About service, I don't agree that Crystal's service is poor or even average. It is above average.

Their secret to success and why so many passengers say that 'Oh they remember me and my family from trip to trip even if I have not been on a Crystal ship in a long time' is......

detailed passenger records with photos that every service employee has to study.

They keep lists of food preferences, allergies (that is good), all Crystal trips made with destinations and which areas people used for their meals: MDR, Lido, room service etc.

Employees are encouraged to call passengers by name as often as possible and to ask about family members and people cruised with in the past.

I would love to do this for and about my own customers! In case you are wondering many hotels do a lot of the same, including using ear pieces to send information about guests around the hotel.