Here are some random thoughts that I posted on CC. I still haven't sailed Radisson so I can only compare Crystal to Seabourn and Silverseas. Would I sail Crystal again? Yes, but only if it is a very, very good deal. I really missed the all-inclusive feel of being guest rather than a customer. Crystal strikes me as a very, very nice mass market line.
Here's my impressions of the ship. I have previously sailed on Seabourn and Silverseas.
I called the Crystal office in L.A prior to my cruise to ask if the rooms had DVD players. They told me no so I lugged my boom box with me. The cabin (a category D) did have a DVD player so the boom box took up precious room in the closet (it's small-not a walk-in). Not an auspicious start.
Embarkation:
It certainly was orderly. It just took too long. We had to wait quite a while for our group to be called. By the time our group was called, we missed lunch in the dining room by ten minutes. Our friends (see the two posters above ) had a nice lunch in the dining room with gratis wine.
I couldn't believe we weren't welcomed on board with a glass of champagne. That seems pretty standard to me on other crusie lines. It always signals to me that I'm on a luxury cruise ship and vacation is about to begin.
My hubbie and I were told to go to the trident grill instead. My hubbie got in the huge line and waited with his cafeteria style trays while I got us a seat. I knew I wasn't on an all-inclusive line when I saw the plastic stand-up menu (a la IHOP) on the table advertising the price of drinks. The hamburgers were good.
Our cabin was fine and well-appointed for the space. There just isn't enough room to entertain. We had a total of twelve people in our cabin one night for a cocktail before dinner and it was CRAMPED.
The best thing about the cruise was the food. My husband and I love to cook and consider ourselves "foodies". The food in the dining room was outstanding and surpassed Seabourn and Silverseas. In our opinion the food on the two aforementioned lines is usually underseasoned. We had many outstanding meals in the dining room. The service in the dining room was impeccable. Walter, the maitre'd and Franz, the head waiter, were extremely gracious. We loved our servers, Jose and Vladimir. Sandra, the sommelier, was just lovey. We also enjoyed Kyoto and Prego very much. It was great to have such a variety of food options.
Room service- left me speechless. I took a four day Carnival cruise from long beach, many years ago, that had better room service. You actually have to page your room stewardess (!!!) to order. She comes to your room and writes down your order which means, if you are reading in bed, you have to prepare to get up, and be sociable, twice. In twelve days I never was able to get them to bring sugar. I even started writing Coffee WITH SUGAR on the room service order sheet and we progressed only to sweet and lo. So I started pilfering sugar from the bistro and carrying it around in my pockets.
I like to have a glass of grapefruit juice every morning. Most mornings they brought me grape juice, which I detest. My hubbie ordered a bagel, cream cheese and lox. They never brought the bagel. Only once in twelve days did they get our order correct (and that was probably only because I never ordered coffee that time).
One evening I asked if we could have a plate of apetizers in our cabin at around 6pm since our reservation at Prego was at 9pm. I was told no, even though they were serving apetizers in the bars. I was told you can only order off the room service menu. That pretty much limits you to cheese and crackers unless you want a hamburger or pizza. On silversea, they will bring you a plate of apetizers if you ask.
In the avenue saloon I asked for some peanuts. I was told they didn't have any even though they were able to get them for me in the Vista Lounge the night before.
I did like all the activites on board. There is certainly more to do than on a small ship. Most of the staff on the Harmony are exceptional. My hubbie is inclined to sail Crystal again. His primary criteria is good food and Crystal has the best of any cruise line we have sailed. The service lapses aren't important to him. Service is more professional and smooth on Seabourn and Silverseas, although the dining room service, as I said above, is flawless on Crystal.
If you like good room service, this isn't the line for you. If you never eat or drink in your cabin- go for it.
