now. The Silver Muse has not reached the numbers for a named group so we will see what develops with the Muse.

Just read an excellent review of the Crystal Maher innaugural cruise. Sister ship to the Debbusy, and several of the same ports. Detailed info on the River Suites, lounges, food, service, excursions, etc. Really has me excited for this trip.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2555614

We are so glad we decided to do this trip. That is another glowing report and we are really looking forward to taking this trip. Thanks for posting that. I like this Rhine Itinerary.

Thanks for posting JoAnn. That was an excellent review.

Woo Hoo.....got our flights booked for RHINE using ALL f.f. miles (such a rarity to find availability !) . We're flying from LAX to NYC for 6 days, then fly to Amsterdam. After the cruise we're spending a few days with friends who live in Switzerland, then flying to LAX from Zurich. It's a combo of AA, UAL and BA miles but happy each leg is done !

I have to get on that myself. There is now a nonstop flight from DFW to Amsterdam - love that.

I have to work on this too. Just decide if we want to spend one night in Basel after....any ideas, is it a good place for an overnight?

We got our air yesterday non-stop DFW to AMSTERDAM - lots of miles but I am very happy about that nonstop flight. Lots of miles but "darn well worth it".

We are working on air now. Working with one of the points groups. Air France from Dulles via CDG to AMS it looks like, which isn't too bad. Holding off for a few days to see what opens up for the return at 330 days, otherwise probably BA via LHR on the return. Going in two nights early to Amsterdam as we have never been there, and staying two nights in Basel, as we haven't been there either.

trying to modify the Rhine roll call to add names. When I click on "change post" it says modify post not found and won't update. Is it me?

JoAnn, we updated the website last night, I will tell Ken!

Editing to add, if you can read this edit, it has been fixed

Thanks Karen, it worked the next day.