Dale & Elaine Strand

Age: 64
Occupation: Retired
Number of Cruises: 83
Cruise Line: Crystal
Ship: Symphony
Itinerary: Mexican Riviera

This is a brief review but to the point.

We have always WANTED to cruise on the upscale lines, particularly Crystal, since everybody who's been on it raves about it.

Frankly, we were just unwilling to pay 3, 4, or 5 times more than a regular cruise -- and couldn't believe ANY high end cruise could be better than what we'd already experienced in our 30 years of cruising on 15 different lines -- 83 cruises.

Well, we found a hot deal (for Crystal) at $175/day p/p and thought we'd give it a try.

There's no question but that it was good -- but NOT better than the regular cruise lines and, in many cases, not as good.

There were many special amenities with pillow choices, pads on the carpet for your feet as you stepped out of bed, dual sinks, shoe horns, etc., but nothing really significant (for us).

Food, entertainment, service was on a par with the other main lines. However, in the Lido, the service was pushy -- and you almost had to fight with the waiter to carry your own tray and select your own table.

Go out by the pool -- and nobody's there! No cruise ambience, no fun stuff, nothing. Seemed like we were the only ones there.

While we would go on Crystal again -- we would never pay the prices they are asking.

We shoot for $75/day p/p or less and will go up to twice that if it's a maiden voyage or a special cruise.

Our verdict? Go on 3 regular cruises, instead of 1 Crystal cruise.

 

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