Originally Posted by
oldpenny16
I would move Crystal down one. Just my opinion. It is on the edge of not being as good as it used to be. It usually wins the Conde Naste polling because it has mobs of loyal customers who make sure to vote every year.
Crystal is no where near Seabourn or Silverseas for regular dining as it still has 2 seatings with table assignments and charges for the extra quality and extra service restaurants.
I can't put a cruise line that doesn't have open seating for dinner in the top class.
I beg to differ -- I think Crystal is right up there, just for a different type of clientelle that likes the more traditional and formal seating arrangements. And, BTW, they do NOT charge for the optional restaurants (one Italian and one Japanese on each ship) -- but guests are "encouraged" to leave a separate gratuity for the servers. That's not unreasonable or out of the ordinary on a line that has not included gratuities as part of the price (Silversea and Seabourn have a no tipping policy because they build it into the cruise fare without disclosing it as a separate line item).